SAMURAI: THE WORLD OF THE WARRIOR. by Turnbull, Stephen - 2003

Oxford: Osprey, 2003. 224 pp, small 4to (10 1/4" H). Map endpapers, profusely illustrated with b&w and colour photographs, reproductions. "The world of the samurai - the legendary elite warrior cult of old Japan - has for too long been associated solely with military history. In this exciting new book, Stephen Turnbull, the world's leading authority on the samurai, goes beyond the battlefield to paint a picture of the samurai as they really were. Familiar topics such as the cult of suicide, ritualised revenge and the lore of the samurai sword are seen in the context of an all-encompassing warrior culture that was expressed through art and poetry as much as through violence. Using themed chapters, the book studies the samurai through their historical development and their relationship to the world around them - relationships that are shown to persist in Japan even today." Bump at bottom of spine. Dust jacket has wrinkling at bottom of spine, minor edge wrinkling at top edge.. Third Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good.