Stephen Turnbull

Lehetséges piaci célcsoportok:
1.Akik be vannak oltva irónia ellen, és imádják a szamurájokat, meg úgy egyáltalán: mindent, ami Japánnal kapcsolatos.
2. Nincsenek beoltva irónia ellen, de szeretnek néhány szabad órát könnyű, szórakoztató történelmi munkákra szánni.

Turnbull könyve egy kedélyes szarkazmussal megírt, rövid, mókás vázlat a szamurájok mindennapjairól a XVII. századig bezárólag. Nem állítom, hogy nincsenek benne releváns információk, mint show more például a páncélzat magunkra aggatásának módja, vagy a TOP14 legkellemesebb öngyilkosság becsületen esett csorba esetén, de túl sok mélységet azért ne várjunk. Az író cserébe az irónia könnyű tintájába mártja tollát, elhumorizálgat finoman a vérkomoly, bushidóba belegárgyult harcosokon – ezzel nyilván elegendő okot adna egy morcosabb szamurájnak, hogy egy lendületes vágással tetőtől talpig kettéhasítsa. Alapvetően megértem (mindkettejüket), mert bár rettenetesen szép és érdekes a korszak Japánja, de azt nem merném álltani, hogy sokkal jobb lett volna a kortárs Európánál. Persze aki szamurájnak született, annak jó (feltéve, ha nem kávés, hanem teás, és bír órákon keresztül lehetetlen pózokban guggolni), de a parasztok és nők sorsa aligha volt sokkal fényesebb, mint nyugati kollégáiké. Meg szép dolog a zen buddhizmus, de komolyan, de ezek a fejgyűjtő harcmániások éppen olyan távol álltak Buddhától, mint Belga-Kongó gyarmatosítói, vagy épp a déli rabszolgatartók Jézustól.

Mindenesetre jót mulattam a könyvön. show less

I found this to be an entertaining survey of the period in question, as the author does a fine job of lining the emergence of drilled infantry, the impact of artillery on siege warfare and the transition from the knight to the heavy cavalryman to specific campaigns.

Covering period of little more than 150 years, from fall of Constantinople to Polish-Russian wars, this book gives a very good overview of evolution of military thought and technology. This is by far the best book I read that gives short overview of the events and military evolution of the period (because to be honest for every part of the story there are at least 2 or 3 books of same size for those interested in the full details). Interspersed we find stories about renown names of military show more thought and science at the time, from nobles (like William the Silent) to mercenary captains (like John Smith). Together with this author stresses how cruel and savage wars became, with forces of thousands of soldiers invading countries getting paid by pillaging the countryside, burning and killing off the entire cities. This was time of mercenary captains who would fight one day for one side, next day for the opposition and then come back and be hired by their original employers. Life was cheap and war was perpetual.

We follow how might of artillery and gun-powder slowly changed the front-line landscape but also how proven old methods like use of well drilled cavalry lance charges, infantry organized in "boxes", like Spanish tercios or Swiss pike formations followed by German Landsknechts, proved their value time and time again even when confronted with modern firepower. Book proves that no matter the technological advancements if they are not practical or cannot be put to work en-masse to make a difference (I especially liked the chapters on reiters and cavalry caracole maneuver) it is discipline and drill of soldiers that will always prevail.

I recently read another book, one about the Cataphracts and evolution of this type of heavy cavalry and only comment I had was that book lacked graphical elements - it was well written but without graphics and pictures that would enrich the text.

Here we have no such situation. Book is beautiful, with great color photographs, especially of fortifications that became more and more sophisticated in this period, and black and white contemporary graphics of people, battlefields and fortified cities.

Highly recommended to everyone interested in birth of modern military. Do note that if you seek details, bibliography provided is extremely rich and provides a starting point for further reading.

Excellent book. show less

This beautifully illustrated and well written book, covers the background, history, and effects of the Japanese invasion of Korea during the period of 1592 to 1598. It provides many useful maps of the military operations that would otherwise be difficult to track for a reader unfamiliar with Korean geography. The author is Dr. Stephen Turnbull who lectures on Japanese Religion at Leeds University in Britain, and who recently returned from Akita International University in Japan, where he was show more Visiting Professor of Japanese Studies. Turnbull is the author of many books dealing with Japanese culture and military history.

The supreme Japanese warlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, having vanquished all rivals in the Japanese islands, set out to conquer the China of the Ming dynasty. As a first step he invaded Korea. Hideyoshi's ambition to conquer China may have resulted from ignorance of the true size of the Chinese Empire, or he may have simply been reducing the number of unemployed Samurai loose in Japan.

At this time Korea had enjoyed a general peace for two centuries, and was a far-flung tributary vassal of the Chinese. Nevertheless, the Korean people rallied to wear down the Japanese invasion through guerilla tactics, the support of the Chinese, and a naval campaign led by innovative and brilliant admirals.

Western students of the military arts will particularly profit from learning about the history of this conflict in north Asia. This story will also help westerners to understand the deep enmity that the Koreans feel toward the Japanese. show less