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 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. ( )