History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The Bamboo Sword: And Other Samurai Tales

Average customer rating:

Lovely Peeks Into Another Time
An exciting and engaging collection of remarkable samurai stories

The Bamboo Sword: And Other Samurai Tales
Shuhei Fujisawa
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 4770030053

Book Description

This delightful collection of eight stories evokes early 17th-century Japan, when peace finally reigned after centuries of warfare. It was a period of upheaval and change as the rulers carved out their territories, and clan politics were full of intrigue, rivalry, and betrayals. The samurai were still valued for their swordsmanship, and were a cut above the peasants, artisans, and merchants in the social hierarchy. Without battles to fight, however, they struggled to retain their sense of pride and meaning in life as they devoted themselves to mundane jobs, marriage, and family. The occasional flash of the sword and samurai discipline was tempered by the unexpected intrusion of human interaction. Sympathies, conspiracies, kindnesses, enmities-all kinds of odd relationships were formed and conflicts resolved in surprising ways. These tales are colorful, atmospheric, exciting, tender, violent, and gently ironic.

Customer Reviews:

Lovely Peeks Into Another Time.......2007-06-28

Fujiawa's collection of short stories "The Bamboo Sword and Other Samurai Tales" is a simply lovely book with lovely stories. Collected from a variety of other collections published in the Japanese, this present work forms a sort of introduction to Fujisawa.

The stories look at life during the Edo Period, (under the Tokugawa Shoguns), from a variety of angles, not only from the viewpoint of the samurai, (although they are certainly the main focus). The viewpoints include even a day in the life of a knife sharpener who moonlights as a burgular, (one of the more interesting stories for me).

Each of the stories is deeply human in its quality, taking in such elements as a samurai's problem with his wife and so on. They are touching windows on a domestic world often glossed over in other works and the movies. However, don't be fooled: there is plenty of action with swords and fighting in the book to satisfy the more martially oriented.

At only 253 pages, I found the book far too short and can only hope that more of Fujisawa's stories get translated into English. He is a gentle though energetic writer. This is onle of the best books I have read in some time.

An exciting and engaging collection of remarkable samurai stories.......2006-05-03

The Bamboo Sword And Other Samurai Tales by Shuhei Fujisawa is a superb collection of eight intrinsically interesting and truly evocative stories inspired by two popular Japanese films: "The Twilight Samurai" and "The Hidden Blade". These tales of the samurai include: A Passing Shower; All For A Melon; Kozuru; Shinza, The Samurai; Out Of Luck; The Runaway Stallion; Dancing Hands; and the title piece, The Bamboo Sword. Shuhei Fujisawa has written an exciting and engaging collection of remarkable samurai stories. that will grasp and hold the readers total attention from beginning to end. The Bamboo Sword is very highly recommended to all readers intrigued by tales of the eastern regions and the orient in general, and those who enjoy Japanese samurai lore in particular.

Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai

Average customer rating:

Historical tone

Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai
A. B. Mitford
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486440621

Book Description

An engrossing array of stories, this entertaining volume chronicles an ancient culture. The book provides grisly accounts of revenge and knightly exploits, a fascinating eyewitness account of a hara-kiri ceremony, tales of vampires and samurai, Buddhist sermons, and the plots of four No plays. 38 illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Historical tone.......2006-12-05

Folklore best describes the tone, although the sketches of the characters who are briefly seem more complex than similar European folklore. A pleasant read.

Average customer rating:

A great tale for all ages
The Samurai's Tale
How this book influenced my life
A very good book
QofA#29

The Samurai's Tale
Erik C. Haugaard
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0618615121

Book Description

When the powerful Lord Takeda's soldiers sweep across the countryside, killing and plundering, they spare the boy Taro's life and take him along with them. Taro becomes a servant in the household of the noble Lord Akiyama, where he meets Togan, a cook, who teaches Taro and makes his new life bearable. But when Togan is murdered, Taro's life takes a new direction: He will become a samurai, and redeem the family legacy that has been stolen from him.

Customer Reviews:

A great tale for all ages.......2007-03-02

At first I was ambiguous on how the story was starting out but then everything began to unfold, and I was drawn into to the story, I saw myself not being able to put the book down. The reading level is very simple, but the imagery was fantastic. But in all and all It's a great story for all ages with a great message that even us as adults seem to forget.

The Samurai's Tale.......2006-11-08

I think this was a ok book. For a 12-year old, we had to read it in class. It was sort of hard to understand, but still made sense. At first it was boring but got better during the end. It is about a boy named Taro. He is a samurai's son, until his dad gets killed by the lord's soldiers. They spare Taro's life, and let him live and work in the castle. He goes from different ranks, until he finally becomes a samurai just like his dad.

How this book influenced my life.......2006-08-15

This book that influenced my life A Samurais tale by Eric G. Haugaard, addresses the Habbit of mind Intellectual Curiosity because I've always wondered what life was like back in the fuedal age of japan as seen through the eyes of a Samurai. This book tells the story of how a young boy,Murikami whos father(a samurai)killed in battle is given a life as a peasent, but later in the book he gains the rank of samurai.I recomend this book to people who like to know about history and japan

A very good book.......2006-01-13

This book was an outstanding book for teenagers and was written by a wonderful author too. This book is about a boy who was born in an era where Lord Takeda's troops were conquering Japan. When Lord Takeda's army hit this boy's, (Taro), village his mother was killed but he was spared and raised. When time passes Taro gets older and wiser as he increases his rank in the world he has lived through and progresses throughout life. At first Taro starts out as a kitchen worker, the lowest rank in the village, he was then moved up as a horse keeper and now a messenger but then Taro was soon drafted to war as a rice manager "O master of rice".(pg.99) Then a very mysterious twist comes in the end which is very mind catching. I could not put down this book for a second.

The main character Taro is a very eager boy who always wants to strive to get to the top and the author did a very good description of this and the book. The author went into great detail and you can almost feel that you were experiencing Taro's adventures yourself. I could not even think about putting down this book the way the author wrote it.
This book is also most likely for ages 12+ because this book is about a boy's life journey.

Overall I gave this book a 4 star rating because I was an overall good book except it did not seem correctly put in the way the author organized the book.

QofA#29.......2006-01-13

Average customer rating:

Five Stars!
Wonderful book!
One of our favorite childrens' books
One Wise Cat
Will utterly fascinate and thoroughly delight young readers

Three Samurai Cats: A Story From Japan
Eric A. Kimmel
Manufacturer: Holiday House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0823418774

Book Description

In this energetic story set in medieval Japan, a nasty rat has invaded the castle of a canine lord, and it will take a trio of fighting samurai cats before he's defeated. Humourous, finely detailed pen-an-ink illustrations bring this timeless tale to life.

Customer Reviews:

Five Stars! .......2007-02-13

I loved the story of Three Samurai Cats but bought it because it is illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Gerstein's Mountains of Tibet is my favorite but I totally enjoyed this book written by Eric Kimmel. I even brought it to work, e-mailed my co-workers, and everyone took turns reading it. We had our own rat problem at the time. It lightened the discussion of rats!

Wonderful book!.......2006-02-25

This is truly a great story, and the illustrations are wonderful as well. It teaches kids a valuable lesson.

One of our favorite childrens' books .......2005-12-06

We have read many, many childrens' books with our three children and this remains one of our favorites. It's exotic and funny, fun for girls and boys and has a nice lesson.

One Wise Cat.......2004-05-14

"There was once a daimyo, a powerful lord, whose castle was occupied by a savage rat," begins Three Samurai Cats. The daimyo seeks help from a distant shrine that is famous for its fighting cats who are tough, skilled fighters. Eric Kimmel's adaptation of a Zen story is a strange and entertaining tale where the wisest cat allows his enemy to defeat himself. Karen Woodworth-Roman, Librarian

Will utterly fascinate and thoroughly delight young readers.......2003-08-11

Three Samurai Cats: A Story From Japan is a folktale from Japan retold for young readers by Eric A. Kimmel and impressively illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. After a rat takes over his castle, a canine lord knows that he needs the help of a samurai cat. The first one arrives, draws his sword, charges the rat -- and is soundly defeated. The next samurai cat arrives in full armor -- but is also defeated. Then an old, toothless, ragged-tailed cat limps to the castle -- but how can such a one succeed where other younger, stronger, sword wielding samurai felines have failed? Three Samurai Cats is a elegantly wonderful picture book story that will utterly fascinate and thoroughly delight young readers.

Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan (Trophy Chapter Books)

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the rating of the gratest book in the world
Sword of the Samurai
Far better than Pokemon and Digimon

Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan (Trophy Chapter Books)
Eric A. Kimmel
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064421317
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Book Description

The way of the Warrior

The samurai warriors of ancient Japan were taught to fight with their hearts and minds as well as with their swords. But even the best of training doesn't prepare a samurai for every situation...

A lone samurai is attacked by two Ronin--can he keep his head and come out of it alive?
Can a samurai with a reputation for being unlucky to defeat a ferocious dragon and regain his honor?
A brave girl fights tradition to learn swordmanship, but can she master the arts of the samurai?

Customer Reviews:

the rating of the gratest book in the world.......2005-04-04

the sword of the samurai is agrste book becouse if you like fighting or advencher this will be the book you should read this book the rating i give the book is a 7 becous i like advencher and stuff but the book could be beter if they would told us if the samurai got killed or not becouse he got staved in the last fight and they also could have told us if the boy and his dad ever stoped fighting and got over ther deferences.

Sword of the Samurai.......2001-02-05

Sword of the Samurai is a great book. It is a series of several stories about samurais. Even though this book is fantasy it brings in life lessons that you can relate to in real life. Like when 3 samurai trick someone into a ride in their oxcart because they don't want to walk to a festival their journey ends up to be a misrable one. That is why you should not trick people into doing something for you because the samurai almost lost face. You'll have to read this book to find out why. This book brings out many journeys with weak and brave samurais but I think you will love every one. Each and every one has a different moral to it and it makes you think about real life situations. If you like action adventure and fictional books I think you should read Sword of the Samurai by Eric A. Kimmel.

Far better than Pokemon and Digimon.......2000-07-12

This collection of Samurai stories is written for a child to read themselves. The stories are short and entertaining - a head severed and reattached, a tea master frightening a swordsman, an unluckly samurai accidently finding the secret to destroy a dragon, a no-sword samurai master outwitting a braggart samurai, a female samurai ... all in all good fun for the right child.

The author has provided a very short introduction to each story to place the story culturally - this keeps the "Japanese" aspect from provided a cultural barrier to the reader's understanding. The author has used a few Japanese words and provide a glossary of them ... just enough to remind the reader these are samurai not knights.

Average customer rating:

Fabulous

A kid's review

mystical......... Amazing!

Blue Fingers

An Adventure that Sets the Bar High

Blue Fingers: A Ninja's Tale
Cheryl Aylward Whitesel
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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In Darkness, Death (Puffin Sleuth Novels)

The Sword That Cut the Burning Grass

The Sea of Trolls (Horn Book Fanfare List (Awards))

Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan (Trophy Chapter Books)

The Demon in the Teahouse

ASIN: 0618381392

Book Description

The power and prowess of ninja never seem to lose their appeal to young readers, especially boys. Blue Fingers, a suspenseful, action-packed coming-of-age story set in feudal Japan, offers an up-close look at this noble, fierce way of life. Through an odd twist of fate, a stubborn twelve-year-old boy named Koji is kidnapped by a secret ninja clan and taken to its hidden camp high in the mountains. He wants desperately to return home, but that is forbidden. He must forget his old life and become a ninja-or die. In this carefully researched and well-crafted novel, Koji must learn to survive in the mysterious and dangerous world of the ninja and fulfill a destiny far different from any he could have imagined. Afterword.

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous.......2007-06-10

Blue Fingers is a tale of fate that happens so unexpectedly. It is a cleverley written tale with a new surprise everytime you turn the page. this breathtaking story is about a young boy who becomes a ninja. It is packed with action, suspense, and everything a reader looks for in a good book.

A kid's review.......2007-02-08

Bluefingers a Ninja's Tale is a good book for all kids 8-11. It's reasonably short for young readers, but it's still long enough to get into. The beginning of the book is; 12-year-old Koji lives a life of poverty even for ancient Japan. His family works hard to make rice, but it is always taken away as tax by cruel Lord Odu. Some years they don't even have enough food to feed themselves over the winter, but Odu is relentless. Worst of all, Koji is a twin, which were considered extremely unlucky in Japan. Koji's twin brother Taro, saves the Lord's head dyemaker's life, and in return the dyemaker offers Taro a job as his apprentice. But Koji's parents give Koji the job. After failing an honorable spot with the dyemaker Koji is disgraced. He runs into a close by mountain, and is captured by a secret ninja clan. What will happen to Koji in this new found place? I read this book and loved it. But it's fictional in another country during the past, so it may be different from a lot of peoples taste, if you like the Characteristics that I just named than this is a book for you!

mystical......... Amazing!.......2007-01-25

Blue fingers was truely an adventurous book. At times it mde me thrilled to be reading it. The plot and story line were all fantastic so everything fell in place. The book did seem confusing at first but I understood it when the pieces of the puzzle started coming together.
The book is basically about how a young boy or an identical twin is sent off to a new home disguising himself as his twin. The boy's name is Koji. Koji didn't seem to fit into his new home. He always got is trouble and made his masters mother furious. Koji knew he wasn't wanted so he ran away. The night he ran away he was captured by ninja's and kept a captive. And then........
It is very addicting once your in the "zone". I really recommend this book to all ages and most levels of reading! After the first 3 pages you'll discover the erge to keep reading on and on. This book is rated a 5 for a reason of being. The book has a certain feature that I don't know. Anyhow, This book is a must read! Hurry on and read!!!!!
sincerely, L.H.

Blue Fingers.......2006-10-20

Fear. That was all Koji could feel as he searched endlessly, for a destination, he did not know. Blue Fingers: A Ninja's Tale, by Cheryl Whitesel, is a book of adventure and ninjas. It begins with Taro, Koji's twin brother, returns from the market in a terrible storm. As he is drying off, a mysterious man greets Taro and Koji's parents. He had not yet seen either of them, when he offered Taro a job as an apprentice, because he had saved the stranger's life, just a few minutes before. For an unknown reason, Koji was told to go in Taro's place. He left with the man, who was a dye maker, to his house. After a while, the man grew tired of Koji's homesickness and said he would be going home. Not wanting to disappoint hi parents, Koji ran off without the dye maker. He went to his real house and crawled under it, to hear his parents and the dye maker talk. After hearing the discussion and meeting with Taro, Koji ran off into the bamboo grove, where the so called Tenju, or evil monsters dwell. Later that night, he was captured by what he thought was a Tenju. After walking for what seemed forever, Koji met with Dark Fire, the number one Chonin of the ninjas. He discovered that he was captured by Spider, Dark Fire's grandson. To keep himself alive, Koji proved he was worthy of being a ninja, by doing reconnaissance on Lord Udo's castle.
What I liked about this book, was the amount of details it contained. Nothing in this book is described without as much detail as possible. When on a mission the author thoroughly described everything, from the contents of the remedy used to keep the frogs behaving normally, to Koji's feelings in what he experienced while under water. I thought this added to the quality of the story tremendously.
What I did not like was that throughout the story there was a devoid of action. The author's desire to keep to the way of the ninja severely restricted the fighting in the book. There was plenty of sparring and practice fighting among ninjas, but still wasn't the same as the real deal.
I was highly fascinated with this book, mostly because of the setting. I have always been interested in the Japanese culture, and learning a little about ninjas, definitely kept my interest. Whether or not it is real, I do not know. It still helps give you an ideal of life in Japan in past times.
I would not recommend this book to people who do not like to read long books. Although if you are willing to read it, you will not be disappointed. I would recommend this book to anyone who is highly interested in Japan and it's culture. Whether or not you read it, is not up to me to decide, but you will missing out on a very entertaining book if you don't.
Taylor D.

An Adventure that Sets the Bar High.......2006-10-06

Blue Fingers: a Ninja's Tale is a deep, action-packed novel that guides the reader through the mysticism of the ninja. I recommend this book to anyone, especially those interested in the topic. The main character is easily related to, and the characters feel realistic. Also, the book does not use action to fill gaps in the story.
The main character in this book is amazingly portrayed. He is a simple farm boy named Kojiro. Gradually, you can witness his mind being shaped by the environment around him. Without his family, he lives by his own judgment. At first, he is reluctant to join the ninjas because of the viewing of samurai as heroes and ninjas as banished wanderers. After time passes, he realizes that they are real people too, and were just outcasts to society. Koji becomes compassionate.
While I am on the subject of characters, I have to say that the cast of characters feel very realistic. It is almost as if they really existed. Spider, the first ninja that Koji encounters and one of the only ones his age, starts as a hardened fighter. After Koji joins them, Spider still stays away and resists friendship. Koji had to prove himself. Spider is both a skeptic and a forgiver. That makes him, along with many other characters, feel real.
My final selling point is the fact that the story does not utilize action as a filler for plot voids. The transition between story and action is seamless. Koji's first mission had a purpose, and was necessary. Koji's mission changed the way everyone acted. The discovery of the musket in the hands of samurai was shocking. Fro then, the story drifted back to drama and conversation. The action is justified and the story avoids choppiness.
Blue Fingers: a Ninja's Tale is an exciting book and is definitely a decent read for anyone with eyes and half a brain.

Samurai Spirit: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life

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Samurai Spirit: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life
Burt Konzak
Manufacturer: Tundra Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0887766110
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Book Description

Named an Honor Title by the Storytelling World Awards in the category of “Storytelling Anthologies"

The samurai prepared themselves for battle through physical practice, and the study of the arts. These ancient stories that inspired warriors so long ago have special significance for today’s teens who face battles of their own: battles against bullies; battles with self-doubt and lack of confidence; and battles with the injustices they see around them. Burt Konzak has taught martial arts for over 20 years and has used these stories, drawn from sources including the Hagakuri, the Book of Five Rings, and other Japanese classics, to help young people gain emotional and mental strength.

Whether or not readers are interested in the martial arts, they will find centuries of wisdom in this fine collection.

Katsuno's Revenge and Other Tales of the Samurai

Average customer rating:

Katsuno's Revenge - A+

Katsuno's Revenge and Other Tales of the Samurai
Asataro Miyamori
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486447421

Book Description

These 8 compelling stories offer valuable insights into Japanese culture. Recounted by a distinguished scholar, they feature scenes from samurai life that embody the concept of Bushido, the "way of the warrior." Their portrayals of loyalty, romance, passion, and heroism offer a true reflection of the values of the Japanese knighthood.

Customer Reviews:

Katsuno's Revenge - A+.......2006-07-15

This is a wonderful little book of 7 or 8 short stories from feudal Japan, all revolving around the samurai and the ancient samurai traditions. It's a great, quick read written in an older style. The translation from the Japanese makes for some great prose. Bring it to the beach, on a plane or put it on your night table for a day or so.

Tales of the Samurai (Dover Books on Literature & Drama)

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Tales of the Samurai (Dover Books on Literature & Drama)
James S. de Benneville
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Fairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0486437469

Book Description

A young lord undertakes the restoration of his family's fortunes and honor in this gripping retelling of a 15th-century Japanese epic. Gripping and evocative, it recounts the rebellions, plots, and battles that culminate in a vendetta's thrilling resolution. James S. de Benneville's Western-style narrative offers an exceptionally faithful retelling. 44 black-and-white illustrations.

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