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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Except for the final chapter, the rest of this book was just disappointing. It had so much potential and such a strong story to work off of, but it seems unsure about the route it wants to take when exploring its material.
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
A 2019 staff favorite recommended by Joe. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Safrican%20samurai%20lockley__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
One of the hardest tasks of nonfiction writers to tackle when trying to reach a general audience is to broaden the appeal to a general audience instead of specialists and fellow historians. Popscience has emerged recently in public interest, and the echoes of this I'm seeing more and more in the nonfiction historical books I've reached for lately. African Samurai is written with a voice more akin to a novel, told very much more like a novel in that it takes assumptions with different figures opinions and feelings that there are no direct records for. Laying it out in a narrative form keeps the reader engaged. This may not appease a purest, but may work better for an audience that isn't as familiar with a piece of time and a place that is very different to them. I've personally found this to be most helpful when a culture's language and subsequent places and people of interest are not based in latin.
Now, thankfully, while I do not speak Japanese, I am very well acquainted with it. I also know some of the history of the country from previous books and pop-culture inspired fueled research rabbit holes. Even with that I still get caught up some times. That being said, I had heard of Yasuke and passing. Somehow it never linked to my silly whitewashed brain that he and the infamous Black samurai were the one and the same. I'm ashamed to admit that I thought the later was more a myth or subjective assumption. I am quite happy that my error has been corrected and greatly appreciated hearing his tale from start to speculated finish.
While also being approachable, this story's greatest appeal is a look into the culture of the time. Based in Japan, it also gives a peak into the surrounding region, the span of the influence and practices associated with the Christian church and trade culture, and the subsequent ripple effects. I also enjoyed a brief peak into what the author assumes Yasuke's life would have been in the African lands at the time.
Over all, a solid, well sewn story of a rough but remarkable life of a person who learned to transform and thrive more times than seems possible.
Now, thankfully, while I do not speak Japanese, I am very well acquainted with it. I also know some of the history of the country from previous books and pop-culture inspired fueled research rabbit holes. Even with that I still get caught up some times. That being said, I had heard of Yasuke and passing. Somehow it never linked to my silly whitewashed brain that he and the infamous Black samurai were the one and the same. I'm ashamed to admit that I thought the later was more a myth or subjective assumption. I am quite happy that my error has been corrected and greatly appreciated hearing his tale from start to speculated finish.
While also being approachable, this story's greatest appeal is a look into the culture of the time. Based in Japan, it also gives a peak into the surrounding region, the span of the influence and practices associated with the Christian church and trade culture, and the subsequent ripple effects. I also enjoyed a brief peak into what the author assumes Yasuke's life would have been in the African lands at the time.
Over all, a solid, well sewn story of a rough but remarkable life of a person who learned to transform and thrive more times than seems possible.
adventurous
medium-paced
Fun history of a figure who challenges a lot of stereotypes about historical figures. I thought the author was sometimes taking too much artistic license with the history, but it helps make the story more engaging and the author is honest when the historical record ends.
Considering as almost all historical texts are written with bias, this one just contains sides that people who read history aren't used to seeing.
Girard and Lockley provide a tale that covers a refreshingly new topic for many history buffs and an enticing beginner novel for those just entering the field. While the narrative is certainly embellished, this novel successfully pulls the limited historic texts there are to tell a surprisingly comprehensive story. Utilizing a stylistic approach to set the scene, this story is deceptively fast-paced and it is easy to fall into the pages. The nuances and politics of medieval Japan are carved out through multiple perspectives and feelings to tell a compelling tale of an enslaved boy turned legendary warrior.
Yusuke is given a breadth of personality that borderlines on presumptuous of the authors. Readers will quickly fall into the magnetism and larger-than-life presence, while feeling a deep respect to both the historic texts and legends that were used to shape this retelling (Although, an addition of more sources would not have been remiss here). Take this book with a grain of salt and a whole lot of other reference books, and it's a good read.
Girard and Lockley provide a tale that covers a refreshingly new topic for many history buffs and an enticing beginner novel for those just entering the field. While the narrative is certainly embellished, this novel successfully pulls the limited historic texts there are to tell a surprisingly comprehensive story. Utilizing a stylistic approach to set the scene, this story is deceptively fast-paced and it is easy to fall into the pages. The nuances and politics of medieval Japan are carved out through multiple perspectives and feelings to tell a compelling tale of an enslaved boy turned legendary warrior.
Yusuke is given a breadth of personality that borderlines on presumptuous of the authors. Readers will quickly fall into the magnetism and larger-than-life presence, while feeling a deep respect to both the historic texts and legends that were used to shape this retelling (Although, an addition of more sources would not have been remiss here). Take this book with a grain of salt and a whole lot of other reference books, and it's a good read.
The author researched this book for 8 years. He went to Japan as a teacher and while there heard stories of a black samurai. The samurai had become something of a legend. So he began to research. He found information in diaries and such that had been locked away in old family archives and a movement had begun in Japan to publish these in an effort to make more history known. He also found information in old Jesuit letters.
Yasuke came to Japan as bodyguard to a Jesuit Visitor, the head of the missionary effort, answerable to the Pope. He became known to the people and attracted the attention of Nobunaga, head of the Oda clan, who was trying to unite Japan into one country. Yasuke was over 6 feet tall and very strong and very good with weapons. When the Visitor left Japan, he left Yasuke to the employ of Nobunaga, who made him a Samurai and gave him a house of his own in his castle grounds and servants. So Yasuke became a member of the Samuarai bodyguard and warriors close to Nobunaga.
Some of the story is of necessity speculation, but Lockley gives his reasons for his conclusions in the background notes if not in the story itself.
Very interesting and makes me want to know more of the Samurai and the conditions and customs in Japan.
Yasuke came to Japan as bodyguard to a Jesuit Visitor, the head of the missionary effort, answerable to the Pope. He became known to the people and attracted the attention of Nobunaga, head of the Oda clan, who was trying to unite Japan into one country. Yasuke was over 6 feet tall and very strong and very good with weapons. When the Visitor left Japan, he left Yasuke to the employ of Nobunaga, who made him a Samurai and gave him a house of his own in his castle grounds and servants. So Yasuke became a member of the Samuarai bodyguard and warriors close to Nobunaga.
Some of the story is of necessity speculation, but Lockley gives his reasons for his conclusions in the background notes if not in the story itself.
Very interesting and makes me want to know more of the Samurai and the conditions and customs in Japan.
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Probably a bit higher than I would give this book relative to recommending it to others, but this book checks a lot of very specific boxes for me. The first half is certainly slow, but I appreciate the context it is able to provide. My only issues with it are minor moments where the author takes slight liberties to insert an emotion or sensation that wouldn't have ever been recorded prior -- even then I didn't dislike this every time and understand the need to bring the reader in to certain moments.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
adventurous
informative
medium-paced