Osprey Trade Editions : The Samurai

Perhaps the greatest warriors in history, the Samurai were a product of a social system totally geared to war. The Samurai became expert in fighting both on horseback and on the ground. Their way of life was dictated by the code of Bushido or 'way of the warrior' and clad in their magnificent, multi-coloured armour they were perfectly suited to the violent clan and dynastic warfare that dominated medieval Japan as the most powerful families vied for supremacy. In addition to the endemic in-fighting they defended Japan from a series of external threats including the previously invincible Mogols. Anthony J. Bryant presents an overview of these truly elite warriors accompanied by illustrations by Angus McBride.