This fantastic book is exactly what historical fiction SHOULD be. It's sad that most efforts fail to live up to this standard. A rousing tale of a Dutch navigator who washes ashore in 17th Century Japan and proceeds to become caught up in the strife and war that would usher in the Tokugawa era, this book really has it all: intrigue, diplomacy, romance, tragedy, internecine warfar, and NINJAS. Who can resist a book with all of that?

If you like this book I would recommend reading Samurai William, which tells the true story of the "Anjin" that Shogun is based on. Still thrilling and compelling, but sadly no ninjas.