Kanawinkie's review
Giving Up the Gun: Japan's Reversion to the Sword, 1543-1879 by Noel Perrin
Kanawinkie's review
rating:
recommended for: those interested in Japanese culture and/or guns
status: Read in March, 2004
rating:
recommended for: those interested in Japanese culture and/or guns
status: Read in March, 2004
Neol Perrin writes a very interesting book dealing with the specific topic of Japan from the 16th to the 19th century and it's experience with guns.
It is very well written and easy to read. Although it is an academic read, Perrin never gets too technical to lose those of us (like me!) that have no real knowledge of Japanese history OR guns and his use of humor keeps it entertaining enough to read all the way through.
He packs in a lot of information and provides a wide range of sources and documentation, although it is clear especially towards the end exactly how fanatic Perrin is over Feudal Japan as a society.
The illustrations coupled with the writing are pretty to look at, but poor quality and although give the sense of the times, aren't addressed by Perrin himself.
It is very well written and easy to read. Although it is an academic read, Perrin never gets too technical to lose those of us (like me!) that have no real knowledge of Japanese history OR guns and his use of humor keeps it entertaining enough to read all the way through.
He packs in a lot of information and provides a wide range of sources and documentation, although it is clear especially towards the end exactly how fanatic Perrin is over Feudal Japan as a society.
The illustrations coupled with the writing are pretty to look at, but poor quality and although give the sense of the times, aren't addressed by Perrin himself.
