The 47th Samurai (Bob Lee Swagger, #4) in SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group

Mar 22, 2012 Mike (the Paladin) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: action

I'm sure that some will read this book and rate it lower than I have...there is a HUGE eye roll factor here in at least one way. I'll say this...do some mental exercise and beef up your "suspension of disbelief muscles".

I like the Bob Lee Swagger character pretty well. However the Bob here isn't quite the Bob we've met before. There's not a huge difference but anyone who's followed the series will probably see the differences.

This however is not the eye roll factor. I'll have to discuss that un I'm sure that some will read this book and rate it lower than I have...there is a HUGE eye roll factor here in at least one way. I'll say this...do some mental exercise and beef up your "suspension of disbelief muscles".

I like the Bob Lee Swagger character pretty well. However the Bob here isn't quite the Bob we've met before. There's not a huge difference but anyone who's followed the series will probably see the differences.

This however is not the eye roll factor. I'll have to discuss that under a spoiler warning...sorry. I don't want to "spoil" anything for anyone.

Many if not most of you will probably catch the reference made in the title. It does harken back to that particular story/legend/historical event. Again details under a spoiler warning later.

So the book has some flaws...but it's what it sets out to be. It opens up with a World War II sequence about Bob's Dad. There is a section of slow plot building that leads to a slam bang finish. So, an action book that sets up a....slightly marginal story but with plenty of action. I'll give it four stars as it claims to be an action book and that's what it is.

(view spoiler)[ Okay...as I've said under spoiler warnings before, Just us now.

What is so eye rolling about this book? Please, let me explain.

Are you aware of the story (referenced above) of the 47 Samurai, or more properly the 47 Ronin? It's iconic in Japan like the Alamo here. The story is also well known in many places as there are endless movies, books, stories and TV shows based on it. In short (and please don't be offended as I'm just giving a quick imprecise version here) a young lord is tricked into doing something that offends the Shogun by an unscrupulous and cowardly court member. The young lord is ordered to commit seppuku. This left his retainers as masterless samurai. Of his retainers 47 refused to allow their lord to go unavenged. For 2 years they built a reputation as shameful ronin, drunk debauched masterless warriors. Then they brought off an unexpected attack on the castle or residence of the one who'd brought about their lord's shame and caused his death. After this when the Shogun ordered them they to committed seppuku.

Alright here Bob meets a Japanese man who's father knew Bob's father...they met in a blockhouse/pillbox where they were trying to kill each other and each in turn spared the other's lives. This man has come to Bob searching for his father's sword. Bob feeling an obligation sets out to help him. He finds that his father (Earl Swagger) had handed the sword off to his young captain.

The story proceeds through tragic happenings to a vendetta that leads Bob to the Yakuza.... See the really bad, nasty, evil dangerous Yakuza hit man uses a sword. The Sword Bob tracked down is (of course) a famous antique samurai around which blood and horror spin.

Bob schools himself in Samurai/Bushido culture (yeah...samurai movies play a big part in this). Still spouting Bushido honor and proving himself to be the epitome of THE SAMURAI Bob conquers. Of course to do this, Bob the Nailer, Bob Lee Swagger sniper supreme at 60 years old learns to (apparently master) use the Katana, (from a master of course) the Wakizashi and the tanto... In the end Bob beats (just barely of course) the samurai master. Not only this however...no,no,no Bob Lee manages to have an on station CIA operative and a group of JSDF (Japanese Self Defense Force) air born troops (also all using swords, though they are backed by snipers, who never fire) go along on the assault of the Yakuza stronghold. Of course when you count them it turns out that Bob Lee makes the...you guessed it, the 47th Samurai. The sword Bob had recovered had belonged to the original 47th Samurai. Now aside from the fact that this could never happen, it leads to a pretty good fight scene directly introducing Bob's duel with the hit man. (hide spoiler)]

Okay far fetched (I'm 60 and really I'm more than impressed) a bit eye rolling somewhat hard to suspend reality this much, but it's still a fast paced action packed book with a nice happy ending. Enjoy. ...more

21 likes · Like · see review

Jul 22, 2018 Patrick Schultheis rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Terrific book. Hunter’s characters are always great - really human. The plot was compelling.

Like · see review

Dec 08, 2010 Mark rated it really liked it

Shelves: police-pi-mystery, military

Bob Lee in Japan...definately not "lost in the Translation"...Bob Lee's code of honor and path of the warrior is great fit as he hunts the killers of the family to whom he returns a WWII relic sword...great fun!!! ...more

Like · see review

Mar 06, 2010 Terri Wright added it

Shelves: thrillers-mysteries

This wasn't quite the Bob Lee I've grown to love. Although there were flashes of Bob's single-mindedness in his quest to learn the sword, I enjoy his shooting genius more. ...more

Like · see review