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Kevin Geaslin
30th December 2003, 23:53
Just picked up a new book entitled "The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori" by Mark Ravina (John Wiley & Sons, November 2003). Has anyone read it yet? I just finished the intro and it seems to be well-researched and interesting.

don
31st December 2003, 06:58
Originally posted by Kevin Geaslin
Just picked up a new book entitled "The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori" by Mark Ravina (John Wiley & Sons, November 2003). Has anyone read it yet? I just finished the intro and it seems to be well-researched and interesting.

When one of the cable channels did the Hollywood or History gig, they had Ravina on board being interviewed (as well as Thomas Conlan and Karl Friday, good reads both.)

Shimura
2nd January 2004, 21:37
Bought it, read it, and thouroughly enjoyed it. The only thing it lacked was more description as to the actual battles. Anybody know where one can find a play by play of the Satsuma rebellion itself?

Joseph Svinth
3rd January 2004, 16:20
It's not a military history, but a nice thumbnail: http://www.taisho.com/satsuma.html

For some detailed descriptions of the armies of the era, try http://www.russojapanesewar.com/satsuma.html . Note that the Satsuma used swords and spears mostly because they didn't have as many Enfield rifles as they had troops.

See also http://www.jsf.or.jp/sln/acid_e/saigou01.html .

Also search for Seinan (Southwest) Rebellion, as that brings up some additional citations.

don
3rd January 2004, 17:31
Originally posted by Shimura Anybody know where one can find a play by play of the Satsuma rebellion itself? [/B]


BUCK, James H. The Satsuma Rebellion of 1877: From Kagoshima through the Siege of Kumamoto Castle, Monumenta Nipponica. 28: 427-46.

Shimura
5th January 2004, 21:43
Again thank you all for the references, I'll be sure to preuse them when I get the chance.