Like a lot of historical fiction it got a bit lost in the weeds of research and details. I think I was hoping for something more character driven. Despite really enjoying the effort, I kept putting this book down. Still, I really loved the topic.

Although it is not historically accurate, it was an interesting point of view on a period in history. It is not a quick read so beware.

or someone intrigued about the idea of an African samurai, wanting to know a bit more, this book, though excellent is a bit much. It took me months to wade through because I kept getting bogged down in details. At the same time I stuck with it, because I was intrigued. Recommended for those who want a detailed, somewhat scholarly approach. For others like me and for middle grade and teen readers who will be intrigued by Yasuke, I hope Lockley writes a Young Readers edition.

Interesting book with a nice historical twist.
Se non e vero e ben trovato applies here,If it is not real,it is well thought of.
the characters are well developed and the plot is extremely interesting,the main character deserves a sequel.

Received from Net Galley and I thought this would be different and it was and I had a difficult time in reading the book. Made it like half way maybe but couldn't read anymore. Wasn't interesting reading.

A well researched and written biography about a black samurai, while more of a general overview it's well worth the read

This was actually pretty fascinating for the most part. Only annoyances were how much guessing went into it and there were a lot of passages that said something like “this could have happened this way” or “we can guess the situation” because there are not a lot of records surrounding him. I’m currently in Japan for the second time and it has been fascinating thinking of him being here in the Kyoto area and the sea experiencing this as someone who looks nothing like the population. I look very different here as well and have gotten some strange looks so I can imagine an inkling to how his appearance just have shocked the locals!

I was given an unreadable ARC by Harlequin through NetGalley which made a review impossible. But, having lived in Japan for many years, I was quite interested in the subject matter so I went ahead and borrowed a library book.

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This book isn't a "True Story" as bannered. In fact, it's 480 pages of "historical" fiction, barely factual, almost entirely made-up, and, frankly, shallow, boring and pedestrian.

Replete with identity politics, the fabricated tale is agenda driven and loaded with overtones of racism, anti-Catholicism, anti-Japanese, misogyny and LGBTQ advocacy.

The only scant historical reference to a black retainer or servant in the service of Jesuits is from chronicles written by François Solier of the Society of Jesus in 1627.

Lockley's book depicts the proud black legendary warrior cum retainer as a sodomite engaged in a homosexual relationship, and contends that Samurai's were generally homosexual, that Catholic priests somehow dealt in kidnapping, child-trafficking and slavery, and that Japanese women were promiscuous and lewd in conduct during festivals - among many preposterous, baseless and historically inaccurate claims.

In Laura Hillenbrand's magnificent "Seabiscuit" and Jack London's "Call of the Wild", The Biscuit, the inarticulate horse and Buck, the dog, are given more personality, intelligence and soul than the author gives the legendary Mozambique warrior cum retainer.

Except for primal sentiments, not a single personal thought as a living, feeling intelligent human being is ascribed to Yasuke by the author. The protagonist is presented purely as an object of dehumanized racial curiosity noted for his size. Japanese are dumbfounded and in awe, as though size mattered to a real Samurai in a swordfight.

Historically, "Yasuke" was said to have arrived to Japan in 1579 supposedly in the service of Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano. He is said to have been present two to three years later during the Honnō-ji Incident, the forced suicide on June 21, 1582, of Oda Nobunaga at the hands of his samurai general Akechi Mitsuhide

Therein lies a glaring inaccuracy. Any expert of the Japanese language would sense right away that Yasuke could not have coherently conversed with Nobunaga within two years, much less be that close to him, as written by the author.

In fact, in the historical chronicles of Alessandro Valignano, the missionary, and Oda Nobunaga, the daimyō (feudal lord), - the most historically prominent names mentioned in the book, there is not a single word regarding "Yasuke" or a black bodyguard, servant or warrior.

Furthermore, the term "Samurai", which is strictly based on caste, is liberally and inaccurately applied by Lockley. At best, the retainer would have been a foreign-born person who was allowed to wear two swords or daishō, if at all.

Finally, the author doesn't even know "Yasuke's" African name for someone who claims to tell a "True Story". In contrast, James Clavell's heroic character in "Shogun", John Blackthorne, respectfully named by the Japanese, "Anjin-san" (Honorable Pilot), is based on actual events involving a real sailor (William Adams) who reached Japan in the same period as the book and became involved with the future shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Sadly, the author took a potentially interesting legendary character and twisted facts to fit an agenda.

Don't waste your time on this one!

Instead, read a far more exciting story and accurate portrayal of the Japanese Sengoku period (c.1467-c.1600) "Age of Warring States" of feudal Japan: James Clavell's epic "Shogun" based on over two dozen real historic persons with few questionable embellishments.

And far more enlightening: Miyamoto Musashi's (c.1584-c.1645) "Book of Five Rings", on swordsmanship and the culture of Samurais.

I like this book very much because it is about a time and place about which I know very little. That said, the galley is very hard to read. There are headings and footers on every page. I have to search to continue the narrative. I am going to buy a copy when it is published to finish reading it.

3.5

Honestly I had a hard time getting into this book because of its formatting. I find it a little distracting.

Putting that aside I think the authors did an amazing job researching and writing this book. The way it was written made this book accessible to readers, history buffs especially, who are interested in knowing more about the slave trade, warfare and politics, Jessuit missionaries and the effort they make to convert people to Christians during that time period.

I was very intrigued by Yasuke's life and how he started as a slave then became a bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia, Valignano. When he arrived in 1579, in Japan, I can imagine what a ruckus he created when he was first seen, as Japanese people have never seen an African man before, let alone one that commanded strength and presence. Not only was he good at what he does, but he was able to learn the Japanese language easily too.

Researching about Yasuke wasn't easy as the author had indicated, as there weren't much information and resources available pertaining to him. Despite that, this book made for an interesting read.

I'd highly recommend it to history buffs. Take your time in reading this tome. It's worth it! And the pictures definitely helped bring me back to that time period!

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for providing me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a fascinating tale. If you aren't familiar with Yasuke- and I was not- or with feudal Japan- and I am not- this is an incredible learning experience. Written in a smooth style, it takes you inside the world of 16th century samurai. An African in Japan was the subject of curiosity as well as concern but Yasuke triumphed to become a legend. Lockley takes this beyond his legend, however, to provide insight into the art, architecture, politics, and most importantly, samurai training. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishers for this fascinating, and impressively researched account of the history, mainly focusing on events in medieval Japan. It includes many interesting facts little known to Westerners. It focuses on vivid descriptions of towns, fortifications and architecture. We learn about important Japanese warlords, Jesuit missionaries and their methods of converting people to Christianity. The book conveys an interesting picture of warfare, politics, mainly the upper echelon of society, culture and beliefs, race, slave trade and the class system. Some later historical events are included, as well as some well thought out speculation based on their research.

Central to the story is the real-life character of Yasuke. He was taken into slavery during a brutal attack by slave traders on his African village. He became a bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia. Travelling throughout Asia with the Jesuits, he spent time in India and China. During the journeys, he became proficient in several languages and also learned martial arts and warfare.

People rioted when he arrived in Kyoto in the late 1500s as they were excited to see a black man for the first time. He was taken before Lord Nobunaga, the most powerful and ruthless Japanese warlord. Impressed by Yasuke’s height, physique, manners, language ability, and insight into other countries, Nobunaga made him the first foreign samurai in Japan. This honour elevated Yasuke to the upper echelons of society. The authors have included some interesting drawings and maps to illustrate this period of history.

Recommended to anyone wanting to learn more about Japanese history and culture, the role of Jesuit missionaries, and the Asian slave trade. This book should bring Yasuke from legend to his rightful place as an actual, intriguing historical character.

This engaging read not only brings to life an absolutely fascinating figure, but through its coverage of the life of the man known to us as Yasuke, it also ends up teaching a terrific amount about the Jesuit mission in the Far East and even more about the late Sengoku Period in Japan. "African Samurai" has a lot to offer to any history lover who is both looking to learn and also wants a great story from the past.