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Last Samurai, The - The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori

By: John Wiley & Sons

Type: Hardcover

Product Line: Historical Books (John Wiley & Sons)

MSRP old price: $24.95


Product Info

Title
Last Samurai, The - The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori
Publisher
Category
Author
Mark Ravina
Publish Year
2003
Pages
264
Dimensions
6.5x9.5x1"
NKG Part #
2148142837
Type
Hardcover

Description

The Last Samurai traces Saigo's life from his early days as a tax clerk in far southwestern Japan, through his rise to national prominence as a fierce imperial loyalist. Saigo was twice exiled for his political activities -- sent to Japan's remote southwestern islands where he fully expected to die. But exile only increased his reputation for loyalty, and in 1864 he was brought back to the capital to help his lord fight for the restoration of the emperor. In 1868, Saigo commanded his lord's forces in the battles which toppled the shogunate and he became and leader in the emperor Meiji's new government. But Saigo found only anguish in national leadership. He understood the need for a modern conscript army but longed for the days of the traditional warrior.