The Gempei War 1180–85: The Great Samurai Civil War (Campaign, 297) Paperback – July 19, 2016

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I absolutely love this book! It's an interesting time in Japanese history that set the stage for hundreds of years of samurai warfare. My only gripe is the book is rather expensive for it's size and content. If I'm paying that much money the book should be at least double this size.

In this Osprey Campaign book, Steven Turnbull gives us a lucid overview of the Gempei War, wherein the Minamoto clan ushers in centuries of shogun rule in medieval Japan.One of the few western experts on the samurai and Japan in this time period, Turnbull is able to give the reader a factual chronicle of this war. It's interesting that this war was begun because the Taira clan controlled the emperor and often forced emperors to step down in favor of one more complaint to their desires. The Minamoto began the war by supporting the emperor but would end up supplanting him and relegating him to an even more figurehead role.The author is able to give the reader a very good exposition of the course of the war, the battles, the major players and the forces involved. One is struck by the military incompetence of the Taira coalition. One is also surprised by the tendency of samurai to panic and run during some of these battles when they have a reputation otherwise. Warrior Buddhist monks was another surprise for me. Strangely enough, the war ends with a sea battle!The only thing I didn't like was the way the author presented Japanese names to us. While it is technically correct to present Japanese names surname first, I found it confusing (as in, Jones Bill or Smith John). Add to this the similarity in the first names involved, such as Minamoto Yorisuke, Minamoto Yorisune, Minamoto Yorisume, and I found it difficult to follow at times. Given that this book is aimed at a Western audience, I didn't see the point to it.All in all, though, a very good work by a noted expert with all the excellent color plates, drawings, period woodcuts and paintings you'd expect from an Osprey title. Four stars.

Very informative book on a subject with I was not familiar. I have read some general histories of Japan over the years, but this was the first time I had read about this particular subject. The text is accompanied by several excellent color maps. The author describes the personalities involved, the military tactics, the specific battles, and also discusses the social aspects of the Samurai class of the time.

I have always enjoyed Stephen Turnbul's books in this format due to it's essential historical detail information that one can read in one sitting, especially if you are very busy! Product arrived as promised.

A well-done and effective introduction for the non-specialist like myself to the events and personalities of the Gempei War. Long before the 'classic' samurai period of the Sengoku Jidai, before katanas and guns, this was the war that made the Shogunate a seven-century long establishment of Japanese culture. Mister Turnbull sets out the leaders on either side of the political struggle between the two great clans of the Heike and Genji as well as the major battles. All of it ending with the famed (especially to viewers of the film 'Kwaidan') sea battle of Dan-no-ura, which ended Imperial rule in Japan until the Meiji Restoration.Be warned that while this book is complete in itself, it does help somewhat to have some of the other Osprey books such as "Samurai Commanders (1)', which goes into further detail about the leaders on both sides.It's a fun and enlightening read, though specialists of the period might ot be as impressed. I definitely enjoyed this book.

I needed a good concise overview of the Gempei War to work on my personal goal to get a 12 month study Japan. This very much helped me put into context some of the great samurai hero’s .

As a quick synopsis it is excellent, but not an on depth history by any means

The text is well structured and very accessible. It lays out the major characters, the historical battles and events quite well

Stephen Turnbull est le spécialiste des Bushis (Samourais) depuis prés de 20 ans. Tous les ouvrages qu'il a publié chez Osprey sont quasi-indispensables et celui là tout particulièrement car moins bien connu que la période Sengoku.(NB : Attention plusieurs éditeur rééditent des ouvrages de Turnbull en changeant la couverture et/ou le titre : Vérifiez bien la date de première publication pour éviter de racheter une deuxième fois le livre...)

This is a great read if you are into Japanese Samurai history. Stephen Turnbull is a world authority in his and doesn't fail to deliver. Thank you!

Great book to get information on japans historyWould recomend to anyone who is interested in the samurai

Heavy going - Turnbull doesn't have the same flair for battles and campaigns as he does when writing about social history - and battles become very samey after a while anyway. But the basic information is all there and there are some fine illustrations.