(Paperback)

Updated and revised, with full-colour maps and all new images throughout, this concise history examines the most violent, turbulent, cruel and exciting chapter in Japanese history, the Age of Warring States, beginning with the Onin War in 1467 and ending with the Osaka War in 1615.

(Paperback)

A historical account of the Mongol conquests of 1190-1400, including the rise of Genghis Khan and the unification of the tribes. It examines the strategies, tactics and logistics that enabled the Mongols to fight successfully against enemies as far apart as Prussia and Korea.

(Hardback)

A witty, informative and highly entertaining guide to how to be a pirate, combining historical accuracy with a humorous eye in an irreverent but revealing look at the world of piracy and buccaneering.

(Paperback)

Featuring specially commissioned artwork and maps, carefully chosen illustrations and insightful analysis, this book examines the legendary Mongol warriors and their vastly different European opponents.

(Paperback)

An illustrated account of The Gempei War - a conflict that defined the age and the ethos of the samurai. It examines the events of the five-year long conflict, revealing the changes that the war inflicted on Japanese culture and the establishment of many of the traditions of the samurai.

(Paperback)

Featuring specially commissioned artwork, this lively study assesses the array of weapons and equipment employed by the samurai, Japan's legendary warriors.

(Paperback)

It has been said in China that a city without a wall would be as inconceivable as a house without a roof. This book traces the evolution of the walled city from the 3,000 year old remains of the beaten earth walls of the Shang dynasty to the huge stone fortifications of the Ming dynasty.

(Paperback)

The Teutonic Knights were the most warlike of the religious orders, and this is reflected in the architecture they left behind. This work tells the history of spectacular fortresses from their inception through to their eventual decline and fall.

(Paperback)

Founded in the late 12th century, the order of the Teutonic Knights was to play a major role during the crusades, both in the Holy Land and Northern Europe. This work studies the stone fortifications built by the order in their attempts to pacify and convert Livonia.

(Paperback)

Using detailed descriptions, accurate cutaway plates and reliable historical examples, this text covers the history of Chinese ship design and naval warfare from the beginning of the Han dynasty to the first few years of the Ming dynasty, when a Ming naval force countered Sichuanese rebels.

(Paperback)

Over the centuries, naval relations between Japan and Korea appear to have alternated between peaceful trade and outright hostility. This work covers East Asia's most famous warship - the legendary turtle ship, which is described here in full technical detail.

(Paperback)

This title covers the entire period of Japanese castle development from the first introduction of stone walls and tower keeps in the mid-16th century, through the period of the great sieges of Japanese history.

(Paperback)

(Paperback)

During the occupation of Korea the Japanese built 25 wajo or castles. This book examines these castles built by the Japanese, as well as the use made of the existing Korean fortifications, particularly, the city walls.

(Paperback)

(Paperback)

This title provides an examination of warrior monks' historical significance in strife-torn Japan, both before and during the Sengoku-Jidai period. It explains how the monks frequently held the balance of power and played a key role in the Japanese civil wars.

(Paperback)

The Samurai sword of Japan is probably the finest edged weapon ever made. This title reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction. It focuses on the development of the familiar blade from the original straight blades, the associated development of Japan's famous steel-making techniques and the challenges from contemporary warfare.

(Paperback)

This manual illustrates the development of samurai armies during the mid-16th century, which witnessed the introduction of firearms. Focusing on the Kawanakajima campaigns of 1553-1564, it relates the struggle between two of mediaeval Japan's greatest warlords, Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin.

(Paperback)

Japan in the 16th century was made up of effectively independent kingdoms led by warrior leaders. The author examines this period of Japanese history, looking at the commanders and armies and the way in which the destruction of the elite Takeda army affected the Samurai on all sides.

(Paperback)

The Ninja were the secret agents and assassins of feudal Japan. This title provides an account of the Ninja, detailing methods of daily life, training, hiring, combat use and secret operations. Also covered are the Ninja's use and knowledge of poisons, medicines and charms.

(Paperback)

In 1614, Osaka Castle was Japan's greatest fortification, belonging to Toyotomi Hideyori, however the ruling shogun of the age, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was determined to destroy this one last threat to his position as Japan's ultimate ruler. This book explores the background of this bitter struggle, and the battle experiences of the opposing forces.

(Paperback)

(Paperback)

The Sengoku The Jidai, 'Age of Warring States', is the age of the samurai - the military aristocracy of Japan. This title examines the complicated nature of family and clan that governed the initial organization of the armies, how this changed and how battlefield tactics developed over a series of encounters such as Nagashino and Sekigahara.

(Paperback)