Well written and sets the scene for the end of the Samurai way. Keeps you engaged throughout and explains at the right amount of detail. The last reviewer had a problem with one chapter due to homosexuality-but that shouldn’t mean less stars and it is telling you how it was then. Will look at for more books by this author

Hello all, This is a book about the legendary Saigo. In the movie by Akira Kurosawa: The 7 Samurai, the main samurai's characteristics is baised on Saigo. John man goes through Saigo's childhood, uprising from the son of a low/middle ranked samurai to becoming an inspirational and adored leader himself. It also tells you how Saigo was Itinerant, peaceful, humble and a man of great magnanimity. However, if your into samurai and cool japanese history please be warned there is a chapter that reveals that samurai were keen on homosexuality with young boys during those times... Yes pederasty was not frowned upon in those days on that side of the planet. I found this chapter very disturbing. However, it then gets to a point where there are clashes between Saigo's beliefs, his loyalties and his friends. Some of his closest of friends eventually become his strongest of rivals; with one of them even becoming his nemesis. Then there is a touching moment when his nemesis sends a message, a later begging him to surrender himself from his "dear old friend". Through out the book Saigo is eager to die a noble/honourable death. Overall, this is a good book and good way of killing time. There are many facts which inform you of japanese history.