Shogun

In Shogun an english Pilot-Major of a dutch trader-warship off the coast of Japan is caught by a storm and forced to seek safe haven. Pilot-Major Blackthorne's ship is confiscated and he soon finds himself caught up in the complex politics of Japan.


You can tell that Clavell had a deep knowledge of japanese history and its people's mentality, even the japanese themselves think so. You will learn a lot about 17th century Japan and its dealings with Europe. The code of the samurai is explained and various japanese customs and ideas. I would rank Shogun as one of my top ten favorite books, an engrossing adventure story.