Samurai William: The Adventurer Who Unlocked Japan
Oct 2011 · Hachette UK
4.7star
3 reviewsreport
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416
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About this ebook
In 1611 an astonishing letter arrived at the East India Trading Company in London after a tortuous seven-year journey. Englishman William Adams was one of only twenty-four survivors of a fleet of ships bound for Asia, and he had washed up in the forbidden land of Japan.
The traders were even more amazed to learn that, rather than be horrified by this strange country, Adams had fallen in love with the barbaric splendour of Japan - and decided to settle. He had forged a close friendship with the ruthless Shogun, taken a Japanese wife and sired a new, mixed-race family.
Adams' letter fired up the London merchants to plan a new expedition to the Far East, with designs to trade with the Japanese and use Adams' contacts there to forge new commercial links.
Samurai William brilliantly illuminates a world whose horizons were rapidly expanding eastwards.
The traders were even more amazed to learn that, rather than be horrified by this strange country, Adams had fallen in love with the barbaric splendour of Japan - and decided to settle. He had forged a close friendship with the ruthless Shogun, taken a Japanese wife and sired a new, mixed-race family.
Adams' letter fired up the London merchants to plan a new expedition to the Far East, with designs to trade with the Japanese and use Adams' contacts there to forge new commercial links.
Samurai William brilliantly illuminates a world whose horizons were rapidly expanding eastwards.
Ratings and reviews
4.7
3 reviews
Mike Trotter
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January 16, 2014
A fascinating account of the life of a man so well known and revered in Japan yet, until a few years ago, virtually unknown in the area and country of his birth. Will Adams Day is now celebrated each year in Gillingham, Kent. A fitting tribute to an amazing man.
Victor Djumpah
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September 25, 2019
This was a very interesting book and an eye opening experience.
About the author
Giles Milton is a writer and historian. He is the bestselling author of Nathaniel`s Nutmeg, Big Chief Elizabeth, The Riddle and the Knight, White Gold, Samurai William, Paradise Lost and, most recently, Wolfram. He has also written two novels and two children`s books, one of them illustrated by his wife Alexandra. He lives in South London.
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