Stephen Turnbull is widely recognised as the world’s leading English language authority on the samurai of Japan. He took his first degree at Cambridge and has two MAs (in Theology and Military History) and a PhD from Leeds University. He is now retired and pursues an active literary career, having now published 85 books.Donato Spedaliere was born in Switzerland, and later moved to Italy. He has studied in Florence, and served in the Italian Army as a paratrooper. Since 1995 he has worked as a professional, freelance, illustrator for publishers in Italy and abroad.Richard Hook was born in 1938 and trained at Reigate College of Art. After national service with 1st Bn, Queen's Royal Regiment, he became art editor of the much-praised magazine Finding Out during the 1960s. He has worked as a freelance illustrator ever since, earning an international reputation.

• IntroductionOriginsThe PlanThe RaidAftermathAnalysisFurther Reading

Stephen Turnbull is widely recognised as the world’s leading English language authority on the samurai of Japan. He took his first degree at Cambridge and has two MAs (in Theology and Military History) and a PhD from Leeds University. He is now retired and pursues an active literary career, having now published 85 books.Donato Spedaliere was born in Switzerland, and later moved to Italy. He has studied in Florence, and served in the Italian Army as a paratrooper. Since 1995 he has worked as a professional, freelance, illustrator for publishers in Italy and abroad.Richard Hook was born in 1938 and trained at Reigate College of Art. After national service with 1st Bn, Queen's Royal Regiment, he became art editor of the much-praised magazine Finding Out during the 1960s. He has worked as a freelance illustrator ever since, earning an international reputation.

• IntroductionOriginsThe PlanThe RaidAftermathAnalysisFurther Reading

Stephen Turnbull is widely recognised as the world’s leading English language authority on the samurai of Japan. He took his first degree at Cambridge and has two MAs (in Theology and Military History) and a PhD from Leeds University. He is now retired and pursues an active literary career, having now published 85 books.Donato Spedaliere was born in Switzerland, and later moved to Italy. He has studied in Florence, and served in the Italian Army as a paratrooper. Since 1995 he has worked as a professional, freelance, illustrator for publishers in Italy and abroad.Richard Hook was born in 1938 and trained at Reigate College of Art. After national service with 1st Bn, Queen's Royal Regiment, he became art editor of the much-praised magazine Finding Out during the 1960s. He has worked as a freelance illustrator ever since, earning an international reputation.

• IntroductionOriginsThe PlanThe RaidAftermathAnalysisFurther Reading