Real Samurai: Over 20 True Stories about the Knights of Japan by Stephen Turnbull, illustrated by James Field Ages 9-12 48 pages Enchanted Lion Books May 2007 Hardcover     The raw and vicious world of ancient samurai is now available to children with detailed illustrations and quick explanations of ancient samurai history and codes of conduct in Stephen Turnbull’s Real Samurai. The history of the samurai is based on the mental and physical implications of war, the artistry behind weapons and armor, and the long road from young enthusiastic boy to raging warrior. Where a ninja would use stealth and cunning, or a martial artist would only use his skills for self defense, the samurai were bred for battle. Not every aspect of the samurai life was murder and conquering continents, though. A skilled samurai was also passionate about poetry, painting, and cultivating a lush garden. By the mid-1500s, firearms followed Christianity into Japan, forever changing life and the art of war for the samurai. Many of the final samurai battles were fought strictly with firearms and aboard turtle ships, a far cry from the battlefields overloaded with peasant warriors armed with mere clubs and spears. James Field’s illustrations depict the historical perspective of the samurai well, vicious faces peering through stylish armor. Honestly, the samurai created the most dazzling, if not the most prudent, armor of any overly violent crew of death dealers. Stephen Turnbull’s simple text resembles a grade school textbook. Expect to learn about the samurai; do not expect to be astounded by gorgeous wordplay.   web reviews   Zane Ewton/2007 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)