Product Description

The setting is Hong Kong, 1963. The action spans scarcely more than a week, but these are days of high adventure: from kidnapping and murder to financial double-dealing and natural catastrophes—fire, flood, landslide. Yet they are days filled as well with all the mystery and romance of Hong Kong—the heart of Asia—rich in every trade…money, flesh, opium, power. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (83)

Very Exciting Book
A fascinating saga written with tremendous talent.Very interesting page turner and one of the best books I have ever read.Clavell includes a bank run, a bear raid, international intrigue, relationship/sexual tension, smuggling operations, natural disasters, multi-generational rivalry, blood oaths, espionage and dramatic natural disasters in an extremely action packed period of little more than one week.A long book (as are all my favorites) but a very interesting read and one which I highly recommend!

Since I am reviewing the audible.com version I must also comment on the talent of one of the most talented readers on audible, John Lee.I have listened to many previous books by John Lee, and I have always enjoyed them.However, I have never listened to a book that allowed John to display his talent as well as this one.Lee did an excellent job at all the different accents, the different personalities and the distinct situations.

I recommend Clavell's "Noble House" yet in particular I recommend John Lee's rendition of this great Asian saga.

Kindle edition contains many type flaws
I am not sure why, or how, so many typographical errors crept into the Kindle edition.For some examples, many words, lines, or parts of whole pages appear in bold type or italics in the Kindle edition but are not that way in the printed edition.There are also missing quotation marks, especially the end-quote marks.There are misplaced lines, apparently due to missing carriage returns.I enjoyed the story but the print flaws are just annoying.Please, Amazon, if you are going to charge so much for these electronic books, put a little quality into the product.

Continuing Clavell's Saga = Corporate intrigue and tension wound tigthly around Hong Kong in the early 1960's
Still reading Noble House and I have to say it is a fantastic novel.I've read all of Clavell's Asian Saga, and this is one of the best along with Shogun and Tai Pan.

The book is physically much larger than I thought it was going to be (physical size of the pages, not the number of pages), but this hasn't turned out to be an issue.I was taken aback at first as I thought that the size would end up being a pain, but for a book this long it is actually quite nice.

Clavell has a way of inserting his characters into your head - I find myself saying thinking "so and so wouldn't like that" as I go about my normal day, even when I'm not reading the book.His writing style, plus the fact that he isn't afraid of taking the time to weave his story makes this book a memorably enjoyable read.

This book takes place in the early 1960's and weaves in several characters from his other prior Asian Saga novels.While the read would be enjoyable as it is, it is really a sequel (most directly) to Tai Pan and I would not recommend reading Nobel House without having gone through Tai Pan first.Lucky you!:)Both books are ones that you feel sorry to have finished because now they are "over".

Highly recommended, as long as you don't mind the 1200 pages - I happen to like that, because you get to savor the story...

In defense and with passion
I believe that to many are trying to compare this book to shogun when obviously it has been a progression of the story line. I think that history is magical in the sense that it's hard to comprehend. That is what makes shogun so much of a good read. Now, as we progress through the story line...we... as the reader... start to associate and therefore, lose that magic. Like the Disney ride... It's all about imagination

Romance, Mystery and Danger in stylish 60s Hong Kong
Noble House is the end of the story of James Clavell's Asian Saga.Having started the history of the Struans in Tai-Pan, set in 1840's Hong Kong, Noble House wraps it up in 1960's Hong Kong.If you haven't read any Clavell I recommend you start with Tai-Pan.

Much of what Clavell's fans expect from him is here: danger, romance, passion, wealth, mystery, high stakes and exotic Asia as the background.Yum.

However, I give Noble House only 4 stars for three reasons.
(1) Noble House is very different from the others in the Asian Saga because of its modern elements.A major storyline involves the KGB and international espionage, which feels more like Ludlum or LeCarre than typical Clavell.This part is well handled but not really the core of what one is looking for from Clavell.
(2) The business storyline is more complicated than in previous works because the tools of business had become much more complex (stock exchanges, international bonds) between 1840 and 1960.This may get a little too involved and detailed for some (and I am a businessman with a law degree!).
(3) Most importantly, Noble House was not quite as fun for me as the others because it had less historical importance.Gai-Jin, Shogun and Tai Pan depict historically important events.In particular, Dirk Struan in Tai Pan is changing history.Unfortunately, by 1960 Struan's, even if it is still called "the Noble House," is not nearly as significant and is more of a family company trying to make a buck.There are still traditions and mysteries associated with the company, sure, but at the end of the day it is one company among many in the world.Wal-Mart could buy them a million times over and barely notice.They're struggling over single digit millions of dollars.That's a far cry from founding Hong Kong.So that was my main problem with Noble House.While the story was fun, like the previous works, it didn't quite have the historical heft of its predecessors.I still give it 4 stars. ... Read more

Product Description
Dirk Straun, a pirate, smuggler, and ruthless individual, finds glorybeyond his dreams as the Tai-Pan, or supreme leader, of HongKong. Reissue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (99)

A great book to inspire young men to read
Ok , in my family the guys have a saying when it comes to reading a book. "I'd rather take a beating!"Ok well one is not on that list, but the rest are, so when my latest son needed a reading project, I turned to historical fiction as a way to engage him and get his teacher off his back :) I bought this book because I know it reads fast and the story is engrossing. Tai Pan is part of Clavell's History about Japan and goes well with ShoGun.
This book was a previously owned copy, but for our purpose that is just perfect. This was not a collector's item, it was meant to be used and enjoyed. The hard cover edition is better since it will hold up to the teenager who is reading it. The book seems long when you first get it, but the chapters are short and it is easy to pace a reader to two chapters before bed.

Tai Pan is no Shogun
Like many on this board, I picked up Tai Pan after reading Shogun. In my opinion Shogun is one of the top 5 novels written in the English language. Perhaps because of the expectation set by Shogun, I found Tai Pan to be a huge disappointment. Shogun was a story of empire-building and forbidden romance. Half way through Tai Pan, the "drama" centers around a pending beauty pageant and which two tea-carrying ships will dock first on a different continent six months in the future. I started, but was unable to finish, both Tai Pan and Noble House. For me at least, being a fan of Clavell turned out to be really just a fan of Shogun.

Great Story About The Founding Of Hong Kong
Last summer, I re-read James Clavell's best seller, SHOGUN.After a quarter century, I had forgotten what an exciting adventure this was about the English captain, Blackthorne whose ship crashed/washed ashore in 16th Century Japan in a land torn by tribal/clan warfare; ruled by warlords, kingpins, and the mighty shogun Toranaga.Clavell brought to life the culture of the Orient with vivid detailed accounts about the lives of common villages, slaves, and noblemen who ruled by harsh and long-held cultural tradition.After re-reading, SHOGUN, I was ready from more exciting historical adventure about the Far East.Yet, I had to put off purchasing another of Clavell's novels, because I was committed to reading a series of non-fiction literature to prepare for an lengthy essay I had to complete.

Finally, it was time to purchased, TAI-PAN!

Clavell did a great job with TAI-PAN. This novel was as good as SHOGUN.It is a tale [set in the mid-nineteenth century] about the founding of Hong Kong, told from the perspective of two ruthless adversaries who fought for control of the obscure island along mainland China; the Englishman, Dirk Straud and Tyler Brook.Both are bitter rival traders who compete for the spoils of the Orient.Yet, it is the wit and determination of Dirk Struan who emerges as the founder of Noble House during the height of the Opium Wars.

Again, Clavell tells a story as rich, complex, intricate, and colorful as fine Asian tapestry, which lures the reader into the lives of the characters.And it is Clavell's expert creation of exciting characters, which makes his novels all the more enjoyable.We meet the cunning, the treacherous, the exotic, the witty, the boastful, the loyalist, the proud and the brave. With each character we meet, we come to learn about the history of the Orient and the era; and the cultural, political, and social circumstances, which shaped the characters motives and made them so very fascinating.

I also applaud Clavell for his ability to untangle the webs of prejudice, contradictions, superstitions, and customs when characters are thrust into cultures which are so foreign from their own.Yet, he manages this superbly.

TAI-PAN is another fine novel by James Clavell.And, for those who enjoy historical fiction, I recommend that you add this to your collection.

Maizie Lucille James
May 24, 2010

Tai-Pan
I purchased this book, Tai-Pan, by James Clavell as a replacement for the 'worn out' copy that I had re-read
too many times.All of Clavell's books are classics and are among my favorites.I am very happy with the
quality and condition (new) of the Amazon edition of Tai-Pan.It also cost me only about a third of what the
price would have been had I ordered this edition from a national book store chain.

Great Fictional History
A great read about the Far East.

I purchased Kindle because I'm on the road often and Kindle is perfect, especially the scalable text.I've read most of Clavell's novels over ten years ago and I thoroughly enjoyed his writings.What I didn't appreciate were the numerous misspellings in the Kindle content.I sure the misspellings were not in the hard copies, so what's with the problem with digital?

On a side note, I've just downloaded the Noble House from my hotel room in Shanghai and the wireless worked as advertised.Good Job!

Ed ... Read more

Product Description
An explorer in seventeenth-century Japan, ambitious Englishman Blackthorne encounters the powerful and power-hungry Lord Toranaga and Catholic convert Lady Mariko. Reissue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (330)

A story you will never want to end
James Clavell writes magnificently. Not a single phrase in this book is boring, overused or unnecessary. With a 1000 pages to read you might think this book is enormous only to find out at the end that you could have read another 1000! The historical, political and military views have been thoroughly researched and are used brilliantly to portrait the old Japanese society.

All characters have considerable depth and when following Blackthorn's journey in this new society, you can imagine yourself walking along in his footsteps and slowly understanding, as he does, what the Japanese culture is all about. Clavell spins the tale taking us back and forth in time and giving us the perspective of different people for any given situation. This might sound confusing or even boring but it takes a true master of storytelling to achieve this without those feelings creeping up. He manages this by keeping the story focused on the key characters and dedicating more time on their thoughts, feelings and memories rather than giving long descriptions of scenery and pointless accounts of unrelated facts. While it might surprise you how good the writing is from the start, the writer actually only unravels his full potential after 400 pages. By then you will be bound for a ride that you won't want to end.

I would urge you to read this book. A true masterpiece and forever one of my favorites.

Life-changing.
Yesterday, I finished Shogun. Today, I just purchased a tour package to Kyoto and Osaka, Japan for my wife and myself. It's that good.

Fascinating Tale of Honor Friendship and True Love!
As with any review, we are rating not only the content of the book, but also its delivery, quality of the product and packaging - all of these were very good.

...but, if I would have to rate just the novel, i would definitely say that it is a very good novel, and one may even think written by the insider into the Japanese culture. A reader can see here how different are/were the East and the West. Their customs, their religions and perceptions of life and death, and lastly of love. Love between the two protagonists seems a strange occurance in a society where "love" isn't defined as a separate powerful force, that can easily change the current of someone's life. But she learns.......

As for the main character, I think the author presented his fundamental character very well, like why was he looked at as being "special" by the Japanese?? And his evolution to a full-fledged sword wielding samurai warrior. The transformation has been very positive. In contrast we see the unwillingness on the part of his crew members, who shun the culture that captured their bodies, as a result the completely devolve and in most cases loose their humanity. A good lesson for many of us I think, and in general the book contains multitude of lessons like this, a treasure trove in a way.

My Shogun Summer - Don't Be Intimidated By James Clavell!
At over 1100 pages, Shogun is a "big book" that intimidated me from my bathroom shelf for years, almost daring me to read it. I have learned that the key to reading these large volumes is to take them one page, one chapter, and one section at a time. Remember that Shogun was written for people just like you to read and enjoy, and you will be fine. I took Shogun slowly, generally reading 15-30 pages a night, digesting all of the plots, counter plots, alliances, secret alliances, and outstanding characters as I went. Yes it took me most of this summer to finish, but it is a summer, my Shogun Summer, that I will never forget.

An interesting aside here for the historically minded. Toranaga in the novel is based upon the actual Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Blackthorne is loosely based on the actual exploits of sailor William Adams, believed to be the first British subject ever to reach Japan. The events of Shogun lead up to the actual Battle of Sekigahara, a pivital battle in Japanese history.

The thing that struck me most about Shogun is the way that it changes ones thinking. Many in the western world are Eurocentric (viewing the world from a European perspective), thinking the Europe of 1600, the Europe of William Shakespeare, to be the pinnacle of civilization at that time. Certainly Blackthorne thinks so when he is shipwrecked in Japan during an attempted circumnavigation. At first he sees the Japanese as "barbarians," but as time goes on and as he gains a deeper appreciation for the Japanese and for their culture, Blackthorne begins to think of himself as the "barbarian." Compared to Japan, he realizes that the Europe of 1600 is a dirty, often corrupt place with a very different sense of values. Blackthorne learns about honor and the code of Bushido, and eventually becomes a Samurai himself. When he is finally reunited with his men, he is shocked at how unsanitary and ill-mannered they are.

Church politics play a big part in the novel.The Jesuits are the first foreigners to gain a foothold in Japan and use their position to their advantage by controlling trade negotiations between Japan and China, making a fortune for themselves and for the Church in the process. The book brings to light many shocking revelations about the Church and how its work converting the populace in many areas around the world actually contributed to the downfall of many native cultures. It also points out that even though differences between various Christian factions seem large from the inside, when viewed from the outside the differences really are not that great.

Great books make you think, and by this or by any other measure Shogun is a great book - truly one of the very best. Do yourself a favor - take the plunge and read Shogun. It is an amazing adventure, will really open your eyes, and will be something you can think about and treasure for the rest of your life.

A masterpiece
Every now and then, a book is written so well that it leaves the reader in awe and this was certainly one of those books. Reading this book is the nearest thing to actually going back in time to feudal Japan.Clavell's character development is, in my opinion, a work of genius. Each character is so unique and so complex that it serves to draw the reader in deeper and deeper.I'm not sure if it is 100% historically accurate but it does follow the history of that period in Japan - I've read other non-fiction books about Japan since reading this and have not found any major contradictions.The only negative about the book is that it makes finding other books of this caliber very difficult.The other books in the series are also quite good but this is Clavell's masterpiece or evenbetter put: a masterpiece.While some of the other books in the series deserve 5 starts, it makes it impossible, using the rating system, to distinguish this book as it should be.Also, don't let the length of the bookput you off - it could have had twice the number of pages and you'd still be disappointed when it ends. ... Read more

Product Description
"Whirlwind" is the story of three weeks in Tehran in February 1979: three weeks of fanaticism, passion, self-sacrifice and heartbreak. Caught between the revolutionaries and the forces of international intrigue is a team of professional pilots. They are ordered to flee to safety with their helicopters. Two of them, both Europeans, have Iranian wives whom they love beyond safety and politics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (40)

Lack of focus and inaccuracies weaken "Whirlwind"
"Whirlwind" is the fifth or sixth novel in James Clavell's Asian saga, depending on the order in which you read them.It tells the story of a group of pilots employed by S-G Helicopters, which is secretly owned by the Noble House, who are trying to flee Iran with their company's choppers after the Iranian Revolution.

"Whirlwind" was distinctly different from the other books in the Asian saga in that it was set in the Middle East rather than East Asia.It was also different in how it treated the book's host culture.While the other five books in the Asian saga made Asian cultures accessible for their Western readers and treated them reverently, "Whirlwind" had a somewhat hostile attitude toward Iran and Islam, especially radical Islam.

"Whirlwind" was marginally better than "Noble House" in that it wasn't as self-referential.My biggest criticism of "Noble House" was that Clavell heavy-handedly shoehorned in elements from "King Rat," "Tai-Pan" and "Shogun," which weighed down the book and made it silly.He also inserted the interesting character Peter Marlowe from "King Rat" and turned him into a thinly veiled, infallible James Clavell.Clavell did the same with "Whirlwind," but not as much.He brought in Kasigi, apparently a descendant of a character in "Shogun."The most unnecessary connection with the rest of the saga was making the spy, Ross, a distant cousin of "Noble House"'s Ian Dunross.With Dunross appearing in the book as well as other descendants of "Tai-Pan"'s Dirk Struan, the mention of the relationship seemed unnecessary and tacked on, especially since the relationship had no bearing on the story.

The main problem with "Whirlwind" was the lack of a main protagonist.It seemed MacIver was meant to be the main character, but there were so many tangents, and hundreds of pages where he didn't appear, that it was hard to pin down a main character.Clavell also gave long, incredible backgrounds for every character, no matter how minor.No character in the book had a boring background.Toward the end of the book, he gave a long, exciting background to a character who appeared for about one page and did next to nothing.It got tedious as the book went on.

There were also several factual errors in the book that cast doubt over the research in the rest of the book.First of all, Kasigi is not a Japanese name.The sound "si" doesn't exist in Japanese.Sometimes the Japanese write "shi" as "si," and I would have assumed that is how Clavell was Romanizing Japanese if he hadn't used "shi" in another Japanese name.Also, there is a goofy scene where Kasigi gives the Australian pilot, Scragger, a can of Kirin beer, and Scragger compliments the beer by saying, "It's almost as good as Foster's!"Kasigi replies, "I've lived in Australia, so I know what a huge compliment that is."This would be fine if Australians actually drank Foster's!Foster's has always been more popular outside of Australia than inside Australia.It is mainly through Foster's ad campaign that it has become associated with everything Australian to non-Aussies.Clavell, being born in Australia, should have known that.Perhaps Scragger was making a joke along the lines of, "Foster's isn't very good, and neither is Kirin."Somehow I doubt that was his intention.

In conclusion, Clavell's lack of focus, his determination to shoehorn in elements from every one of his previous books, and cultural inaccuracies distracted from an otherwise exciting storyline.

My God, Will It Never End....
I've been a fan of historical novels for as long as I can remember, authors like Uris, Mitchner, and Rutherfurd have been staples for over thirty years.Although I knew of Clavell's work, I'd never read any of his novels until picking up this two volume epic very cheaply at a garage sale. In hindsight, I wish I bought the black velvet Elvis painting.

I take no issue with Clavell's choice of a story background, the fall of the Shah and its affect on Iran and the rest of the world is one of the most fascinating events of the past century.Nor do I fault the author for the perspective he chose from which to tell his story, that of a UK-owned helicopter company and its Iran-based employees trying to deal with the madness that was Iran at the time.I can even deal with the high number of central characters and the geographic puzzle presented as these charaacters jump willy-nilly around Iran and the Persian Gulf.The problem is the book is unnecessarily long and offers one of the most convoluted series of plots and sub-plots I've ever read.One almost wonders if Clavell was paid by the word?

We're talking about a 1200+ page tome that places its contrived characters in situations that are at the same time far-fetched and banally mind-numbing.At least twenty-five pages could have been saved if Clavell had not gone into minute detail on such particulars as meals being served and bureaucratic flight clearance paperwork.Further, he spent an untold number of pages on stereotypical character developments that were at best insensitive, at worst offensive.How many times must an Italian say "Momma Mia", or a Frenchman speak of brie, baggettes, and the women he'd like to bed?Despite all this, the ethnicity of the characters added little to the story and seemed to be more filler than substance.

From reading reviews here of Clavell's novels, the consensus seems to be "Whirlwind" was one of his weaker offerings.Based on an admittedly small sample size, I'm not sure I'd read any of Clavell's other books.Clearly he has lots of fans the world over, but they must have far more patience and free time than I have.

Fair Purchase
The book was a gift, so I'm not exactly sure of the condition, but I'm sure they would have said something if the book was unreadable/or in poor condition. The delivery was longer than normal had it been shipped from the US...that being said, being that it was from the UK it got here in the estimated delivery time-so no complaints. Good Transaction.

why I never finished Whirlwind
I am a fan of James Clavell. His book Kind Rat was a great first novel, and Shogun is a classic. That said, I made a subjective decision not to finish his last novel, Whirlwind. I quit about half way through the 1200 page book.

Parts of the book show Clavel's workmanlike skills as a storyteller and make for a compelling read. However, as a whole, IMOthe novel suffers from too many characters or -- put differently --from the lack of a unifying hero.

But there are other deeper issues. In the end Clavell's writing was limitednot by his own lack of literary skill, but by his own limitations as a man. I was troubled by this same issue in Noble House, but it is even more pronounced in Whirlwind.

True, Whirlwind is fiction and never claims to be historically accurate. Nonetheless, I suspect that it falls far short of presenting an accurate picture of the period. Why? Well, in part, because Clavell chooses to see the events of that tumultuous time primarily through the eyes of non Iranian ex-patriots from the west But even when the author tells the Iranian point of view, the people he portrays are almost always shallow, crass, sadistically cruel, venal, corrupt, etc.

I suspect that most Iranians would disagree with this view, and would prefer to see their own country rather differently. I look forward to reading a novel about the same events as told by a native son -- not a westerner.

Very interesting, a little different, but very educational
I read this book first in the Asian Saga, something I really wouldn't recommend, but doable if you just want to read a fine novel that will give you both insight into current Middle East politics and the history of Iran in particular. I have since read all the Asian Saga series, and although this is far from my favorite, it is still a very interesting book and I might even raise my rating once I read it again knowing the back round of the series. Although most of Clavell's novels jump around from character to character, this one seemed to do so more than the rest, and with a lot of different characters in various locations it can be a little choppy at times. I found myself having to reread portions occasionally just to remember where the character last left off. That being said, it was still a very compelling read with lots of action and with the way the world situation has progressed since Mr. Clavell penned this book, it was still very interesting and at sometimes very Prophetic. I am old enough to remember the U.S. Embassy take-over, and was in the US Air Force during the "rescue attempt" and I found the storyline very realistic and informative. ... Read more

Product Description
The time is World War II. The place is a brutal prison camp deep in Japanese-occupied territory. Here, within the seething mass of humanity, one man, an American corporal, seeks dominance over both captives and captors alike. His weapons are human courage, unblinking understanding of human weaknesses, and total willingness to exploit every opportunity to enlarge his power and corrupt or destroy anyone who stands in his path. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (96)

king rat
the book is ok but I am very dissapointed in the condition of the book as I am reading it it is falling apart from the binding and it was listed as good condition but in my opion it was in poor condition water stains yellowing pages and binding is falling apart for the price I paid I expected better quality I doubt that I will purchase thru this group ever again Sharyl

Rat Race
King Rat is an American POW who economically and socially dominates a prison camp peopled with mostly British POWs of the Japanese. Life at Changi POW camp is a daily deadly race towards the time of hoped for liberation. The book operates on many levels and is infused with symbolism. One day a captured pilot, Lt Marlowe,comes to the camp and the saga of life at Changi,outside of Singapore, unravels before us.

The Rat comes into conflict with the antagonist of the tale,Lt. Grey, who represents the dubious authority of those entrusted with enforcing enemy rules while keeping loyalty with their fellows. The Rat is an American enlisted man who accumulates wealth by breaking the rules that Grey must enforce. The Rat becomes a blessing to many on both sides and the object of admiration among most British officers. The Rat upturns not only the hierarchical nature of the military but symbolizes the conflict and leveling influence of free market capitalism on entrenched privilege.

Perhaps the conflict in this book is also between capitalism and socialism. Perhaps The Rat is an anti socialist symbol to some while Grey is a symbol of collectivism.

As it turns out The Rat is capable of altruism despite his greed and helps in a serious medical crisis. The Rat becomes a symbol of Existential good verses mandated compliance with good rules... of free will rather than moral determinism.

Camp life destroys conventional notions of right and wrong as war itself does...the camp becomes a moral desert...a rat race. A transvestite becomes the object of longing for many in the camp and then destroys himself by suicide. The Japanese themselves are caught in the web of deceit weaved by The Rat as he builds his empire on black market wealth and then destroys the authority of the camp commander who,interestingly, is a non-entity in the book. There are also literal rats in the camp.

The nadir of the plot comes when The Rat decides to market a new brand of meat raised at low cost. A meat rat farm is built underneath a barracks. Rats are marketed as a new type of "chicken." The rats struggle and feed off each other in a parody of the humans above them...a rat rat race.

When the camp is closed, the place where the prisoners once lived and then vanished from is abandoned by the British...

- the rat farm below,however,continues with a life-direction of its own. A new King Rat, heavy with the flesh of his comrades, emerges to carry on after the human one has left.

KING RAT is worth a good read and seems written like a screenplay. KING RAT was my reading companion in an old hotel in Egypt where the British Empire once lived, vanished from and then abandoned.

A very good read
After reading Shogun I was hungry for anything written by Clavell and went on to read King Rat (which was also made into a movie that I found to be quite good). Clavell is a master of character development and as this is one of his earliest
(if not earliest) works, one can see the greatness of this author who would go on to write at least one of the best books of our time (Shogun). This book which takes place in a Japanese prison camp located in Singapore Island during WW2 and it centers on one of the few Americans imprisoned among mainly British and Australian prisoners.The American thrives in this harsh environment and manages to possess more than anyone else and has a knack for making money.It is a character study about greed, friendship, war-time relationships and social hierarchy.It's a well written book and an interesting story that is remembered long after the book is read.I highly recommend it and would have given it 4 1/2 stars if allowed.

Tight and Dreary
The smallest of the Asia series focuses sharply into a POW camp in Singapore during WWII. Unlike the other installments of the series this is intensely intimate and the author does a great job expressing the feelings and agony of survival in the camp. With the constant specter of death in its many forms (tropical diseases, betrayal and starvation) hang over these men you can't help but get involved in there tale.

Still great after all these years
I first read King Rat back in about 1988 and decided to read it again last month. Twenty-two years later, it has lost none of its greatness. I enjoyed reading it back then and I enjoyed reading it again this time around, perhaps even more so because I have learned a lot more about World War II in the Pacific theatre since then. Other reviewers have already done a splendid job of explaining the story and the reasons why they gave it five stars, I'll just toss my own five stars into the mix by saying this is a terrific book and a powerful, though-provoking story that is well worth anyone's time. ... Read more

Product Description

The heir to the magnificent English trading company, the Noble House…the direct descendant of the first Toranaga Shogun battling to usher his country into the modern age…a beautiful young French woman forever torn between ambition and desire…Their lives intertwine in an exotic land newly open to foreigners, gai-jin, torn apart by greed, idealism, and terrorism. Their passions mingle with monarchs and diplomats, assassins, courtesans and spies. Their fates collide in James Clavell’s latest masterpiece set in nineteenth-century Japan—an unforgettable epic seething with betrayal and secrets, brutality and heroism, love and forbidden passions.… ... Read more

Customer Reviews (82)

All of the characters are the same
Horrible! Horrible! 1200 pages of essentially all the same characters - greedy, conniving bastards. There is no depth at all to this book and I am unhappy that I wasted my time reading the entire thing. Spoiler: nothing happens! Poorly designed characters, without any I felt was remotely redeemable. While I'm a fan of not having a prototype protagonist, there was no character in here that I was "rooting" for, and no resolution to any of the story lines.

not his best but still clavell
not the best of the asian series but a link in the storyz.umfortumately the kindle version is terrible at least one character error per page sometimes quite distracting.

Not as good as Shogun, but good
This is good and pretty well-written.I was hoping it would really draw me in like "Shogun" did, but I didn't really get emotionally invested in these characters.For one thing, there are a LOT of characters, and I had trouble keeping some of them straight.However, it's decent and worth a read.

Great Book Lousy Kindle Edition, Rife with Typos
I am a fan of James Clavel and I am loving Gaijin. My issue is with the Kindle Edition...

I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY TYPOS IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!

It is criminal. There are at least two/three per page. For the money I spent, I should have gotten a clean copy. Whomever proof-read this was asleep at the wheel. Don't buy it unless Amazon proofs it.

kindle version of Gaijin is full of typos
I bought the Kindle version of this book as I love James Clavell books.
The kindle version is really bad - almost every page contains typing and spelling errors. I don't think it has ever been spell checked, otherwise a number of them would have been picked up by the spell checker.
I paid $9+ for the kindle australian version and I'm disappointed.
I can't believe that the publisher is not ashamed of its efforts, it needs someone to proof read the book. Please get it done!! ... Read more

Product Description

It is the early 19th century, when European traders and adventurers first began to penetrate the forbidding Chinese mainland. And it is in this exciting time and exotic place that a giant of an Englishman, Dirk Straun, sets out to turn the desolate island of Hong Kong into an impregnable fortress of British power, and to make himself supreme ruler…Tai-Pan!

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Once the Sails Catch Wind, Watch Out
Having first read Shogun, I was distraught at what I considered to be a slow start. With so many characters, I was even a fan of the antogonist at first. However, after about the fifth chapter I was a Struan fan for life. Fast-paced and sexy. It is a must read for historical fiction fans.

Come With Me Now To Those Thrilling Days
King Rat got all of the Good reviews and Shogun got the big miniseries deal, but if you love Jame Clavall this is the one. The sweep of history with blood, sex and big business, this is the Count of Monte Christo breaking the Paris Stock Exchnage and Indiana Jones fighting his way through China. Turn the first page and read, "Buy a coffin..." if you can stop this really isn't for you, if you can't there's good news and bad, there are more books but the master is dead. No matter the ones he finished before his death are all delicious and low carb. Read this first and then read Noble House, Whirlwind and Gai Jan and you'll start the new year right. Be a complete rat and buy Tai Pan and give it as a gift. This works especially well if you own a bookstore, because once read the rest surley have to follow. James Clavell, writer, Hong Kong Dan and gentleman...and perdition to his enemies!

Great
James Clavell was a master story teller.We lost a great writer when he passed away!!

Be careful when you pick up this book - it may get stuck in your hands and can be hypnotic... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

James Clavell Library Box Set
A wonderful box set including King Rat, Taipan, Shogun and Noble House. You'll love them. ... Read more

Product Description
A bold English adventurer. An invincible Japanese warlord. A beautiful woman torn between two ways of life, two ways of love. All brought together in an extraordinary saga of a time and a place aflame with conflict, passion, ambition, lust, and the struggle for power...


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Holy hell
This book was about 400 pages too long.

You would think that with everyone running around, drunk, with swords, there would be a fight every once in a while! Right?WRONG!!!

It's a fine novel, well written, filled with subtle political manuvering, betrayal, love, lust etc... The only problem is that there is almost ZERO action in a novel that is going to take you 3 weeks or more (probably much more unless you have an hour train ride to-and-from work like I do) to read.I don't know how many times I read something along the lines of, "He leapt to his feet in a blood-thirsty rage to cut down the samurai standing before him, but restrained himself, and apologized."If I had to guess, you will read a line similar to this about 20 times.No joke.

I mean, this is a book about a flippin' SHIPWRECKED PIRATE who becomes a SAMURAI!!! Is it too much to ask for a little swordplay every now and then?

You will not care about a single character, aside from the protagonist and you will probably start skipping every other page once you get close to finishing this weighty tome so you can start reading something else.

A brilliant success!Enjoyable, educational, and inspirational
This is easily one of the most enjoyable and rewarding historical fiction novels I've ever read.John Blackthorne's adventures in pre-industrial Japan immerse the reader in the rich Samurai culture of that time in a way that is simply amazing.The drama, suspense, and action of SHOGUN are absolutely top-notch, making this much more than just an educational experience about Japanese culture and history, but a highly successful adventure story that keeps the reader engaged throughout the long book.The characters here are also extremely well done, being memorable, unique, and very believable.In all, this book has earned a top place in the list of my favorite books of all time, and I won't hesitate for a second to recommend it to any reader.

Based on the real-life adventures of the English pilot William Adams (1564-1620; named Miura Anjin and Samurai by the future Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu), SHOGUN tracks nicely with actual historical events that led up to the isolationist era in Japanese history.Indeed, nearly all of the characters in this book are based on real Japanese historical figures (but with slightly altered names).Knowing this only helps to make the intense drama of this story that much more powerful.The way James Clavell portrays the culture of the Japanese Samurai is simply amazing.Seemingly authentic, Clavell paints a picture of a proud and honor-obsessed society that, while unforgiving and often brutal, retains a tantalizing beauty and tranquility that the reader (and John Blackthorne) learns to admire.A culture as different from our own as you can imagine, the Samurai way of life as portrayed by Clavell is both scary and oddly attractive.When living around touchy men with swords almost looking for an excuse to test their blades, walking on pins and needles doesn't begin to describe the way Anjin-san must behave to survive.The strict and formal relationships between husband and wife, child and parent, or master and slave is jarringly inconsistent with what we take to be a fair and just society.But the cleanliness, politeness, respectfulness, and spiritual peacefulness are aspects of Clavell's 14-15th century Japan that most will find appealing, and will cause sadness that these times are long past and that this culture has all but disappeared.Certainly my favorite aspect of this book is its reliable-seeming reconstruction of this almost mystical Japan, and the legitimate historical nature of the story.

Of course, this is also a book full of fast-paced action, intense emotion, and engulfing drama.Blackthorne's interactions with the various characters in this book are wide and varied, from deeply connecting with initially strange-seeming people, to hair-raising standoffs with intensely dangerous adversaries.As the Anjin-san becomes immersed in the Samurai culture and begins to appreciate the various aspects of life in Japan, he undergoes one of the most dramatic (but believable) transformations of any I can think of in modern-day literature.Love, hate, peace, and frustration are at continuous conflict in his mind, but as his transformation reaches completeness he gradually learns to accept his karma, and take life as it comes.A very well-done and dramatic story at the heart of this epic novel.

Also, Clavell's writing style in SHOGUN is part of what makes it such a success.The way he is able to switch between different characters' viewpoints without missing a beat (or loosing the reader) is something that I don't believe I have come across before.And it works wonderfully here, as the story flows extremely smoothly from event to event, person to person, keeping the reader fully engaged and allowing Clavell to get whichever perspective would be best for individual situations to the front.Also, his willingness to use Japanese words in the dialogue was highly successful.Again without loosing the reader, Clavell incorporates common Japanese phrases throughout the story, rarely with a direct translation, giving even more authenticity to the already very believable story.Indeed, through the course of reading this book, you'll find that you actually learned a bit of conversational Japanese!If, like me, you find yourself looking forward to seeing your Japanese friends or colleagues so that you can greet them with "Kinnichi wa!", don't be surprised.

In all, I can't recommend this book enough.Well worth the significant amount of time and effort you'll spend on reading this one, SHOGUN succeeds in every way.VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Domo Arigato, Mr. Clavell.

WORTH UR TIME
Read this a long time ago, but have to say great auther and amazing book. Certainly worth the time, patience, and focus u prob need to read it. Let me know what u think. Enjoy the book...drew. By the way this is not my fav author...there are certinaly much better.However, he is great if u can focus really well...lol. Drew

Great asian historical novel and a collector piece
This is the review for this particular edition. I bought it from COSTCO when it carried this newest edition of all James Clavell's books. I heard his books for long time, like Shogun, Tai Pan, Noble House, but never read it before. So I decided to pick one, which Shogun was the one that I had the earliest impression. I got hooked into the story instantly. I can only say that James Clavell is a master story teller. The mix of Japanese culture and adventure story of the main character, both bring the thrill of the story, and also the learning of an exotic culture up and close. This is a book that is in the same level as Ken Follet's Pillars of Earth and World without End. All of them are about 1000 pages long, and I would say not even a single page is a waste.

I also would like to comment on this edition. The paper quality and publish is excellent. I feel great with its sharp edge, bright paper, and the touch of the soft paper. It's an excellent combination of the choice that created a collectible feeling. I would highly recommend people to consider this edition vs any other edition out there.

After I finished this book, I was just sold with all James Clavell's book. I feel regret that I didn't buy all of the books from COSTCO that time. COSTCO does not carry these books any more. So now, I am reading Tai Pan from my kindle, which turns out another great read.

When I read a great book, I wish it never ends. I just had this feeling while reading Shogun. I almost feel lost when I reached final pages, and wished that the story to continue is another few hundred pages. It's truly a thousand page of enjoyment. Highly recommend for anyone loves Japanese history and culture.

Oh, btw, I also watched the Shogun TV after reading the book. Good adaptation, and very honest to the original book. But some how I feel a lot of detail and person's inner thought cannot be possibly expressed through screen. People may just be lost without reading the book first.

Great Summer Read!
I started reading this new edition of James Clavell's "Shogun; A Novel of Japan" just a few days ago, bought from yet another book store being liquidated.What a GREAT SUMMER READ!First published in 1975, Clavell's long-form (1152 pages) historical (Northern Europe's earliest contact with, and role, in the final battle whose victory transformed feudal Japan into the centralized and deliberately isolated command and control society of the hereditary Shogun in Tokyo) novel (epic in intent, form and accomplishment).

This new edition is inexpensive at $7.99 face price.It's from Dell Publishing being reprinted in series as "James Clavell's world-famous Asian Saga ('Shogun', 'Tai-Pan', 'Gai-Jin', 'King Rat', 'Noble House', and 'Whilrwind')".The typeface is pretty small; put on your reading glasses.But for the price it's printed on pretty good paper, and doesn't stink like so many pulp editions.

If the others in Clavell's Asian Saga are as good as "Shogun", then it's good I'm retired with enough free time to devote to them.I'll stay all summer under a fan with lemonade and "Shogun," and abandon time and care.

As deeply satisfying as "War and Peace"!And as long!Longer, counting sequels--oh, goodie goodie! ... Read more

Product Description
Shogun a novel of Japan by James Clavell, 1975 First Edition. Mint condition with only minor edge wear. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Classic Epic
In my teen years I saw the mini-series on television and I really liked it.I even bought it on DVD at Costco when I was on my own and would watch it at least twice a year or more when I was in a really "Japanese" mood.I was looking up something Japanese orientated at the library and this book popped up.I remember a family member having this book, but I was too young to want to read it at the time.Now, I thought, why rent it.It's a major classic!BUY IT!It can't be that expensive!I was wrong.It's an old book so not as many people have it available.Fortunately, I was able to get a nice copy of this version at a decent price.Now I feature it prominently on my Living Room Bookshelf with my other not so classic, but favorite books.I'll be reading it again next year.Probably after I watch the mini-series again. ;)

far East
Clavell brings the far East history to life so I felt like I was there with his characters. Interesting and informative. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Brilliant piece of work!
Hands down possibly one of the best books I've ever read! I'll never take a fried egg for granted again!!

King Rat the Worst of the Clavell Saga
James Clavell's "King Rat" is hands down the worst of his Asian saga. Only related to the other four by the main character's possession of a "gold ring, signet of the Clan Gordon" (italics) mentioned once on the seventh page. Any reader of Clavell would expect this to have some significance later but the thread never reemerges. Did the author forget about it, carried away by his clearly sophmoric adulation of his Hero?Or did he toss it in at his publisher's request in order to somehow justify this waste of print by weakly connecting it to his better works. And what is this shiftless down-and-out motherless drunkard's son doing with such a treasure anyway?Surely that would have made a more interesting book. Of course, the matural answer is that Clavell is telling his own story, what he lived through as a POW. He has, however, forgotten the first rule of freshman exposition: "Just because it happened to you, doesn't make it interesting."Certainly, there are traces of the Clavell magic--despite his always hackneyed prose, he is a master storyteller, but in this case the threads lead nowhere and peter out where a quick death would be more merciful. A large theme is built up around a secret radio, but when discovered not once but twice the Japanese commander who has been built up as a terrifying menace offers cigarettes to all involved. None are tortured,jailed or even questioned.It is as if he is uncertain as to whether he wants to write The Gulag Archipelago or Catch 22 and settle for Hogan's Heroes" (of TV sitcom fame).Changi makes Stalak 13 look the Hanoi Hilton. There is even a Corporal Schwarz-like Japanese guard who, like his sitcom counterpart has "no stomach for war" and comes close to saying "I know nothing-Nothing!"Clavell,who knows how to spin yarn, would be great on a campout and we cannot forget the majestic sweep of his four ?good? books, but, like the t-shirt says, "I spent nearly four years in a Japanese POW camp and all could come up with was this lame book. I was going to give the book away but instead chucked into the recycle bin. ... Read more

Product Description
Set in Changi, the most notorious prisoner of war camp in Asia, "King Rat" is a heroic story of survival told by a master story-teller who lived through those years as a young soldier. Only one man in fifteen had the strength, the luck, and the cleverness simply to survive Changi. And then there was King. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Harrowing, Unforgettable...King Rat rules.
I cannot believe the previous reviewer and I had the same book.King Rat stands up there with the classic Ivan Denisovich any way you read it...for the great story, or for its cynical look into men's souls. This is truly Clavell's best work, no silly Ninja antics, no inane super TaiPans or Anjin-Sans and their ridiculous MegaMistresses...just a book about real men in real hell, simply written and therefore all the more powerful.

King Rat is a young, cocky American civilian who finds himself drafted into the Army during WWII, and ends up a POW at the notorious Changi camp.But the King isn't an ordinary POW, he is the finagler par excellance. The savvy corporal trades whatever he gets and makes a profit however he can. And he holds sway over the corrupt POW officers because he deals for them on the black market, exchanging wedding rings and wrist watches for food -- with the King always getting his cut.Is the King wrong to take money or food as his price?The officers have been known to double deal themselves, giving King a fake Rolex to trade -- knowing full well the guard would punish King severely, maybe kill him, if the fraud was discovered. King isn't fooled. He just cheats right back, skimming a little of the top. The men of Changi are starving, their true blue, God Save the Queen officers are stealing their food and then playing bridge with clear consciences. Clavell has a great way of illustrating what most of us already know: the loudest braying patriot/hero/saviour is usually the most cowardly and venal. There is nobility, however, in the worst of us...and Clavell paints us a picture that is unforgettable.Is King the only truly uncorrupted soul at the camp? At least he's honest about his cheating. King shares his food willingly, uses his friends callously, and does his best to save those he can -- all things being equal. King's blatant disregard for moral fakery tarnishes him more than his actions.He befriends a young, innocent English pilot, all upper class bravado and stiff upper lip. At first, King seeks to use the pilot as an interpreter, but the friendship genuinely grows.King Rat looks in great detail at what men do what they have nothing left to lose. Some survive...one may even thrive. The rest cope and get by with whatever is inside them and a little luck. I hate to get all preachy here, because this is one hell of an exciting book. It's loaded with adventure. Although there is not enough explicit torture for the previous reviewer's tastes,I don't think most people would find it tame. This is not, however, a string 'em up and lash them book. It's about survival.Read it on any level you want, but by all means, read it.

King Rat: the worst of the Clavell saga
James Clavell's "King Rat" is hands down the worst of his Asian saga. Only related to the other four by the main character's possession of a "gold ring, signet of the Clan Gordon" (italics) mentioned once on the seventh page. Any reader of Clavell would expect this to have some significance later but the thread never reemerges. Did the author forget about it, carried away by his clearly sophmoric adulation of his Hero?Or did he toss it in at his publisher's request in order to somehow justify this waste of print by weakly connecting it to his better works. And what is this shiftless down-and-out motherless drunkard's son doing with such a treasure anyway?Surely that would have made a more interesting book. Of course, the matural answer is that Clavell is telling his own story, what he lived through as a POW. He has, however, forgotten the first rule of freshman exposition: "Just because it happened to you, doesn't make it interesting."Certainly, there are traces of the Clavell magic--despite his always hackneyed prose, he is a master storyteller, but in this case the threads lead nowhere and peter out where a quick death would be more merciful. A large theme is built up around a secret radio, but when discovered not once but twice the Japanese commander who has been built up as a terrifying menace offers cigarettes to all involved. None are tortured,jailed or even questioned.It is as if he is uncertain as to whether he wants to write The Gulag Archipelago or Catch 22 and settle for Hogan's Heroes" (of TV sitcom fame).Changi makes Stalak 13 look the Hanoi Hilton. There is even a Corporal Schwarz-like Japanese guard who, like his sitcom counterpart has "no stomach for war" and comes close to saying "I know nothing-Nothing!"Clavell,who knows how to spin yarn, would be great on a campout and we cannot forget the majestic sweep of his four ?good? books, but, like the t-shirt says, "I spent nearly four years in a Japanese POW camp and all could come up with was this lame book. I was going to give the book away but instead chucked into the recycle bin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Clavell's First Great Novel
James Clavell's own experience in a brutal P.O.W. camp allowed him to write this novel with an insight unique to very few people. I loved this novel, however I would only recommend this book to an older audience. The reason being is Clavell's ability to describe human behavior is best understood by people who have life experience, and have seen what human beings are capable of. King Rat gives an excellent picture of the two extremes of humanity; ultimate altruism and terrible abuse and exploitation of others. Clavell also gives an excellent view of race and culture between the many groups of peoples forced together because of the war. ... Read more

Product Description
James Clavell, the author of Nobel House and Shogun presents a chilling tale of how patriotism can be reshaped in a person's mind with a few simple and resonable explanations. Both disturbing and enthralling, this short and stunning story asks many questions, yet leaves the answers up to the reader. Reissue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

The Fragility of Democracy
Clavell's mini masterpiece--a short but chilling read in one sitting--should be required (OK, that does not sound like freedom of choice, but...) by all Americans. We are a people who proudly consider ourselves patriotic and loyal to our country's heritage. Take nothing for granted, because Freedom is most definitely Not free; rather it is and always will be bought and maintained at great cost.Not only the cost of precious lives and cherished honor, but by the use of our God-given intelligence. Clavell bluntly illustrates that words and flags are merely symbols of ideology, which can be manipulated to work against centuries of sacred national teaching.We must guard against a permissive atmosphere which can result in watching our deep conceptions of democracy being subtly undermined.

In less than half an hour a new Teacher (cleverly trained by a totalitarian regime which has recently conquered the US in a Cold War) takes control of an elementary classroom. In bold but seemingly rational moves, with a pleasant voice and calmly logical manner she overrules all that her confused pupils have learned about love of country, respect for parents and deference to God. But before we pity these innocent children --helpless before the insidious philosophy of tyranny--we hsould recognize that we too are vulnerable to mind control and could still fall victim to mass manipulation.Unless we truly understand and prize the words of our Pledge of Allegiance. A brilliant psychological thriller!

Settle down folks
As others have noted, this book was written during the Cold War.

I would encourage anyone wanting to explicate "The Children's Story" to really read it and wonder.

Clavell claims his impetus for writing the book was his daughter's blind memorization of the "Pledge of Allegiance."This genesis seems more anti-status-quo than anti-communist.

In fact, the story seems much more an anti-Dewey manifesto than anything else.

Dewey was an educator who believed that children had not only a role but a responsibility in their education.The "New Teacher" suggests the same thing for most of the story (her reference to the Great Leader is more Orwell than Dewey, but her easy dismissal of the Great Leader is....well, inexplicable.Not at all Orwell, and just difficult to parse....unless one were to go back to the principles of Dewey, in which any authority was to be questioned to ascertain its correctness through personal intellectual interrogation).

Oddly, and I cannot find a historical correlative for this observation, rather than writing an anti-communist story, Clavell seems to have penned an opinion piece that questions Dewey's educational dicta.

Frankly weird.

A Bit Confused
Somehow, if it was there, I missed the fact that the book I ordered was written as a play.I had read the Clavell title, The Children's Story, many years before and remembered it as a story, not a play.The basics of the story are still there, but because it was written as a play, I feel reluctant to share it with a friend who generally doesn't read fiction, and may feel uncomfortable reading a script.

The Children's Story...but not just for children
Hard to believe James Clavell wrote this book almost 50 years ago. It shows how easy it is to sway the mind of a child. How you can lose your freedom and not even realize it is happening! This should be a must read for everyone.

The wrong book
They sent me the wrong book.I just wanted a regular book format but they sent me the story written as a play.I had to send it back. ... Read more

Product Description
Over the years, James Clavell produced a phenomenal series of critically acclaimed bestsellers known collectively as the Asian Saga--King Rat, Tai-Pan, Shgun, Noble House, Gai-Jin.Another novel, Whirlwind, was set in the violent turmoil of Iran after the exile of the Shah in1979. Caught in this shifting world of fanaticism, ambition, duplicity, and death are the foreign helicopter pilots who service Iran's oil fields. Their one objective is to make a bold, concerted escape to safety across the Gulf. In Whirlwind, Clavell told the full story of the three weeks it took them to achieve this. In Escape, he drew out just one poignant thread from that epic narrative--the stirring love story of Erikki, a dashing Finnish pilot, and his ravishing and aristocratic Iranian wife, Azedeh, whom he loved beyond safety and politics. Released after the author's death and originated as the basis of a film script, this moving story is now published here for the first time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Section of Whirlwind
This is great but if you've read Whirlwind, there is no point in reading this one.It is an actual story out of the Whirlwind book.I was upset because I thought I was going to get an extension of Whirlwind characters as a sequel.Read Whirlwind and you'll get all of Escape and much more.

Escape, travesty and a waste of money!
This novel is a travesty and should never have been published.I am so sorry that any of my money went to a company, Coronet, that would render such a great author's work into a chopped up mess.Read Whirlwind, it is great and essentially you will get two books for one if you believe that Escape is one unto itself ( I obviously don't).I was expecting further elaboration upon the story line of Azadeh and Erikki but it is just each section that pertains to them chopped out of Whirlwind and put into a separate novel, butchers!

Watered down Whirlwind...
Unfortunately, James Clavell and his publisher fought during the last few years of his life.The result was that his final Asian saga novel, Whirlwind, is out of print.Escape is a watered down version of thatnovel, developed for a movie script.The core story is still there, but toget Clavell's intended story, buy Whirlwind at a used bookstore or onlineauction site.

rip off, sorry but it's true.
While anything with Clavell's name attached to it is simply marvelous - and don't get me wrong, this is still a wonderful story - this is just the incomplete, chopped up, TV version of his incredible book 'Whirlwind.' There is nothing new; don't let the 'love story' bit fool you. Entire plots and characters are left out, or are mentioned only in passing. There is nointelligent reason to buy this book. Buy Whirlwind instead. Coronet Bookshas managed to take money from me for an incomplete version of abook I have already read. Disgusting. Three stars is very, very generous.

Great masterpiece
This book is really marvellous.Once you start reading, you can't put it down.For the persons who have read 'whirlwind', this will add more pleasure to that novel.It provides more information to one of the acts in that novel.

Mr Clavell is master writer who studies the subject well andthen weaves it well.All of his books have been quite informative,educative and absorbing.I wish, every book lover must read his books. ... Read more

Product Description
1231 pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

"Sow to the wind and you will read a whirlwind." Bible
James Clavel, with his lengthy books and complex plots could have set the standard to which Tom Clancy later took to the next level.

"Whirlwind" is set in February 1979, the time of the Iranian revolution.

As Iran is in a life and death struggle after the Shah has left, a British helicopter company is secretly controlled by the Noble House of Hong Cong. The members of the company question how much longer they will be able to operate their bases throughout the land.

In Aberdeen, Andrew Gavallan and Linbar Struan discuss the direction of the Noble House and what should be the proper course of management. In their discussions, it is easy to see that the two men dispise each other.

The novel could well be a text book on the Iranian revolution. However, like most of the author's books, strick adherence to historical facts are not always adhered to.

Even back in 1979, the reader can observe the conflict Iranians had with the Shiites and Sunnis as well as their distrust and dislike for outsiders such as the Americans, Canadians and British who were looking after their oil interests in that country at that time.

Whirlwind by James Clavell
I had ordered a new copy, which turned out to be an old, unread copy...that's not what I expected to find in the package. The pages were not damaged, but the cover and the book looked like it had been sitting in a store front window, for some time. Not sure if I'll be Amazoning again. ... Read more

Product Description
Until now, popular novelist James Clavell has not been recognized for his literary achievements and his contributions to cross-cultural understanding. This critical study seeks to rectify that omission. It shows how Clavell's depiction of cross-cultural encounters of Westerners with the East paves the way for modern multicultural studies. His novels about culture clash help Western readers see with Eastern eyes by taking them into the minds and culture of the Chinese, Japanese, and Iranians. The study provides close textual analysis of each of his novels in turn and shows how Clavell contrasts the manners, values and lifestyles of Easterners and Westerners in a narrative style that combines a number of literary genres and traditions to create a "blockbuster" of breadth and depth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I was hoping for a little more
Being a fan of Clavell's Asian Saga, I looked forward to reading this companion, but it wasn't what I expected.I hoped it would go a little deeper into the stories behind the novels - the true historical events upon which Clavell based his works, his research, and more "inside scoop" in general.As it is, the companion is sort of a watered-down Clift-note.It's not bad - the chapter on the Author's life is informative, just not enough detail.Obviously, Macdonald can write and she knows a lot more about writing than I do (she talks about "thematic issues," "genre conventions," and "deconsruction"), but I wanted to read more about Clavell and the history behind the stories.

Recognition of a man that opened our western eyes
James Clavell has always played a key part in the way my life and career developed.His books opened my eyes to exciting and exotic cultures, and based on the strength of that (and whatever change I had in my pocket), Itravelled the world and both worked in and visited the same places hefeatured in his novels.I do not wish to add praise to his literarymerits, but I do wish to say - that in my life - he has had tremendousinfluence, brought endless hours of enjoyment, and provided a road map todiscovering the world. ... Read more

Product Description
2 volumes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

READ THIS BOOK
This is one of the top ten best novels ever written.You live in 15th century Japan.

READ THIS BOOK
This is one of the top ten best novels ever written.You live in 15th century Japan.
... Read more