The book’s sub-title is The Life and Battles of Saigó Takamori.
The dramatic arc of Saigó Takamori’s life, from his humble origins as a lowly samurai, to national leadership, to his death as a rebel leader, has captivated generations of Japanese readers and now Americans as well – his life is the inspiration for a major Hollywood film, The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe.
In this vibrant new biography, Mark Ravina, professor of history and Director of East Asian Studies at Emory University, explores the facts behind Hollywood storytelling and Japanese legends, and explains the passion and poignancy of Saigó’s life.