Phenomenal! This book changed my life. As great as it is as a novel, it is also a self-help manual as one of the underlying themes of the book is overcoming adversity through individual strength. You will forget that you are in the twenty-first century while reading, as the book completely transports you to another place and time. For those who saw the mini-series and think that you therefore know the story, YOU DON'T. For while the movie covered the main plot, there are so many sub-plots, and Clavell uses mastery of stream of consciousness to put you inside the character's heads with ability matched by very few other authors. I've read many "classic" novels, and for me, this book surpases them all. Better than War and Peace, better than Crime and Punishment, better than The Count of Monte Cristo, better than A Tale of Two Cities. The only thing that keeps this book from being mentioned among those great works is that it is modern, but in a hundred years, if not sooner, this novel will be accepted as the greatest work written in the English language. I re-read it every year, and it gets better every time!

Shogun is one of the best books of all time. It is timeless and endearing. It captures the heart of Asian culture and the old ways. It is a must read for anyone who loves a true masterpiece.

Although I am only twelve, this book was amazing! James Clavelle has outdone himself

Absolutely, hands down, one of the best novels of all time. If the purpose of fiction is to be transported to another place and time, and forget one's own self, this book rates 6 stars of 5.

YEs!!!! Shogun is awesome!

Pretentious, over-written claptrap.

this is a great book for the advanced mind. if you love old war books this is the book for you. it brings you back to old japan when the warlords were fighting over who gets to rule japan.

great a perfect read you will buzz through this book in 2 months the best novel ever also higly reccomend the miniseries

thrilling, one of the best action books I've ever read! It presents a totally different culture than our own in the most outstanding way. I bellieve it is the japanesse version to The Warlock by Wilbur Smith.

This book is definately the best (in an entertainment sense) that I have ever read. If you like to read and even sort of like history or Japanese culture, READ THIS BOOK.

My all-time favorite book (beside the Bible), I've read it 3 times. Although there are many books I greatly enjoy, none come close to this one. I highly recommend it!

although i disapprove of romance interfearing with history, Clavell introduced the love story in Shogun as a part of Japanese customs and way of life. I re-read this book twice and i still discover hidden meanings. currently writting a paper over Shogun and its factual base in japanese history. Any information would be appreciated relating to how Shogun is factual in Japanese history. please email any insights. Lowiegurl@excite.com

It's a REALLY good book.The end was the best part.

Fantastic novel, with a depth of emotion which is rare and only found in the best of literature. Put this together with a literary style of great magnitude and you have something which is timeless. Ashe-Roy

5 stars for one of the best, most engaging stories ever written. This is my third time to read the book, and I have enjoyed it each time. For more great books from Clavell's Asian saga, check out Tai-pan and Noble House.

This book was good, it did get me interested in feudal Japan, and I did breeze through it 1,000+ pages relatively quickly, but to call the best book, or even one of the best books ever written? Come on it is a little ridiculous at times, nad too much of a sappy love story. Although it is based very roughly on a true story.

I love this book

Great! This is more than just a book- it's an experiance. You will actually felt like you have experianced fuedal Japan...that you have actually come face to face with a samurai. Great book, deserves all five stars.

Possibly the best book ever written, Mr. James Clavell begins his amzing Asian Saga. With 1,152 pages, it will keep the reader interested for a long time. Not a single word should be left out, however. The story follows John Blackthorne, an English pilot of the Dutch ship ERASMUS. A storm attacks the ships and sends Blackthorne, along with his crew of sick and dying Dutchmen and Britons, whirling towards fuedal Japan. There, he is caught between two warlords, Toronaga and Ishido. His first thought of the Japans as a vulgar, bastard breeding territory of men who do not value life soon becomes a vision of a superior culture to his own.....and he realizes that it is the Japans that make sense, not himself or his country. Before you pick up this highly reccomended book, prepare yourself to be sent back to fuedal Japan, a trip that will leave an everlasting mark on your way of viewing all culture.