The 47th Samurai: A Bob Lee Swagger Novel (Bob Lee Swagger Novels)
by Stephen Hunter
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.25 You Save: $17.75 (68%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.06 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The 47th Samurai: A Bob Lee Swagger Novel (Bob Lee Swagger Novels)
Book Review: Good book, but not a typical Bob Lee book.
Summary: 4 Stars
Most of the disappointment in the other reviews seems due to the fact that this is a Bob Lee Swagger novel, yet Swagger never fires a gun. That's not what you would expect when you buy a Bob Lee book. Even without a firearm, though, Bob Lee is still a man of certain and violent action.
This book is a very enjoyable thriller. Yes, there are a few times when you have to "suspend disbelief" to go along with the story (as with most thrillers), but from the opening Earl Swagger WWII Pacific Theater fighting scenes to the very interesting modern day scenes in Japan, this is still an action novel, and a good one. No need to put any spoilers here, but there are a twists and turns in the plot plus some very good characterizations that make this book a true page-turner. The depth of information on Japanese swords and society was fascinating. I definitely want to go to Japan some time in the next few years.
For those of you who still need a dose of Hunter's trademark modern day gun action, go read his earlier book, "Day Before Midnight."
Book Review: Better for long-time Swagger fans
Summary: 3 Stars
I have been a big fan of Stephen Hunter, especially the "Bob the Nailer" trilogy which started with what I consider to be Hunter's best effort, Point of Impact. In the 47th Samurai, Hunter brings together Bob Lee Swagger and Earl Swagger for the first time in the same novel. Having enjoyed the previous works featuring both Swaggers and also a novice student of Japanese culture, bringing the three together held some appeal to me, despite some of the less-than-overwhelming reviews that greeted this work. In the end, while the plausibility of the ultimate action is somewhat questionable, Hunter does an admirable job of weaving together the present day actions of Bob Lee, the exploits of Earl in WWII and ancient Japanese history. The traits of honor and loyalty, core to both Swaggers, play well with the myth of the samurai. As a standalone effort, I don't think this story will play very well. On the other hand, readers who are familiar with the histories of Bob Lee and Earl, should find this to be worth the effort, though less than spectacular.Book Review: stephen hunter, what the hell were you thinking?
Summary: 1 Stars
bob lee swagger in japan? fighting a porn kingpin, the yakuza and latter-day samurai? c'mon, dude,
over here we've got bush, cheney, haliburton, corruption in every major industry, the erosion of our constitutional rights, the prostitution of the meaning of "patriotism", the evolution of imperialism and the police state... so japan?
the concept of "obligation" and "fighting injustice" i get and am all for. and think we could use a big dose of it right here right now. but instead you took us on a trip to japan... and into the psyche of the samurai. and had bob lee accomplish in a week what it takes the best athletes on the planet 20 years to accomplish... i take offense, sir - at your assumptions of what your audience is ready and willing to swallow. you lost me as a fan. and, p.s., i read your endnotes, and hear you when you say you don't care. but maybe you should. to illustrate my frustration at losing 6 hours of my life you can watch your book blended at 1000 frames per second on youtube.
Book Review: Moon in the cold stream like a mirror.
Summary: 5 Stars
Although wholly different than the other installments of the Bob Lee Swagger series it has the same vibe and the same man we all grew to love and respect.
If you only read these books for the vivid gun fights you will have to trade in your pistols for the samurai sword. This book has done for the samurai sword what the other volumes have done for the Remington 700, 1911, and Tommy gun. Very few guns can be found in this tome as the violence is on a much more personal level. This doesn't take away from the action or the Swagger intensity that we have grown to love.
Over all this is another great installment to the Swagger family chronicals and I look forward to the next adventure. Bob Lee and Earl are the men we want to be and we want around when the going get's tough. They are our Spartans standing watch at the gate of right and wrong.
Although different it is just as worthy of praise as the other books from Stephen Hunter.
Book Review: A dish fit for an adventure gourmet
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this Hunter effort. Each layer of the story unfolds like the stories of phylo dough in a deliciously rich Napoleon. This book is a gourmets literary meal, to be sniffed, tasted and masticated; the tale cohesive and credible.
An aging but effective Bob Lee Swagger is close to real rather than Superman; much closer to the humans who share his adventure.
Bob Lee is a person who is the sum total of his past and present, and we hold warm wishes for his future. This book is a solid and satisfying as a read can be. I found places to put the book aside so I would have it to read later. Like saving the best for last.
I do not need (although I enjoy)the elements of the Shooting Bob Lee. I laughed to find that I ached with his aches in aging sympathy.
I have to express my best wishes for Bob Lee's continued health and survival in order that I may travel with him on his next trip.