Spies, assassins, saboteurs and secret agents, Ninja have become the subject of countless legends that continue to enthrall us in modern movies, video games and comics --- and their arts are still practiced in our time by dedicated acolytes who study the ancient techniques. NINJA: 1,000 Years of the Shadow Warrior, by British historian John Man, is as colorful and intriguing as the warriors it so vividly brings to life.

The inspiration for the Jedi knights of Star Wars and the films of Akira Kurosawa, the legendary Japanese samurai have captured modern imaginations. Yet with these elite warriors who were bound by a code of honor called Bushido --- the Way of the Warrior --- the reality behind the myth proves more fascinating than any fiction. In SAMURAI, John Man provides a unique and captivating look at their true history, told through the life of one man: Saigo Takamori, known to many as "the last samurai."