• Samurai Rising

  • The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune
  • By: Pamela S. Turner
  • Narrated by: Brian Nishii
  • Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (153 ratings)

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Samurai Rising  By  cover art

Samurai Rising

By: Pamela S. Turner
Narrated by: Brian Nishii
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Publisher's summary

Minamoto Yoshitsune should not have been a samurai. But his story is legend in this real-life saga. This epic warrior tale may sound like a novel, but this is the true story of the greatest samurai in Japanese history. When Yoshitsune was just a baby, his father went to war with a rival samurai family - and lost. His father was killed, his mother captured, and his surviving half-brother banished. Yoshitsune was sent away to live in a monastery. Skinny, small, and unskilled in the warrior arts, he nevertheless escaped and learned the ways of the samurai. When the time came for the Minamoto clan to rise up against their enemies, Yoshitsune answered the call. His daring feats and impossible bravery earned him immortality.

©2016 Pamela S. Turner (P)2016 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

YALSA Nonfiction Finalist, 2017

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What listeners say about Samurai Rising

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Great history

this story was very well laid out & told. It was very dense with content & slow going, not a leisure book but I still really enjoyed it.

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2 people found this helpful

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like it vary much

This was my first audio book and I enjoyed it and I highly recommend this book.

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1 person found this helpful

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So awesome!

Fantastic, well researched, story; fantastic narration! I knew very little about the subject matter and came away with, not only an amazing story, but a greater appreciation for Japanese culture of the 1100s. Thank you!

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very well done

fun and informative. Pamela did this story justice. I'm very glad I bought it and I will buy the paperback immediately to have on hand too.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great Samurai Story

Excellent telling of some samurai history, at least what is known of the history this story is about. Action, drama, heroes, monks & more. & it isn't that long of a listen.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Very interesting but not for me.

Samurai history was very interesting, sometimes so many names made it hard to follow the story. But I enjoyed it as something else to read.

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The first Samurai

Although highly romantic, this account of the life of the great samurai Yoshitsune is as entretaining as it is thrilling. I wish it would have not included some modern language and other anglo references but there were not enough to distract me from the breakneck pace of this book. anyone interested in the life of this great warrior should not miss this. the narration is top notch with what I think is perfect Japanese pronunciation. well done and highly recommended.

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great story hard to follow

I am not familiar with Japan geography or this time frame in history so it was a challenge in the beginning to keep people and place straight. but very well written and reader did a great job.

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Enjoyed this title

Excellent book! I learned a lot about Samurai Culture through this. Very enjoyable. It’s especially good for martial arts enthusiasts!

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Great Book

An outstanding and exciting novel, very well read I loved the reader. the tale is true and exciting with everything you could want in a novel.

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3 people found this helpful