[Caleddin]

This book rates pretty highly in my own top ten. Even have the video set with Richard Chamberlain (I know sad muppet that I am)

But I was wondering if anyone could suggest any similar books, excluding those written by James Clavell such as Tai-Pan, Noble House ect.

[AuntiePam]

Do you want something set in the Far East in those time periods? Or are you basically looking for sweeping historical sagas with vivid characters, adventure, violence and sex? :)

I think Aztec by Gary Jennings is comparable to the Clavell books.

I'll see if I can think of some more, and I'm interested in seeing what other people come up with, because I liked those books too.

I wouldn't recommend James Michener as a companion to Clavell. Michener's books are kinda dry, and I think he tries to put too much history in his books, and characterization suffers.

[AuntiePam]

I just remembered someone else who writes adventure stories -- Wilbur Smith. They're not as in depth as Clavell, but they're page-turners.

I haven't read him for many years, but I used to devour his stuff, even though he's a bit sexist, in a typical male adventure kind of way.

[Caleddin]

Wilbur Smith I've read most of his. The Courneys if I remember correctly were the main characters.
I was sort of hoping for in the Far East setting.

[raggedyman]

An even better book by Gary Jennings is "The Journeyer". Its the story of Marco Polos journey to China with his father and uncle. Its a page turner with lots of sex and violence and imho better than "Shogun".

[Eldanuumea]

We bought the DVD set from Amazon the day it was issued....hubby and I have long loved both the books and the mini-series, and I was thrilled to finally have it!

There is a set of books by an author whose last name is Rowland, I believe, with a samurai "detective" as a protagonist......I'll try to find the names and stuff...they're great fun, though nowhere as richly researched and detailed as Clavell.


***Here you go, click here for more info.....
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/laurajohrowland/conrev.html

[Jacquin]

Eric van Lustbader writes martial arts books about the far east. I've read a couple and they were ok. Not the same league as Shogun but certainly worth reading if you don't mind graphic sex and violence.

Also I remember reading a book I believe was called "Shibumi" that had a mixture of Eastern and western settings that I enjoyed at the time, I'll try and find some more details on it.

J

[AuntiePam]

Shibumi is by Trevanian, isn't it? That'd be a good one -- he's an excellent writer.

You can read Shibumi seriously or with your tongue in your cheek.

I didn't know until after I'd read Trevanian's espionage books that he was sorta spoofing the genre. His other books are good too, especially Incident at Twenty Mile, which is a psycho killer western. It might be spoofy too, but it's a great read.

[FicusFan]

Just wandering through an old thread and thought I would contribute. I too like eastern settings.

There is a series similar to Shogun in that it has a western man in Japan. The author is called Dov Silverman and it might also be a thriller/mystery type of series. It is not published in the US that I can find, but the books are listed on Amazon.uk. I did find one in the US and have been trying to find others here in used shops before I break down and import them. I haven't tried the one I have so no idea of the quality. Amazon.UK listing for Dov Silverman's books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/202-6551617-4445459)

I have also started reading the San Ichiro mysteries by Laura Joh Rowland, they are not bad so far.

San Ichiro Series (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0061011975/qid=1081384002/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/002-1714727-3104036?v=glance&s=books)

The link to one of her books also has links to other Japanese series.

Two new series have just started the first books are:

A Cloud of Sparrows

Across the Nightingale Floor

[FicusFan]

Can't imagine how I forgot Eric Van Lustbader. His books are a type of Thriller but often set in Japan, or with strong Japanese influences.

The Miko
Ninja
White Ninja
Black Blade
The Kaisho
Jian
French Kiss
Zero
Second Skin
Shan
Black Heart
Floating City

And possibly
Angel Eyes

Some are connected, and there is a group of 4 or so that have the same main character: Nicholas Linnear. His main characters usually don't work for a country, but for personal reasons, or for his family or friends.

I have read many of them, but not all. Sorry I can't help you organize them, but I don't have my Ipac with me which would let me tell you which are connected and what order they are in.