Alex Bennett is the very best writer on martial arts alive today and [his] work needs to be showcased to the general public.

Dr. Bennett possesses a profound knowledge of, and deep insight into, the world of Japanese bushido. This expertise has been enhanced by his extensive practical experience of the traditional martial arts of Japan, and his proficiency in this domain is highly acclaimed.

Alex Bennett has produced the first truly authoritative translation and analysis of Hagakure—perhaps the most famous text ever written about samurai honor—to appear in any Western language. Simultaneously erudite and accessible, this volume belongs on the bookshelves of anyone—scholar or hobbyist alike—interested in samurai culture, or modern perceptions thereof.

A strong point is a scholarly and succinct introduction that grounds the work in historical and social context, equipping the reader with a cultural map of Yamamoto’s world. Footnotes provide valuable background and add resonance throughout, keeping names and familial relations straight, highlighting pertinent cross-references and generally rendering the work accessible to contemporary readers.

The classic budo book by Yamamoto Tsunetomo has received a fresh translation by Alexander Bennett. The author of three other books on Japanese martial arts, Bennett also lectures on Japanese martial culture. In this work, he provides an English version of all three volumes of the 300-year-old Hagakure.