While the writing style and references to current events date the book academically, I found the book engaging and informative. Especially interesting was to read about the Way of the Bushi from a culture that was directly descended from it, rather than its grandchild. The only bit that soured me was the poo-pooing of the women's rights movement. I would recommend this book for a unique and nearly internal view of Bushido culture. ( )

It's a study of the way of the samurai.

Nitobe found in Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, the sources of the seven virtues most admired by his people: rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honor and loyalty.

He also delved into the other indigenous traditions of Japan, such as Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism and the moral guidelines handed down over hundreds of years by Japan's samurai and sages. Nitobe sought similarities and contrasts by citing the shapers of European and American thought and civilization going back to the Romans, the Greeks and Biblical times. He found a close resemblance between the samurai ethos of what he called Bushido and the spirit of medieval chivalry and the ethos of ancient Greece, as observed in books such as the Iliad of Homer. ( )

explanation of Bushido written before WWII

An interesting book. Being a non-fiction book part philosophy/history bein g a bit 'dry' I expected it to be a bit dry. The quotations from so many western philosophers was done, I'm guessing, to give those of us with a western background a point of reference. I would rate this as a good introduction to Bushido but not as a first exposure to Japanese culture or history. ( )

This slim volume talks about the various precepts of Bushido. One chapter easily segues into the next and covers seven essential virtues, along with the history and potential future of Bushido.

I enjoyed it a lot, though I suppose I was expecting it to be longer, in one sense it is good that it wasn't really lengthy. It gets to the point by naming a number of European counterparts for each virtue and how Europe fared under their Feudal System. The author is well read, he is familiar with Cato, Shakespeare, Virgil and others. ( )