I beg to differ - I think the complaint is poor
scholarship. Like I said, just because you are the only
show in town, it doesn't make you a good show. He has no
competition, so his lazy research gets him by. There is
nothing wrong with faulting a scholar for poor
scholarship. If you are going to do it, do it right. For
whatever reason, he is very topical and misses a lot of
good research opportunities. If I had the resources he
SHOULD have to put together a book on Samurai history, I
sure as hell would put as much effort into the research as
possible. I and others don't get that feeling from his
books. I am dissapointed that one would rest on their
laurels the way he has - a scholar should endeavor to
contribute more each time around. But if he isn't a
scholar, and is just simply a popular writer who likes to
put out books on samurai history with no qualifications,
then that is absolutely fine. but if that is the case, he
should admit it. As it is, his website makes him out to be
the preeminent scholar of Japanese history in the West,
which he isn't. I'd expect better scholarship from such a
person. And if you noticed the issues with the "Ninja"
book (see below) you should understand why the people who
study japanese military history have issues with his
"samurai" books.
I think the issues that people have is not that he is
making money, but simply shoddy scholarship. It IS good
for a solid general overview, but like they say "the
quality is in the details".
IgaNoKami
>>>>>I am sorry but I think a lot of the attacks on him are
jealous because he is out there knocking the info out
and making moneyout of it. I am on several lists and
apart form one or two names that have a dig at him I
cant find anything published by the others who
complain. If you can do better then do it. Just think
of how many who are interested in Japanese history
wouldnt be with out Turnbull
I will add however that his ninja books are crap and
so full of bad informatiion I was amazed he actually
put some of the stuff in them which he did<<<<<
==========
"Let a man warm himself by your fire and he will be warm
for an hour;
set him on fire [by soaking him in gasoline and lighting
him up], and he will be warm for the rest of his [very
short] life."*
*Modified for NF benifit.
--
Visit Things From Another World for the best
comics, movies, toys, collectibles and more.
http://www.tfaw.com/?qt=wmf