STEPHEN TURNBULL took his first degree at Cambridge and has two MAs (in Theology and Military History) from Leeds University. In 1996 he received a PhD from Leeds for his thesis on Japan's 'Hidden Christians'. In its published form the work won the Japan Festival Literary Award in 1998\. Having lectured widely in East Asian Studies and Theology, he is now retired and pursues an active literary career. His expertise has helped with numerous projects including films, television and the award-winning strategy game _Shogun Total War_. His latest work is _The Lost Samurai: Japanese Mercenaries in Southeast Asia 1593-1698_.
An absolutely fascinating and impressively informative read from cover to cover, Ninja: Unmasking The Myth is an extraordinary and detailed study -- Midwest Book Review A valuable book that deftly steers through confusing and controversial materials. Even ninja apologists will feel that honour has been served. Turnbull admirably exposes and investigates the careless retrospective interpretations of the 20th century, but in doing so, manages to reclaim the historical shinobi--Jonathan Clements, Author of A Brief History of the Martial Arts