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_. _The Lost Samurai_ is his 82nd book to be published.
Definitely a book that explores a little-known area of Japanese history. -- Portland Book Review The portrayal of the historical actors is fascinating, sometimes even moving, and Turnbull successfully contextualizes the story with interesting political, diplomatic, and military insights on the stormy period of Ming-Qing transition. -- Journal of Military History An inherently fascinating, impressively well written, exceptionally informative, and meticulously detailed history... -- Midwest Book Review