(4) YA Most Daring Raids in History series. This book presents a detailed account of the 1609 Okinawa raid carried out by samurai warriors. Serious history buffs will appreciate the volume, but the off-putting format--dense text and tiny, hard-to-read type--will be unappealing to many readers. Archival illustrations, sidebars, and maps accompany the text. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by James Field. Ninja warriors (literally "invisible men") were the "special forces" and undercover spies of historic Japan. Turnbull relates over twenty true stories (each one-to two-pages long) of these secret agents. Interspersed with the detail-lite accounts are more informative sections dealing with Ninja disguises, weapons and equipment, and lifestyle. Expansive (if stiff) color illustrations and understated black-and-white drawings enhance appeal. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman