[GreyWolf]

Iv'e just read the book "Samurai William - The Aventurer Who Unlocked Japan", by Giles Milton. The book "Shogun" was obviously based on this real person and the early part is almost the same as "Shogun". The book details William Adams's difficulties with the Japanese rulers and with his dealings with the company he works for in England. The rivalry between the Dutch and the English develops from the antaganism of the Jesuits to virtually all-out war between Holland and England, but the ins-and-outs of Japanese politics is covered as well - but not in as greater detail as in "Shogun". It's an instructive read, but "Shogun is more entertaining. I borrowed it from our local library.