One of the most important things that a figure modeller needs is rally good reference material. Without you are lost and this brings me to the subject of this review, The Samurai.

Recreated in colour Photographs is like a map, it stops you getting lost!. The book is from the Europa Militaia series and the authors are Mitsuo Kure and Ghislane Kruit. The book follows the style of the other titles in the series of Europa books. Lots and lots of good quality colour photographs, all printed on good quality paper (a minor point you may think but it gives a book that feel good factor), with each photo there is short passage to brings points to the viewers attention.

It really is the Samurai modellers dream come true. What I really like about the photographs is that they are being worn by Samurai re-enactors and you get to see the way that the armour works.

The book is very logically laid out with a short intro, then a glossary of terms for the parts of the armour. This brings you to the chapters which each cover a period of time or a specialist subject. You get to see the development of the different types of armour and those wonderful lacing patterns of the earlier types.

This book really does inspire you to get a figure and try to reproduce one of armours in the pictures. There are know some really nice figures on the market to cover most of the time periods. Andrea, Pegaso and of course I&E Miniatures all have figures for you to use for your masterpiece. For anyone who is contemplating a Samurai figure this is a must have book.

It also makes you want a mounted archer figure at full gallop to be made available, now from one of the companies mentioned above!.

ISBN number 1-86126-335-X