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Vague Craig's avatar

My personal preference is reading over watching and I've consumed all six of James Clavell's Asian saga novels

Shogun (Japan 1600+)

Tai-pan (Hong Kong 1841)

Gai-Jin (Japan 1862)

King Rat (semi-autbiographical Japanese POW camp, Singapore1945)

Noble House (Hong Kong 1963)

Whirlwind (Iran 1979)

Clavell would usually commit to several years of research before writing each of his historical fictions. In reading them I gained a far greater understanding of the culture and politics of those times and places than I did from all of my formal education. Plus, they are riveting, glorious, grand epics of tales.

Bonus tidbit: Did you know James Clavell also wrote, directed and produced 'To Sir With Love' starring (Sir) Sidney Poitier?

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Vague Craig's avatar

However, I must confess that I am currently 80% of the way through watching the three seasons of Deadwood on Blue-Ray. Such a filthy, racist, foul-mouthed, depraved, whoring, back-stabbing, murderous, conniving, bunch of low-lives. Loving it, particularly pom Ian McShane stealing the show as the aptly named Albert Swearenger.

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TCinLA's avatar

I notice it's back on Max here. I think I'll watch again. You won't want to eat any of Woo's "pork". The first season does the death of Wild Bill Hickock perfectly. Keith Carradine was perfect casting.

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