So you think you d like to be a samurai? It 's 1615 and the samurai, Japan 's elite fighting class, are at the zenith of their powers. Trained in every manner of combat, from sword fighting and archery to karate and jujitsu, the samurai warrior is the emperor 's last line of defense against the lewd and sordid barbarians of Japan and beyond. This handy manual tells you everything you need to know about maintaining the honor of the samurai class both on and off the battlefield. How to master the Way of the Warrior Whom you should kill, and what to do with the heads afterward What the cultured samurai does between battles How to storm or lay siege to a castle How to conduct a tea ceremony with Zen-like composure How to prepare for entry into the White Jade Pavilion after your death

So you think you’d like to be a gladiator? Find out how to get thousands to idolize you as the strongest, meanest fighter in the Roman empire. Win fame and fortune in one of Rome’s most glamorous locations, in the presence of the emperor himself. Who wouldn’t kill for a job like that? This handy guide tells you everything you need to know before you step out to fight for your life in front of a roaring crowd: Why you should become a gladiator How to join the most glamorous—yet lethal—profession on earth Who will try to kill you, and with what Which arena of the empire is the right one for you When and how often you will fight What happens before, during, and after a duel Combining the latest research with modern reconstructions, Gladiator helps you experience firsthand the spectacular yet brutal life and death of the most iconic figure of ancient Rome.

Combines the latest research and discoveries with a humorous eye to take us inside the Viking world. So you want to be a Viking? Vikings are the lords of the northern seas. Fame, glory, and wealth await those who brave storms and enemy spears to plunder far and wide in foreign lands. Who wouldn’t like to come home laden with silver, earning a reputation that will live on long after lesser men have been forgotten? This book tells you everything you need to know to become a successful Viking warrior in the tenth century. \- How to join a Viking war band \- What to look for in a good Viking leader \- How to behave at a feast \- How to choose the right weapons and armor \- How to plunder a monastery and ransom a monk \- How to navigate at sea 135 illustrations, 29 in color.