Maybe not quite as epic as Shogun but still a compelling read. Clavell had a knack for writing compelling power-hungry manipulators. It also seems that he tends to end stories rather abruptly, and while it was very pointed and made sense in Shogun and King Rat, not sure the same could be said with this one. And while parts of it may fall under the "didn't age well" category, he is also trying to present the POVs as they likely would have been in the time period. Still a satisfying read!