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Black Samurai #1
Black Samurai
When terrorists butcher his sensei, a samurai takes vengeance in blood!
On leave in Tokyo, American GI Robert Sand is shot trying to protect an old man from a quartet of drunk American soldiers. As Sand passes out, the old man springs on his tormenters, beating them senseless with frail, wrinkled fists. He is Master Konuma, keeper of the ancient secrets of the samurai, and Sand is about to become his newest pupil. Over the next seven years, the American learns martial arts, swordplay, and stealth, becoming not just the first black man to ever take the oath of the samurai, but the strongest fighter Konuma has ever trained.
One night, two dozen terrorists ambush the dojo, slaughtering Konuma and his students as the first step in a terrifying assault on world peace. Though he cannot save his sensei, Sand escapes with his life and a gnawing hunger for vengeance. All he has is his sword, but his sword is all he needs.
On leave in Tokyo, American GI Robert Sand is shot trying to protect an old man from a quartet of drunk American soldiers. As Sand passes out, the old man springs on his tormenters, beating them senseless with frail, wrinkled fists. He is Master Konuma, keeper of the ancient secrets of the samurai, and Sand is about to become his newest pupil. Over the next seven years, the American learns martial arts, swordplay, and stealth, becoming not just the first black man to ever take the oath of the samurai, but the strongest fighter Konuma has ever trained.
One night, two dozen terrorists ambush the dojo, slaughtering Konuma and his students as the first step in a terrifying assault on world peace. Though he cannot save his sensei, Sand escapes with his life and a gnawing hunger for vengeance. All he has is his sword, but his sword is all he needs.
Mass Market Paperback
First published May 7, 1974
16 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Marc Olden
53 books40 followersMarc Olden (1933–2003) was the author of forty mystery and suspense novels. Born in Baltimore, he began writing while working in New York as a Broadway publicist. His first book, Angela Davis (1973), was a nonfiction study of the controversial Black Panther. In 1973 he also published Narc, under the name Robert Hawke, beginning a hard-boiled nine-book series about a federal narcotics agent.
A year later, Black Samurai introduced Robert Sand, a martial arts expert who becomes the first non-Japanese student of a samurai master. Based on Olden’s own interest in martial arts, which led him to the advanced ranks of karate and aikido, the novel spawned a successful eight-book series. Olden continued writing for the next three decades, often drawing on his fascination with Japanese culture and history.
A year later, Black Samurai introduced Robert Sand, a martial arts expert who becomes the first non-Japanese student of a samurai master. Based on Olden’s own interest in martial arts, which led him to the advanced ranks of karate and aikido, the novel spawned a successful eight-book series. Olden continued writing for the next three decades, often drawing on his fascination with Japanese culture and history.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 7, 2014
This is one of those instances where not only was the book better than the movie but might have been considered a modern day (action-cinema) classic had it stayed closer to the principal elements of the book. Like (I presume) most people familiar with the Black Samurai "name" that knowledge comes from the movie starring Jim Kelly. A 70's movie ,done in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, that leaves a lot to be desired acting and action wise (in my opinion) but is fun to look at none-the-less.
But, man ... if only whoever greenlit the movie used the book for more than just it's title and decided to treat the film seriously (in regards to accurately portraying the tone of the book on screen).
The book: Robert Sand is an African-American soldier trained for seven years in the way and means of the Japanese Samurai by Master Konuma as repayment for Sand trying to rescue him from being assaulted by drunken soldiers - and being knocked out for his efforts - though it proves unnecessary as Konuma was simply playing possum and easily dispatches them when he sees that Sand's life was in danger.
Mastering the use of swords and several japanese martial arts disciplines Sand takes the oath of a Samurai and pride in knowing he has forged himself into the strongest fighter Konuma has ever trained.
Things kick into gear when The Dojo Sand has called home over the past seven years is assulated by a masked armada taking the lives of Konuma and Sand's fellow students. Sand fights off his attackers and barely escapes the burning dojo with his life. Still, having taken an oath he burns to find those responsible for the attack and avenge those who were murdered.
The writing - which may surprise those that think adventure books from this era weren't layered - serves the violence/action portion primarily but adds a nice touch with shocking reveals (who the masked men were and why they did what they did being one spoiler free example) and clever twists as Olden brings flair to little details such as how someone that needs to trot the globe with little time and fewer funds (Sand) can use every mental weapon in his personality to get that done.
It took me a while to find this book for a price I was comfortable paying so I won't say whether or not I'll continue reading the series (availability of certain books and my book buying budget being the determining factors) . But I definitely want to and think anyone else into well plotted adventure - or time capsules of 70's fiction - will as well.
But, man ... if only whoever greenlit the movie used the book for more than just it's title and decided to treat the film seriously (in regards to accurately portraying the tone of the book on screen).
The book: Robert Sand is an African-American soldier trained for seven years in the way and means of the Japanese Samurai by Master Konuma as repayment for Sand trying to rescue him from being assaulted by drunken soldiers - and being knocked out for his efforts - though it proves unnecessary as Konuma was simply playing possum and easily dispatches them when he sees that Sand's life was in danger.
Mastering the use of swords and several japanese martial arts disciplines Sand takes the oath of a Samurai and pride in knowing he has forged himself into the strongest fighter Konuma has ever trained.
Things kick into gear when The Dojo Sand has called home over the past seven years is assulated by a masked armada taking the lives of Konuma and Sand's fellow students. Sand fights off his attackers and barely escapes the burning dojo with his life. Still, having taken an oath he burns to find those responsible for the attack and avenge those who were murdered.
The writing - which may surprise those that think adventure books from this era weren't layered - serves the violence/action portion primarily but adds a nice touch with shocking reveals (who the masked men were and why they did what they did being one spoiler free example) and clever twists as Olden brings flair to little details such as how someone that needs to trot the globe with little time and fewer funds (Sand) can use every mental weapon in his personality to get that done.
It took me a while to find this book for a price I was comfortable paying so I won't say whether or not I'll continue reading the series (availability of certain books and my book buying budget being the determining factors) . But I definitely want to and think anyone else into well plotted adventure - or time capsules of 70's fiction - will as well.
December 14, 2021
Delicious bone-breaking, calculated black vengeance. An exceptional series first from author Marc Olden. A black American G.I. who has been trained in the art of Samurai, named Robert Sands, survives the slaughter of his clan and vows to get revenge on the unhinged U.S. Colonel responsible. Great care is placed in the descriptions of martial arts action and the ancient practice of honorable murder. The visualization of the choreography comes effortlessly, as smooth a mental manifestation as watching similar cinema. And to that point, the series slash character was adapted into film in 1977, same title, starring the legendary Jim Kelly and directed by Al Adamson. Greatly looking forward to continuing this bloody saga.
August 24, 2012
The first in a series of action/adventure novels, Marc Olden’s Black Samurai series has been difficult to find until recently. Individual paperbacks have been known to fetch $80.00 or more on Ebay. Mysterious Press is to be commended for getting this series available to the reading public once again. You can also download them in many electronic formats. I also want to thank Joe at Glorious Trash for alerting me to this book.
Marc Olden, who passed away in 2003, was a Black American writer who is little read today. He wrote many mystery novels over his career. Although he started out working as a press agent, Olden soon turned to writing full-time. One of his other big passions was martial arts. Olden obtained advanced degrees in Akaido and Karate.
Robert Sand is a Black American soldier stationed in Japan in the early 1966. One night he intervenes when a group of American GI’s try to beat up an elderly Japanese man. But the old Japanese man is Master Konuma who easily dispatches the ruffians. Sand receives a bullet in his stomach from the thugs for trying to help, but Master Konuma is able to get him to a hospital.
Through the intervention of the US embassy, Sands is taken on by Master Konuma to train as a traditional Japanese Samurai in a remote village. He spends years training in all kinds of martial arts, constantly meditating on honor and death. Under the old man’s tutelage, Sand becomes a skilled warrior, easily the best student in the compound.
But one night the compound is hit by a renegade former soldier named Col. Tolstoy. The entire compound is whiped out to the last man, save Sand, who manages to escape. Master Konuma dies in Sands arms as the buildings burn around him. There’s only one man Sand can go to for help: William Baron Clarke, a former American president. “The Baron” had helped out Sand earlier and is the only man powerful enough to stand in the path of the insane Col. Tolstoy. And Col. Tolstoy has something planned to avenge himself on the country which stripped him of his rank….
The Black Samurai is written in a very naturalistic style. Which is to say: it’s helpful if you understand the slang from the time period. Think Black Dynamite and you will have some idea of the novel’s flavor. And get used to a large helping of the “N” word. Olden was writing about the time Richard Pryor started using it in his routines. Here’s a sample of his writing:
“Then he had been a skinny GI, a twenty-two-year-old sergeant in Tokyo on thirty-day leave from Vietnam and awed by the largest city in the world. That night he had stepped from a bar to see four white GIs, mean-drunk and surly, taunting an old Japanese man who tried to step around them. They wouldn’t move, nor would they let the old man pass.
For shit’s sake, thought Sand, an old cat like that, seventy, maybe seventy-five years old, and Charley got to whip up on him like it was Saturday night in shitkicker’s heaven. They act like they were back in America.”
One of the more bizarre figures in this novel is the baron. He’s obviously patterned after Lydon Baines Johnson (LBJ), who was president from Kennedy’s death to 1969. It’s hard to explain to people under 50 what a force of nature this man was. LBJ was one tough Texan was used to negotiating or browbeating to get what he wanted. As “The Big Man” who finances and supports The Black Samurai, he’s over the top.
Col. Tolstoy’s raiders are a cornucopia of all the badass terrorists in the world: a black militant who dares Sand to come after him, an IRA fighter who harbors a grudge against the USA. An Arab. Army deserters. Drug dealers. Add and season!
Nor does the action ever let up! The novel is one continuous gun barrage from start to finish. We hardly get much in the way of introspection, just sand and the baron planning their next attack. Plenty of descriptions of karate and other martial arts moves, it’s obvious Olden worked them out in his head before committing to paper.
In 1977 it was adapted into a film, staring Jim (“Black Belt Jones”) Kelly. I haven’t seen it, but I’m told Olden wasn’t too pleased with the outcome.
There’s at least 7 more books in this series. I plan to read all of them since Mysterious Press has reissued all.
Marc Olden, who passed away in 2003, was a Black American writer who is little read today. He wrote many mystery novels over his career. Although he started out working as a press agent, Olden soon turned to writing full-time. One of his other big passions was martial arts. Olden obtained advanced degrees in Akaido and Karate.
Robert Sand is a Black American soldier stationed in Japan in the early 1966. One night he intervenes when a group of American GI’s try to beat up an elderly Japanese man. But the old Japanese man is Master Konuma who easily dispatches the ruffians. Sand receives a bullet in his stomach from the thugs for trying to help, but Master Konuma is able to get him to a hospital.
Through the intervention of the US embassy, Sands is taken on by Master Konuma to train as a traditional Japanese Samurai in a remote village. He spends years training in all kinds of martial arts, constantly meditating on honor and death. Under the old man’s tutelage, Sand becomes a skilled warrior, easily the best student in the compound.
But one night the compound is hit by a renegade former soldier named Col. Tolstoy. The entire compound is whiped out to the last man, save Sand, who manages to escape. Master Konuma dies in Sands arms as the buildings burn around him. There’s only one man Sand can go to for help: William Baron Clarke, a former American president. “The Baron” had helped out Sand earlier and is the only man powerful enough to stand in the path of the insane Col. Tolstoy. And Col. Tolstoy has something planned to avenge himself on the country which stripped him of his rank….
The Black Samurai is written in a very naturalistic style. Which is to say: it’s helpful if you understand the slang from the time period. Think Black Dynamite and you will have some idea of the novel’s flavor. And get used to a large helping of the “N” word. Olden was writing about the time Richard Pryor started using it in his routines. Here’s a sample of his writing:
“Then he had been a skinny GI, a twenty-two-year-old sergeant in Tokyo on thirty-day leave from Vietnam and awed by the largest city in the world. That night he had stepped from a bar to see four white GIs, mean-drunk and surly, taunting an old Japanese man who tried to step around them. They wouldn’t move, nor would they let the old man pass.
For shit’s sake, thought Sand, an old cat like that, seventy, maybe seventy-five years old, and Charley got to whip up on him like it was Saturday night in shitkicker’s heaven. They act like they were back in America.”
One of the more bizarre figures in this novel is the baron. He’s obviously patterned after Lydon Baines Johnson (LBJ), who was president from Kennedy’s death to 1969. It’s hard to explain to people under 50 what a force of nature this man was. LBJ was one tough Texan was used to negotiating or browbeating to get what he wanted. As “The Big Man” who finances and supports The Black Samurai, he’s over the top.
Col. Tolstoy’s raiders are a cornucopia of all the badass terrorists in the world: a black militant who dares Sand to come after him, an IRA fighter who harbors a grudge against the USA. An Arab. Army deserters. Drug dealers. Add and season!
Nor does the action ever let up! The novel is one continuous gun barrage from start to finish. We hardly get much in the way of introspection, just sand and the baron planning their next attack. Plenty of descriptions of karate and other martial arts moves, it’s obvious Olden worked them out in his head before committing to paper.
In 1977 it was adapted into a film, staring Jim (“Black Belt Jones”) Kelly. I haven’t seen it, but I’m told Olden wasn’t too pleased with the outcome.
There’s at least 7 more books in this series. I plan to read all of them since Mysterious Press has reissued all.
March 6, 2017
The beginning of all the head bashing, crotch kicking madness. In my opinion Marc Olden was one of the best action writer of the 1970's. I wish this series and Narc lasted longer.
This one starts out with the slaughter of The Black Samurai's fellow students and master by a disgraced army officer and his rag tag band of killers. We go from Japan to Saigon and France. An ex-president of the USA some kidnappings and loads of action round this one out nicely. Very highly recommended.
This one starts out with the slaughter of The Black Samurai's fellow students and master by a disgraced army officer and his rag tag band of killers. We go from Japan to Saigon and France. An ex-president of the USA some kidnappings and loads of action round this one out nicely. Very highly recommended.
February 19, 2018
Black Samurai (Book One) by Marc Olden
When African-American author Marc Olden began his fiction writing career in the early 1970s, he juggled two different action-adventure series characters. As Robert Hawke, the nine books in his Narc series spanned from 1973 to 1975. Meanwhile, his Black Samurai series lasted eight installments - all released in 1974 and 1975, a heavy production schedule for a relatively new author.
Black Samurai #1 is a terrific introductory novel from an author who clearly understood the genre. The story opens in 1973 with an action-packed massacre at a Samurai training camp outside Tokyo. After being banished from the U.S. Army for Vietnam war crimes, Colonel Leo Tolstoy (an odd literary reference never fully explained), along with a group of rogue commandos and a pack of attack dogs launch a bloody raid on the Samurai encampment.
The slaughtered Samurai students and master in the camp were all Japanese with the exception of the one survivor, our hero, Robert Sand. The reader is quickly presented with a few flashbacks that explain how an American Black Guy became a Black Samurai with a paperback series of his own.
As a character, Sand is not exactly brimming with personality, but he sure knows how to kick ass. The action sequences featuring Sand’s quest for vengeance are really well-written. They are the perfect blend of bloody martial arts fighting and gory gunplay. Sand is an earnest man of honor who is intelligent, gallant, courageous, and highly-skilled in every martial arts discipline.
However, this inaugural Black Samurai novel really succeeds because of the addition of two key characters: an outstandingly diabolical villain and a powerful billionaire benefactor.
First the villain: Colonel Tolstoy is one of the best bad guys ever appearing in 1970s numbered paperbacks. His suicide squad of lethal toadies includes an Arab terrorist, an IRA gunman, a Vietnamese torture specialist, and an American black militant - all lead by a U.S. Army officer bent on revenge. He is a growling, loathsome, genocidal maniac, and the reader really becomes invested in his eventual downfall.
Early in the novel, the reader is also introduced to its most interesting character, former two-term U.S. President William Baron Clarke. He was responsible for discharging Colonel Tolstoy from the Army following atrocities in Vietnam, and now uses his money and influence to save the world behind the scenes. He’s a brash Texan running an off-the-books intelligence apparatus and sponsoring capable action heroes to prevent global tragedies. His working relationship with the Black Samurai is the richest relationship in the short novel.
The plot of Black Samurai is extremely well-executed and structured similarly to an early Mack Bolan novel. Good guy scenes and bad guy scenes alternate leading to a satisfying and violent conclusion. Blood is shed. Women are laid. Ethnic stereotypes abound. But it’s a formula that works because Olden is such a good writer who can spin a tale filled with interesting characters, vivid action and creative bloodshed. Book one of this series will definitely make the reader want to tap into future Black Samurai adventures.
After Robert Olden’s death in 2003 and the subsequent digital fiction revolution, the author’s heirs did something very smart: they kept his work alive by making his books available on eBook and audio platforms at affordable prices. It’s astounding that more rights-holders haven’t gone this route to monetize and preserve genre fiction stories from this era. Modern readers who want to explore his fiction don’t need to scour used bookstores for scarce and decaying paperbacks. For the Black Samurai, some great action is only a click away.
When African-American author Marc Olden began his fiction writing career in the early 1970s, he juggled two different action-adventure series characters. As Robert Hawke, the nine books in his Narc series spanned from 1973 to 1975. Meanwhile, his Black Samurai series lasted eight installments - all released in 1974 and 1975, a heavy production schedule for a relatively new author.
Black Samurai #1 is a terrific introductory novel from an author who clearly understood the genre. The story opens in 1973 with an action-packed massacre at a Samurai training camp outside Tokyo. After being banished from the U.S. Army for Vietnam war crimes, Colonel Leo Tolstoy (an odd literary reference never fully explained), along with a group of rogue commandos and a pack of attack dogs launch a bloody raid on the Samurai encampment.
The slaughtered Samurai students and master in the camp were all Japanese with the exception of the one survivor, our hero, Robert Sand. The reader is quickly presented with a few flashbacks that explain how an American Black Guy became a Black Samurai with a paperback series of his own.
As a character, Sand is not exactly brimming with personality, but he sure knows how to kick ass. The action sequences featuring Sand’s quest for vengeance are really well-written. They are the perfect blend of bloody martial arts fighting and gory gunplay. Sand is an earnest man of honor who is intelligent, gallant, courageous, and highly-skilled in every martial arts discipline.
However, this inaugural Black Samurai novel really succeeds because of the addition of two key characters: an outstandingly diabolical villain and a powerful billionaire benefactor.
First the villain: Colonel Tolstoy is one of the best bad guys ever appearing in 1970s numbered paperbacks. His suicide squad of lethal toadies includes an Arab terrorist, an IRA gunman, a Vietnamese torture specialist, and an American black militant - all lead by a U.S. Army officer bent on revenge. He is a growling, loathsome, genocidal maniac, and the reader really becomes invested in his eventual downfall.
Early in the novel, the reader is also introduced to its most interesting character, former two-term U.S. President William Baron Clarke. He was responsible for discharging Colonel Tolstoy from the Army following atrocities in Vietnam, and now uses his money and influence to save the world behind the scenes. He’s a brash Texan running an off-the-books intelligence apparatus and sponsoring capable action heroes to prevent global tragedies. His working relationship with the Black Samurai is the richest relationship in the short novel.
The plot of Black Samurai is extremely well-executed and structured similarly to an early Mack Bolan novel. Good guy scenes and bad guy scenes alternate leading to a satisfying and violent conclusion. Blood is shed. Women are laid. Ethnic stereotypes abound. But it’s a formula that works because Olden is such a good writer who can spin a tale filled with interesting characters, vivid action and creative bloodshed. Book one of this series will definitely make the reader want to tap into future Black Samurai adventures.
After Robert Olden’s death in 2003 and the subsequent digital fiction revolution, the author’s heirs did something very smart: they kept his work alive by making his books available on eBook and audio platforms at affordable prices. It’s astounding that more rights-holders haven’t gone this route to monetize and preserve genre fiction stories from this era. Modern readers who want to explore his fiction don’t need to scour used bookstores for scarce and decaying paperbacks. For the Black Samurai, some great action is only a click away.
March 17, 2018
3.5 rating. I enjoyed the book and will continue reading more of the series.
January 20, 2022
Wow, this book is like if you put a Rambo movie, a blaxploitation movie and a Shaw Brothers movie in a blender. Super tasty!
A B-Movie fan buddy of mine and I recently watched the movie Black Samurai (1976) starring Jim Kelly. I suggested watching it after seeing the trailer and noticing the film was from the '70s and contained kung fu, midgets and jet packs... What's there not to like? The trailer noted that it was "Based on the book by Marc Olden" so I had to find it and read it.
This book is the first in a series and has zero to do with the movie, but it's still great. After looking over the other books in the series, I'm guessing the movie was based on Book #6: The Warlock.
The book is like any other men's adventure novel from the era. It's well written, full of action and pretty much all plot, but there's just enough characterization to keep you engaged. I enjoyed it and it's a super quick read.
A B-Movie fan buddy of mine and I recently watched the movie Black Samurai (1976) starring Jim Kelly. I suggested watching it after seeing the trailer and noticing the film was from the '70s and contained kung fu, midgets and jet packs... What's there not to like? The trailer noted that it was "Based on the book by Marc Olden" so I had to find it and read it.
This book is the first in a series and has zero to do with the movie, but it's still great. After looking over the other books in the series, I'm guessing the movie was based on Book #6: The Warlock.
The book is like any other men's adventure novel from the era. It's well written, full of action and pretty much all plot, but there's just enough characterization to keep you engaged. I enjoyed it and it's a super quick read.
October 15, 2015
Pure pulp, and pretty awesome.
July 5, 2021
Cheesy but entertaining
For those of us old enough to remember the “blaxploitation” film genre of the 1970s, evidently the phenomenon at least partially carried over to fiction books as well, as is evident from this novel and the
sequels it spawned (and probably no mere coincidence that the late great Jim Kelly [R.I.P.] [the martial arts actor, that is, not the former Buffalo Bills QB] was chose to play the titular role in the filmic adaptation).
Chock full of dialogue and terminology that would be totally verboten in today’s hypersensitive PC Cancel Culture. Action scenes are delightfully gory, albeit rife with technical inaccuracies, such as stating that the full capacity of an M-16 rifle was 18 rounds (try 20 or 30 rounds, Mr. Olden) or describing the act of releasing the magazine of a semiautomatic pistol as “opening the butt” of the pistol.
Mr. Olden (God rest his soul) is also incorrect when he states that there had never been a white or European samurai in history; evidently the author never heard of English explorer Will Adams, the real-life inspiration for the John Blackthorne protagonist i. James Clavell’s “Shōgun” (played by Richard Chamberlain in the famous TV miniseries).
Those nitpicks aside, a fun and quick read, cheap & easy entertainment.
For those of us old enough to remember the “blaxploitation” film genre of the 1970s, evidently the phenomenon at least partially carried over to fiction books as well, as is evident from this novel and the
sequels it spawned (and probably no mere coincidence that the late great Jim Kelly [R.I.P.] [the martial arts actor, that is, not the former Buffalo Bills QB] was chose to play the titular role in the filmic adaptation).
Chock full of dialogue and terminology that would be totally verboten in today’s hypersensitive PC Cancel Culture. Action scenes are delightfully gory, albeit rife with technical inaccuracies, such as stating that the full capacity of an M-16 rifle was 18 rounds (try 20 or 30 rounds, Mr. Olden) or describing the act of releasing the magazine of a semiautomatic pistol as “opening the butt” of the pistol.
Mr. Olden (God rest his soul) is also incorrect when he states that there had never been a white or European samurai in history; evidently the author never heard of English explorer Will Adams, the real-life inspiration for the John Blackthorne protagonist i. James Clavell’s “Shōgun” (played by Richard Chamberlain in the famous TV miniseries).
Those nitpicks aside, a fun and quick read, cheap & easy entertainment.
November 26, 2022
First in the Black Samurai series, this short action novel is characterized by several well-orchestrated action scenes featuring martial arts and gunplay. Like many of the later Bond films, the globe-trotting plot is nonsensical, and the stereotypical dialogue and frequent use of the "n" word make the series reminiscent of the black exploitation films of the 70s. I expected a long action sequence for the climax, but the book ended rather suddenly, with little emotional payoff.
Olden published eight books in the Black Samurai series and nine books in the Narc series between 1974 and 1975, an impressive record of productivity. The book was made into a forgettable movie starring Jim Kelly in 1976, but it's currently being made into a new movie by Chad Stahelski, who directed the four John Wick movies.
Olden published eight books in the Black Samurai series and nine books in the Narc series between 1974 and 1975, an impressive record of productivity. The book was made into a forgettable movie starring Jim Kelly in 1976, but it's currently being made into a new movie by Chad Stahelski, who directed the four John Wick movies.
March 1, 2025
A stock pulp novel of the 1970s. This one has all of the racially aggravated language you'd expect from the era, non-existent female characters, and a wealth of fight scenes between which the barest structure of a plot is formed. It marked the first in a series by Marc Olden, an African-American writer, about a black American who joins a dojo in Japan and trains to become a master samurai. This story involves a gang of terrorist villains lead by the memorably cruel Colonel Tolstoy who are planning an atrocity for various unbelievable reasons. BLACK SAMURAI hits the ground running with a big action set-piece and jumps globally from one battle to the next. It's gruesome throughout, with plenty of bone breakage and cut throats, and the author's real-life martial arts prowess adds extra authenticity to the fights. Hardly high art, but it'll do.
January 19, 2026
I read this series back in the 70s when it first came out. It's a guilty pleasure. A pulp novel kind of book that helped me pass the time during unpleasant portions of my teen years. This is my first time listening to the audiobook version, and it's only so-so. The narrator doesn't know how to pronounce the Japanese terms, which would be forgivable if he didn't mess up some of the English words as well.
Otherwise, it's a nice piece of escapism.
Otherwise, it's a nice piece of escapism.
June 8, 2017
beleive it or not, this book was the basis for a movie. check the IMDb if you don't believe me.
anyhow, I remember being disappointed that the film didn't take much from the book except for the premise but not surprised.
anyhow, I remember being disappointed that the film didn't take much from the book except for the premise but not surprised.
February 26, 2019
Great book
I thought this was a great book. It had lots of martial arts action, great characters and was very well written.
I highly recommend this book.
I thought this was a great book. It had lots of martial arts action, great characters and was very well written.
I highly recommend this book.
June 18, 2022
A nice book to read for those who like martial arts. Full of action with nice fights. Authentic depiction of Japan. The main characters are well shaped. I enjoined the book very much.
December 23, 2022
Like a black samurai version of Mack Bolan, and I'm here for it. Almost nonstop brutal action equals a darn good time.
March 1, 2023
A thrilling 70’s set retro read!
A bit dated in parts, but still quite an entertaining and spirited read as well as being a great piece of 70’s Kung Fu nostalgia.
A bit dated in parts, but still quite an entertaining and spirited read as well as being a great piece of 70’s Kung Fu nostalgia.
April 29, 2015
This was a lot of fun, front to back. An interesting lead character, a strong villain and tons of action. It's been said plenty of times that this series is the cut above men's adventure book. It would certainly be a great choice for anyone interested in dipping their toes into the genre.
And, of course, impossible to notice that it would make a fantastic movie... despite the fact that it, in fact, didn't, due to director Al Adamson and not the source material. It's not good despite the role being practically written for star Jim Kelly.
My mind wandered between reading to a potential modern version with Michael Jai White. I thought that Bryan Cranston could play the transparent LBJ analog William Baron Clarke, who is the Black Samurai's patron, of sorts. I pondered if that would still work if one did a version that wasn't a period piece. I realized that Cranston playing LBJ in 2015 could, in many ways, play as either or or both former presidents Clinton and Bush II, which isn't bad...
But I meander wildly. I definitely liked this book a lot and intend to move forward with reading the rest of the series more quickly.
And, of course, impossible to notice that it would make a fantastic movie... despite the fact that it, in fact, didn't, due to director Al Adamson and not the source material. It's not good despite the role being practically written for star Jim Kelly.
My mind wandered between reading to a potential modern version with Michael Jai White. I thought that Bryan Cranston could play the transparent LBJ analog William Baron Clarke, who is the Black Samurai's patron, of sorts. I pondered if that would still work if one did a version that wasn't a period piece. I realized that Cranston playing LBJ in 2015 could, in many ways, play as either or or both former presidents Clinton and Bush II, which isn't bad...
But I meander wildly. I definitely liked this book a lot and intend to move forward with reading the rest of the series more quickly.
October 16, 2011
The Black Samurai is Robert Sand, Vietnam vet, train to be a samurai in Japan, now worked at an ex US President. In the first book the Black Samurai must stop a rouge US Colonel out to bring the horrors of Vietnam to the US. Marc Olden's Black Samurai is one of the better written Men's Adventure series. Olden only wrote eight books in the series between 1974 and 1975.
April 7, 2014
Classic men's action/adventure with a black main character. First in a series. I don't think I will continue with them.
October 4, 2015
This was like going back in time. Great book.
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