Freaks of Nature - Shop now
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Limited-time Offer
Save over 90% off
$0.99
  • For a limited time, join Audible for only $0.99/mo for the first 3 months.
  • 1 bestseller or new release each month from our entire selection - yours to keep.
  • Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts & Audible Originals.
  • After 3 months, $14.95/mo. No commitment. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
Your audiobook is waiting!
  • One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection to keep (you’ll use your first credit now).
  • Unlimited listening on select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $19.95
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use. and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Dave Lowry (Author), Brian Nishii (Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 95 ratings
See all formats and editions

Dave Lowry juxtaposes his singular experience as an adept student of kenjutsu (the art of swordsmanship) under a Japanese teacher in St. Louis with a riveting account of the samurai tradition in Japan. Intertwining tales of the masters with reflections on his own apprenticeship in the samurai's arts, he reveals in their time-honored methods a way of life with profound relevance to modern times.

The result is a fascinating, singular autobiography. Lowry captures the sense of wonder and mystery that makes martial arts compelling to so many practitioners. Even those who do not practice martial arts will delight in this unusual coming-of-age story.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    6 hours and 32 minutes
  2. Author
    Dave Lowry
  3. Narrator
    Brian Nishii
  4. Audible release date
    February 26, 2014
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Audible Studios
  7. ASIN
    B00IO4MCPK
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $7.49 after you buy the Kindle book.
$0.99/month for the first 3 months
For a limited time, save 90% on Audible. Get this deal

Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 32 minutes
Author Dave Lowry
Narrator Brian Nishii
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date February 26, 2014
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00IO4MCPK
Best Sellers Rank #249,815 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#183 in Martial Artist Biographies
#223 in Sports History (Audible Books & Originals)
#238 in Combat Sports & Self-Defense

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
95 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the narrative engaging and well-written. They appreciate the blend of personal journey and martial arts history, creating a modern narrative that keeps them hooked. The book provides insights into their training and helps them grow as martial artists. Readers praise the author's knowledge of Japanese martial arts and history.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Narrative qualityMartial arts historyKnowledge
5 customers mention "Narrative quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the narrative engaging and well-written. It blends personal journey with martial arts history, creating a modern narrative that keeps them hooked. The pace changes throughout the book, keeping readers hooked and immersed in the story. Readers appreciate the insights into the fascinating history and enjoyable journey from feudal Japan to today.

"...While the history was fascinating and I felt it gave me a sliver of the complex history that has made Japanese martial arts what they are today I..." Read more

"Neat blend of personal journey and the history of a martial way. Dave Lowry has a fantastic breadth of Japanese knowledge both martial and mundane...." Read more

"...of this, the book is constantly changing pace, and pulling the reader into the next chapter. Highly recommend." Read more

"Enjoyable journey from feudal Japan to today, and back again. Lowry does an excellent job of spanning the centuries while creating a modern narrative." Read more

4 customers mention "Martial arts history"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's martial arts history. They find it informative and well-written, with anecdotes from Japanese martial history. The author's personal journey is interspersed with insights into the martial way.

"...story of his introduction to martial arts, interspersed with anecdotes from Japanese martial history...." Read more

"Neat blend of personal journey and the history of a martial way. Dave Lowry has a fantastic breadth of Japanese knowledge both martial and mundane...." Read more

"One of the best writers on traditional martial arts there is. This is an exceptional book for anyone with an interest in the bugei." Read more

"...Lowry in this book becomes "Kotaro-fied" and emerges as a great Occidental swordsman...." Read more

3 customers mention "Knowledge"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights into their own training and how it has helped them grow as martial artists. They find the author weaves an interesting account of his adolescent training with related historical material. Readers also mention that the author has a fantastic breadth of Japanese knowledge, both martial and mundane.

"...The writer does a masterful job of weaving an interesting account of his adolescent training with related historic accounts of the development of..." Read more

"...Lowry's books provide me with insights into my own training and have helped me grow as a martial artist...." Read more

"...Dave Lowry has a fantastic breadth of Japanese knowledge both martial and mundane...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Austin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Completely surprised by how good this book was
    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    So I was made aware of this book by an Art of Manliness blog titled, "how to poop like a Samurai." I bought it simply because I wondered what else might be covered. Finding out that the author had written for Karate magazines, which I have to imagine contain centerfolds of Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, did not do much to improve my expectations.

    To my surprise, the book was fantastic. The writer does a masterful job of weaving an interesting account of his adolescent training with related historic accounts of the development of Japanese swordfighting styles. I'm a very critical reader, and I could not find fault with this book. As soon as I was done with it I began rereading- which is one of the higher compliments I can pay a book. I highly recommend it.
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • John Bossert
    5.0 out of 5 stars There are Martial Arts Writers - and then there's Dave Lowry
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    Dave Lowry offers a perspective in his books not often available to the Western martial arts practitioner - a considered interpretation of modern martial arts in the context of traditional (koryu) arts.

    Written in a exceptionally approachable style, Lowry tells the story of his introduction to martial arts, interspersed with anecdotes from Japanese martial history.

    Lowry's books provide me with insights into my own training and have helped me grow as a martial artist. Rather than the simple discussion of technique, his essays delve into the "-do" of the arts
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Brett
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but a little hard to follow
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Mr. Lowry gets much respect from from me for his writing here. He gives an excellent account of what it might be like to study under a classical Japanese martial arts sensei (not that I would know personally). And he ties in the rise and refinement of his school of swordsmanship along with his personal accounts of training. I have learned a lot from his work here and plan to read more of his writing in the future.

    I will say this, though. I wish his book was more about his training than the history of his style. While the history was fascinating and I felt it gave me a sliver of the complex history that has made Japanese martial arts what they are today I felt that it was more history that I would have liked to read in what I thought was to be an autobiography. And, I am embarrassed to say, the names of many of the historical figures were somewhat hard to follow without flipping back though the pages. This is partially due to many of them being similar in spelling, such as father and son being named differently only by a couple letters, and partially to do with my being unaccustomed to reading foreign names. Though both of these, while relevant as part of a review, are of no bearing on the author or his work.

    Bottom line: if you are interested in swordsmanship or train in any martial art, then I highly recommend reading this work.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • L. A. Kane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and insightful
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2004
    Verified Purchase
    Neat blend of personal journey and the history of a martial way. Dave Lowry has a fantastic breadth of Japanese knowledge both martial and mundane. A master of the sword, brush, and open-hand combat he is also experienced in tea ceremony, flower arranging, and much more. As a young man he serendipitously found a bugei master who he eventually convinced to teach him the way. Early on his sensei proclaimed that, "More is expected of bugeisha then ordinary people." More is what you get in this masterful book. He entices us to follow along the path of his life and training with delightful wit, candor, and humility. I truly enjoyed this book.

    Lawrence Kane
    Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Chris Bordelon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Engaging
    Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Easily one of my favorite martial arts books. Lowry juxtaposes his own kenjutsu journey with the history of the Yagyu school. Because of this, the book is constantly changing pace, and pulling the reader into the next chapter. Highly recommend.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyable journey from feudal Japan to today, and back again. Lowry does an excellent job of spanning the centuries while creating a modern narrative.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Charles R. Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best writers on traditional martial arts there is
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    One of the best writers on traditional martial arts there is. This is an exceptional book for anyone with an interest in the bugei.
    Helpful
     Report
  • always searching
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting and well written
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Very good!!! Thank-you!!!
    Report
  • Sarugumo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Autumn Lightning: Education of an American Samurai
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    `Autumn Lightning' is another well written book by Dave Lowry that explores the history of the Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, as well as his own start in martial arts. Each chapter alternates between life in feudal Japan and the development of the Ryu and life in America and Dave's personal development. This makes for compelling reading and creates a sense of real connection between martial arts of the past and their practise in up-to-date, contemporary times. Lowry writes with his usual candour and descriptive language and from the first page you will be gripped and your interest held until the very end. Lowry's martial arts integrity shines through and you see how this developed under the tutelage of his Sensei and this makes for encouraging reading for those of us who practise martial arts today. If you've read any of Lowry's other books then you know how good they can be and this is no exception, it has rich, tight language and great martial arts history and left me feeling motivated and inspired. Well worth a look.

    Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
    Report
  • Ryuto
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    Well written, insightful and full of fascinating observations on the Japanese martial arts and their symbiosis with the country's culture-all from a Westerner's perspective. This should be purchased together with the follow-up, 'Persimmon Wind' which is equally superb.
    Report
  • Richard Larry Blanchard
    4.0 out of 5 stars Omoshiroi desu
    Reviewed in Canada on January 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A lite enjoyable and interesting read.
    Report
  • annette
    5.0 out of 5 stars really nice present for my husband
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This was shown to me by a friend
    Arrived really promptly from Glastonbury
    very happy with price of purchase, love this company
    Report