Samurai Knight is an autobiography by Leif Hermansson, in which he relates the story of his life in the service of martial arts.
Leif Hermansson has devoted more than 60 years to the study of various martial arts, both with and without weapons, such as karate, iaido, judo and kobudo, and the book describes his numerous trips to Japan and Okinawa to train under different masters. His commitment to martial arts has taken him to a string of exotic places including Kazakhstan, India, Russia, Brazil, Japan and South Africa.
The author also shares many of his personal adventures and challenges, including near-death experiences and a career in personal protection and security. One of the highlights of his life was being accepted into the Knights of Malta, Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, where he participates in humanitarian work as a part of this historical order. The book is permeated with a strong sense of authenticity and personal passion. The personal tone gives the book a closeness and depth that many readers will surely appreciate.
Hermansson presents lively and detailed descriptions to paint pictures of his experiences. His depictions of different places and cultures – especially from his travels to Japan and Okinawa – provide the reader with a rich, multifaceted image of the environments he has lived and worked in.
Hermansson has occasionally been called a controversial rebel, as he finds it hard to remain detached and not speak out when he encounters injustices. This has also resulted in him commencing a political career as a pensioner, with a view to influencing the world around him and helping others.