I just happen to have an interest in Japanese culture, language and history, so I thought I'd mention the Shogun link.

EDIT: And apologies to the OP for the minor derail.

If you're looking for a series, or saga of books The Rift War series by Raymond E. Feist is good. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (finished by Brandon Sanderson) is good. Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series is pretty good. Just to name a few. When I get into books I like to tear into a series. Oh Robin Hobb's book series are pretty damn good too. Farseer Trilogy, Liveship traders, and Tawny man were all good reads.

The Cat from Hue: A Vietnam War Story - Author - John Laurence - still my fave Vietnam book.

Barefoot Gen: A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima - Author - Keiji Nakazawa.

John Carter of Mars: The Collection - Author - Edgar Rice Burroughs.

edit for clarity...feck.

No probs.

Jerry Pournelle, great author

falkenberg's legion
Mote in gods eye
Gripping hand
King David's space ship
West of honor
The prince
The mercenary
Footfall
Lucifers hammer

Seconded.

For fantasy i'd say R.A. Salvatore it's a must read.

R.A. Salvatore
Legacy of the Drow series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/49177

Drew Karpyshyn
Star Wars: Darth Bane series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/44184-star-wars-darth-bane

Tales of the Dying Earth by Jack Vance. It has Cugel. Great rogue, cunning but manages to get in and out of trouble. Set in the far far future. But reads a bit like fantasy later on. But then high tech isn't that far from magic to peasants.