I have read all of the Asia saga novels
I don't recommend doing this.
( WormuIus, Thu 16 Jun 2011, 13:39, archived)

I've read 3 of the 6

( M o D, Thu 16 Jun 2011, 13:40, archived)

Don't read Whirlwind
and Noble House isn't great. In fairness, unless you really want to join all the convoluted sub-plots you can avoid King Rat as well, although it is a pretty easy and enjoyable read.

Tai-pan is probably on balance the best one but Shogun will always be my favourite.
( WormuIus, Thu 16 Jun 2011, 13:46, archived)

Shogun and King Rat are the best

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 16 Jun 2011, 14:08, archived)

King Rat is an interesting little story in its own right and is the only one which has the weight of experience behind it
Shogun isn't really part of the Asia saga at all, the Blackthorne tie-ins later feel decidedly forced, like the throwaway, 'Anjin is quite an unusual name' thing from the end of Noble House which is pretty cringeworthy.

As a standalone novel, Shogun is great, however, in my opinion Tai-pan is the best part of the saga.
( WormuIus, Thu 16 Jun 2011, 14:14, archived)

That's a fair viewpoint
Shogun best as a stand alone, and Taipan as the saga. Never really liked Noble House, though I liked the ties in with King Rat.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 16 Jun 2011, 14:20, archived)