Beyond the Known: The Ultimate Goal of the Martial Arts

by Tri Thong Dang

This is another book that I read over and over again. It always has something new to say to me depending on where I am when I read it. It covers the blossoming of a master in the martial arts from overbearing neophyte to true master. It explores the Tao and proper principles in training, and contains one of my favorite quotes. "Your quest is not for quantity of production. Your quest, my quest, the martial-arts quest is for quality of experience." I give it five kiai.

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Bo: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense (184 Pages)

by Fumio Demura

This is one of my favorite books from the series. As befits a book on traditional kobudo, there's a good section on history and kobudo masters.  It also has some outstanding manipulation drills. Demura Sensei then discusses care, theory and applications. Finally, it finishes with a step by step guide to the bo kata Shuchi-No-Kon-Sho.  A good addition to the library of anyone serious about kobudo. I give it four kiai.  

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory & Technique

by Renzo Gracie & Royler Gracie

This is a very good step by step guide to many of the techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by two of the more prominent members of the Gracie family. Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully intuitive, you can actually learn from this text. It demonstrates requirements from blue through black belt. Of course a rudimentary knowledge of grappling and ground fighting is helpful, but this text is so thorough, even that is not required. Often times martial artists of this level just add their names to inferior products, but Renzo and Royler appear to have been intimately involved in the entire project, and their involvement shows. I give it a hearty five kiai.  

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Dynamic Stretching & Kicking

by Bill "Superfoot" Wallace

I am a huge fan of Mr. Wallace.  Growing up, he was my favorite kick boxer.  Unfortunately, this book dates back to 1982, and I’m afraid it’s showing its age.  The stretching section consists of a good stretch routine, but there’s not much explanation to go with the stretches.  The kicking section primarily contains kicks that require the extreme flexibility for which Mr. Wallace is known.  As a fan I enjoyed the book, but I did not get much new information that I could use.  I give it two kiai.

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The Encyclopedia Of Dim-Mak (The Main Meridians)

by Erle Montaigue and Wally Simpson

If you’re the least interested in pressure point striking this book is another must have for your library.  This book covers every single point along the main meridians.  It discusses locations, set-ups, damage, healing, applications and more.  Granted, a lot of the information as to the effects of the strikes has to be taken on faith, because proving some of the theories would lead to serious jail time.  My only nitpick is that the conceptor vessel and governor vessel points are covered in a second book.  That aside, I can’t imagine not having this book.  I give it five kiai.

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The Encyclopedia Of Dim-Mak (The Extra Meridians, Points, And More)

by Erle Montaigue and Wally Simpson

Like its predecessor above, this book is a must have if you’re into point striking or Traditional Chinese Medicine.  This book covers the conceptor and governor vessels which run up the centerline of the body.  Because of this, they are some of the most commonly used points.  This book also touches on the other extraordinary meridians, and gives some new information to be used in pressure point striking, healing and qigong.  For the same reasons stated above, I give this book five kiai also.

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The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do: (Shorin-Ryu)

by Shoshin Nagamine

A treatise by the founder of Matubayashi Shorin-Ryu.  How could you not own this book if you practice this art.  Even if you don't practice this particular art, any practitioner of Okinawan or Japanese arts should review it for the insights of one of the greatest and most respected martial artists of all time.  Master Nagamine covers all the kata of his art and other techniques unique to his style, but also gives insight into more generic techniques and the history of Karate.  I give it five kiai.

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Essential Anatomy: For Healing and Martial Arts

by Marc Tedeschi

This is an excellent guide for reconciling the Western and Eastern views of Medicine and the inner workings of the body. Anybody trying to learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine understands that this is no small feat. In addition, there are some sections on Martial applications and revival techniques, although I'd be hesitant to apply a revival technique learned out of a book. A substantial portion of the book is dedicated to the meridians and their points, but because this seems somewhat superfluous and is covered better in other books is the only reason I can't give this book five kiai. As it is, I give it a hearty four kiai.

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The Fighter's Body: An Owner's Manual

by Loren W. Christensen and Wim Demeere

I had high expectations for this book.  At the least I hoped to come away with a solid nutrition and workout plan, and the motivation to implement it.  Unfortunately, I can't say I came away with either.  If you haven't read an exercise and nutrition book before, this is as good as any.  But it wasn't a lot different than the others I've read.  The basic nutrition strategy is calorie counting, which I have never had a lot of success with.  There are some good suggestions, but overall I was a little disappointed.  I can only give this book three kiai.

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Karatedo Art - Sport - Science

by Hanshi Ridgely Abele

If you’re a Shuri player, this book is a must have.  If not, you still should check it out.  Mr Abele has taken much of the work from Grandmaster Trias’ books and put it in a more organized form.  He has also added improved illustrations and a great deal of original content.  Much of the book is style specific, but there is a lot of good content that is universal through all martial arts.  I have had the opportunity to be taught by and work with Mr. Abele, and the man knows of what he speaks.  Much of the information in this book is only available in Master Trias’ books which are only available through his daughter.  For Shuri practitioners, I give this book five kiai.  For all others, it still ranks four kiai.

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Living the Martial Way : A Manual for the Way a Modern Warrior Should Think

by Forrest E. Morgan

As the title states, this is a manual for living the martial way. Mr. Morgan does a good job of distinguishing between being a martial artist and living the martial way. Anyone that has studied the martial arts for any length of time understands that the principles taught in these arts begin to extend to your life outside the dojo. This is an excellent guide for making that transition in an organized and thoughtful way. Although I don't agree with all of Mr. Morgan's premises, I found all his conclusions helpful by forcing me to examine what I do believe.  Overall, this is a very good book for helping martial artists integrate their training into their everyday lives. Mr. Morgan also provides some good advice on selecting a school, but I think a beginning martial artist might find the proposed training regimen a bit intimidating. However, those that have already discovered the usefulness of daily training, will find this book both motivational and thought provoking.  I give it four kiai.

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The Martial Artist's Book of Yoga

by Lily Chou, Kathe Rothacher

I found this book a little disappointing.  I've long been a believer in the value of Yoga in martial arts training, so this book seemed a natural to me.  Unfortunately, there was not a lot of unique information.  It provides poses sorted by what they're supposed to improve in your martial arts.  But there's very little other information.  What I was hoping for was more of a guide on how to combine the poses, but this book does not do that.  I would also hope for a better explanation of the energy side of Yoga and how it relates to Qigong training.  As for the poses themselves, I would recommend a pure Yoga book or video that focuses just on explaining the poses over this book.  Although I appreciate the effort, I think it can be improved on.  I give it three kiai.

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Moving Zen: One Mans Journey to the Heart of Karate

by C.W. Nicol

This is an outstanding book recounting Mr. Nicol's journey to Japan to study Judo and Karate.  It gives excellent insight into how the Japanese view the martial arts.  Mr. Nicol is very forthcoming about life lessons he had to learn, and these are both entertaining and inspiring.  For those that have not had the opportunity to study in the orient, but long to do so, this is a wonderful vicarious journey.  I only wish Mr. Nicol had trained in Okinawa in addition to the mainland so we could have his insights into cultural and philosophic differences.  For taking me to Japan without the airfare, I give Mr. Nicol and his book five kiai.  Usss!

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Nunchaku: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense

by Fumio Demura

An excellent print guide to the use of this weapon.  In fact, I found it almost easier to learn techniques through this book than through videos.  It begins with the basics like how long they should be, terminology, care of the weapon and the like.  Then follows the technique.  Both single and double weapon techniques are covered.  Applications are explained on most techniques.  The techniques and applications are well illustrated and explanations are concise.  I would have liked to come away with a clearer understanding of the preferred order of training, and this is the only reason it doesn't rate a perfect score. As it is, I give it four kiai.

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Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles, and Secret Techniques

by Mark Bishop

Wow, I felt as if I visited the dojos addressed in this book. It did serve to demystify Okinawan Karate, which I found a mixed blessing. As they say, "ignorance is bliss." Oriental culture tends to venerate ancestors and "those that have gone before." While that is a noble practice, it can also be maddening for the Westerner that is not adept at reading between the lines to get to the truth. Mr. Bishop does a wonderful job at calling it like he sees it. In the end, this is an excellent overview of Okinawan styles of Karate. It contains a very detailed look at many different styles including philosophies, training methods, history, current conditions, and personalities. Although it didn't address every style of Okinawan Karate, I would recommend this book to assist those interested in picking a style, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone already interested in Okinawan Karate.  I give it four kiai.

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Power of Internal Martial Arts: Combat Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi, and Hsing-I

by B.K. Frantzis

This is an excellent introduction into the internal arts of China.  Mr. Frantzis does a very good job of first explaining what internal arts are, and then breaking each down and explaining the differences.  I was a skeptic when it came to the internal arts, but having experienced their effectiveness first hand, I now believe all martial artists should at least be aware of them.  One of my favorite features of the book are the authors "personal odyssey[s]."  Here he gives first hand accounts of his experiences with the internal arts.  I give this book four kiai.

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Qigong for Health & Martial Arts, Second Edition

by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

This is a very good introduction into qigong training.  It contains some introductory explanation into the concept of qigong, and follows it up with some easy to follow qigong exercises.  Unsupervised qigong training can be dangerous, but these are some relatively benign exercises that will allow you to be more prepared for when you find an appropriate teacher.  There are also some massage and martial application sections, but for me the true gem of this book is the exercises.  I give it four kiai.

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Sai: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense

by Fumio Demura

This is a very good print guide to the use of this weapon. Like all of Mr. Demura's books on weapons, it will give some good manipulations to add to your repertoire. He also discusses history, care, theory and applications. A good addition to the library of anyone serious about kobudo. I give it four kiai.

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Secrets of the Samurai: A Survey of the Martial Arts of Feudal Japan

by Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook

This book is 480 pages but it reads like twice that.  It is dense with material.  This book takes a very academic look at Feudal Japan and the martial arts that were so instrumental in its development.  As an Okinawan stylist, I very much enjoyed learning about the samurai mentality and tactics as they were the primary antagonist of those that developed Okinawan Karate.  Unfortunately, I believe Okinawan Arts are too often lumped in with Japanese Arts, when they in fact came from very different cultures despite Okinawa now being part of Japan.  I give this book four kiai, but it's only for those serious about learning this material.

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Solo Training: The Martial Artist's Guide to Training Alone

by Loren Christensen

An excellent training guide. Chock full of suggestions, tips and drills.  I can heartily recommend this book to assist in your training regimen no matter what you're training for.  I've had this book over three years and I still get new material out of it.  I do believe it could have been organized a little better, and that's the only reason it doesn't get five kiai.  As it is, it's a very solid four.

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Tao Teh Ching (Shambhala Library)

Lao Tzu (translated by John C.H. Wu)

Written more than two thousand years ago, if you have the least interest in understanding the philosophy behind virtually all Eastern martial arts, this is a must read. Really the only question is picking a translation. Mr. Wu's makes the most sense to me. I sat on the floor at Barnes & Noble comparing random passages between the translations. I found this one by far the most readable. There was also no attempt to interpret the passages for me. The value in this book is how we interpret the passages for ourselves, not how it's explained to us by "experts." I could no more rate this book than I could the Bible, Torah or Koran; but I do give the translation four kiai.

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Tonfa: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense (Literary links to the Orient) (144 pages)

by Fumio Demura

Another very good Kobudo print guide from Demura Sensei. It begins with history of the weapon, grips, stances and manipulations.  There's a very thorough section on applications against both weapons and unarmed attackers.  I give it four kiai.

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The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts

by Fay Goodman

"Ultimate Book"? I don't think so.  The problem with this book is the title.  Had it been titled "A Beginner's Guide to the Martial Arts," I might not have had a problem with it.  For me it was an impulse buy, and I should have known better.  It's very well laid out, and obviously took a lot of research.  Unfortunately, it just didn't know what it wanted to be.  There's not enough information to be helpful in any single art, and way too much wasted information.  There is page after page of extremely rudimentary warm ups and exercises.  There are actually sections devoted to push ups and sit ups!  Also, it spends all it's time with sub-systems to the major arts and therefore is not a good representation of those major arts.  If you are trying to decide among specific styles covered in the book, it might be worth the money.  Otherwise, steer clear.  For tricking me, I give it one kiai.

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Zen in the Martial Arts

by Joe Hyams

Mr. Hyams does an outstanding job of explaining Zen philosophy without actually explaining Zen philosophy.  He does this through a series of anecdotes involving some of the most celebrated names in the martial arts.  Mr. Hyams trained with the likes of Bruce Lee and Ed Parker, and relates lessons learned from these and other teachers on the proper philosophy for both training and life.  It's very inspirational and a good reminder of what's important, and more importantly, what's not.  I give it five kiai.

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