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Black Tiger
Black Tiger's picture
What Book are you reading?

Would love to know what everyone is reading at present.

On my nightstand I'm reading Chinese Fast Wrestling for Fighting: The Art of San Shou Kuai Jiao Throws, Takedowns, & Ground-Fighting

http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Fast-Wrestling-Fighting-Ground-Fighting/dp/1886969493?tag=533643275-20

It seems a really good read and is very relevant to the style that I practice and teach. I'm surprised as a Chinese Style is very similar in application to a Japanese Style. I’ve always wondered how Ashihara came up with His Style when he was a one of Oyama Sosai’s Senior Kyokushin Shihans. It is believed that Ashihara Kancho visited China for a spell and this could be “the missing link”

Also got Martial Arts After 40 to read as I’ve accepted I’m not as young as I used to be anymore.

http://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-After-Sang-Kim/dp/1880336294/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372263264&sr=1-1&keywords=martial%20arts%20after%2040&tag=533643275-20

Tau
Tau's picture

I'm not, I'm looking at my PC screen! cheeky

My current reading material

- For escapism - Star Wars: Scoundrels

- For Martial Arts - The Secret Science of Martial Arts by Kevin Mills

- For work - Polish for Dummies

It's a mixed bag

deltabluesman
deltabluesman's picture

My reading material:

For fun:  Shantung Black Tiger 

http://www.amazon.com/Shantung-Black-Tiger-Shaolin-Fighting/dp/0834801221/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1372279280&sr=8-1

So I have been off for a few days and uncovered this book completely by accident.  I was organizing my bookshelf and found that it had fallen behind everything else.  I used to study this book furiously when I was growing up since I lived in a rural area and there was not always a dojo.  All of the pages are falling out and I have forgotten most of the information, but I am keeping it next to my bed for reread.

I am not really reading any serious martial arts books right now.  I spend a lot of time thumbing through various books that I own.  I suppose the only martial arts-related text I am really working with right now is an exercise book called Starting Strength (Mark Rippetoe).  I have used this program before and decided to work through it again.  I am now just hoping that I will have access to a gym while I am traveling this summer.  

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

I’m reading both “The Itosu Legacy” by Dan Anderson and “The Way of Knockdown” by Gary Chamberlin.  Both superb books and I’ll post reviews etc later.

All the best,

Iain

ky0han
ky0han's picture

Hi Iain,

where can I get a hold on "Itosu's Legacy - The Pinan & Naihanchi Katas Revealed"? Is it on Lulu? Couldn't find it there.

I am currently reading Dr. Julian Brauns dissertation on: ´twofold way of the sword and the pen´ - Philosophy and ethics of japanese martial art during the Tokugawa-era (1603-1868)

Bun Bu Ryo Do so to speak. I am reading it in German. Don't know if it is available in English.

Regards Holger

AllyWhytock
AllyWhytock's picture

I've just finished Child of Vengeance by David Kirk. ISBN 978-1-47110-242-4.

It's a dramatised fictional account of the teenage years of Musashi Miyamoto. 

One theme running through the book which, I think can be interpreted from Go Rin No Sho itself is the contradiction with "traditional" samurai behaviour at the time: which is being absolute in one's duty & loyalty to one's "superiors".  Adverse to this dogma and unafraid of being unconventional, Musashi explores his own beliefs, loyalty to blood family and close friends and his endeavours to perfect his own skills.  Not being interested in furthering the power of his masters but rather his quest to defeat his opponents.

Bye,

Ally

Ben Ryder
Ben Ryder's picture

Budo Theory by Rick Rowell

AndyC
AndyC's picture

The Moneyless Man: A Year of Freeconomic Living by Mark Boyle. Very thought provoking!

Black Tiger
Black Tiger's picture

AllyWhytock wrote:

I've just finished Child of Vengeance by David Kirk. ISBN 978-1-47110-242-4.

It's a dramatised fictional account of the teenage years of Musashi Miyamoto. 

One theme running through the book which, I think can be interpreted from Go Rin No Sho itself is the contradiction with "traditional" samurai behaviour at the time: which is being absolute in one's duty & loyalty to one's "superiors".  Adverse to this dogma and unafraid of being unconventional, Musashi explores his own beliefs, loyalty to blood family and close friends and his endeavours to perfect his own skills.  Not being interested in furthering the power of his masters but rather his quest to defeat his opponents.

Bye,

Ally

There's some really good titles listed.

With regards to this particular book I just received The Complete Book of Five Rings translated and annotated by a modern martial arts master, Kenji Tokitsu

http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Book-Five-Rings/dp/1590307976

Looking forward to reading it compared to Musashi's Book of Five Rings: The Definitive Interpretation of Miyamoto Musashi's Classic Book of Strategy where Famed martial artist Stephen Kaufman has translated this classic without the usual commercial bias, driving straight to the heart of Musashi's incisive martial arts stratagems.

http://www.amazon.com/Musashis-Book-Five-Rings-Interpretation/dp/0804835209/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372416087&sr=1-6&keywords=book+of+5+rings#_

AllyWhytock
AllyWhytock's picture

Black Tiger, Looks good. I will be checking these versions out. Thanks,Ally

John D Linstead
John D Linstead's picture

"Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out!: Knife Fighting Techniques From Folsom Prison." Iain recommended it to me a while (about 20 years) ago and I have to say it is well worth a read.

MykeB
MykeB's picture

Just finished Meditations on Violence by Rory Miller. 

Re-reading The Way of Kata by Wilder and Kane

lunch time read is American Sniper Chris Kyle's autobiography. 

I have a ton of others to go through, or re-read.  Anyone have the name of or source for books on or by folks like Motobu, Mabuni etc?  I have had a hard time running down something that isn't ten years out of print and costs a fortune.  I paid $60 US for Motobu's Okinawan Kempo many years back, but I can't aford to do that these days.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

ky0han wrote:
Where can I get a hold on "Itosu's Legacy - The Pinan & Naihanchi Katas Revealed"? Is it on Lulu? Couldn't find it there.

Hi Holger,

You can get the book from Dan’s website:

http://www.danandersonkarate.com/shopping/product_info.php?products_id=78

All the best,

Iain

ky0han
ky0han's picture

Hi Iain,

thanks. I found the answer to my question on your facebook page. cool

Regards Holger