Martial arts research library

[bushido_man96]

Just yesterday I finished reading Harry Cook's Shotokan Karate, A Precise History. I know that there are a lot of negative opinions about Cook out there now, but be that as it may, this book is, I would have to say, a pretty well researched and layed out source of information. I'd love to give a concise review of the work here, but I've been reading it in bits and pieces for the better part of a year and a half, so I'll leave it to others to read and decide. Its full of anecdotal information, insight, and a lot of work went into putting it together.

I'd say if you have Karate-Do Kyohan in your library, this would probably go well alongside it.

[andym]

Yes it's an interesting point. At what point does someones evil behavior , undermine their work in another area ?

[bushido_man96]

Yes it's an interesting point. At what point does someones evil behavior , undermine their work in another area ?

When it comes to Karate history, does the guy know what he is talking about? I'm not condoning any part of his personal life. I just say the book is a decent one for a KarateKa to read.

[andym]

When it comes to Karate history, does the guy know what he is talking about?

He did know what he was talking about, the history with in his writings is still valid, but will anyone buy them now ? That's my point. Because his evil behavior totally invalidates his writings on the philosophy of Karate. But that's enough on him.

[bushido_man96]

When it comes to Karate history, does the guy know what he is talking about?

He did know what he was talking about, the history with in his writings is still valid, but will anyone buy them now ? That's my point. Because his evil behavior totally invalidates his writings on the philosophy of Karate. But that's enough on him.

If his books are cheaper now, then I would buy them. This one cost me around $150, and I wanted a copy of his book on the Karate Masters as well.

[bushido_man96]

I finished reading Special Forces Unarmed Combat Guide. I picked this book up at a Barnes and Noble, on the discount rack, and I think I paid under $5 for it. Its written by Martin J. Dougherty, who is not someone I know anything about. But, the book is pretty well put together, its direct, concise, and pretty well illustrated, and talks about the legality of situations, de-escalation, along with self-defense techniques and concepts. Not a bad little book at all.

[bushido_man96]

Boxer's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Boxing by Doug Werner.

I picked this book up, along with a few others, in a used book store. This book went to print in 1998, but I still think its a good read if you are interested in Boxing. The author writes with a pretty loose, conversational tone that makes it fun to read, and there are plenty of illustrations to boot. It covers equipment needs for the beginner, stance and basic footwork, basic punches and basic combinations. It also covers bag work and focus mitt work briefly, and defense and counters. Its pretty straight forward, and not too complicated. It is a Start-Up.

What I really like about the book is that the author kept a journal of his training, and he includes enough of his journal at the end of the book to give an idea of how his training came along over the course of 6 months. I paid under $4 to get it used. Not a bad deal, at least not to me.

[MasterPain]

Boxer's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Boxing by Doug Werner.

I picked this book up, along with a few others, in a used book store. This book went to print in 1998, but I still think its a good read if you are interested in Boxing. The author writes with a pretty loose, conversational tone that makes it fun to read, and there are plenty of illustrations to boot. It covers equipment needs for the beginner, stance and basic footwork, basic punches and basic combinations. It also covers bag work and focus mitt work briefly, and defense and counters. Its pretty straight forward, and not too complicated. It is a Start-Up.

What I really like about the book is that the author kept a journal of his training, and he includes enough of his journal at the end of the book to give an idea of how his training came along over the course of 6 months. I paid under $4 to get it used. Not a bad deal, at least not to me.

I have this one. Best of all, it gives a good illustration of how to wrap hands.

[bushido_man96]

Yes, it does. I've never wrapped my hands before, but when I start to work my heavy bag again, I may consider it. The gloves that came with it are MMA gloves, but if I wrap up, it should be enough support.

I also liked the instruction given for the left hook in this book. A pretty straight forward explanation on a complex punch.

[bushido_man96]

Modern Arnis: The Filipino Art of Stick Fighting, by Remy Presas.

I picked this up at a used book store, too, under $4. Its a typical Ohara publications book, so those familiar with them know the format. It gives a brief history of Presas' journey and style, and then gets right into it. It covers 12 main angles of attack, and 12 ways of dealing with the attacks. Stick and empty hand applications are demonstrated, showing how this style works off the same principles and movements with a weapon in hand or without. It also covers some flow exercises called sinawali and rodonda, as well as some disarming techniques.

I liked this book. Short, sweet, and to the point.