Japan Inside Out is special. The Glucks know practically everything about Japan. Japan Inside Out is comprehensive (over 1300 pages written telegram style to save space) and every page has obviously been written with tender loving care. The Glucks, who have been in Japan since 1951, truly love the country, but have been here long enough to see through the cliches and truisms that other guidebook writers fall for. Their book is truly a labour of love, and is indispensable for anyone who really wants to see more than just Kyoto and Tokyo. Japan Inside Out is the only guidebook that will help you find the Grave of Jesus Christ in Aomori, explain those funny hand positions on the Buddha statues, or tell you where you find the snake shop in Tokyo. Japan Inside Out gives you background about everything. Armed with Japan Inside Out, you won't have to wander around a temple thinking, "Gee, I bet this place might be interesting if I knew something about its history, architecture, or its religious importance." There are interesting anecdotes and stories about everywhere you might want to visit. For the budget traveller, Japan Inside Out is full of good information about cheap places to stay and eat. Although it was written in 1990, making its information about accommodation and restaurants untrustworthy, I will never travel without it again.

This book was invaluable in planning both of my trips to Japan. Wonderful reading on it's own, it is without peer in planning a trip which includes the hidden magical places that are the essence of the old and new Japan. Before and during the trips the breadth and depth of the information increased my understanding and appreciation of this fascinating culture a thousand fold. Additionally, the practical information, cultural customs, day to day "how to" suggestions, made the whole process of traveling richer and easier. I would never want to travel without it!

Jay Gluck, author of the acclaimed "Zen Combat," has here provided an almost priceless service to the potential visitor to Japan. In this massive volume, Gluck salts each page with information not usually found in a travel guide: info that can actually be used! His winsome, approachable style (and that of his wife, Sumi, and son Garet) makes "Japan Inside Out" a joy to read, and there is literally no wasted space in the book. Gluck's original illustrations add much to the book's atmosphere as well. The strongest point about "Japan Inside Out" is the intimate approach to the individual's travel goals. The Gluck family's love for and exquisitely detailed knowledge of Japan gives the book a flavor of immediacy and authenticity (along with piercing wit and humor)which is glaringly absent from more recent volumes on Asian travel. Anyone planning a trip to Japan MUST read this book. Perhaps my most powerful praise for "Japan Inside Out" is that it would entertain and edify even those who never plan to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.

Originaly written as a series of magazine articles in the fifties, the book is not entirly accurate. It is a good overview of several Martial arts traditions. he covers all styles of martial arts. Covers everything from Aikido to Zen. Gluck does a very good job of conveying the passion for martial arts that he has. This book is a good read, and would be great for those thinking of starting the Martial Arts.

Originaly written as a series of magazine articles in the fifties, the book is not entirly accurate. It is a good overview of several Martial arts traditions however, and does a good job of conveying the passion for martial arts that the author obvoiusly feels. This is the book that originaly inspired me to start my study of martial arts almost twenty years ago,I have learned much since than. This book is a bit over-zealous on some points, but it is a good reference work for most martial artists, and a good read for the laymen.

Mr Gluck was one of the first author/explorers of the post war Japanese Martial arts. His rendition of the Arts, are therefore basic yet illuminating in not suffering from any preconcieved ideas or values of the arts. When taken at the informative value of introducing a foriegn concept to the western mind, we arrive at an original discription of the Martail Arts and of their merit to the practioner. This book introduces the reader to the base of understanding and refreshes the practioner with the uncalloused viewpoint. Excellant for its value as a mental tonic and revitalizer.