if you are interested in the martial culture, you must read this book. you will not be disappointed.

I just finished reading the book 'Moving Zen' for the second time. I had read it years ago, aoubd the late 70's, and I liked it back then. I can relate to many of the stories Mr. Nicol relates. Originally , I had trained in the Kenkojuku Shotokan--it is different than the JKA shotokan mentioned in the book.-- and since my training has changed to the modern approach of mixed-martial arts type training. Nonetheless, I still enjoy Nicol's book. If you want to get an insider's look to what it was like training in the JKA, and in Japan... it is a must read.

osu,

A. Bustillo

Nicole Sensei writes about his experiences in Japan starting from his arivel in 1962 to learn Karate and Judo. This book has inspired me to continue my training in Shotokan Karate even though I don't curently have enough money to go to a dojo. He also speaks about the little yet important ocurences that had inspired him to continue on with his dreams. One day i wish to have similar experiences and maybe met the man who wrote such an inspiring novel.

This is the best book I've ever seen on this subject!!
At first skepticism arose due to the fact that the reviews only consisted of "5-stars", but thats the only rating appropriate...
This book goes far beyond anything else on the market(that I've read), and give much thought about the "intelligent" aspects of selfdefence, everything is there!!(and hype,B-S, and other types of immaturity is not).
Where differing opinions might arise, such as when discussing calibers, the author's open enough to simply say sort of: -"ok, if that's work for you, then use it."...And then he gives the rationale for his choices,whilst many others's just doesn't explain why this or that should be done...

Best chapters:(IMHO)
"Mental preparation"
I't ain't fancy, it's paramount.

"Introduction to knifefighting"
-oh, you never thought of that!

"worse than nothing"
This is vital information to 99% of the population in Europe, and a whole lot of folks in the U.S as well..

Since I have myself started out on a manuscript for the Swedish market, a revelation came to me whilst reading:
"This is the kind of book I want to write!"
Then came another:
"Mr Jahn's gonna want to kick my ass for copycating!"
But just as any subject that's being described by several people:
If somethings true, then that truth is gonna sound the same whilst coming from someone else..however: buy this book!
You WILL learn something valuable regardless of prior training.

The only bad thing about it, is that when you've finished it, you'll be begging for more!

BY FAR THE BEST TREATISE ON SELF DEFENSE THAT I HAVE READ. I WAS VERY SKEPTICAL ON BUYING MR. JAHN'S BOOK BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF INFO ON HIS BACKGAROUND SO I TOOK A CHANCE AFTER READING THE REVIEWS ON THE BOOK. AFTER READING THE FIRST CHAPTER I KNEW IT WAS A KEEPER. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. THE FIRST CHAPTER ON MENTAL PREPARATION WAS REALLY WELL DONE, DEFINITELY THE BEST OUT THERE. MR. JAHN SEEMS TO REALLY KNOW HIS STUFF AND SHARES ALOT OF VALUABLE INFO. THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR YOU SELF DEFENSE LIBRARY. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.

NOT FOR THE MEEK!

I have found the Grail!!! Excellent, excellent book . . . I have read nearly every book published over the past 30 years pertaining to self-defense, streetfighting, knifefighting, and related topics, and have NEVER seen anything which even comes close to this masterpiece. Mister Jahn is the only author who has the cohones to really tell it like it is, and he does not pull any punches when it comes to expressing his opinions. "Hardcore" indeed! Some people are sure to be offended by this book, but the material speaks for itself. Mister Jahn really knows from whense he speaks.

This book is divided into a number of sections. The best part was the chapter on "Mental Preparation." This information goes way above and beyond anything else available today. The chapters on "Invulnerability" (inconspicuous armor and advanced awareness techniques, "Rape Prevention," "Unarmed Combat," "Beltfighting," and "Handguns" were all great. The chapter entitled "Introduction to Knifefighting" was worth any three books on the subject, and the sections on improvised weapons and weapon selection were encyclopedic in scope. Easily the best self-defense book available at any price -- but be advised: this material is NOT for everyone! Brutally effective.

a wonderful look at karate, japan, and life. truly a beautiful book in the way that siddhartha is a beautiful book. i would recommend this to any person in the world.

This is a wonderful book. It is very easy to read and is appropriate at any level. I have read the book several times and each time I find myself learning something new (or at least comprehending something I hadn't before). As the name implies you will not learn technique from this book, rather you will gain insight through one man's retelling of his story of growing in the martial arts.

If you love Budo (especially Karate) or if you love Zen, you will have (as I did) a great pleasure on reading this work of art!
Maybe the expression of Zen in the arts is the best way to contact the alive spirit of this tradition, and I think this work gives a good view of this expression.

Maybe Zen is moving not only in the practice of Karate, but also throughout the pages of this poem written in prose... Mr. Nicol is not only (as his japanese friend wrote to him, page 74) "looking to sky to making poetry"... He makes his poetry also with his feet quite rooted in the floor.

The text is great, because, not claiming to teach us any particular thing, yet it teaches a lot...

You have to know it: It's not a doctrinal book. It's simply as if you were an old friend of the author and he is glad to write to you to tell about his last adventures in a different land and culture, his experiences with Budo... If you like the matter, you will want to end a letter (a chapter - they are 13) and soon beggin the next...

I would just recall that, as far as the matter Zen is concerned, we shall not consider particular behaviors of individuals as a certain expression of a "zen behavior", for it doesn't exist, at least as a crystallized formula... So, for example, the way Karate instructors deal with students weaknesses depends on their culture and on their own, it's not a formula in Karate-do... (Here I'm not saying Mr Nicol presented it as a formula!)

Well, that's it: the only thing I can really resume for those who love the matter of this book is that it's really a classic... If you ever wanted to know the "philosophy" of Martial Arts, Budo, especially classical Karate, you must read it!!

This is the first textbook I have encountered in the field of martial arts, and it's great for martial artists and lay-persons alike. Traditional martial artists will find this an excellent reference, depicting stances, the traditional Pal-Gwes (katas), black belt forms, a history of ten extention tools, self-defense techniques, and a variety of other general martial arts information. It is full of great photographs and descriptive text.

This is a great book for a lay-person who may be interested in the martial arts because it explains the traditional philosophy of the martial arts and general principles that many schools have in common. This makes it a good place to begin learning about the martial arts in general.

The textbook also includes tests at the end of each chapter so you can see what you learned and review some of the most important principles of that particular chapter. Finally, it is probably the first documented American style. I would HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone interested in the martial arts.

I own two copies of this book and have photocopied some of the katas to use where the books might get damaged. In addition to information specific to the American Martial Arts Institute, there are Korean, Japanese, Chinese and American forms, practical self defense techniques and a series of basic blocking and striking techniques.

In these respects, the books cover for an American Style what Richard Chun covers in "Tae Kwon Do" and "Advancing in Tae Kwon Do." Like those books, it covers skills as basic as stretching, making a fist and executing basic kicks to the structure of advanced katas. This book goes farther by covering introductions to weapons such as bo, tonfa and sai, some complex self defense series and training exercises like ippon kumite and circular self defense.

While no single book can cover all aspects of the martial arts completely, this is an excellent, well rounded reference for the martial artist.

I earned my shodan during three years training in Japan, (my instructors were wonderful people), and have taught for three years also, (receiving permission from World Aikido headquarters).

This is an excellent little book; it is pleasant both to look at and read, and covers alot of information in a well-paced and thoughtful manner. The elegant presentation reminds me of books on Japanese flower arrranging.

It is also concise, delivering not only what I understand to be a complete rendition of the various ki techniques and their applications in a straightforward manner, but also including brief notes on the various influences of aikido on cinema (the seven samurai & Star Wars), apocryphal tales about the founder Ueshiba Morihei, etc...

I enjoyed reading this book and consider it, unlike several other books on the subject, both well worth the expense and a useful addition to one's aikido library.

I have been in the martial arts for over 43 years, and own and operate the Hombu martial arts Education Center in Lafayette, Indiana.I instruct the art of Aikido,and find this book of value for intructional information, assisting all instructors a guide, and a path to keep on track. It gives all readers an overall picture of how KI training is taught, and what is involved. The drawings are very good, and I feel a dedicatied student can get much value from such text. It is good of her to share her knowledge and experience. Keep up the good work.

Respectfully,

Dr. Thomas H.Burdine\PhD\M.A. Head of family Kokon Ryu Aikido, Bujutsu, Renmei

C. M. Shifflett presents her subject on several levels. There is an intriguing look at the philosophy and power of Ki, a window into the world of Morihei Ueshiba's "Noble Warrior," a practical and joyfully creative presentation of Ki exercises, and a well-written guide to several forms of meditation. It seems to me that most books on martial arts are more or less esoteric, (i.e. understood by a "select few"). I found the messages contained in this book to be universal in scope and practical for areas far beyond the practice of Aikido - much more a philosophy of living. In fact, when I first read the book, I had not yet seen Aikido. I was so intrigued that I searched out a local Dojo. Incidently, check out the art work. My mother-in-law knows nothing about Aikido, and yet she was fascinated with the people in the pictures, who seem more real than photographs.

Karate: the Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting by Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown is the perfect starter book for any one wishing to learn Shotokan Karate. It describes all the stances, punches, strikes, blocks, and kicks. An explanation of the application of Karate techniques in self-defense situations is given. Briefly outlined is the history and principles of the art but what is indispensable in the book are the recommended schedules for the different training situations which make this book a perfect guide for the student and helpful manual for the instructor. After learning what is in this book I would suggest moving on to one of the books by Robin L. Rielly; either Complete Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-2108-9, or The Secrets of Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-3229-3. My only wish is that the chapters on Kumite and Kata would be expanded but that is why I recommend the two books above as well.

This book should be considered a bible to all martial artist and students who are serious about studying the Japanese Style karate. It is very informative and still up to date. As an Instructor I find this book as a great source of reference.

Considering this book came out originally in 1960 and was the first large-format book on Karate I had seen up to that point, it is remarkable that it has rarely been exceeded in the all time since. The photos of the basic techniques are very clear. The applications sections are generous with good coverage of sparring and self-defense.

I have a personal story about Nishiyama, although I didn't study with him myself, but someone I know did. Nishiyama was in Los Angelos for some time back in the 60's and he was conducting a training session. One of the students, a guy by the name of Ray Dalke, who later led the U.C. Riverside Shotokan club to the national championship title, was in the class. I met Dalke when I was a doctoral student at UCR back in the early 80's, but I actually heard this from one of his students. Ray had never been very loose in the legs, especially the groin stretch, where you sit on the ground in a quasi-lotus position and bounce your knees up and down and try to get them all the way to the ground.

Anyway, Nishiyama came around to Dalke, and noticed his problem. He says to Dalke, "You want to have loose lap?" (Sometimes Nishiyama's English was a bit rough, but the meaning came through loud and clear). Dalke says, "yes, Master, I do." Nishiyama says again, "Are you sure you want to have loose lap?" Dalke says, "Yes, yes, Master, I want it more than anything!" At that moment Nishiyama jumps up into the air and comes down with both feet planted squarely on Dalke's knees, driving them all the way to the floor.

Well, he said Dalke's scream of agony could be heard for two city blocks. They had to get an ambulance and take Dalke away. But he survived and was back later after he healed with the "loosest lap" you've ever seen. I hope Ray doesn't mind my telling his story. Like I said, I met Ray in about 1980 when he was the faculty karate instructor at UC Riverside and he was really a pretty cool guy, as well as an excellent instructor. He loved the Shotokan katas and I recall having an enjoyable discussion with him about some of the more advanced forms.

Anyway, Nishiyama is one of the greats of the Shotokan style and this book is still one of the finest books on the subject. I will say one more thing about Nishiyama, which is that he has the most vicious-looking front kick I've ever seen. I've tried to emulate his style on this one but he's basically got the patent on it.

A very comprehensive structured analysis of one's training and sparring agenda. Excellent for the novice, and very beneficial for the advanced fighter.

This book is a must for the serious tournament fighter. Darin Waugh offers a comprehensive, yet easy to understand, analytical tool for those who wish to excel. A cobmination of work sheets and sound advice makes this a highly usable book. I highly recommend it!

Learning more about yourself, not only your fighting style, is a major strength in this work. The book is extremely detailed, and gives one plenty of food for thought. The charts and graphs included are very helpful, and the book's unsual format allows the reader to easily copy and use the information given so freely. This is indeed a quality work. The author's years of experience and rational mind shine through. Anyone intersted in martial arts, from beginner to black belt can use and benefit from "Analyze Your Fighting' by Darin Waugh. I can't wait to check out his software package. I give it a big thumbs up, and 5 stars.

Carol Shifflett's second book covers the martial art of Aikido in a way I've never seen before. Most of the books I know deal with either the techniques or the philosophy, some try to cover both. Mostly, the technique books are lost on me because I'm not good at learning techniques from photographs - and the philosophy books are often very difficult to understand without guidance. But Carol's book talks of things I haven't found in any other place:

Ever thought about the physics of Aikido? Ever seen a collection of answers to those "silly" beginner's questions? Ever thought about "verbal Aikido"? And - ever gotten advice from people of various Aikido styles from all over the world? This book contains all this and much, much more.

It is like walking around a sculpture you already knew from pictures and finding out that it is three-dimensional and you can see it from angles you never thought of. Each topic, each question is not only presented in one way but with various approaches to help the reader gain a better understanding. Everyday experiences included in the book suddenly reveal a new sight on the principles of Aikido.

But what I like most about this book is that it approaches the art I love with a lot of humor without making fun of it.

C. M. Shifflett's newest book, "Aikido Exercises for Teaching and Training," (AET) expands her previous book, "Ki in Aikido, A Sampler of Ki Exercises" (KIE) (itself a limit -shattering book in its own right) in several directions.

While KIA dealt only with Ki Society style aikido, AET expands its scope, drawing lessons from all styles of aikido and a global internet discussion list where all aikidoka ae welcome. Likewise, Shifflet's second book focuses attention on all stages of study in aikido, from the first day in the dojo beginner to the 20 year experienced sensei. Finally (and most importantly in my opinion), AET expands well beyond traditional "throw uke to the ground" aikido, to encompass such rarely discussed topics as dojo injuries, the physical basis behind many common techniques, the psychological and physiological process of learning and "verbal self-defense."

It is this last section that truly creates the book's value, at least for this reader. In a chapter at the end entitled "Off the Mat, in Real Life," Shifflett (with a little help from linguistics expert Suzette Elgin) dismembers the traditional view of martial arts as a means to beat evildoers on the mean streets of your local city. instead, she shows how to apply principles of aikido to the sort of conflicts people are far more likely to encounter in their real, non-Steven Segalesque lives.

I have read the final chapter, including Verbal Self-Defense, Life Etiquette, about five times. I have read the middle of the book, about techniques and exercises, twice. This is a disturbing underemphasis on my part of the end. The middle of the book will likely never save your life. The end likely will.

This chapter alone compelled me to buy the book -- the rest (including the badly needed translation of Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere technique numbers into the actual names as they are used in real dojos) was merely a bonus. A wonderful, amazing bonus that makes this book one which, if you can only buy one aikido book, you should buy. But a bonus all the same. =) Like her previous book, this is also wonderful for a nearly constant laugh, with quotes from a wild variety of seemingly mad, yet inspired, aikido practitioners on and off the internet.

The late George Simcox, Chief Instructor of the Virginia Ki Society says in his introduction: "I wish I'd had a book like this one available to me when I started teaching 25 years ago!". Well, I wish I'd had a book like this when I started practicing Ki Society Aikido 10 years ago. This book is outstanding and full of great illustrations and discriptions of techniques and terms. I am sure I would have learned more, quicker if I had had a resource like this. This book not only contains excellent discriptions of the basics of Ki Society Aikido and the basic exercises, it also covers rolling - a tricky skill to learn at times - and a lot of physics and theory behind the art. But best of all, it has a comprehensive bibliography and videograhpy and an extremely complete glossary of Japanese Aikido related terms by Chizuko Suzuki, that took me almost as long to read through as the body of the book! If you are interested in Aikido or have been practicing for quite a while, there is good stuff in this book for you! I highly recomend it.

To say that Pai Lum Tao by Glenn C. Wilson is wonderful would be an understatement. I have trained in Hung Gar, Choy Lay Fut, and Shaolin for about thirty years. This book is a wonderful introduction to Glenn Wilson's style of Kung Fu. There is clarity and energy that leaps from the pages to the reader. It is my sincere hope that there will be more books written by Mr. Wilson.

Great job Mr. Wilson, this book is a MUST READ for all Martial Artist!!

Grand-master Wilson, thank you for creating one of the best books I have ever read regarding Martial Arts. I read your book in one sitting, I was not able to put it down. It was very clear and easy to understand and I really was very impressed that your student Don "The Dragon" Wilson was part of it. It really shows the love and respect for teacher and style when a world known celebrate like Don Wilson takes time from his busy schedule to help his teacher put together his love and passion.

I can't wait for your next book...please don't make us wait to long.

Pai Lum Tao: Way of the White Dragon by Glenn C. Wilson is a must read book. It is a comprehensive book on the basics and philosophy of Pai Lum Tao. I believe it is a book that every martial artist should have in his library. I cannot wait until he comes out with another book.

This is a highly useful book. The information in it can be applied to almost any genre or campaign. The listing of martial arts is comprehensive and there are rules to design your own new ones. I use this book more often than almost any other gurps book that I own. The only downside is the increase in complexity for combat. Extra realism brings extra complexity as usual. Note: you must have the gurps basic set to use this book.

GURPS Martial Arts is a well-written, informative supplement for every serious (or otherwise) GURPS layer or GM. As with so many other GURPS books, however, it is an excellent resources in and of itself, and knowldge of the base system is NOT needed to enjoy this publication. For GURPS, however, this book includes rules for a new type of combat, with manuvers, spin-offs of base skills. There are rules for Realistic and Cinematic/Chambara styles, as well as weapons, history and campaign ideas, making this book one of the best of its kind.

I have been interested in GURPS and Martial Arts for a long time. This book contains tons of styles and the rules for skills and manuvers are very nicely done. Although it doesn't have Every martial art in existance it does have a wide selection and rules for creating/integrating your own. I integrated Taido in and it worked really well. This book can add flavor to GURPS combat even if it is weapon-oriented (a lot of martial arts are.) However I would recommend the 2nd Edition but overall I loved it! The possiblities are pretty much limitless and that is what makes it so good