Recommended Books

[Bugeisha]

I was hoping that some of you might be able to recommend authors or texts to me. The only taekwondo book I've found to be really worthwhile was Choi's encyclopedia, but I've had a little more luck with karatedo. I've read Funakoshi's books, and one or two by Mas Oyama. Nakayama's Dynamic Karate is one of my favorite MA books. If you gents (and ladies) could recommend others that are worth picking up, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Dillon

[Yang Wei Xin]

Essence of Okinawan Karate Do by Shoshin Nagamine

contains most of the matsubayashi shorin ryu info, and lots of other goodies.

[onnie]

Dillon, did you read Funakoshi's To-Te Jitsu ? That and Okinawan Kempo by Choki Motobu are great. Also Mark Bishop's Okinawan Karate, there is a second edition out. Jim Silvan's Okinawan Karate: Its Teachers and Their Styles. Patrick McCarthy has some good books out as well. Try web pages like Ryu Kyu imports and you can find quite a few others as well. Good luck. Train hard and often.

Thanks much
Brandon

[moogong]

Hey Dillion...check out this site.. http://www.budogu.com

[rgoad]

Try These for starters:

Moving Zen (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4770027559/sr=8-4/qid=1141845533/ref=sr_1_4/002-2774536-7949612?%5Fencoding=UTF8)
and
The Way of Karate Beyond Technique (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0706351320/qid=1141845777/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-2774536-7949612?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

Both are point of view histories. The first from that of a Westerner in early 1960's, which is a trip in itself. The other is a similar journey well told by a Japanese. You can enjoy them on many levels and probably will over time.

[Redcat]

The associate sensei at my school just recommended Moving Zen (C.W. Nicol)to me last night. I think it's OOP but I was able to pick it up used at Amazon marketplace.

And keep the recommendations coming; I'm looking to build up a small library as well!

[Yang Wei Xin]

Zen in the Martial Arts-cant remember authors name

[Gene Williams]

I think every traditional martial artist should read, "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," by Shunryu Suzuki. It is not about the martial arts specifically, but it has helped me more in understanding what they are about than perhaps any other book. If you are a karateka (or in any art that practices kata), wherever Suzuki writes "zazen," you substitute "kata." You should read this book again every few years. I keep it on my permanent reading shelf right along with Dickens, Shakespeare, and the bible. :bow:

[strangepair03]

I have a book called "Living the Martial way" by a Robert Forrest. I found it to be a great read, regardless of style.

[Bugeisha]

I enjoyed "Living the Martial Way."

Both "Moving Zen" and "Zen Mind..." were great books.

Thanks for the recommendations, everyone.

[Mark Barlow]

"strangepair03 I have a book called "Living the Martial way" by a Robert Forrest. I found it to be a great read, regardless of style. "

LIVING THE MARTIAL WAY is by Forrest Morgan. It's my understanding that he's in the early stages of writing TEACHING THE MARTIAL WAY.

[strangepair03]

Thank you....I was working and thought it was robert...Thanks for the correction.
John


"strangepair03 I have a book called "Living the Martial way" by a Robert Forrest. I found it to be a great read, regardless of style. "

LIVING THE MARTIAL WAY is by Forrest Morgan. It's my understanding that he's in the early stages of writing TEACHING THE MARTIAL WAY.

[WMKS Shogun]

Karate-do: my way by Funakoshi is an interesting read at times. I fully agree with Living the Martial Way being a good book. Nicol's Moving Zen is also fun.
I know I have touted these before, but I am going to do so again: Bubishi by Patrick McCarthy and Shotokan's Secret by Bruce Clayton. Both have interesting views on the origins of karate (you can all argue whether they are true or not, but both on some level make sense, and at least keep you thinking).

[addy]

tadashi nakumura's book "karate" (spirit and technique)
i found it a good book when i bought it for someone,,,i didn't want to let it go to them so i bought another for myself.