BOOK REVIEWS

This book review was complied by Sensei Henry Lynch, Head of Riai Aikido and Chief Instructor of Auckland Riai Aikido Learning Centre, NZ and is designed to help people on deciding on what book is for them! Obviously, the books have been read over a long period of time and in Sensei Henry’s own words “your view of a book changes as your Aikido changes”. As at August 2010, 54 books had been reviewed and the “Book Review” section of the Riai Aikido website is updated on a regular basis.

5 Star | 4 Star | 3 Star | 2 Star | 1 Star

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5 Star Top

***** 5 Star Reviews

• This book appeals to the new beginner and experienced student alike.

• A unique look at Aikido - this book is in a series called The Aiki Dialogues and has a very unique, practical and well thought out “view of Aikido” http://www.aikido.com.

• Highly recommended as it covers all areas of Aikido and written by one of Aikido’s foremost authorities.

• Thoroughly recommended as it discusses the process of learning and teaching a martial art, from the ‘nuts and bolts’ of teaching techniques to the philosophical underpinnings of training.

• These stories were originally published in Aikido Today Magazine from 1995 to 1997. This is a lovely book of only 59 pages and is a humorous tale of a band of Aikido followers who practice in a Dojo that is a storage unit.

Eye of the Hurricane	Why is Everybody always Picking on Me
Maze of the Fire Dragon	Facing the Double-Edged Sword

• These books are designed for two Martial Arts audiences, young people in the Martial Arts and Martial Art Instructors. They offer excellent common sense stories on bullying, conflict in the world through to young people understanding violence around them. A great teaching tool for children’s classes.

• This is considered an ‘Aikido Classic’ and takes us on the journey of the author who commences the year long Tokyo Riot Police course. Controversial in places but brilliant writing with captivating insights.

• A fantastic book that gives an amazing insight into the world of Judo. Mark Law at nearly 50 takes up Judo and then takes the reader on a journey that makes you want to turn each page with pace only seen in a randori!

• An original and surprising book that provides fascinating insight into the Samurai code, as Ross tracks in search of a Samurai legend. The book is based on the death of acclaimed novelist Yukio Mishima who in 1970 was the most notorious instance of Seppuku since World War II. A top read. Incidentally Ross features in Robert Twigger’s, Angry White Pyjamas book (see above)

• A well written book that covers a multitude of areas that will suit all levels of Aikido.

• This is a must have book for all instructors who want to help people learn; not instruct people to practice! Students who read this book will understand their learning style and therefore progress better and faster. A must have in your martial art library.

• An excellent book that gives a different perspective on the value of martial arts training for young people.

• An exceptional reference book that covers a large number of martial arts with line drawings to illustrate hundreds of techniques.

• This is truly one of the better books on teaching Aikido. It doesn’t matter whether you teach Aikido to people or not you will find this book invaluable.

• This book has detailed instructions and Ki exercises. It is presented in a Step-by-Step manner with detailed illustrations. There are a number of tests in the book. Recommended due to its simplicity of purpose for what at times can be a complicated subject to explain and of course practice and master.

• The author is the current Doshu of Aikido, who became Doshu in 1999 after his father’s death. This book has a systematic approach to mastering the basics of Aikido. The photography is excellent with top class notes to each photo.

• The author at the time of writing this book was a 5th Dan in Hapkido. A book that shares an in-depth look at core principles on a board range of Martial Arts. Well laid out with excellent photography.

• This book employs a question and answer format and covers 9 key areas from power to connection right through to spiralling ending up with timing and position. The book not only deals with technique but the relationship of Uke / Nage and “The Centre”. This is a remarkable book if you want to look beyond techniques.

• This is a dynamic book on the weapon that is called the Jo. The author is an accomplished martial artist. There are 8 chapters with an introduction to each chapter. The photographs are very good and the 2 page glossary is very helpful. Whether you are experienced with the Jo or not you will enjoy this book.

• This book talks about entering, harmony and internal energy and the sensory nature of these concepts. At the time of writing this book the author was a 3rd Dan in Aikido. This is a book that you will dip into well after your first reading.

• This book was written by the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. It has been revised as an English edition. The original name of this book was “Budo Renshu”. Morihei Ueshiba only wrote two books on Aikido, of which this is one. A very easy book to understand with surprisingly very good illustrations, given the historical context. No Aikido person should be without this book.

• Gozo Shioda was a student of Aikido under Morihei Ueshiba. Total Aikido covers Aikido principles, Tai Sabaki No Kihon (basic body movement), Kihon Waza (techniques) not to mention self-defense techniques and OGI (hidden techniques). I really enjoyed this book’s written style, photography and layout.

• Sensei Bill Sosa is an accomplished martial artist as well as an author. His book the Essence of Aikido with Bryan Robbins (see under 4 stars) is a worth while read. This book combines the historical aspects and technical “Dojo Aikido techniques” with the view of moving Aikido techniques into the world of Police work. A well thought through book that has a real “street application” without losing the integrity of the Art.

• This book is an anthology of 17 men and women who as Heikler states “have the experience of taking the principles of Aikido training and applying them to their daily lives and to their professions as well”. This book is a wonderful treat that communicates the art with writings from John Stevens, Terry Dobson, George Leonard, Richard Moon to Robert Nadeau, just to mention a few. This is a must in your Aikido library.

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4 Star Top

**** 4 Star Reviews

• An absorbing study on the human use of intrinsic energy; challenges the very foundation of conventional science and technology.

• A very small book (108 pages), however, one of the better books available regardless of whether you are a beginner or have been practicing Aikido for a while.

• Considered one of the Aikido classics.

• Very good photography. Book details basics exceptionally well. A book that you will dip into and out of as your Aikido grows.

• A detailed book on all aspects of Ki.

• A small (44 pages) book on practical Ki exercises.

• One of the first books on Aikido and whilst photograph technique has improved over the years this book should be considered in your library.

• Probably the definitive book on Aikido and is very well recognised by its illustrations, throughout the Aikido world. A must have in your library.

• One of the best Aikido books for crisp photography of techniques.

• Considered a classic when published in 1962. Over 400,000 copies sold of the original edition. Obviously dated but worth a read to understand the journey of martial arts.

• This is a hilarious story of Matthew Polly’s 2 year tale of studying Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple. A very good book that has a very good blistering pace and I found the description of Shaolin true to my brief trip there in 2008.

• A very detailed book that discusses ‘fundamental principles’ of all martial arts. A well written book that at times is not an easy read. Well researched and thought through. Very different to most martial art books.

• This book contains 20 interviews with prominent American teachers and students. The interviews were originally published in the excellent Aikido Today Magazine (ATM) that no longer is published but has now a very good website,http://www.Aiki.com

• The author graduated from Princeton University where she majored in Japanese history. A well thought out book that goes into great detail on the sport of sumo and its origins.

• A very good book that helps with teaching Aikido to children. However, there are Aikido games for all ages in the book.

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*** 3 Star Reviews

• Fully illustrated book introducing Kendo. I found this book extremely helpful when I was studying the art.

• Not a book for those who want an easy read – a detailed account of the Samurai.

• Discusses the founder’s philosophy as well as pre-war development of Aikido.

• At the age of 47 Brian Preston a novice martial artist embarks on a King Fu journey. A marital artist travel journey that gives you some historical background. An easy read.

• Literally a pocket sized book which draws on talks and writings of O’Sensei. A book you dip in and out of. John Stevens has written a number of books on Aikido and is also a Zen scholar and Aikido Teacher.

• An extremely good idea to look at how Aikido can be utilised in business. The author is a well respected management consultant. In many ways a trail blazer book that in places misses the mark.

• A fantastic pocket size dictionary that covers martial Arts of Korea, China and Japan

• This book looks at 13 Martial Arts plus an overview on the history and development of Martial Arts. A good book for beginners who are unsure of what Martial Arts is all about and the difference between the different Martial Arts.

• Written by E J Harrison who at the time was a 4th Dan and a pioneer of Judo as “a foreigner” at the Kodokan, Tokyo. A lovely book that reveals martial arts in a pioneering time.

• A small book of 61 pages that is a easy read and for its time would have been considered leading edge.

• Dr Kim is an author of at least 7 martial art books and 40 instructional video tapes. He holds master rankings in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Junsado and Kumdo. This book details everything from the abstract nature of martial arts to the essenceof teaching, how to develop classes, what teaching methods are effective through to the qualities of a good instructor. There is also a bonus section on launching a martial arts school. This book’s foundation is spot on however I found the insight to be at a basic level

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** 2 Star Reviews

• Early book on Shiatsu that covers the subject very well.

• The book is divided into 5 parts from styles and practices of the Martial arts to the Martial Arts business directory. The book claims to be “packed with over one million facts”. The section on films with Martial Arts is very good.

• This book examines 20 definitive films and TV series from the genre’s beginnings in 1920 China to blockbusters like the Matrix etc.

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1 Star Top

* 1 Star Reviews

• Basic street Aikido with no philosophy – 800 photos. Probably in it’s time it was considered an “ok book”.