Review: As detailed in its description, this is a non-fiction work related to martial arts philosophy that is a compilation of quotes from the author and others, combined with his artwork.
For myself, having studied a certain school of martial art before, as well as read various books on the subject, although certainly there are masters and students from other countries who have turned to Asian based arts in this way, I prefer to primarily read from “the originals,” so to speak.
This very much had a contemporary American feel to it, though I believe something can be learned from anything we read, see or experience, yet there was nothing that really inspired me personally, providing a spark I needed to connect, a spirit of affinity. I wouldn’t say it was an “enormous” cross section at all either, for at 67 pages, several of which are artwork exclusive, I would rather say the opposite.
Overall, I couldn’t help but feel the amount of that artwork and the layout and design somewhat clashed with the messages being presented: color and contrast, page to page harmony and flow was at times abrupt. However, it is up to the reader to glean what they may from each quote and up to an individual to determine what is “the greatest lesson,” as stated, “No answer (or review) will ever be correct or incorrect.”
Description: Some of the most distinguished martial artists in the world were asked the question “What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned from the martial arts?” This full-color book is a compilation of their responses.
No answer will ever be correct or incorrect. This book provides an enormous cross-section of answers to this same question which proves the versatility of the martial arts. By answering this one question, martial arts masters and amateur students alike share their most profound lesson with others to encourage the practice of martial arts worldwide.
Contributors include:
Diana Lee Inosanto
Dr Yang Jwing-Ming
GM Wong Kiew Kit
Kancho Deena Naidu
Guro Peter Freeman and many more…
The term “martial art” has been defined for thousands of years and continues to have its own definition to every practitioner who has ever set foot on the mat, or defended their home and family from danger.
Martial arts instructors and masters will define martial arts in their own way and they will impress that upon their students. That message will be received and changed by every student to come after them and will be a function of their own situation, their own beliefs, their time in history and their place in the world. The definition of a martial art is ever-changing, and like the oceans of the world, will continue to change and reshape themselves, and transform the lives of those involved.
- Published: Dec. 9, 2012
- Publisher: Martial Arts Lineage Project
- ISBN: 1480156434
- Available: Amazon
- Source: Publisher
Red Haircrow Review 