Reading List

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 12:10 am

With the publishing of so many good books related to martial arts, I have been telling myself I'd like to have a "reading list" for people studying under me. The way I see it, I would require people to select books from a list (that I approve) and read one (or a few) for each belt test.

This, BTW, would not be an "IUKF requirement." I would want it to be my own dojo requirement. We all have our own special things we require. For example I have always required people learn and test for ukemi from day one. I believe it's necessary in order to learn the entire span of what one can do with the Uechi style.

I would like to know what others think would be good books to put on a "Uechi karate reading list" for students.

Here are ones I would entertain. Some are short; some are longer. Some are easy to read; some are tough pieces to get through. This is just a start.

The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker

On Killing by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

On Combat by Dave Grossman, Loren W Christensen

The Book of Five Rings by Miyomoto Musashi
(There are many translations, including some meant for MBA programs. All acceptable)

The Art of War by Sun Tzu
(Also many translations available)

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
(Other Goleman books might also qualify)

The Bubishi (translated by Patrick McCarthy)

Death Touch: The Science Behind the Legend of Dim Mak by Dr. Michael Kelly

Anyhow, this sampler gives you an idea of the breadth of what I am thinking.

What would you recommend for such a list? These books would be on the list above and beyond "style." Also, I want to avoid "martial vendor" books. Folks can always go to those gurus (some of whom are quite good) on their own.

- Bill

Stryke · Post by **Stryke** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 12:16 am

great list Bill

have not read Dr Kellys book or Emotional intelligence but i`ll check them out .

as for the rest I agree

RA Miller · Post by **RA Miller** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 12:32 am

Out of curiosity, am I the only one who had serious problems with "On Combat?"

MikeK · Post by **MikeK** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 12:33 am

Not a bad idea Bill. I'd also make Rich's CHP class mandatory at brown belt even if the student doesn't intend to carry.

The American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook

Come Back Alive by Robert Pelton Young

Angry White Pyjamas by Robert Twigger

Strong on Defense by Sandford Strong

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Obsession by John Douglas and Mark Olshanker

Street E & E by Marc MacYoung

Rory, I had some problems with "On Killing". I thought using SOF as a source was kind of questionable. I also thought Grossman was repetitive with his sources, and his killing technique with a knife seemed a little off. So I think he made a valid points but didn't back them up very well. What problems were there in "On Combat"?

2Green · Post by **2Green** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:38 am

While I'm never far from a good book (reading Grisham now), the irony is not lost on me that all the great martial artists you're reading about didn't get that way by sitting at home reading about it.

NM

Stryke · Post by **Stryke** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:18 am

All the current great Martial artists I know are well read Neil .

And a lot on that list

I would be amazed to hear Sun Tsu wasnt well read

I know Patrick McCarthy is

Hmm and a few reasearchers in there too , where do you think they get thee sources ...

the fact is most exceptional people read study and test ...

heck even reading the forums can help .

I see the irony in someone assuming reading means sitting at home and not training , when there sitting at home and reading and not training

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:21 pm

Rory wrote: Out of curiosity, am I the only one who had serious problems with "On Combat?"

Rory

Let's start a thread on it in a bit. Hopefully your prompting will give some people a chance to read it themselves. It hasn't been out for long.

I'm not a Grossman lemming; I don't completely ascribe to everything he says. On the other hand, he's sort of the Freud of Killology. You can't be a psychiatrist without first reading about Freud's theories, even if they are outdated.

Now that we have your attention, Rory, what classics would you put on a martial arts school reading list that students would choose from?

- Bill

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:27 pm

Mike wrote: I'd also make Rich's CHP class mandatory at brown belt even if the student doesn't intend to carry.

Good thought, Mike.

That's less a book and more a class thing. And it does get a bit outside the bounds of the empty hand side of the force continuum.

I am planning on expanding the weapons part of the class, and having separate certification for it, Mike. It'll be part traditional, and part contemporary. Many things taught are timeless. I can always make CHP training part of the program.

Thanks for the suggestion.

- Bill

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:40 pm

Neil

Marcus gave you a pretty good response.

The truth is that many of the authors listed aren't even martial artists per se.

* De Becker isn't a martial artist. But he knows more about practical self defense than anyone who wears pajamas and works out on a wooden floor.

* Grossman is an academic. He also has special forces experience. Lots of reading involved with him, and his book is very heavily referenced with classics from the past, primary source information, and peer-reviewed literature.

* Mushashi's book is a must for Japanese. He is their sword saint, and what he wrote transcends fighting.

* Kanbun allegedly brought back a copy of the Bubishi. (It is referenced in Patrick McCarthy's book.) What is in there is allegedly part of what was lost by the Uechi family during a fire. Apparently it was important to him.

* Ever heard of West Point? The Citadel? The United States Naval Academy? Do you think these four-year institutions do any reading?

* Did you know that Goleman (Emotional Intelligence) was one of the first to introduce concepts like low road vs. high road and being emotionally hijacked to the public in popular literature? What sense can we make of what we do in kata if we don't understand this basic knowledge? How would we know what does and does not work under stress without studying these concepts?

* Marty Dow, who studied with the late Seiyu Shinjo, told me that "Sensei" always had a book in his hand when he wasn't practicing and teaching. I believe his son is pretty well known...

Welcome to the world of the modern warrior.

- Bill

MikeK · Post by **MikeK** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:56 pm

Bill, how about a good book on reading body language?

You're right the CHP is course work.

A pet peeve I've always had is people learning disarms and not knowing even the most basic things about the weapon. Empty hand can flow to a weapons in the blink of an eye so it's good to have some idea of what to do when it happens. But that's another thread.

RACastanet · Post by **RACastanet** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:08 pm

"--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mike
I'd also make Rich's CHP class mandatory at brown belt even if the student doesn't intend to carry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good thought, Mike.

That's less a book and more a class thing. And it does get a bit outside the bounds of the empty hand side of the force continuum. "

Actualy, no. I spend most of the first two hours talking about everything you should consider or do before you resort to the firearm. But you are correct in that it is not a book.

Add to the list Peyton Quinn:

"Real Fighting"

and

"A Bouncer's Guide to Bar Room Brawling"

Rich

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:12 pm

Mike wrote: Bill, how about a good book on reading body language?

Good point, Mike. You make me look good.

The topic - if not the methods - is covered in Golman's book I referenced above.

- Bill

MikeK · Post by **MikeK** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:37 pm

Actualy, no. I spend most of the first two hours talking about everything you should consider or do before you resort to the firearm. But you are correct in that it is not a book.

But it did come with a book.

There was a good book on body language titled People Watching. I can't for the life of me remember who wrote it and my copy is looong gone.

The more I'm in the martial arts the more I find all these side subjects that are important to helping make this stuff usable.

dpasquarelli · Post by **dpasquarelli** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:26 am

Hello everyone, this is my first post although I have been reading them for a while, and as I am sure that I am quite junior to most of you so I don't wish to presume but here are my offerings.

Living The Martial Way, forget authors name

Zen and the Art of Archery, Eugen Herrigel

Tao te Ch' ing, Lao Tzu

I am also currently reading, Kata and the Transmission of Knowledge by Michael Rosenbaum and it seem to be well researched and well written.

Thanks.

2Green · Post by **2Green** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:44 am

I admit to being VERY out of my league when it comes to books.
Sadly, most of my education comes from personal experience.
I AM trying to read more.

NM