What is your favorite martial arts book? Which one are most read?

[Sahboonim]

"Tae Kwon Do" by General Choi Hong Hi. It is the "Bible" for what I teach.

[Chihua-ku]

No, Bladesaint, it doesn't come in pop up. At barely 106 pages is a quick read...

But since you seem to enjoy quick reads, martial action and pretty pictures, may I recommend from your local comic book store "The Immortal Iron Fist", written by Matt Fraction and art by different artist through the series. Now, that is a good, fast paced read and trust me, you will be getting your $2.99's price worth. Non stop action and a cohesive plot from beginning to end. Unfortunately, it was recently canceled after 42 issues due to low sales. Still, you can still by on tradepaperbacks or in the back issue bins in your local comic book store. Trust me, you'll be hook with adventures of Danny Rand, despite the ocassional more fantasy elements.

[bladesaint]

Good one, Bladesaint. Is that a real book for kids? On a more serious note, can I recommend "The Martial Way and its Virtues" by F.J. Chun?

 Well I hope its not too ..y'know!...Wordy!...Does this book come in pop up too?

[Chihua-ku]

Good one, Bladesaint. Is that a real book for kids? On a more serious note, can I recommend "The Martial Way and its Virtues" by F.J. Chun?

[bogirl]

 

[bladesaint]

 THere's "Mel's Big Illustrated Fun book of Karate, Kung fu and other funny Words!" it comes in the rare "Pop Up" feature, with lots of pictures (Of Mel). games, cut outs (Mel Masks) and none of that annoying stuff you gotta read called text. It s my personal favorite!

[supergroup7]

I haven't read "Living the Martial Way" yet, but it does appear from all of the voices praising it that it will be the next book that I own.

My favorite is "Karate- Do: My Way of life" by Sensei Gichin Funakoshi.  I have read, and re-read that book, and each time I have enjoyed it, and learned from it.

[Chihua-ku]

Thanks for all the suggestions. It seems "Living the Martial Way" is a favorite choice in these boards, so I will definitely check it out ASAP. Thanks again.

[gar0u]

It's been mentioned by others, but "Living the Martial Way" is truly an outstanding book, and on that I re-read every year or two.

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Martial-Way-Manual-Warrior/dp/0942637763/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245348779&sr=8-1

[bogirl]

"Shotokan Secrets" is also an interesting history book.  Also shows techniques and tactics from kata.

[Brandon]

Living the Martial Way is great. I also reccomend The Way of Kata by Kane and Wilder, and of course Karate Do: My Way of Life by Funakoshi. For a good distillation of Japanese martial philosophy as it applies to unarmed arts like Karate, try Secret Tactics by Tabata.

[galahad25]

"Living the Martial Way" is a great book.  Others I have liked were "The Book of Five Rings" and "The Unfettered Mind".  None of them really tell a story, but have good philosophical points.

[bogirl]

One I refer back to for history is "Unante" by John Sells.  Borders doesn't keep it in stock, but they can order it for you.

[Waxahachie]

I am a huge fan of Living the Martial Way by Forrest Morgan.  I have read it over and over and have it on my night table.

[Chihua-ku]

Okay, I am new here, I love martial arts and I love reading (mostly sci fi). I was earlier today at Borders looking at books in the Spanish section, the sci fi section, and the martial arts section, and I was just wondering... What are your favorite martial arts books? The one you read and re-read, the ones you enjoy the most. A lot of the martial arts books I have bought I had read only once and I did not find them that engaging. But there are two in particular I loved and have no problem recommending: "The Tao of Gung Fu" by Bruce Lee, which I liked because it gives you a view to his philosophy and thinking about martial arts in general; and "The Making of a Butterfly" by Phillip Starr, which is part a semibiographical account of his learning and progress on kung fu, but also like a very affectionate post mortem homage to his sensei. Those two books I cannot recomend enough. I am sure, there are plenty of books you guys will be happy to recommend and share with everyone else on these boards.