Recommendations of Reading Material??

[newtoJKD]

I am interested in reading about the basics of a variety of Martial Arts (Wing Chun, Escrima/Arnis/Kali, Boxing, Greco Roman Wrestling etc.).

Any recommendations? I am looking for as much history on the styles as application (theory behind application).

Any help would be appreciated as there is a lot of crap out there.

Thanks,

newtoJKD

[Kirves]

Best book on Wing Chun history, styles and origin is Complete Wing Chun but it doesn't really explain any techniques. For more technical view check out Why Wing Tsun Works but it focuses only on the Leung Ting style.

On Filipino arts, you really should check out Filipino Martial Culture.

On Japanese arts in general, check out Draeger's trilogy 'The Martial Arts And Ways Of Japan', composed of volumes:

1-Classical Bujutsu
2-Classical Budo
3-Modern Bujutsu and Budo

[stick77]

Filipino Martial Culture is a very good book for history and culture of FMA. Not the best as far as for application, but for history and culture, there are alot of good pictures and information about various sources.

Definitely recommended reading.

~Chad

[sikal]

Check "Swish of the Kris" by Vic Hurley. It's not directly related to FMA but is a *great* historical account of the Southern Philippines and focuses on the years from 1533 to 1899 while the Spaniards tried to conquer the Southern PI.

Mike

[swan104]

These are the books I have got and enjoyed reading:

For JKD, "Jeet Kune Do - From A to Z Volume 1" by Chris Kent. I found this good for outlining basic principles of JKD. I haven't got volume 2 yet so I don't know!

I also found, "The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima" a good read.

Has anyone read the following books?

1. Complete Sinawali: Filipino Double-weapon Fighting by Reynaldo Galang.

2. Jeet Kune Do Experience: Understanding Bruce Lee's Ultimate Martial Art by Jerry Beasley.

I'm going to look into buyin some videos soon, but not sure what. They aren't cheap!

Steve

[sikal]

Originally posted by swan104
1. Complete Sinawali: Filipino Double-weapon Fighting by Reynaldo Galang.

I recently got a copy of Complete Siniwali but haven't done more than skim through it yet. It looks interesting, though. And Rey Galang has a very good reputation.

Mike

[street]

for japaneese martial arts get" japans martial art" or something like that search in google if you find a guy with a sword in the cover that is it. it details teqniques use by the japaneese army. id say they are effective. it has history to. real nice ill do a search and tell you the name.

[street]

it is actually called" japans ultimate martial art" it covers juijuitsu real nice book. recomended

[swan104]

Speaking of reading material, has anyone read a book called, "The Dragons Touch" by Hei Long (or something like that)?

A friend gave me a copy of the book a while back. I've had a brief look at the book, but the "ninja" costumes put me off!

Theres one bit in the book where it teaches you have to sneak up behind a guy and "take him out"!

What do you think of the book? Has anyone trained in the system before?

Steven

[swan104]

Speaking of reading material, has anyone read a book called, "The Dragons Touch" by Hei Long (or something like that)?

A friend gave me a copy of the book a while back. I've had a brief look at the book, but the "ninja" costumes put me off!

Theres one bit in the book where it teaches you have to sneak up behind a guy and "take him out"!

What do you think of the book? Has anyone trained in the system before?

Steven

[Lost Ronin]

Hey swan 104, I've seen some of Hei Long's books and I honestly think they are total bullshit. Too much ninja crap, if you are looking for good videos I recommend "Marco Lala's Fighting Secrets" series. Not only are they filled with top notch material about striking and grappling, they are also $20 bucks a pop! You cant go wrong with them. In regards to reading material I recommend Paul Vunak's " Anatomy Of A Street Fight", excellent book. Hope this helps.

[swan104]

Thanks for that info Lost Ronin. I haven't seen any of Paul Vunaks interpretations on combat (if thats the right way of phrasing it), apart from the article I read on him on his website. I was impressed and "The Anatomy of a Streetfight" is one of the books I would like to buy.

Steven

[Kirves]

According to rumour and several distinct clues, Mr. Hei Long is actually the same person who writes as Ashida Kim and Chris Hunter, the infamous "Suppreme Grandmaster" of Hai Lung Ninjitsu.

[swan104]

Originally posted by Kirves
According to rumour and several distinct clues, Mr. Hei Long is actually the same person who writes as Ashida Kim and Chris Hunter, the infamous "Suppreme Grandmaster" of Hai Lung Ninjitsu.

Who are Ashida Kim and Chris Hunter?

Steven

[Kirves]

Ashida Kim has written over a dozen ninjitsu manuals and published some videos. He has his own website with a heavily cencored discussion site: http://www.ashidakim.com/ (don't forget to read about his Church of the Jedi Knights, that is the Chinese New Year message!)

If you ask about or doubt his credentials on the discussion site, you get banned for life.

Here is a review of one of his books: http://www.philelmore.com/martial/mugei.htm

And here's info on Ashida Kim's reply to the previous review: http://www.philelmore.com/hate/ashidakim.htm

Sadly, thousands of teenagers take this Suppreme Grandmaster of Ninjitsu rather seriously.