What are you currently reading? (MA Only) - Page 2

jubaji · 01-06-2008, 07:35 PM

??????????

Hot_Wings · 01-17-2008, 05:24 AM

Books that I am reading…

The Making of a Butterfly by Phillip Star

This book is great for beginning kung fu students (of which I am). It covers the first training days of Phillip Star and Master W.C. Chen. There are many lessons here in this book that I think every beginner needs to know and the book is written as a well told story so it is easy to follow and reference for later.

Excerpt: “You must not just attack, attack, attack,” Chen said. “You are hoping that one technique will break through and hit your opponent. That is not the way. One who has real skill will defeat you instantly. You must learn to lie.” Pg 129 (The art of Deception)

The Power of Now by Ekhart Tolle

I am not a fan of “Self Help” books, but I was ordered to read this one by Master Sofaku, my Kung Fu Sifu. It was my first day in his training hall and I asked him, “What books should I read?” He told me to read this one of course. I was kind of miffed at first because I meant “What kind of Martial Arts books should I read?”. I certainly didn’t expect him to spout off a self help book title. But after reading only 20 pages of the book I understood why he wants me to read it for martial arts training.

The book is about controlling your thoughts and not letting your mind take you away from the moment. For instance, a saying goes that “Once you let someone get you upset, then you have all ready lost the battle.” This book tells you that when you lose a battle or even win a battle then your emotions are going wild and you start thinking about the past. You relive the moment in your mind again and again and that’s what gets you happy about the victory or upset about the defeat. But by learning to control your thoughts and not let your mind run away from you, then you can go the distance without distraction. Then you will not “think” you know the enemy, but instead you will watch the enemy because you will constantly be in the “now” and not the past or the future in your mind. You will not be reliving that terrible blow that the enemy just gave you, and you will not be waiting for your hopeful future blow that you want to give to him. Both of these thoughts constrain your mind in its options. By staying in the “now” then you will be faster and more centered to handle the present, which is only thing that matters.

Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do “Bruce Lee’s Commentaries on the Martial Way”

Everyone knows this book, but I am a beginner to martial arts so, I obviously need to read it. Anyone taking Wing Chun or Kung Fu needs to read this book. The life and thoughts of Bruce Lee are an incredible learning tool. Bruce Lee focused almost completely on the Martial Arts. Even though he was young, he was completely honest about his thoughts and the Martial Arts. People like this are in actuality very rare and so, his books are great learning tools.

For instance, so many people ask about forms on this forum and ask the question “Do they really work?” Well, Bruce Lee thought a lot about that question himself. So, if you have questions about your Kung Fu style being effective in the real world then you should read what Bruce Lee thought about the topic.

seany85 · 01-17-2008, 06:52 AM

Sam Sheridan: heart of a fighter
Jack Johnson: Unforgivable blackness, the rise and fall of, (forget who wrote it), one hell of a read.
Panya Kritus : Muay Thai the most distinguished art of fighting.

Mike Brewer · 01-17-2008, 03:01 PM

Bushido, by Inazo Nitobe

I'm reading this for the same reason I started the thread in the Japanese Martial Arts forum regarding Art vs Way. It was originally published in 1969, and it appears to be pretty well researched. I have found it in virtually every other bibliography of the other major books on the topic, including most translations of the Book of Five Rings and the Hagakure. When so many other books use this one as a source, I figure it's pretty reliable.

Anyone read it? Is it as reliable as I'm hoping?

Britt · 01-17-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seany85

Sam Sheridan: heart of a fighter.

Read it. Great book.

Britt · 01-17-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Brewer

Bushido, by Inazo Nitobe

I'm reading this for the same reason I started the thread in the Japanese Martial Arts forum regarding Art vs Way. It was originally published in 1969, and it appears to be pretty well researched. I have found it in virtually every other bibliography of the other major books on the topic, including most translations of the Book of Five Rings and the Hagakure. When so many other books use this one as a source, I figure it's pretty reliable.

Anyone read it? Is it as reliable as I'm hoping?

No, sounds good though. Where did you pick it up from?

**Hardball** · 01-17-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Brewer

Bushido, by Inazo Nitobe

I'm reading this for the same reason I started the thread in the Japanese Martial Arts forum regarding Art vs Way. It was originally published in 1969, and it appears to be pretty well researched. I have found it in virtually every other bibliography of the other major books on the topic, including most translations of the Book of Five Rings and the Hagakure. When so many other books use this one as a source, I figure it's pretty reliable.

Anyone read it? Is it as reliable as I'm hoping?

Does it have a blue cover?

Mike Brewer · 01-17-2008, 05:55 PM

I picked it up at one of the big box stores like Barnes and Noble. It's called Books-A-Million, but in essence it's another Barnes and Noble or Borders. In softcover, it's around $14.

Britt · 01-18-2008, 10:53 AM

Cool, I got a Books-A-Million gift card from my Aunt for Christmas.

I'll look for it.

FitnessRubber · 02-05-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britt

Read it. Great book.

good to see - i'd been looking for something to pick up

Garland · 02-15-2008, 09:40 PM

The Last Filipino Headhunters.

it's more of an ethnography than a ma book...but it's ROOTS baby, roots.

**Hardball** · 02-17-2008, 02:29 PM

Just finished Championship Streetfighting, Boxing as a Martial Art by Ned Beaumont. Starting wrestling for fighting the natural way by Randy Couture with Erich Krauss and Glenn Cordoza.

seany85 · 02-21-2008, 10:32 AM

Am looking to buy Jens Pulvars book little evil.I have heard its really good.

Garland · 02-21-2008, 10:39 AM

"Sun and Steel" by Yukio Mishima. Really dense book, but it's beautiful once you get into its groove.

g-bells · 02-21-2008, 12:43 PM

"Wrestling for LIfe" by Randy Cautoure

01-06-2008, 07:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
jubaji Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: koko Posts: 8,410	?????????? __________________ Optional signature you may use to appear at bottom of your posts.

01-17-2008, 06:52 AM	#18 (permalink)
seany85 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 264	Sam Sheridan: heart of a fighter Jack Johnson: Unforgivable blackness, the rise and fall of, (forget who wrote it), one hell of a read. Panya Kritus : Muay Thai the most distinguished art of fighting. __________________ "That's how I feel, I'ma do whatever I like ... I was raised in this society so you can't expect me to be a perfect person cause, I'ma do what I'ma do."

02-15-2008, 09:40 PM	#26 (permalink)
Garland Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 4,925	The Last Filipino Headhunters. it's more of an ethnography than a ma book...but it's ROOTS baby, roots. __________________ I kick you in da neck! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBHLrpn07G4 http://www.break.com/movies/englishf.html homo homini lupus Komm Susser Todd. No, no...no no no...whatever you are drinking, you need much, much more...and then to sleep. - jubaji

02-17-2008, 02:29 PM	#27 (permalink)
Hardball Premiere Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,235	Just finished Championship Streetfighting, Boxing as a Martial Art by Ned Beaumont. Starting wrestling for fighting the natural way by Randy Couture with Erich Krauss and Glenn Cordoza. __________________ The Way of the Warrior is Practice. Daily practice, accumulate practice minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. {Book of 5 Rings} Mike Brewers 2008 Sit up challenge 30,000/100,000 running balance.(Crunches) Kicks 6,300/100,000 Last edited by Hardball; 02-18-2008 at 12:42 AM.

02-21-2008, 10:32 AM	#28 (permalink)
seany85 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 264	Am looking to buy Jens Pulvars book little evil.I have heard its really good. __________________ "That's how I feel, I'ma do whatever I like ... I was raised in this society so you can't expect me to be a perfect person cause, I'ma do what I'ma do."

01-17-2008, 05:24 AM	#17 (permalink)
Hot_Wings Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 24	Books that I am reading… The Making of a Butterfly by Phillip Star This book is great for beginning kung fu students (of which I am). It covers the first training days of Phillip Star and Master W.C. Chen. There are many lessons here in this book that I think every beginner needs to know and the book is written as a well told story so it is easy to follow and reference for later. Excerpt: “You must not just attack, attack, attack,” Chen said. “You are hoping that one technique will break through and hit your opponent. That is not the way. One who has real skill will defeat you instantly. You must learn to lie.” Pg 129 (The art of Deception) The Power of Now by Ekhart Tolle I am not a fan of “Self Help” books, but I was ordered to read this one by Master Sofaku, my Kung Fu Sifu. It was my first day in his training hall and I asked him, “What books should I read?” He told me to read this one of course. I was kind of miffed at first because I meant “What kind of Martial Arts books should I read?”. I certainly didn’t expect him to spout off a self help book title. But after reading only 20 pages of the book I understood why he wants me to read it for martial arts training. The book is about controlling your thoughts and not letting your mind take you away from the moment. For instance, a saying goes that “Once you let someone get you upset, then you have all ready lost the battle.” This book tells you that when you lose a battle or even win a battle then your emotions are going wild and you start thinking about the past. You relive the moment in your mind again and again and that’s what gets you happy about the victory or upset about the defeat. But by learning to control your thoughts and not let your mind run away from you, then you can go the distance without distraction. Then you will not “think” you know the enemy, but instead you will watch the enemy because you will constantly be in the “now” and not the past or the future in your mind. You will not be reliving that terrible blow that the enemy just gave you, and you will not be waiting for your hopeful future blow that you want to give to him. Both of these thoughts constrain your mind in its options. By staying in the “now” then you will be faster and more centered to handle the present, which is only thing that matters. Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do “Bruce Lee’s Commentaries on the Martial Way” Everyone knows this book, but I am a beginner to martial arts so, I obviously need to read it. Anyone taking Wing Chun or Kung Fu needs to read this book. The life and thoughts of Bruce Lee are an incredible learning tool. Bruce Lee focused almost completely on the Martial Arts. Even though he was young, he was completely honest about his thoughts and the Martial Arts. People like this are in actuality very rare and so, his books are great learning tools. For instance, so many people ask about forms on this forum and ask the question “Do they really work?” Well, Bruce Lee thought a lot about that question himself. So, if you have questions about your Kung Fu style being effective in the real world then you should read what Bruce Lee thought about the topic.

01-17-2008, 03:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
Mike Brewer Moderate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8,165	Bushido, by Inazo Nitobe I'm reading this for the same reason I started the thread in the Japanese Martial Arts forum regarding Art vs Way. It was originally published in 1969, and it appears to be pretty well researched. I have found it in virtually every other bibliography of the other major books on the topic, including most translations of the Book of Five Rings and the Hagakure. When so many other books use this one as a source, I figure it's pretty reliable. Anyone read it? Is it as reliable as I'm hoping?

01-17-2008, 05:55 PM	#23 (permalink)
Mike Brewer Moderate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8,165	I picked it up at one of the big box stores like Barnes and Noble. It's called Books-A-Million, but in essence it's another Barnes and Noble or Borders. In softcover, it's around $14.

01-18-2008, 10:53 AM	#24 (permalink)
Britt Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 557	Cool, I got a Books-A-Million gift card from my Aunt for Christmas. I'll look for it.

02-21-2008, 10:39 AM	#29 (permalink)
Garland Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 4,925	"Sun and Steel" by Yukio Mishima. Really dense book, but it's beautiful once you get into its groove. __________________ I kick you in da neck! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBHLrpn07G4 http://www.break.com/movies/englishf.html homo homini lupus Komm Susser Todd. No, no...no no no...whatever you are drinking, you need much, much more...and then to sleep. - jubaji

02-21-2008, 12:43 PM	#30 (permalink)
g-bells Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 194	"Wrestling for LIfe" by Randy Cautoure __________________ " not all who wonder are lost "

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