5 comments about Traditional Taekwondo: Core Techniques, History and Philosophy.

1. I love buying books from you as I send them to My son as a gift he says they are all great



2. There are many things I liked about this book. The photos featuring both males and females are helpful in understanding Taekwondo and the basic hand/fist and stance positions. Sometimes words are not enough, you have to see. (sometimes seeing is not enough, you have to do!). I teach taiji and am not familiar with Taekwondo, so this book was very helpful in understanding the principles, history and philosophy of the art.
   
   I especially liked the chart on page 75 called Taegeuk and Palgwe Poom-Se Philosophy. It explains the connections of the I Ching Symbols and the form. Example: Thunder: Just as a fearsome thunderstorm passes leaving rain freshened air in its wake, these forms teach us to act bravely in the face of danger knowing it too shall pass.
   
   The charts on pages 132 & 133 Vital points both front and rear. Useful!
   
   Like tai chi the author says, "...traditional taekwondo is, above all, a holistic pursuit and therefore not limited merely to physical technique. One cannot overemphasize the importance of respect when practicing a potentially lethal art. By the same token all the courtesy in the world will not come to one's aid when set upon by a willful aggressor resulting in the development of collateral skills by the sincere practitioner. However, as we have seen.....organize the body and spirit into a mindful source of focused energy prepared to provide self-protection."
   
   This is a good, all round textbook, well worth the money and the time to read it. It has something to offer all involved the the martial arts.



3. This book focuses much more on the history of TKD and the mental discipline behind the art than the techniques of the art itself. That is not a negative aspect though, as most TKD books I have read do just the opposite, they teach all physical and none of the mental. That is fine if you want to get in shape, but not so good if you want to learn the discipline. TKD has a very rich history which is outlined in the first part of the book.
   
   There is an excellent chapter on Women's Self Defense which is pretty much what RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) was designed from.
   
   This book has great pictures and descriptions of multiple TKD techniques, but that is not the focus of the book. If all you want to know is technique, you are better off looking elsewhere.



4. "Traditional Taekwondo: Core Techniques, History, and Philosophy" by Doug Cook is a book that all Taekwondo practitioners will want on their book shelf. It's also a book that will appeal to other Korean martial artists and even those who don't practice Korean arts but would like to understand more about the "foot, hand, Way" from the land of the morning calm.
   
   The book is divided into three parts, the first is History and Culture, the second is Philosophy, and the final section focuses on Technique. The first two sections were excellent and will help all those who practice the art of Taekwondo better understand the history, culture, and philosophy found within the art. These are the sections that will also appeal to other Korean martial artists and even other arts. The third part, Technique, did an alright job of showing a few techniques from the Taekwondo curriculum, but was not as strong or as interesting as the first two parts.
   
   It is extremely difficult to boil a country's history, especially a country like Korea that has a long and interesting history, into a few short chapters. I think Cook did a very good job of narrowing the history down to a few of the most relevant and interesting historical references, starting with the legend of Tan-gun. He briefly covers the Three Kingdoms and some of the key players in Korea's history. He has a bit on the Japanese Occupation from 1910 to 1945 which is important regarding Taekwodo's development. The next chapter on the Formative Years of Taekwondo is very interesting and will be valuable for all those that want to know more history of the art.
   
   The Philosophy part had chapters on the role of meditation in traditional taekwondo, the development and use of combat ki, and the relevance of poom-se in traditional taekwondo. These chapters, again, were interesting and educational. I do think they provide the reader with a more in depth look at taekwondo than just the popular sport sparring.
   
   The third, and longest part, focuses on technique. It is the longest because it is primarily pictures, illustrating the techniques chosen for the text. The chapters cover conditioning exercises first, and then a chapter describing training methods. While I agree with most of what was written, there were a few things that I would have written differently, especially the description of ho shin sool, or self-defense techniques. It is correct, that ho shin sool techniques provide solutions to grabs as written, but ho shin sool techniques also include defenses to strikes, kicks, and initiating moves.
   
   I liked the guidelines regarding training, especially the emphasis on respect and safety. Then, for the techniques actually demonstrated with pictures, there are 18 Il Su Sik (One-Step Sparring) combinations, 8 Sam Su Sik (Three-Step Sparring) combinations, 18 Ho Shin Sool (self-defense techniques), and 16 defenses for women. You can look at this a couple ways. First, just look at this section as a small sampling of techniques you find in the taekwondo curriculum. That's what it is. And as a small sampling, Cook did a good job of adding it. However, to learn the techniques from the book would be extremely difficult, just as learning any martial art from a book is not recommended, you need a live instructor and a partner to train with. I did have a fundamental disagreement with the way some of the ho shin sool techniques were demonstrated because correct body positions, movement, and weight placement were not illustrated, and I also have difficulties with a couple of the techniques entirely. (i.e. blocking a pipe with your forearm) However, it is not the purpose of this review to engage in practicality of techniques and so forth. So enough said.
   
   There is a short conclusion, and then the appendix sections. Appendix A was extremely interesting. It told of a training experience with Grandmaster Gyoo Hyun Lee in Korea. I found it interesting and it also made me homesick to go back and train in Korea. It really made me yearn for my next trip over there to train. There were also some Korean/English terms and few martial arts organizations listed. Nice additions to the book, especially the training experience with Grandmaster Lee.
   
   For the History and Philosophy sections, I rate this book a 5, and for the Techniques section a 3. Therefore, the book is a 4 overall and a book I recommend all taekwondo stylists read and learn from. I also recommend it to any others who want to better understand the history, philosophy, and techniques of traditional taekwondo.
   
   Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.



5. The book is comprised of three major sections, history, philosophy and technique. I very much enjoyed the historical background. I can recommend the book for this information alone. The philosophy section is OK. If you are only looking for a how-to book, this probably isn't the book for you.

5 comments about Tae Kwon Do: The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World's Most Popular Martial Art (Facts on File).

1. It is a good starting reference for those beginning about the sport. The pictures of the poomse are helpful but nothing takes the place of good instruction. I found it hard to rely on the pictures to do the forms.



2. This book is above par. I am a soldier deployed in Iraq and I purchased this book to continue my study while on deployment. It has accurate information and pictures to explain everything from the basics, to advanced level forms, and top notch sparring techniques. A great purchase.



3. Overall great reference guide to starting and intermediate tae kwon do students. Lists the applications and effectiveness of all most aspects of TKD with slideshow pictures to demonstrate correctly. Of course, don't think you can learn the whole martial art from a book; you will need to accommodate by training with an instructor.



4. ....for those of us who need to refer to our poomsae quickly. Tedeshci's texts (taekwondo and hapkido) would be a lot better, but they're big and are rather expensive.
   Park and Park gives you a lot of bang for your buck, and the book can easily be stored in your briefcase, gymbag, etc.



5. A fantastic read and reference point.
   Indispensible parent's handbook in providing extra coaching for youngsters.
   An invaluable tool in supplementing formal training.

5 comments about Taekwondo: A Path to Excellence.

1. I need to start out by stating that Taekwondo is not my art. I have taught and practice Chinese Kenpo for 30 years, and Tai Chi and Qi Gong over the last 10 years. So I have little technical understanding of Taekwondo. Regardless, I found this book to be very informative and an enjoyable read. It is well written and honors the history of the art. I learned much about the roots of Taekwondo and gained a greater appreciation for the art. One conversation described in the book between Master Cook and Grandmaster Chun which I found very interesting discussed the concept of High Kicks. Given my skills are in Chinese Martial arts where there is less emphasis on high kicks and more on knee, groin or waist kicks I appreciated Grandmaster Chun's comments that high kicks are sometimes not practical especially as one ages. There are many more conversations that are enlightening in this book that inspired me and I am sure others will find pearls of wisdom to their liking...So, I highly recommend the book to all martial artists regardless of their roots. It may also help others explore the history of their art in more depth.



2. While I am not formally a taekwondo practitioner (taijiquan), I have been exposed to to many forms of martial arts over the years. In particular, I have great interest in self cultivation through martial arts practice, and that is the reason I read this book.
   
   Mr. Cook's book is a very practical guide for practitioners of all skill levels. His skill and experience are evident, and he presents the material authoritatively.
   
   Further, and perhaps most important, Mr. Cook's personal journey adds a great deal of value to this book. This personal slant brings life to the text, and is certain to motivate practitioners to better understand and appreciate the journey, and to more readily pursue excellence in and through the art of taekwondo.
   
   A good and reliable resource for taekwondo practitioners.



3. Taekwondo: A Path to Excellence is a pick for any library strong in martial arts and spiritual connections. It follows Taekwondo's path and development, drawing connections between the martial arts choices and the Way. From linking movement to harmony and life rhythms to developing traditional and non-traditional strength, this is a far wider-ranging title than just another martial arts survey.



4. When I first saw this book on Amazon I doubted that it could provide me any insights that were not previously provided or applications that fit my own view of Martial Arts. I dismissed it. Sometime later the book arrived as a gift. So with that well-formed prior doubt in my mind, I sat down on a Sunday afternoon and turned the first few pages of the book that was gifted to me. I was simply fascinated with Doug Cook's account of his journey with Taekwondo. So as you read this review you should wonder why Cook's account was so engrossing to a non-Taekwondo practitioner. First off--Cook writes clearly. The sentences build naturally and simply through the pages and then the chapters link like peaks in a range. Each have their own vista worth the climb up the word steps. For the sheer clarity of thought I would urge you to consider Cook's book, but that's the least of reasons. The better motivation to read this book is what this man shares. The substance is exceptional because this is someone who must live what we strive to do as martial artists and human beings. The essence of what he shares is the account of his commitment to his art that is complete and a devotion to his practice that must have transformed him. So now I have learned something, perhaps for a second or third time (which apparently didn't stick)---don't judge a book by it's cover. This book is not just about Taekwondo (although quite a bit of it examines the state of the art in a sense) it's about living your commitment and committing yourself to your practice beyond the exciting days of novice. Then again--if I had just read the cover closely to begin with I would have understood that the subtitle told me exactly what I discovered within--it's about "achieving physical and spiritual enrichment through disciplined practice." I'm glad that I had the opportunity learn from Doug Cook and frankly I feel relieved in a way to correct my erroneous prejudgment and knee-jurk dismissal of a book about Taekwondo. Doug Cook's book is worth five stars and well worth your investment of time to see what he saw on his journey and to understand more about an art that we too quickly dismiss in the advent of the of the MMA hype.



5. "Taekwondo a path to excellence" by Doug Cook is an exceptional book for martial artists, not just those who practice taekwondo. The subtitle of this book is "Achieving Physical and Spiritual Enrichment Through Disciplined Practice," and while Cook's specific practice is the art of taekwondo from Korea, I believe much of what he writes is applicable to any martial art, regardless of style or country of origin. This is not a technique book, but rather a text that shares the author's journey and how taekwondo positively impacted his life.
   
   Through Cook's journey, this book explores taekwondo and can stimulate others to explore their own martial art path. Yes, I do believe those who practice the Korean arts will enjoy this book the most. I personally do not do taekwondo, but my experiences with my chosen art of hapkido are similar, and when Cook wrote about his trips to Korea, it reminded me of my time in the Land of the Morning Calm. (Not to mention, it made me a bit homesick to return)
   
   The book is divided into seven parts. Part One focuses on what taekwondo is. The author explains it as more than just striking and kicking, and I found myself agreeing with much, especially the importance of "Do." The second part explains a bit of history of taekwondo, including a bit of Korean history. Part Three addresses becoming a steadfast practitioner of the art. I really liked this part and think most practitioners can relate the author's message to their own practice, regardless of art. The fourth section of the book has some very good advice aimed at beginners. Since we are all beginners at some part of our art, this chapter is good for everyone, but especially those starting their journey. Part Five is more personal to the author regarding his students, colleagues, and experiences. I found it an inspiring chapter. Part Six is fairly short, but provides some wisdom regarding the economics of the martial arts, something anyone who wants to make their living by teaching must deal with. Finally, Part Seven, relays some of the experiences of the author on his training trips to Korea. Those practicing Korean arts that have not yet traveled to Korea may be inspired by this chapter to journey themselves to their art's country of origin. As I mentioned, it made me think of my time there and made me yearn for my next visit.
   
   This was an enjoyable well written book that prompted me to ponder my own journey in the martial arts. I think it is a valuable book for martial artists, especially those that practice taekwondo or other Korean arts. Definitely recommended reading for all taekwondo stylists.
   
   Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.

2 comments about Taekwondo for Kids (Martial Arts for Kids).

1. Fast and easy transaction. The book offers information that is exactly what we were hoping to get.



2. To learn all one can about the wonderful art of TKD all resources may be helpful. This book is a good resource for any Martial Artist interested in learning part of where TKD came from and how this art has survived, where it is today, etc., useful infromation for the TKD Artist of any age. An excellent book to give or read to your budding TKD Artist.
   Simple to read and great illustrations. I just like this book!!!

1 comments about Taekwondo Kids: From White Belt to Yellow/Green Belt.

1. The most important thing in marital arts is to understand how to do a proper move. Pictures in this book are sharp. Explanations are easy to understand to beginner.
   I bought three Taekwondo books, and looked in the store 2 more. This is the best book for beginners!

5 comments about Tae Kwon Do Basics, Techniques and Forms: The Indomitable Martial Art of Korea.

1. This book co-authored by Taekwondo Hall of Famer GM Dong Keun Park
   offers much for both the beginning and advanced student. The photos and
   explanation of techniques are clear and crisp. Highly recommended!
   
   Gerard Robbins,
   3 Times National Taekwondo Champion
   Competitor / 2nd World Taekwondo Championships



2. I bought this book for my Grandson and he just loves it! He said it was the best Christmas Gift ever! He loved all the color photos and the description was so easy to understand I could follow it too! Can't wait until GrandMaster Park's next book comes out!!!



3. I really enjoyed learning from this book. There are so many Martial Arts books out these days, it's hard to find one that is really good. After looking at many books, I found that the author is the most qualified teacher in the TaeKwonDo world. Grandmaster Park is the best by far! Great Book!!!



4. Tae Kwon Do Basics, Techniques and Forms: The Indomitable Martial Art of Korea
   
   This book was a long time coming and I'm proud that our father's technique is being shared in this book. The hope is that many would be able to learn from this book and instill confidence, self-discipline and self-respect in those that choose to practice it.
   
   Congratulations and Happy New Year!



5. This is the only taekwondo book I own and it has served me very well. The section on stretching is wonderful. The photos, in general, are great. I refer to it regularly, especially the chapter covering the poomsae. I feel that this book has the right balance for anyone in their first year of taekwondo: clear instruction, great photos, and enough depth to give a feel for the subject.

5 comments about A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do.

1. As a 6th dan in Taekwon Do and one who has trained with Gen. Choi, I thought this book was profoundly interesting. I read it in two sittings. I highly recommend it.



2. What you didnt know ,but need to know the tragic discrediting of ITF by the KCIA for profit and gain for the WTF, the deception, lies , extortion kidnaping of foreign instructors and their families .



3. This book is not for the faint at heart, nor is it for those new to the martial arts. If you harbor any preconceived notions regarding the virtues of taekwondo, this work will quickly relieve you of them. However, this story must be told and Mr. Gillis does it well. His research is deep and heavily annotated. I have read this book several times with great enthusiasm since it contains many valuable details and reads like a novel. Yet, being personally familiar with several of the protaganists portrayed, I feel a more balanced treatment would have resulted in an even more accurate work. This is the only reason I rated the book four stars rather than five. I have written three books focusing on traditional taekwondo and, regardless of information within this book, continue to feel that there are those both locally and in Korea, the homeland of taekwondo, who support the true heart of traditional taekwondo. So...read with care and maintain an open mind.



4. I have almost finished reading this book and it has been very revealing
   and, if I am correct, the only book that has spoken about the history
   of Tae Kwon Do in relation to the Korean grandmasters. Whilst it is honest,
   it is also well written and diplomatic. Its existence is welcomed
   as we are often asked questions that we have been unable to answer. It is
   also quite sad to see the struggles. Jenny Treasure, 5th degree
   martial artist.



5. If you have ever studied TKD, the material presented in this book will provide a solid background to what you have probably encountered in the dojang. The author points out how Tae Kwon Do is also been called Take My Dough. Korean instuctors I have encountered are interested in only one thing - money. They are unscrupulous ( by our standards) and basically uninterested in their students except as cash cows. This book reveals a history that puts this into perspective. The book explains how TKD evolved from a really rough, combat art in the 50's and 60's to the "foot tag"" we see pre schoolers playing around dojangs all over America. (Instructors will tell you if they taught the " old fashioned way" they wouldn't have any students; sort of proving the above points).The growth of TKD is a good testament to the adage that money ruins everything. There is no better example than Korean TKD. So, if you history with TKD I think you will find this book interesting, although it does get a bit tedious at times, with too many names and dates.

5 comments about Taekwondo: The State of the Art.

1. I gained the most from the poomsaes. They are broken down three different ways to suit different learning styles. Written, written with illustrations and illustrations. They really were the best resource available when I learned these taeguk poomaes.



2. This is my 'go-to' Taekwondo reference book for forms and history. I've trained at West Side Taekwondo in the past and find that their training and school is among the best. This book is easy to follow and very complete in it's content. I highly recommend it to any practicing martial artist in TKD.



3. Very well written and easy to read book. I love the pictures they provide. I also love that they provide all of the TG forms in the back of the book as picture only; so if you get stuck in the middle of a form, all you need to do is look in the back of the book for your form and you've got it! As a visual learner, these really help me. This book has helped me through 5 belt tests, particularly forms. Buy this book, you won't regret it.



4. This is a great book with easy to understand information. If you are new to TKD this book will give you great insight and the further along you get in the sport the more you will appreciate this book. The forms are shown in three different ways so everyone can find what works best for them. I recommend this to all new students and those looking to perfect their skills.



5. The most important thing in marital arts is to understand how to do a proper move. Drawings in this book are black and white, sharp, but too small.
   Sometimes hard to understand how to do moves.
   In fact it is not enough pictures and drawings.
   It should be colored pictures, like in Gracie's Jiu-Jitsu books. But price of this book is not bad, so overall it is good buy. But there are better books.
   Other thing. Taekwondo is not about belts and forms. It's about kicking and self defense. I don't care much about forms, so I wish to see more actual fighting moves and sparring situations that I can use for self defense.

5 comments about Tae Kwon Do! (Step into Reading).

1. I gave this book out to the children at my son's 4th birthday at a Karate studio. They all loved it. It has catchy rhymes and it is a beginning reading book. The pictures are adorable and perfect for girls and boys.



2. We bought this book as a gift for the daughter of our TaeKwondo instructor. She is 3 and learning to read and this was such a delightful book for a young child to read. The typical TaeKwondo class is shown in the text and pictures are fun and accurate. A great book for any child in or thinking about learning TaeKwondo



3. I thought this book would be a good one for my 5 year old reluctant reader however the text was very low level and not engaging. I would pass if I were you.



4. This book is a ready to read book which is for preschool to kindergarten children. The books have picture clues, rhyming text and easy word in big type. A brother and sister go to their Tae Kwon Do class. The class is filled with multi-cultural children and show them doing kicks, chops, falling and floping.
   
   The book is well illustrated by Todd Bonita. I like how he illustrated children from all different races. A very cute book for a child who loves Tae Kwon Do and is a beginner reader.



5. I recently got this book to read with my nephew (recently turned 6) who has been taking Tae Kwon Do for the past few months. The reading difficulty level was a little bit on the basic side for him, but that was appropriate for the advertised difficulty of the book, since we typically go with stage 2 books from this series for him now.
   
   The drawings are very cute and the overall depiction of a Tae Kwon Do class is about as accurate as you could hope for when the author has to write to as basic a level as this book is intended to be. Considering the age range of the audience and the kids in the pictures, one thing I would have liked to see is at least one or two kids in the class being in the white or yellow belts.
   
   Still, it was a nice book. I had my nephew read it to me, and then he started asking me to read it to him, and wandered off to get his grandmother to read it to him as well. I'd say it was a hit and it seemed to me as if most little kids with any interest at all in martial arts would enjoy it.

5 comments about The Legend of Sasquatch.

1. Make no mistake about it--this an EXCELLENT story! The main character, Clint "Buck Hannon," is a hero for the ages. The author develops Clint's character to the max, and although he's complicated and not completely "good," you just can't help but love the guy. Clint's supporting cast is also very appealing, particularly the barrel-chested narc, Hulk, and Clint's parent's, Doug and Lucy. Each character is well-developed and appealing in his or her own right, and the plot is very compelling. There's a lot of exciting and realistic action sequences, as well as an interesting interracial romance. (There is some adult content--not for children!) All things considered, this is probably the best, page-turning story I've read in the last ten years. Prince is an author to be reckoned with, and I absolutely can't wait to read his next book. I hope it's a sequel!



2. This is a great book, and you should read it. You won't be able to put it down. I would compare it in some respects to Ron McLarty's "The Memory of Running," and like McLarty's Smithy Ide, you won't be able to forget Prince's Clint Buchanan. This book is in my all-time Top Five, and I hope that Mr. Prince isn't a one-hit wonder. I want more!



3. Purchasing this book was a WINNER. With each turn of the page i found myself being drawn in. Simply put, i could not put it down. Fantastic Read!!!!



4. I began to read the book with trepidation -- I'd heard some parts were gritty, and gritty for gritty's sake isn't my thing. But to my delight, Clint's story was truly riveting. The author created a broad foundation of who Clint is, both as a sympathetic character and as a curiosity, given his size and propensity for perfection. It's what gives Clint's relationships and exploits the feeling of truth. How else could it have ended? I don't have an answer, but I expect a sequel and I'm looking forward to reading it.



5. This book has everything you are looking for!!! I can't wait for the 2nd book...