Martial History Team

   Welcome to the July 2022 book survey, part two. I decided to break this month's survey into two posts, as I did last month. This edition is also all about judo. Introduction In July 2022, I (Richard) continued my reading plan. This post describes 10 books that I surveyed in July. If you missed part one, here it is . Read on to separate the wheat from the chaff.  What Is Judo?, Risei Kano [attributed], 1947/1960 My copy of What is Judo?  is a 1960 reprint of the May 1947 original. This is a tiny Kodokan hardcover measuring 7 1/4 inches by 5 1/4 inches. Page 13 translates jujitsu as "empty-handed-trick."  This book features tiny photos that show progression in techniques: The content includes 17 throws and 11 grappling techniques, plus 2 pages on striking. I bought this book strictly for my collection, but recommend it for others seeking early judo texts. Judo: Appendix: Aikido, Kenji Tomiki, 1956/1959 I bought a copy of  Judo: Appendix: Aikido by Kenji T...

   Welcome to the July 2022 book survey, part one. I decided to break this month's survey into two posts, as I did last month. Introduction In July 2022, I (Richard) continued my reading plan. This post describes 10 books that I surveyed in July. A subsequent post will address the other 10 that I surveyed last month. Read on to separate the wheat from the chaff.  Barnett's Judo Groundplay to Win, P. M. Barnett, 1974 I bought  Barnett's Judo Groundplay to Win  as part of my ongoing search for newaza books. This is a large but slim 60 page black and white softcover paperback published by the U.S. Judo Association. It offers 7 short chapters, but the large format integrates pictures and text well.  There is a lot packed into this small book, but as it is out of print it can be tough to find. It's more of a research item at this point in its history. Best Judo, Isao Inokuma and Nbuyuki Sato, 1979 I bought my hardcover edition of Best Judo by Isao Inokuma and N...

  Welcome to the June 2022 book survey, part two. I decided to break this month's survey into two posts, as I did last month. Introduction In June 2022, I (Richard) continued my reading plan. This post describes another 8 books that I read in June, all related to the 1970s Kung Fu TV series . Read on to separate the wheat from the chaff.  Spirit of Shaolin: A Kung Fu Philosophy, David Carradine, 1991/1998 I bought  Spirit of Shaolin: A Kung Fu Philosophy  in the 1990s when I was studying kung fu and watching the original series in syndication on the TNT network. This book is split into three parts. The first is an autobiography of sorts, from the Kung Fu TV show through the first Kung Fu TV pilot movie. The second presents itself as philosophy and ancient wisdom, but it is filled with the false Shaolin creation myths debunked in many solid books published in the last few years. The third part contains "lessons," and is followed by an appendix.  The appendix feat...