What are your favorite MA books?

[Zujitsuka]

Here are 4 of my favorites:

1. Krav Maga : How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault,
by Imi Sde-Or, Eyal Yanilov

2. Principles, Analysis, and Application of Effortless Combat Throws, by Tim Cartmell

3. Practical Chin Na : A Detailed Analysis of the Art of Seizing and Locking, by Zhao Da Yuan, et al

4. Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere: An Illustrated Introduction, by Adele Westbrook, Oscar Ratti

Of course there is no substitute for training, but these books can help you become a more complete martial artist.

 

[Cthulhu]

Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee

Jeet Kune Do: The Art and Philosophy of Bruce Lee by Dan Inosanto

The Filipino Martial Arts as Taught by Dan Inosanto by Dan Inosanto

The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin no Sho) by Miyamoto Musashi

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Autumn Lightning by Dave Lowry

Moving Zen by CW Nicol

Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams

Classical Bujutsu by Donn F. Draeger

Classical Budo by Donn F. Draeger

Modern Bujutsu and Budo by Donn F. Draeger

The Weaponless Warriors by Richard Kim

My Journey in Karate: The Sabaki Way by Joko Ninomiya

The Fighter's Fact Book by Loren Christensen

Cthulhu

 

[Don Rearic]

The Filipino Martial Arts by Dan Inosanto
Hand to Hand Combat - U.S. Naval Institute, 1943
Lethal Unarmed Combat by Malcolm Harris
Kill or Get Killed by Col. Rex Applegate
Get Tough! by Capt. William Fairbairn
Cold Steel by John Steyers
Modern American Fighting Knives by Robert S. McKay
Tanto: Japanese Knives & Knife Fighting by Russell Maynard
Deadly Karate Blows: The Medical Implications by Brian Adams
Stickfighting - Hatsumi
Knife & Pistol Fighting - Hatsumi
No Second Chance by Bradley J. Steiner
Stressfire I by Massad Ayoob
Stressfire II: Advanced Combat Shotgun by Massad Ayoob

Alot more, those are some of the favorites.

 

[Chiduce]

Originally posted by Don Rearic
The Filipino Martial Arts by Dan Inosanto
Hand to Hand Combat - U.S. Naval Institute, 1943
Lethal Unarmed Combat by Malcolm Harris
Kill or Get Killed by Col. Rex Applegate
Get Tough! by Capt. William Fairbairn
Cold Steel by John Steyers
Modern American Fighting Knives by Robert S. McKay
Tanto: Japanese Knives & Knife Fighting by Russell Maynard
Deadly Karate Blows: The Medical Implications by Brian Adams
Stickfighting - Hatsumi
Knife & Pistol Fighting - Hatsumi
No Second Chance by Bradley J. Steiner
Stressfire I by Massad Ayoob
Stressfire II: Advanced Combat Shotgun by Massad Ayoob

Alot more, those are some of the favorites.

My favorite Texts are as follows; The Essense Of Okinawan Karate, by Shoshin Nagamine; Mastering Kempo, By Dr. William Durbin; Cheng Hsin Tou Shou; By Peter Ralston; The Essence Of Shaolin White Crane Martial Power And Qi Gong, By Dr. Yang Jwing Ming; Emei Baguazhang, By Master Liang, Shou Yu, Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming, And Mr. Wu, Wen-Ching; Seng Ping Tao, By Dr. Edward Orem; A Book Of Five Rings, By M. Musashi; The Art Of War, By Lau Tzu; The Vispassana Sutta's Of Mahayana Buddism; Live In A Better Way, By His Holiness The Dalai Lama; "The Bible Of Karate", The BUBISHI TEXT, By Patrick McCarthy; and many more! Sincerely, In Humility; Chiduce!

 

[Cthulhu]

Originally posted by Chiduce
My favorite Texts are as follows; The Essense Of Okinawan Karate, by Shoshin Nagamine; Mastering Kempo, By Dr. William Durbin; Cheng Hsin Tou Shou; By Peter Ralston; The Essence Of Shaolin White Crane Martial Power And Qi Gong, By Dr. Yang Jwing Ming; Emei Baguazhang, By Master Liang, Shou Yu, Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming, And Mr. Wu, Wen-Ching; Seng Ping Tao, By Dr. Edward Orem; A Book Of Five Rings, By M. Musashi; The Art Of War, By Lau Tzu; The Vispassana Sutta's Of Mahayana Buddism; Live In A Better Way, By His Holiness The Dalai Lama; "The Bible Of Karate", The BUBISHI TEXT, By Patrick McCarthy; and many more! Sincerely, In Humility; Chiduce!

Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War. I believe Lao Tzu wrote the Taoist text, Tao Te Ching.

Cthulhu

 

[Chiduce]

Originally posted by Cthulhu


Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War. I believe Lao Tzu wrote the Taoist text, Tao Te Ching.

Cthulhu

Yes, you are right. That was my mistake! Thanks. Sincerely, In Humility; Chiduce!

 

[Cthulhu]

I think it's a fairly common mistake. I had to check myself when offering the correction to make sure I hadn't mixed them up myself.

Cthulhu

 

[Bob Hubbard]

The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin no Sho) by Miyamoto Musashi (Cleary translation)

The Art of War by Sun Tzu (Cleary translation)

Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams

Karate-Do: My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi

 

[Judo_Kid]

Judo..
All the Judo books, and Kempo books.
The best one in Judo is Ranking on judo's, like about Sensei's. stuff like that.
and after you're done Black belt. your going to American tournaments. judo history is the best book ever!

:EG:

 

[ace]

My 4 are : Ken Shamrock's inside the Lions Den
Gene Lebell's Grappling Master
Rigan Machado's Esence Of BJJ
And Bruce Lee's Tao of Jeet Kune Do
:ladysman:
Primo

 

[Kempojujutsu]

Fighters notebook by Kirik Jenness
Kodokan Judo by Jigoro Kano
Jeet Kune Do vol 1 & 2 by Larry Hartsell
Shaolin Chin na by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming
Small circle Jujitsu by Wally Jay
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu by Renzo & Royler Gracie
Basic Jujitsu & intermediate jujitsu by George Kirby
Okinawan Karate by mark Bishop
Tai Chi Chuan Martial Applictions by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming
Advance Pressure point fighting by George Dillman
Advance press point grappling Tuite by George Dillman
These are not listed in any certain order. Could also make a list of books not to get:rofl:
Bob:asian:

 

[bscastro]

Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee
This is the classic of course. I read this when I first started martial arts. Didn't make too much sense then, but a couple years ago I picked it up again and things started to click. Still a long way to go, but it is a text which rewards re-reading.

Living the Martial Way by Forrest Morgan
This book is kind of idealistic at times, but it has some sound advice, and at the time I bought it, I was studying the same style of TKD. However, he uses a good bibliography and writes fairly well.

Jun Fan Gung Fu: Seeking the Path to Jeet Kune Do by Kevin Seaman
This is a little known but great book. For those studying JKD, it is a great reference with good pictures and great text instruction. Although you can't learn martial arts from books alone, this I think comes close!

These are the ones I can think of at the moment that I refer to regularly and enjoy.

Bryan

 

[Roland]

by Vladimir Vasiliev

Based on the Training of The Russian Special Forces

A little bit of everything in this one.
Some history, philosophy, a few tecniques, health issuses.
Short, but very good.

 

[7starmantis]

What about "Iron and Silk" by Mark Salzman

I wouldn't say its a favorite, but its what I'm reading now, its really very good too.


7sm

 

[arnisador]

I enjoyed it. He has a few more books out too--I have a couple of them but have never gotten to them!