Editorial Reviews: |
|
Even though it is now cliché to say that learning a martial art is as much about learning to conquer oneself as it is about learning to conquer the enemy, most martial arts books are still about the latter. Pascal Fauliot lends a refreshing voice to the field by excavating some of the great educative tales from the martial arts traditions of China and Japan. Not exactly moral tales, these stories exemplify the ideals of excellence in the martial arts, not to mention that they are as entertaining as a feature film. Some of the scenarios you might expect, like the master who is bushwhacked but comes out unscathed or the master who sets his student to mundane tasks rather than fighting techniques. Others will surprise, like the story of the master who shatters an enormous piece of bamboo without touching it, or the one about the bully who thrashed a little old man only to find himself bedridden the next day. Purportedly all true, these are inspirational stories about learning persistence, self-mastery, flexibility, concentration and harnessing the invisible power of chi. They are also light-hearted and retold with an expert touch that the master of any art would appreciate. --Brian Bruya
|
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada