Suggestions for Summer MA Reading

[hapki68]

Now that unbearably hot weather has returned to DC, I'm looking for a good book to sink into while tanning to a golden brown on the beach.

I'd like it to be MA-related, possibly fiction, maybe about ninjas or something like that. I don't want to read any "How To" books. And I love history so long as it's not written in too dry a style (with tiny print).

Anyone have anything to suggest?

A buddy in my dojang convinced me to read his all-time favorite book, "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield. It's a fictional account of the true story whereby 300 Spartan soldiers held off millions of Persians at the Battle of Thermopylae. In sacrificing their lives, they (and the rock-solid women of Sparta who remained stoic at the loss of their husbands and sons to set an example of Greece's strength and determination) gave Greece enough time to organize and defeat the super-power Persians, thereby preserving democracy for the ages.

Although it's not about the martial arts, it's a good book if you like military stuff, fighting, ancient weapons and tales of honor and valor.

Hapki68

 

[Kreth]

If you can live with some inaccuracies, Lustbader's Ninja books are a fun read.

 

[hapki68]

I thrive on inaccuracy (and scandal!). Thanks for the suggestion, Kreth, I'll check them out.

:jedi1:

 

[Swordlady]

Have you read "Sensei" by John Donohue? It's a thriller about about a "ronin" tracking down and killing his former instructors. One of my sempai loaned her copy to me, and I read through it in a week. Very good stuff. Donohue also wrote a sequel titled "Deshi", which I haven't gotten around to reading yet. Hm...I *should* just order my own copy, instead of waiting around for someone to loan it to me...

 

[hapki68]

No.. I haven't. But I'll check it out. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[frank raud]

Try Barry Eisler's books about John Rain. Hard Rain, Killing Rain and Rain Storm.
John Rain is Half Japanese half American, a contract killer who specialises in"accidents". The martial arts scenes are realistic(Eisler is a black belt in Judo), the tradecraft is well done, and John Rain knows his single malt Scotches and jazz music.

Much better than Eric Lustbader.

 

[Phadrus00]

Try Barry Eisler's books about John Rain. Hard Rain, Killing Rain and Rain Storm.
John Rain is Half Japanese half American, a contract killer who specialises in"accidents". The martial arts scenes are realistic(Eisler is a black belt in Judo), the tradecraft is well done, and John Rain knows his single malt Scotches and jazz music.

Much better than Eric Lustbader.

Ohhh GREAT suggestion! I picked up Hard Rain at Dulles during a layover and COULD NOT STOP READING IT! I'll have to find the others in the series. GREAT Summer Reading!

Rob

 

[beau_safken]

If you haven't read "The Godfather", do that. The book is WAY better than the book and going into about 100X more detail.

MA related stuff....
Way of the Warrior - Cliff Benton
Wayne Dyer - How to be a NLP
Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle

 

[hapki68]

Kam sa ham ni da (thanks), everyone for the suggestions. I'll hit Barnes and Noble next week and pick a book.

Beau... I don't know if I could read the Godfather. Everyone seemed to like the movies, but me. (Although, in fairness, I've never sat through an entire one.) I kinda cringe at movies that I think glorify violence and greed (mafia-type stuff). What I like about the MA is that they seem to be the physical manifestation of Buddhist principles of non-violence. You don't break a wrist until you have to. Mafia people kill just for power and money. I hate that *****.

Hapki68

 

[terryl965]

Living the Martial Way is one fantastic read if you have not already.
Terry

 

[Kacey]

Sho-Gun is a good read, although I've never been able to make my way through any of the others in the set for some reason.

 

[chinto01]

Have you read "Sensei" by John Donohue? It's a thriller about about a "ronin" tracking down and killing his former instructors. One of my sempai loaned her copy to me, and I read through it in a week. Very good stuff. Donohue also wrote a sequel titled "Deshi", which I haven't gotten around to reading yet. Hm...I *should* just order my own copy, instead of waiting around for someone to loan it to me...

Thanks for these suggestions. I picked up deshi last evening and it is good so far. I am looking for Sensei now but it is a hard find.

In the spirit of bushido!

Rob

 

[beau_safken]

Kam sa ham ni da (thanks), everyone for the suggestions. I'll hit Barnes and Noble next week and pick a book.

Beau... I don't know if I could read the Godfather. Everyone seemed to like the movies, but me. (Although, in fairness, I've never sat through an entire one.) I kinda cringe at movies that I think glorify violence and greed (mafia-type stuff). What I like about the MA is that they seem to be the physical manifestation of Buddhist principles of non-violence. You don't break a wrist until you have to. Mafia people kill just for power and money. I hate that *****.

Hapki68

Well the Godfather book isn't really all the gnarly, but there are some good quotes in there for thinking purposes.

Some MA's preach the non-violence methods, but not all. Granted that is the general idea, but it never hurts to be able to flip the non-violent switch when needed.

Oh yea another book you might like.

"Sacred Cows make the best burgers" forgot the authors but its more a management/business book. The idea behind it is to signal change and find where you and your business are lagging or trying to hold onto old ideas IE: Sacred cows. Its a really good read. <--not recommending this to spite the bhuddist thing, thats the real name of the book. Just a good read....HAve to make sure to set the context and all.

 

[Swordlady]

Thanks for these suggestions. I picked up deshi last evening and it is good so far. I am looking for Sensei now but it is a hard find.

In the spirit of bushido!

Rob

Amazon doesn't have "Sensei"? I thought they had some copies available.

 

[pstarr]

Well, as long as we're making suggestions for reading...I'm going to throw in a cheap, shameless plug for my book "The Making Of A Butterfly" which is now available in bookstores and on Amazon.com

But then, I'm prejudiced...

 

[hapki68]

I just picked up "Hard Rain" and am looking forward to reading it tonight (after hapkido class.) I guess "Sensei" is out of print.

 

[Kreth]

For out-of-print stuff, check out the Advanced Book Exchange. They maintain a database that allows you to search booksellers for new and used copies of books. For example, here's the listing for Sensei.

 

[hapki68]

Now you tell me! :ultracool

Thanks, Kreth... Maybe I'll pick Sensei up next.

Patrick

 

[IcemanSK]

I'm gonna pick up Iceman: Kickboxing's Legend Jean Yves Theriault by Perry Kelly. I figure since its about my namesake & I'm a big fame, it'd be worth lookin' at.

 

[Kreth]

Now you tell me! :ultracool

Thanks, Kreth... Maybe I'll pick Sensei up next.

Patrick

You're welcome. I've used ABE several times to find out of print books. As long as you check out the condition of the book in the listing, you can usually get a copy in decent shape for well below list price.