The Way of the Warrior: The Paradox of the Martial Arts

his book: "The Way of the Warrior - The Paradox of the Martial Arts" is based on a TV-series that the mighty BBC ran in the 1980s. Unfortunatly I never saw this series when it ran on TV, but from what I hear it was fabulous. Judging from the book too, it must have been a fantastic series, and as we all know the BBC make series such as this one here like noone else around.

The book (and the TV-series) shows the origin to the arts in ancient times and up to the development of the more defined and structured martial arts around south-eastern Europe, northern Africa, The Middle East and the Orient.

Amongst other things you will find the legends, but also findings surrounding the Indian munk Bodhidharma and his travel to China - resulting in the development of the Shaolin Temple (or rather temples) - again according to legends and history.

You will find the background: manuscripts, tales, history, people, and methods of martial arts from India, China, Okinawa and Japan. Emphasis is also put upon presenting the various connections between these countries and arts.

To cut a long story short - this is a book that you need to have, or at least read through properly! It is full of vital and vibrant information as well as first class pictures. It will give you more knowledge about the classical weapons arts in Japan, the fundamants and progress of modern budo, as well as lots of more interesting stuff.

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