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Summary: Useful insights by a Samurai who died....by aging(!)
Review: Miyamoto Musashi lived in the medium age Japan, among wars and social crises. The kind of life he had led him to develop a special philosophy (and very practical) towards work, discipline, fears and the trascending questions. His life can't be an practical example for us NOW. We don't live in societies where war is the main way of living (fortunately), but, and this is an important BUT, his insights about living in the middle of a noncooperative relations (dangerous ones, i would say), the moral and psichological resources everyone has to survive, and the basic practices to develop the capabilities to it, are valuables for every modern person, for the new environment we have ahead (job place, market, personal competition for excellence), what is as competitive as the Japan he lived (but less bloody). Indeed, being capable to compete supposes a Samurai style planning and training capabilites. Read what one of them advices to us.
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Summary: Requires much meditation
Review: This book is also a must-read for anyone training in the martial arts, regardless of style. The principles and ideas laid down here are priceless to the aspiring martial artist. While the prose is easy to read, the content isn't something you can blast through in a few hours. I've barely made it through this book twice, and each time I have to sit and ponder different passages that Musashi had written on the importance of certain techniques or ways of thinking. I highly recommend this book to anyone either already training in the martial arts or considering entering into the martial arts.
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Summary: Opening your mind to new Possibilities!
Review: They way Myamoto Musashi expresses his ideas and techniques on proper form not only in regards to swordplay, but all around strategy for life, makes you believe you can accomplish anything (take that Stephen Covey!) Although I will be the first to admit that some sections are more obscure and difficult to process than others, all in all, this is a great book to have and read periodically, if not to improve oneself, then at least it is a great mental excercise just trying to ponder and garner the meanings behind the teachings of Musashi. A worthwhile read if you have the mental stamina for it.
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Summary: I used it as a comparitive tool
Review: I was doing research into comparing and contrasting christian and eastern lterature. I used this text as a tool to see how the basic underlying of both the christian and eastern philosophies are quite similar in ways of self-control and controlling your own environment and impacting your environment. I found the text both interesting and challenging. A good source for basis eastern philosophical study and understanding.
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Summary: Over Hyped
Review: There's no doubt this book is an interesting read, from which one can learn a lot. But attributing the infinite wisdom of the most successful people today to this book is an overly pretentious act, for after all, this is a book explaining how to best cut your opponent with a long sword.If it is ancient wisdom you are after, I would recommend the Hagakure and The Art of War much more than this one. But if you're interested in learning the roots of Japanese culture, then the Book of Five Rings will do just fine.
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Summary: martial strategy
Review: I found this book to ge very good, but not fulfilling. As a student of a chinese art, it was hard for me to comprehend the techniques which were presented in the book. I did enjoy the read but found some things lacking. It was somewhat poetic (for lack of a better word) and had too brief of explanations. I realize that one has to use their imagination but the book is not applicable to all aspects of life. However, if you study a Japanese sword art (such as Iaido), by all means, get it and read it.
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Summary: mind developes the body
Review: This book help me practice and also teach my students. for the practicioner of the ARTS this book helps you develope your mind for everyday problems fighting or not. Even for people of the business world also like myself having an MBA it also helps. You are the only one who controls your mind so use it in the best way you can the big question is what are you waiting for!
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Summary: One of the great martial arts books
Review: Instead of purchasing another technical manual with series of black-and-white photograps of one chinese guy kicking the bejesus out of the another, I would whole-heartedly suggest buying this book and reading it with an open mind. I have trained (and at times taught) different martial arts ranging from tai-chi to boxing for almost 20 years. Never before or after have I seen a text so clear and concise, cutting straight into the heart of things. Although Musashi wrote the text bearing the sword-fighting in mind, it is by no means limited to that. He doesn't try and prescribe a certain technique that always works (as there is no such thing) -- rather he outlines different factors a successful combat strategy must rely on. It's a difference between giving a man a loaf of bread or teaching him how to make it. The students of Japanese martial arts can certainly relate easier to the way Musashi presents his concepts, but what he says is applicable to any combat whatever your style or school or, indeed, to any confrontation in a broad sense (hence the potential application of this book as a resource for learning the business management, strategy and negotiation tactics).
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Summary: Read the Art of War first!!
Review: I did not like this book quite as much as the Art of War. However, I think this book is a good supplement to the Art of War which is why is suggest that you read it second. A lot of good philosiphy is crammed into these pages. I was particularly fond of the pages which explore zen. However, I was not pleased with the pages of pages of sword fighting strategy. I will probably never fight with a sword, and have no relevant application for these sword fighting techniques. However, it is a fulfilling read for a person who has a few hours to kill on a road trip or weekend.
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Summary: True to original translation but too many footnotes
Review: I am a huge fan of military strategy & tactics. And this was no disappointment as far as the original text is concerned. But the footnotes contain TMI for someone seeking a straight read. I can understand the need to explain items, it's a different mindset from western, but some items really aren't important to the text or go into too much detail. One footnote alone covered an entire page, which would be fine if extremly pertinent to the text but it was not & the footnote could have been halved & the reader would have been fine. Don't get me wrong, it's a great primer, say along the lines of Sun-Tzu's "The Art Of War" as edited by James Clavell (a great read by the way), for the novice or a comfortable read for the master. It's simplicity is it's greatest depth.
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