Home :: Books :: Health, Mind & Body  

Arts & Photography
Audio CDs
Audiocassettes
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Investing
Children's Books
Christianity
Comics & Graphic Novels
Computers & Internet
Cooking, Food & Wine
Entertainment
Gay & Lesbian
Health, Mind & Body

History
Home & Garden
Horror
Literature & Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers
Nonfiction
Outdoors & Nature
Parenting & Families
Professional & Technical
Reference
Religion & Spirituality
Romance
Science
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sports
Teens
Travel
Women's Fiction
Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do

List Price: $16.95
Your Price: $11.53
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 >>

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The Ultimate Guide, IT IS NOT
Review: Before I begin, let me say that am a Moo Duk Kwan practitioner for over 30 years and that Master Lee, Kang Uk was on the testing board for my Cho (1st)Dan test (Choong Ahng Do Jang -Seoul 1971). Although the title touts that it is the Ultimate Guide to the Korean Martial Art, it is not for several reasons. First is that the history section falls way short (1 page? w/o photos) of giving insight and history to Korea's version of martial arts. Second is that all of the technical material has already been published and comes from Grandmaster Kee Hwang's original Korean text "Soo Bahk Do Dae Gahm" (1970) and from the English translations (1975 & 1992) which covers History, detailed Scientific analysis of techniques and Hyung (form) through 6th Dan level. Third, is that the technical expertise of those persons photographed leave something to be desired. The Chil Sung Hyungs were preliminarily introduced in 1952 (verified by Choi Wui Suk who actually saw them) not the latter half of 1980's. Now for the interesting parts. The Tang Soo Do historical photos are always great (specifically pages 16-17). The Moo Duk Kwan's family tree helps in understanding heritage. The overview of Hyungs is useful in getting a sense as to the pattern's overall shape (at a glance) and also come from "Soo Bahk Do Dae Gahm" except for the Chil Sung Hyungs. For the price, the book is a nice information source but for more detailed information the serious martial artist should get Grandmaster Kee Hwang's English texts.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Best tang soo do forms book I have seen.
Review: I bought this book at my instructor's suggestion. It has the best and most complete description of the tang soo do forms I have seen. Not perfect, but it is probably not possible for a book to cover all the nuances. Highly recommended.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: It lacks something
Review: It's not a bad book at all, but it could de better. You will find only the first 3 Gi Cho Hyung, nevertheless higher Hyung like the Jip Soo are also presented. Concerning to Il Soo Sik, it's shown only few techniques; the same goes to Ho Sin Sul. In spite of all of these, it's a good book for reference. Once you are being taught the higher Hyungs, this book may help you a lot, but don't forget that you should keep it as a reference book; do not take it as your own instructor. Thinking about the price, it's a must buy book.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Finally an affordable Tang Soo Do book for the masses!
Review: Not long winded and not a replacement for quality instruction. It is an excellent reference for numberous Tang Soo Do forms including the first three Chil Sung forms. I have the original UK hardcover (A&C Black London) but the US hardcover (Tilman) and softcover (Unique) should be the same. It is truely the first affordable Tang Soo Do book for the masses!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Way too much ground to cover in one tiny book.
Review: The books starts out well enough, and has a comprehensive list of techniques, but there is very little discussion on where power comes from, common mistakes, etc.

The hyungs section leaves a lot to be desired, often leaving out transitional moves, or showing non-helpful pictures (shot from the rear)

An OK reference book if you can't remember a certain move, but you're better off saving your money and gettting either TSD Volume II by JC Shin, or Soo Bahk Do by Hwang Kee. More expensive, yes, but pricesless in terms of info.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It is helping me to learn faster..
Review: This book consists mostly of photographs of hand and foot techniques and of the forms. As a beginning student I find these very helpful, as when it comes time to practice at home I sometimes have forgotten the new things learned in the previous class. The verbal descriptions that go with the photos are clear. In addition, newer students will find the Korean/English, English/Korean glossary of terms helpful. The author has also included a brief (too brief) history of Tang Soo Do and a lineage chart, but for me these are not the strong points of the book. Also, I would have liked to see a little more about the philosophy behind this martial art; however, the photographic explanations of the moves make the book well worth the price.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An excellent, highly descriptive book for a great price
Review: This book covers the following subjects: History of Tang Soo Do, geneology of many schools & masters, hand & foot techniques, stances, numerous types of sparring, self-defense techniques, and the following forms: The Kee Cho hyungs, the Pyung Ahn hyungs, Ba Sa-Hee, the Chil Sung Hyungs, the Naihanji hyungs, Ship Soo, Jin Do, Kong San Goon, and Ro Hai. A brief written history precedes each form, and the moves are described in great detail. Overall, this book is written very well and the pictures are great. A must-have for any Tang Soo Do practitioner - especially at this price.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An excellent, highly descriptive book for a great price
Review: This book covers the following subjects: History of Tang Soo Do, geneology of many schools & masters, hand & foot techniques, stances, numerous types of sparring, self-defense techniques, and the following forms: The Kee Cho hyungs, the Pyung Ahn hyungs, Ba Sa-Hee, the Chil Sung Hyungs, the Naihanji hyungs, Ship Soo, Jin Do, Kong San Goon, and Ro Hai. A brief written history precedes each form, and the moves are described in great detail. Overall, this book is written very well and the pictures are great. A must-have for any Tang Soo Do practitioner - especially at this price.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: GOOD
Review: THIS BOOK IS ALREADY IN PRINT INFACT MY INSTRUCTOR HAS A COP

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Tang Soo Do
Review: This book is an adequate reference for the Tang Soo Do hyungs, but little more. Precious little background is given for the style of Tang Soo Do or the hyungs themselves. For reference, there is no substitute for GM Hwang Kee's book.


<< 1 2 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates