The Secrets of Shotokan Karate

Rating:
Summary: A good supplement to training
Review: I have always advocated subtantial reading together with normal training and R. Rielly has done a pretty good job. His explanations are clear and to the point, supported by numerous photos for visualisation. However, these "words" only come alive if the reader has performed the moves physically. I would have preferred clearer photos with some zoom-ins to stress vital points. On the whole an excellent book for the intermediate to advanced karate student.

Rating:
Summary: Shotokan Revealed
Review: The Secrets of Shotokan Karate by Robin L. Rielly Is a must have for those who want to get the most out Shotokan-ryu. Together with mister Rielly's Complete Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-2108-9, no more thorough grounding in Shotokan-ryu can be had. But if what you are looking for is a book for the beginner to learn the fundamentals I would suggest getting Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown's Karate: the Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting, ISBN 0-8048-1668-9.

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate details the methods for generating balance, stability, force, and speed. Explained are the principles of distancing, timing, hip and stance shifting, and strategy. Of special interest is the section on hip shifting for it is one of the more subtle connections Karate has with the Chinese arts of Taijiquan and Kung Fu. Separate chapters are devoted to Kumite and Kata. The chapter on Kumite includes helpful drills for mastering this aspect of the art. The chapter on Kata is especially enlightening in explaining what is meant by the "hidden meaning of Kata". Included in the Kata chapter is a detailed step-by-step explanation of Kanku Dai and its applications.

This book takes the Karate-ka from a mere practitioners of an exercise to the mastery of the techniques and principles required for the making of a martial artist.

Rating:
Summary: Too naive
Review: When a book has a title that claims to let you in on "Secrets", you expect just that--to be LET IN--on the secrets. Unfortunately, Reilly falls way short of doing that. Reilly knows his stuff, but does not make any attempts to let you in on it. The book contains chapters on speed, distancing, timing, focus (kime) etc.--all very important aspects of Karate. However, all Reilly does is to DEFINE them for the reader, describe his definition, and with examples, prove that his definition is correct. For example, Reilly talks about distancing as .. being at the right distance so that an attack is most effective. OK, true. Then he shows some (nice) pictures--photographs--demonstrating that distancing CAN screw up a really good technique .. really bad. OK, true. While the reader waits for Reilly to finally pull the rabbit out of the hat and LET US IN on HOW TO train for distance--Reilly moves on to timing. The same story repeats in the timing chapter. And so on in every chapter. Basically, Reilly's book defines all the important things but never teaches you how to train for improving on those all-important aspects. Granted, karate can be learnt only by doing .. but then why write a book about it unless you know how to teach by writing? Unless you are a beginner with less than 6-8 months of dojo training, DO NOT bother with this book. Of course, if money is not tight, go ahead enjoy the nice b/w photography.

Rating:
Summary: Too naive
Review: When a book has a title that claims to let you in on "Secrets", you expect just that--to be LET IN--on the secrets. Unfortunately, Reilly falls way short of doing that. Reilly knows his stuff, but does not make any attempts to let you in on it. The book contains chapters on speed, distancing, timing, focus (kime) etc.--all very important aspects of Karate. However, all Reilly does is to DEFINE them for the reader, describe his definition, and with examples, prove that his definition is correct. For example, Reilly talks about distancing as .. being at the right distance so that an attack is most effective. OK, true. Then he shows some (nice) pictures--photographs--demonstrating that distancing CAN screw up a really good technique .. really bad. OK, true. While the reader waits for Reilly to finally pull the rabbit out of the hat and LET US IN on HOW TO train for distance--Reilly moves on to timing. The same story repeats in the timing chapter. And so on in every chapter. Basically, Reilly's book defines all the important things but never teaches you how to train for improving on those all-important aspects. Granted, karate can be learnt only by doing .. but then why write a book about it unless you know how to teach by writing? Unless you are a beginner with less than 6-8 months of dojo training, DO NOT bother with this book. Of course, if money is not tight, go ahead enjoy the nice b/w photography.