Rating: 
Summary: Great but for the some of the bad photographs
Review: This is a great book, no question. It is a wonderful overview and reference guide. I guess I take exception to the complaints Brian Glennon. I think the introduciton of so-called "non-judo technique" can only serve to strengthen Judo as a whole. As Inokuma Sensei states, "the judo contest takes the form of a fight" it seems silly and counter productive to limit the arsenal of the fighter simply to please someone's sense of aestetics. Furthermore I think Glennon's complaint stems from a deep seated resentment that some "non-judo" techniques can defeat "judo" techniques. Sato sensei himself thought that Sambo's version of kesa gatame was superior to Judos and adopted the sambo form.
I am also not sold on the absolute importance of Kata. I think Judo kata are far superior to the kind found in many other traditional martial arts forms, especially since it involves another person, and movement (though pre-rehearsed). I think the BJJ people have the practical fighting side of Judo down because the art teaches self defense and fighting in a much less structured way.
Though I have some reservations about being a judo traditionalist (it certainly is not for me) I do have a great deal of love for judo, and think that all grapplers, especially gi grapplers need both Kodokan Judo, and Best Judo, as these two volumes are excellent references sure to help improve ones grappling game.
Rating:
Summary: Great but for the some of the bad photographs
Review: This is a great book, no question. It is a wonderful overview and reference guide. I guess I take exception to the complaints Brian Glennon. I think the introduciton of so-called "non-judo technique" can only serve to strengthen Judo as a whole. As Inokuma Sensei states, "the judo contest takes the form of a fight" it seems silly and counter productive to limit the arsenal of the fighter simply to please someone's sense of aestetics. Furthermore I think Glennon's complaint stems from a deep seated resentment that some "non-judo" techniques can defeat "judo" techniques. Sato sensei himself thought that Sambo's version of kesa gatame was superior to Judos and adopted the sambo form.
I am also not sold on the absolute importance of Kata. I think Judo kata are far superior to the kind found in many other traditional martial arts forms, especially since it involves another person, and movement (though pre-rehearsed). I think the BJJ people have the practical fighting side of Judo down because the art teaches self defense and fighting in a much less structured way.
Though I have some reservations about being a judo traditionalist (it certainly is not for me) I do have a great deal of love for judo, and think that all grapplers, especially gi grapplers need both Kodokan Judo, and Best Judo, as these two volumes are excellent references sure to help improve ones grappling game.
Rating: 
Summary: The Official Bible of Kodokan Judo...but not the Last Word
Review: This is a great book, showing many,many techniques, including quite a few that most judo players never get around to learning. The photos for many techniques show masters demonstrating, even Dr. Kano. However, the clarity of the images is not as good as in earlier editions. While many techniques and forms are shown, it does not go deeply into any of them, or into methods of training. For in-depth explanation of formal technique, see "Judo Formal Techniques" by Otaki and Donn Draeger, "Judo in Action (vol. 1 throwing techniques, vol.2 grappling techniques)" by Kazuo Kudo, or for training methods/technique application see "Judo Training Methods" by Donn Draeger, "Attacking Judo" by Ken Maynard and Alan Menzies, "Modern Judo" or "Contest Judo" by Charles Yerkow, or ANY book from Ippon Classics. For historical purposes, consider "The Complete Kano Jiu-Jitsu" by Hancock and Higashi, "Japan's Ultimate Martial Art" by Darrell Craig, or "Asian Fighting Arts" by Donn Draeger. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Definetly the BEST book on the subject of Judo
Review: This is definetly the bible of Judo. Written by the founder himself Dr. Jigoro Kano Shihan. I have read the book word for word five times since I have owned it, and learn something new each time. Being the head instructor for the Eastpointe Judo-Jujitsu Club in Eastpointe, Michigan I make it manitory for my students to purchase the book.
Rating:
Summary: complete
Review: Very good. I go to a grappling heavy school, and initially over-emphasized the gracie books (which are quite good). My sensei steered me more traditional, investigating balance, footwork, throws and holds, like in this book, then you have a firm foundation on which to build strong submission grappling skills. It's pretty good and a nice addition to gracie's work for BJJ practitioners. If you were a judo traditionalist (unlike me), I imagine it would be indispensible without question. So either way, you can't go wrong.
Rating:
Summary: complete
Review: Very good. I go to a grappling heavy school, and initially over-emphasized the gracie books (which are quite good). My sensei steered me more traditional, investigating balance, footwork, throws and holds, like in this book, then you have a firm foundation on which to build strong submission grappling skills. It's pretty good and a nice addition to gracie's work for BJJ practitioners. If you were a judo traditionalist (unlike me), I imagine it would be indispensible without question. So either way, you can't go wrong.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Handbook and Reference
Review: What this book does offer is a marvellously large collection of (fair-good) images of the major moves in Judo. It is a prized reference book, and will do well to remind a practitioner of the basics while off of the mat. One wishes there were more detail on some of the fundamental techniques, with close-ups on hold-patterns or throw techniques; unfortunately, there are none. There is scant covering of any combination maneuvers which prove to be so helpful.In any event, the content that is present covers a significant amount of throws, holds, sacrifices, and other techniques.
Rating:
Summary: More important than ever before!
Review: With the contemporary emphasis of using unorthodox methods for the mere winning of medals in koka Judo tournaments by both the Europeans and Americans, and with their concurrent introduction of non-Judo technique into the international arena in a 'win-at-all-costs' attitude, the book KODOKAN JUDO by the founding genius Dr. Jigoro Kano has become more important than ever as a baseline and standard for which 'Modern' Judo is to be gauged and, hopefully, corrected. KODOKAN JUDO covers every aspect of Judo from its inception through 10th dan with an explanation for each progression: the reason for etiquette; an explanation of ukemi; the purpose of uchi komi; the need for randori; the absolute necessity of kata; Judo self defense methods; and basic first aid - all in terms to promote maximum efficiency. KODOKAN JUDO also contains historical photographs of advanced Judo players and past masters, including Dr. Jigoro Kano himself, demonstrating all the nage waza found in the Gokyo No Waza; all the hold downs in Katame-Waza; and all of Judo's Atemi-Waza (striking & kicking techniques). Judo contains a number of self defense methods against the knife, sword, kicks, and punches, contained in detailed photographs in KODOKAN JUDO which are totally over-looked in today's Judo books emphasizing mere tournament play. KODOKAN JUDO is the essential book for the dedicated Judoka to study for dan advancement; to answer questions on why one should learn a particular technique or a kata; and to clear up any misconceptions which might develop because of tournament. Within its tenets are the standards established by the founder for which Judo is meant to be practised; the ratio is - Randori: 80%; Kata: 17%; and Shiai: 3%. The reduction of contest to 3% of the Judo repetoire was intentional, since Judo was invented by Dr. Kano as a lifelong methodology to improve the human character and not just a sport for the petty pursuit of trophies. There is a ... to change Judo under the euphemism of 'Evolution'; but evolution is a process which also leads to extinction. To overemphasize one aspect of Judo (such as tournament play) diminishes Judo in it entirety, and the founder makes this perfectly clear this was not his intent in his tome.
Judo is in danger of possibly becoming extinct by the Europeans and Americans! KODOKAN JUDO by Dr. Jigoro Kano has been elevated to the most important book on the subject as the unimpeachable standard in today's climate of the manipulation of Judo for Olympic political leverage against the Japanese custodianship of Dr. Kano's legacy.
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