Rating: 
Summary: Wow..!
Review: As an Aikido "newbie", who joined and left various Aikido Dojos for a few good years now ... I found this book to be an EXCELLENT source about Aikido. It covers EVERYTHING new students would want to know, plus ALMOST everything a veteran would like to know (Aikido, after all, has a LOT of variations and moves..). It covers the philosophy of Aikido, the History of Aikido, the etiquette of Aikido, and of course, the Art itself. The whole book is full with -lovely- illustrations that are great to look at, especially at all the techniques covered in this book.Anyhow, I've done some research before purchasing this book, and I firmly believe this is one of the greatest, if not the best, books you can read about Aikido.
Rating:
Summary: Top quality work
Review: Great book, great presentation -- although the only way of improving your skill is through the practice, this book may well help you to get more out of it. One aspect where this book soars above all the rest of the martial arts literature is that it's extremely well balanced -- along with more technical "how-to" sections (which are brilliant in their own right) it provides plenty of background to more general principles, origins of different techniques and even some philosophy behind it all. Usually it's either one or another, but "Dynamic Sphere" really gives you the best of both worlds. And it is THICK :). My only complaint about the book is something that other readers might actually very much like -- I really wish the authors would have resisted the temptation of inventing their own westernized system of classifying the techniques. It is all very confusing to figure out that 'immobilisation no. 3 against attack no. so-and-so' is in fact "katatedori sankyo" as it's taught in the dojo. Curiously, they have chosen to retain 'irimi' and 'tenkan', instead of substituting them with 'inner' and 'outer', though.
Rating:
Summary: UNBEATABLE INTRODUCTION TO AIKIDO
Review: 1. Read this book twice. 2. Underline all the important stuff. 3. Mull over the stuff you don't understand immediately. It will become clear in time. 4. Don't be too concerned with the slightly old-fashioned tone of the authors. 5. Look at the average number of stars for this book: 5. 6. Tell your friends to buy it! 7. Now read it again.
Rating:
Summary: The absolute best book on Aikido: Technique and Spirit
Review: If you ever wanted to learn about Aikido (what is means and "how to do it") this is THE book. A veritable textbook on the art. When I studied Aikido in Japan, I learned so much through the teaching method of, as my instructor said, "learn and forget". It would have helped me understand much sooner if I had had Westbrook and Ratti's book to help me understand what I lived everyday in the dojo. Not a substitute for live teaching, of course but an invaluable compliment.
Rating:
Summary: Best guide, great illustrations
Review: This book would get five stars if only for the terrific illustrations. I've looked at a lot of martial arts books over the years, being an instructor myself, and this one is a stand-out for the clear and easy to understand illustrations. The main projections and their applications are shown, along with their variations. This is one book where the line drawings are easier to follow and understand than a photo sequence would be. The illustrator (I think that was O. Ratti) is to be commended for the great job he did on this. The only other book I've seen like this was a little book published 30 years ago, "Self-Defense Simplified in Pictures," by Donald Hepler. This book is now long out of print but had similarly effective line drawings.
Rating:
Summary: Aikido Text Book
Review: If you wish to learn the art of Aikido and could only have one book; this would be it. It is effectively illustrated, better than photos. From history and theory, dojo etiquette and fundamental techniques of defense...all is covered. This book will give you broad overview of the mental and spiritual underpinnings of Aikido as a whole. Must have this book in every library.
Rating: 
Summary: As thorough as it gets outside a Dojo
Review: Though I am not an Aikido practicioner I have been involved in Martial Arts for most of my life and most of the instructional books available simply do not convey the necessary information in any usable way. Ratti and Westbrook took the time to make this as thorough as posible and it is the finest instructional manual for any Martial Art that I have ever seen. However, like all books, videos etc. I only reccomend this material to someone with a strong Martial Arts background.
Rating:
Summary: QUITE SIMPLY, THE VERY BEST AIKIDO BOOK EVER!!!
Review: Ever since age, 5; I've been an absolutely avid collector of martial arts books; believe me, I've collected tons; honestly, this one is 'THE BEST!' I brought this book when I was aged, 14/I'm now aged, 36. I go back and refer to this book, at least, once, for every single fortnight of my entire life! The book introduced me to the art of Aikido; it is, truly, the Aikido bible! Explaining Aikido on every possible level, techniques/history/philosophy. It, immediately, got me hooked on Aikido, forevermore. I used the think all martial arts were like beat em up/but, this book taught me, otherwise/martial arts is not about offence/but, self-defence, phsyical skill based on clear scientific principles/ furthermore, wisdom, deep spirituality; and, finally, enlightenment. I no longer want to beat up people; instead, I now wish only to save them!
Rating:
Summary: This Book is a Great Buy
Review: Although I am a student of Tomiki Aikido the kata in the book iseasily adaptable from the ones tought to me. The book is a wonderfullreference of both the spiritual and the pratical parts of the art of Aikido. This book is a wonderfull supplement for any student wishing to gain a better understanding of the art.
Rating:
Summary: The best in Aikido!
Review: I foud this book to be the most informative book on Aikido on the market. It has many easy to follow illistrations, and it goes into explaination that other books on Aikido don't even touch on. This is by far the best Aikido book out there!
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