Rating: 
Summary: Even Better the Second Time
Review: I picked this book up a couple of years ago, read through it, and put it on the shelf with my hundred or so other books on the martial arts. After recently reading Scott Shaw's, "The Tao of Self Defense," I decided to take another look at it. I really enjoyed it the second time. As a Korean martial art stylist for virtually my entire life, what I really appreciate about this book is that it exactingly describes each Traditional Hapkido technique which is demonstrated in its photo illustrations. From this, the reader is allowed to gain a deeper understanding of how to actually peform each self defense application. The other books I have seen, and own, on Hapkido do not do this. They are mostly just filled with photos. Though this book has numerous photos, as well, the detailed description of each technique is what really sets this book apart. I would love to see a second volume.
Rating: 
Summary: FOR BEGINNERS
Review: I THINK THAT THIS BOOK IS ONLY FOR BEGINNERS IN THIS MARTIAL AR
Rating: 
Summary: This book is basic and lacks any intermediate techniques.
Review: If you don't know how to kick and have never thrown before - this book is for you. If you are currently taking hapkido lessons, are beyond your first couple of belts and want to supplement your master's curriculum - I wouldn't reccomend this book. Mr Shaw makes some broad statements about the history of Hapkido which may not be supported by the entire Hapkido community. However, Mr Shaw provides a very knowledgeable account of Korean history and lots of clear photographs.
Rating:
Summary: Good but tough to perform alone
Review: Like most books on self-defense, Hapkido by Scott Shaw comes off as extremely difficult if you're a solitary practitioner. I recommend buying this book if 1) you're enrolled in a program and need a little extra practice, or 2) you have a sparring partner. This may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised at how many people don't realize this. As far as the philosophy goes, he does have a good intro section detailing the birth and rise of Hapkido. His breathing meditations can't be beat, as I have used them in everything from relaxing to preparing for a test. Pick it up if you so please, but be forewarned.
Rating:
Summary: Good but tough to perform alone
Review: Like most books on self-defense, Hapkido by Scott Shaw comes off as extremely difficult if you're a solitary practitioner. I recommend buying this book if 1) you're enrolled in a program and need a little extra practice, or 2) you have a sparring partner. This may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised at how many people don't realize this. As far as the philosophy goes, he does have a good intro section detailing the birth and rise of Hapkido. His breathing meditations can't be beat, as I have used them in everything from relaxing to preparing for a test. Pick it up if you so please, but be forewarned.
Rating: 
Summary: Un buen libro de Hapkido
Review: Muy buen trabajo de hapkido.Pienso que deberia ser mas detallado en las explicaciones tecnicas. Ademas, se debe tener un conocimiento amplio de Artes Marciales para tener el maximo provecho de este libro.
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource
Review: The history of Hapkido and the Korean martial arts presented in this book, by itself, is well worth its very low... price tag. But, more than just an amazingly honest and revealing history section, something no other book on Hapkido presents, and I have read them all, Shaw details little known Hapkido Ki development exercises, energy coordination understandings, and numerous self defense techniques. Again, making this book well worth its low price. Like many of us in the martial arts, I am an avid reader and have read numerous articles by Scott Shaw which have appeared in the various martial art magazines: Black Belt, Inside Karate, Taekwondo Times, etc., etc., etc. I think this book is a great introduction and necessary resource to Hapkido. But, from his articles, I know that his publishers must have held him back and limited this books content as he has so much more to teach on the subject. I would love to see a larger, more complete, volume on Hapkido written by Scott Shaw. Because, as has been proven, there are few, if any, Westerners who possess the intimate knowledge of Hapkido which he holds.
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource
Review: The history of Hapkido and the Korean martial arts presented in this book, by itself, is well worth its very low... price tag. But, more than just an amazingly honest and revealing history section, something no other book on Hapkido presents, and I have read them all, Shaw details little known Hapkido Ki development exercises, energy coordination understandings, and numerous self defense techniques. Again, making this book well worth its low price. Like many of us in the martial arts, I am an avid reader and have read numerous articles by Scott Shaw which have appeared in the various martial art magazines: Black Belt, Inside Karate, Taekwondo Times, etc., etc., etc. I think this book is a great introduction and necessary resource to Hapkido. But, from his articles, I know that his publishers must have held him back and limited this books content as he has so much more to teach on the subject. I would love to see a larger, more complete, volume on Hapkido written by Scott Shaw. Because, as has been proven, there are few, if any, Westerners who possess the intimate knowledge of Hapkido which he holds.
Rating:
Summary: Very Revealing
Review: The self defense techniques in this book are very well illustrated. Mostly, what I found exceptional is the historic truth that Master Shaw provided in detailing the history of the Korean martial arts and particularlly Hapkido. It really made me understand many things that as a history buff I had previously questioned about Hapkido.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for beginners!
Review: This book is the perfect answer for those who want to know about Hapkido. Buy it now!
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