Rating: 
Summary: The Complete Idiot'sGuide to Karate
Review: Randy Hassell is the best karate writer in America today. Ed Otis is the foremost Shotokan instructor of his generation. Together they have written the most comprehensive, most readable, most USEFUL karate manual ever.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than I expected
Review: This book is a holistic (though somewhat Shotokan-centric) basic primer on karate. The authors wax verbose at odd times and prattle off too many bad puns (e.g., "dressed to kill" re: uniforms) yet the information really is pretty good. It covers everything from finding a school to properly wearing the uniform to basic techniques (e.g., stances, punches, kicks). Succinctly covers topics such as ranking, terminology, weapon forms, self-defense, tournaments, and sparring as well. The illustrations are excellent yet the explanations are often too brief for those who would like to understand not only what, buy why. For example, the index on safety tips contains enough gems that it probably have been expanded into a whole chapter. The "Sensei Says" summaries and "Ouch" safety tips are colorful, well done, and facilitate absorption of essential knowledge. Overall I'd recommend this book for beginners and those considering karate training. If you've been doing this for a while it's probably too elementary.
Lawrence Kane
Author of Martial Arts Instruction: Applying Educational Theory and Communication Techniques in the Dojo
Rating:
Summary: Warm and funny
Review: This book is warm and funny. It has great pictures! The authors really know what they are talking about. BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: Describes the Basics Clearly
Review: This book not only covers what karate's history and traditions are, but how the basics are performed, and how they should be performed. The book also describes JKA shotokan requirements for each level up to shodan black belt. This book is a must for every traditonal japanese karate-do practioner.
Rating:
Summary: Aka The Dojo for Dummies
Review: When it comes to Karate, I am a complete idiot. I have a white belt, which essentially means I have mastered elementary bowing. So when I saw this title, it was a natural. And I really like it. It is quite user friendly, filled with humor, written well, and fully illustrated with drawings and photos.If you have absolutely no experience with karate, and, like me, you are simply wondering if taking up karate is right for you, this is a great start. The introductory chapters are basic introductions to this martial art - from ettiquitte at the Dojo, to what a Dojo is (the place karate is taught and practiced); from the benefits of self defense, to who can succeed at this martial art (and the answer is, you guessed it, almost anyone! ...even me...); from the history of the martial art, to the hierarchy of belts and grading; from a glossary of terms and phrases, to the basics of competitions and sparring. This book has everything for the beginner.... from kata to kumite. Then again, this book is written by experts in the field, so even advanced belts and experts can benefit from this guide. My significant other, who has practiced karate for 23 years, also enjoys it; I have caught him reading it on several occassions. But do not worry, oh fellow white belts, it is also written so that anyone can understand it. Even me. My favorite part of this book is the "Sensei says" sections. These are user friendly tips and tidbits - in cartoon form - that anyone and everyone should know when starting out. I have even started my own personal list of these for myself, and posted them on my fridge. They are not as good as those included in this guide, and are even more basic... such as "Sensei says do not practice karate in the bathtub..." and "Sensei says do not do karate while operating a motor vehicle..." But then again, I am the complete idiot when it come to this stuff.
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