Aikido

Rating:
Summary: like new
Review: book was delivered on time and was like new. is very good source for for a beginner of aikido, explains basic moves,and advanced, philosophy and history behind the art.

Rating:
Summary: good book with not-so-good pictures
Review: I found this book an excellent source and a good introduction for Akikdo. There are several techniques in the book, accompanied by very clear and concise verbal explanation. The only thing I don't like is the quality of the pictures. Most of them are too dark and too small. It is difficult to see the exact hands position in the picture. If you are an experience Aikido practitioner, you probably can guess what they are doing and how to place your hands in certain technique. If not, it's hard to see the subtle point of the technique.

Of course, even the best book is not a substitution of a real practice with a good teacher, but good books can help you a lot. I think this book is a good reference for a seasoned Aikidoka, but for a beginner or a general audience (like me) who needs more accurate description and illustration of teachniques, two books by Mr. Gozo Shioda are much easier to follow.

Rating:
Summary: An aikido book that requires a new edition.
Review: I have various versions of this book and have never thought that it adequately reflected what Kisshomaru Ueshiba could really teach us about aikido. There are techniques that one would not usually found taught in many North American dojo, and a heavy emphasis on the Japanese terminology that accompany them. These facts make the book a valuable addition to any martial artist's library. Some minor editing mistakes and the lack of a personal approach to aikido by the author make it also one of the least motivating books on aikido I have read. Hopefully the Doshu (Ueshiba) will have the book edited at least one again, and will accompany the current text with some more personalized reflections of what aikido has meant to him personally.

Rating:
Summary: The Aikido Doshu talks about his father's art.
Review: Kisshomaru Ueshiba is the son of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the founder of Aikido, and is the current Aikido Doshu (Master of the Way) and head of the Aikikkai organization.
The book is intended to be a help to beginners and explains basic things like breakfalls, stances, basic techniques and even goes as far as showing some unarmed defenses to attacks from jo and ken (stick and sword).
It also includes a chapter on the life of O-Sensei and how he came to create Aikido. A very interesting reading.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to understand, philosophy and technique of Aikido!
Review: Quite simply one of the finest Aikido texts available. From basic principles, to specific techniques, to philosophy and history, this book has it all. Nothing can replace study in a dojo, but this book makes the difference detween doing and understanding what you are doing. Also see "Principles of Aikido" by Saotome Sensei.

Rating:
Summary: Good for Aikidokas who have begun training
Review: This is my very first book in Aikido (or any martial art for that matter). I wasn't a practitioner then and I didn't have a clue what was transpiring in between the pages. However, the book is a great reference for me when I started training because it helped me identify and remember the movements I had picked up during class. That came in really handy during grading. I like the footwork and handwork illustrations, although the translation and explanations lack detail. But a great book to have nonetheless.