Center: The Power of Aikido

Rating:
Summary: Simplicity with Depth
Review: I have studied aikido for more than 2 years, and have read many books on the subject. This is among the best I have seen. It may whet someone's appetite for aikido if they have not previously practised, but its greatest value is to those who are actively practising aikido. It provides few details of specific techniques (which are very difficult to convey accurately in written form anyway), but discusses with great clarity the main aikido principles. The value of this is that it allows one to develop an understanding of those aspects of training one should pay attention to in order to improve. One can concentrate on only one, or at most two aspects of a technique while it is being practised. Meyer and Reeder guide the student in choosing the important aspects to attend to. One can move from book to training and back again repeatedly, creating a deepening spiral of understanding over time. Simple concepts can be understood on an intellectural level quickly, and yet take a lifetime to embody. If the practitioner uses his or her attention wisely in developing the correct 'feel' for aikido, a competent instructor can easily correct the technical problems that always occur. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Verbose
Review: I was very disappointed with this book. It just goes on and on talking in abstract terms. There are no pictures or diagrams, just a lot of mystical stuff disguised in technical terms. Maybe somebody with advanced experience could sense what these guys were talking about, but I couldn't.

Rating:
Summary: Superb resource for more experienced aikido students
Review: Reeder and Meyer have put together an excellent resource for more individuals who have been studying aikido for several years. Rather than discussing individual techniques, the authors focus on general principles that are applicable to a wide range of aikido techniques. While I agree with an earlier reviewer that the question and answer format does get a little tedious by the end, the book remains extremely clear throughout.

As the cover states, the book is based on studies with Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei; both Reeder and Meyer have been students of Ikeda Sensei for a number of years. Having seen Ikeda Sensei myself at over a dozen seminars and camps, I found this book to be a wonderful printed summary of Sensei's teachings. That makes the book even more valuable, as it can be used quite effectively as a way to continue working on the principles Ikeda Sensei stresses in his seminars long after you've seen him in person.

I've read the book twice in its entirety over the past two years, glanced at it for specific things numerous times, and will probably start my third cover to cover reading soon. This is one of the most valuable and useful books in my library.

Rating:
Summary: No Nonsense Aikido
Review: This is an outstanding book. It is very clearly written. Section One gives clear and useful insights into power. Section Two provides an interesting perspective on applications of power.

The question and answer format becomes tedious by the end. However, the content starts out strongly and continues until the last sentence.

An important additon to any serious student's library.