Karate: The Art of Empty Self

Rating:
Summary: not to beat a dead horse
Review: Having thought about it further, Doyle's book is a farcical misrepresentation. Here's why:

Funakoshi emphasized:

"You must be deadly serious in your training. When I say that, I do not mean that you should be reasonably diligent or moderately in earnest. I mean that your opponent must always be present in your mind, whether you sit or stand or walk or raise your arms. Should you in combat strike a karate blow, you must have no doubt whatsoever that that one blow decides everything."

Karate-Do: My Way of Life; Funakoshi Gichin, pp. 105. Kodansha, 1975

His words are located precisely in the section of his book called "IMPORTANT POINTS." And you guessed it; that statement is point #1.

Rating:
Summary: Who is Steve Sukido???
Review: I read the "review" Steve Sukido and I wonder what his motive is of slamming this great book Karate-The Art of Empty Self? Dr.Werster-Doyle's book apprently tweaked the intellictual nose of Mr. Sukido for I think that his "review" is very far out of line. It is unfortunate that just an unfair, totally biased remark can exist without having someone to challenge it. I guess that there is always the malcontent that has to take out his frustrations in writing. I suggest to Mr. Sukido that he himself try to write a better book! Please judge for your self by reading Karate-The Art of Empty Self.

Rating:
Summary: Who is Steve Sukido???
Review: I read the "review" Steve Sukido and I wonder what his motive is of slamming this great book Karate-The Art of Empty Self? Dr.Werster-Doyle's book apprently tweaked the intellictual nose of Mr. Sukido for I think that his "review" is very far out of line. It is unfortunate that just an unfair, totally biased remark can exist without having someone to challenge it. I guess that there is always the malcontent that has to take out his frustrations in writing. I suggest to Mr. Sukido that he himself try to write a better book! Please judge for your self by reading Karate-The Art of Empty Self.

Rating:
Summary: The basic primer on the Art of Karate
Review: I think that this is probably the most important book on the Art of Karate outside of the ones written by Funakoshi himself! I think that it may challenge many "traditional" students of the martial arts because it takes the martial art out of the limited confines of the authority of the ""Great Grand Masters" and puts it into the hands of the "average person" and in so doing makes this art come alive. If you want to think for yourself and not be told what you should think and how, then this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: The basic primer on the Art of Karate
Review: I think that this is probably the most important book on the Art of Karate outside of the ones written by Funakoshi himself! I think that it may challenge many "traditional" students of the martial arts because it takes the martial art out of the limited confines of the authority of the ""Great Grand Masters" and puts it into the hands of the "average person" and in so doing makes this art come alive. If you want to think for yourself and not be told what you should think and how, then this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Find your own peace
Review: I've read numerous martial arts books and articles and found The Art of Empty Self a refreshing and thought-provoking change of pace from the usual. Not a history or biography book, not a personal journey or even a narrative, this is a collection of insights and observations --some pages are only one or two sentences long-- which would be helpful to any true student of martial arts. I feel that I could read this book again every year and find something new speaking to me!

The strident objections given in the other review are actually amusing considering the advice given throughout the book.

Rating:
Summary: a thought-provoking tool for understanding self defense
Review: the previous reviewer arrests his attention on a single sticking point that is quite irrelevant to the integrity and premise of the main text (his bone of contention rests solely within the brief introduction). Karate: The Art of Empty Self is not a missive on martial theory, nor is it an extrapolation of other men's understanding of the matter. rather the book is comprised of a series of brief and stark perceptions about the grossly misunderstood subject of self defense. formatted in an effective, reader-friendly manner, this book does not purport to educate, but instead invites the reader to interact with its content in order to gain an evolved understanding of the true nature of self defense. and as the previous reviewer discovered, its elegant, clever design ensures that nothing is revealed to the reader that he or she isn't prepared to perceive.

highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: For the intelligent, free thinking student of Karate
Review: This intelligent book explores the roots of conflict in everyday living. I think it is the most imformative and practical book I have read on the martial arts for it makes you think for yourself. Most books of this sort are either just arrogant diatribes on the history of the martial arts and who's style is the best or who's teacher is related to what great, great grandmaster. This unique book is very valuable because it brings the essence of the art of karate to the average person so they can see how it can apply to their daily life. It should be read by every student of the martial arts regardless of style of type of martial arts practiced.

Rating:
Summary: For the intelligent, free thinking student of Karate
Review: This intelligent book explores the roots of conflict in everyday living. I think it is the most imformative and practical book I have read on the martial arts for it makes you think for yourself. Most books of this sort are either just arrogant diatribes on the history of the martial arts and who's style is the best or who's teacher is related to what great, great grandmaster. This unique book is very valuable because it brings the essence of the art of karate to the average person so they can see how it can apply to their daily life. It should be read by every student of the martial arts regardless of style of type of martial arts practiced.

Rating:
Summary: Best Adult book on real intent of karate!
Review: This is by far the best book I have ever read on Karate! It explores the basic root of conflict in kara-te, of "empty self." I think that it might upset the traditional students of karate who are the intellectual fundamentalists that think that no one outside of Funakoshi himself could ever write an intelligent book on this subject. With due respect to Funakoshi, this wonderful book of Dr. Webster-Doyle's breaks the conventional bonds of the martial arts to examine their real worth in everday living. A must read.