Customer Reviews: Read 74 more reviews...
 Simply a great book July 1, 2008
B. Zaman (New York, NY)
This book is fantastic. I have had it for many years and feel the need to write a review finally. The pictures are very clear and easy to understand. The subject matter starts with easy and then guides you seamlessly into the advanced. A wonderful, wonderful guide to the art.
 Comprehensive Overview for the Beginner June 28, 2008
V. K. Lin (Eugene, OR United States)
Although I do not actively practice aikido, I am an active, experienced martial artist. My current obsession is the Chinese internal martial arts. That being said, this was an interesting book for me.
I'd have to agree that this book is best for the beginner. It goes into significant detail about aikido history, traditions, etiquette, and concepts as well as philosophy. Very detailed!
It was interesting, because despite all that detail, once the techniques section started, it got very rudimentary. The explanations became somewhat superficial-- do this, switch to this, move this foot. Nothing about intention, energy, or key elements to the technique. The drawings were pleasing, and useful, again, for the generalized movement. No focus on key details like hand positioning, intention, etcetera. Which is something that drawings would be especially useful for, in lieu of photographs.
I guess my frustration is that coming at it from a different martial art style, I wanted more aikido concepts embedded in the explanation of the techniques. "As you are turning here you are joining centers, then projecting him this way off you back foot or whatever" was never in evidence. Which surprised me given the detail that went into defining the "aikido sphere" in the early parts of the book.
It's kind of an examination review manual, this book. The authors have a beautiful chart that list all the techniques, classifying them in all sorts of ways, and attributing them to all sorts of levels of advancement. If ever I have to take a written test on aikido, I'm set. Unfortunately...
Conceptually, I was disappointed in this book. But I was expecting something different. This is, ultimately, a techniques review book, not necessarily for an experienced practitioner looking for insights on refinement or internal development.
Excellent Over of Aiki Principles & Techniques May 19, 2008
Brian Petula (Factoryville, PA United States)
I highly recommend this book for any person studying or contemplating the study of Aikido. It provides an excellent overview of the art's basic principles and techniques. The illustrations are outstanding and often show the flow of techniques better than photographs.
Excellent background and dynamic drawings, a must for your library if you are a practitioner! April 26, 2008
Jose C. Amram (altamonte spgs, fl United States)
Having just started training in Aikido, I needed a few books to give me the proper background. If one is to own just one, this would be it. There is a lot of ritual in Aikido, and some of it I do not care for, but overall, I believe this to be a very good self defense system, which can be modulated in intensity to correspond to the ferocity of the attacker's energy and intent. The drawings and explanations are very clear, while the theory and tradition is not overwhelming. Highly recommended!
The best Aikido book I have ever read. January 31, 2008
Jason Barnhart (NYC, NY USA)
I first read this book in 1989 when I started studying Aikido. It was more than useful as a beginning student and continued to be useful through my progression into teaching over the years to come. I recently moved across country and wasn't able to pack much. This book was one item I left behind. I am returning to Aikido after a three year recovery from an auto accident and even though I have my original copy in story I am happy to be shopping for a second.
One of the most important aspects of Aikido is transcending the techniques and grapsing the underlying theory. This book certainly helps.
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