TKD Books/Magazines to read?

[TKDMitch]

As this book is so directly relevant to all Ch'ang Hon practitioners (ITF, TAGB and other ITF-style TKD practitioners), and represents something not previously available, I've decided to write a more detailed review than normal. Let me state in advance that I have no connection with the author, indeed I Instruct for a rival association. If you can't be bothered with the details, skip to the Summary at the end.

Ch'ang Hon Taekwon-do Hae Sul, by Stuart Anslow 359pp, A4, softback, £24.99

Those familiar with the work of Iain Abernethy will have some idea of the major content of this book. Breaking patterns down and seeking more realistic applications for movements or sequences of movements has been an increasingly popular and, I believe, important movement in Karate for several years. Unfortunately there has been nothing similar for TKD, until now.

Contents
CHTKDHS begins with a chapter on the background and history of TKD. Nothing terribly controversial here, but some interesting info nonetheless and things all practitioners should know.

The following chapters include:

• Debunking Taekwon-do myths (eg "TKD is all about kicks")
• How TKD movements develop power and specifically how some common movements differ from Karate
• Research Sources for new applications
• How and at what grade to teach new applications
• General principles on researching new applications
• Basic TKD movements and how they can be applied in a wider context.

There follow chapters on each pattern, Sajo Jirugi up to Toi Gye. I'm not going to detail much on these as the applications need studying and practicing, but as a general rule each chapter includes:

• Clear photolayout of the pattern
• 3 or 4 pages of background on the pattern meaning and history.
• Applications to movements profusely illustrated with photsequences.
• Alternative Applications, which fit less easily into the flow of the pattern or the analytical method the author has used, but are useful nonetheless.
• Each pattern is covered in 15-30 pages, so a lot of detail.

The book concludes with a chapter rounding everything up, then a series of notes and appendices, covering everything from Ki to Sinewave to tables of which techniques occur where in the patterns.

There is even the URL for a website for continuing discussion of the book with the author!

What I Like
The background chapters contain some real gems of information and a good general background to TKD. For those outside TKD they should go a long way to destroying the negative stereotypes of our art. As a practitioner I found much of interest here.

The Chapters on the patterns themselves show some excellent applications for the movements. Many are restoring the grappling and close quarters aspects of TKD that have been lost to some extent over the years. Those who have attended seminars on this sort of thing will be familiar with these ideas; but to have so many, in such detail and so clearly illustrated with photographs makes for an invaluable resource.

As always, there are some applications that I don't particularly agree with and some that seem to me as unrealistic as the interpretations in the ITF manual. However there are a handful of these, compared to literally hundreds of other intersting and useful movements. Frankly, if you agree with everything in a book of this nature you're not thinking about the interpretations sufficiently for yourself!

Finally, the extra information on each pattern, over and above the standard meanings learnt by most practitioners, makes for an excellent read. Coupled with the introductory section and the Appendices they make this much more than just an applications manual.

Similar books have been written on Karate Kata, so will this add anything if you already have them? Yes, as it is written specifically with TKD movements in mind, so requires no "translation" when Karate movements differ from ours and so would not work in a TKD context.

As a comparison, this does a similar job as books such as Karate's Grappling Methods, but specifically for TKD, in more detail and with a huge amount of background added. And that is not a criticism of Mr Abernethy's excellent book, more an appreciation of the sheer amount of work which must have gone into this.

What I Don't Like
I used to be an English teacher, so grammatical errors annoy me more than they probably should. The opening chapters especially seem to suffer from typos and grammatical problems. There is nothing that interferes with the meaning of the text, and many may not bother most people at all. If a chapter called "Where's the Applications?" doesn't upset you, you'll have no issues with the proof reading, but I am a little disappointed by it.

Interestingly enough, these typos are much less frequent in the pattern application chapters.

The photography is all black and white, which tends to give an overall "school textbook" appearance. Though always clear, some of the photos would look better at a higher reolution. Colour would of course add significantly to the cost and is understandably not always possible in more limited print runs, but I'm reviewing from the viewpoint of what would be my ideal.

Finally, there are some 20 pages in the appendices devoted to photos and details of the author's Association and his own School. I suppose one can't argue with a little self-promotion and it could be argued that it's more about establishing credibility, but this sort of material will be flicked through once then left unused in the future.

Summary
My gripes are based on production costs, proof-reading and a small amount of promotional material. Valid points (for me) but minor.

What I am hugely impressed by is the scope and detail of the research involved here. The research of the applications themselves alone must have been a massive undertaking, but then the additional material takes this beyond being just a book of interpretations of patterns and into something so much more. The clear presentation through description and lavish use of photographs makes for an easy-to-follow guide which will be of interest to all stylists and deeply enrich and inform the training of all Ch'ang Hon practitioners.

Mitch
2nd Dan TAGB
That's right, don't read his stuff about his association, join the TAGB, join the TAGB...

[Thomas]

Nice review... thank you.

[kwang gae]

:: Climbs back up on Soap Box ::

Originally Posted by kwang gae

Ok, so is it just me or has Taekwondo Times magazine gone downhill in content since the new publisher took over? Seems like it should be called Hapkido Times these days.

:: Climbs off Soap Box ::

and now get this!

from Sid on Dojang Digest
Some of you read the article I wrote for Taekwondo Times several months ago entitled Crisis in the Kukkiwon. I wrote about how some masters ripped off students, how some fees were excessively high and how we might correct the situation. I did receive a few negative e-mails from some masters indicating that I created an impression that fraud was widespread. I certainly didn't say that, but impressions can be formed from anything. The overwhelming response was that scores of e-mails came in in support of that article. At any rate, Taekwondo Times is under new ownership and that ownership decided to ban all future articles from me for life (their words). Agree or not, a ban for life is a bit excessive don't you think? Nevertheless, I'll write elsewhere.

So there's another reason I'm upset with the new direction of TKD Times! I'd just like to find a replacement.
:: Climbs back off Soap Box ::

[mcmillintkd]

TKD Times seems to be preaching to the choir. All the wonderful things about TKD and what it can do for you. Fine. I am not against that but for the entire magazine to be that is a little redundant. The TKD and Korean Martial Arts magazine from the UK is good but a little pricey for my student wages.

I cannot recommend the Ch'ang Hon book enough. This has quickly become my favorite TKD book and quite possible my favorite martial arts book. If you practice TKD then you should own this book whether you do the Ch'ang Hon forms or not.

[kwang gae]

Originally Posted by mcmillintkd

I cannot recommend the Ch'ang Hon book enough. This has quickly become my favorite TKD book and quite possible my favorite martial arts book. If you practice TKD then you should own this book whether you do the Ch'ang Hon forms or not.

We need an America publisher to step up to the plate and print Stuart's book over here as well, so it's affordable on this side of the pond.

Anybody?

[StuartA]

Fair review thanks.

There are a couple of things I'm itcing to expand on but I wont and will leave that to others if they feel they want to, though I would like to point out that where he mentions "author's Association" and devoted pages to it, it is in fact not a reference to any one TKD organistion (the book is non-biased and there for everyone), but a reference about IAOMAS (which doesnt compete against any org as its a different thing altogethor). I just dont want anyone thinking the book promotes a certain TKD organistion when its not the case, Im sure we`ve all had enough of the politics for one lifetime - thanks

Cheers all,

Stuart

Ps. So that means join whom ever you like and dont listen to his Ps. LOL

Originally Posted by TKDMitch

As this book is so directly relevant to all Ch'ang Hon practitioners (ITF, TAGB and other ITF-style TKD practitioners), and represents something not previously available, I've decided to write a more detailed review than normal. Let me state in advance that I have no connection with the author, indeed I Instruct for a rival association. If you can't be bothered with the details, skip to the Summary at the end.

Ch'ang Hon Taekwon-do Hae Sul, by Stuart Anslow 359pp, A4, softback, £24.99

Those familiar with the work of Iain Abernethy will have some idea of the major content of this book. Breaking patterns down and seeking more realistic applications for movements or sequences of movements has been an increasingly popular and, I believe, important movement in Karate for several years. Unfortunately there has been nothing similar for TKD, until now.

Contents
CHTKDHS begins with a chapter on the background and history of TKD. Nothing terribly controversial here, but some interesting info nonetheless and things all practitioners should know.

The following chapters include:

• Debunking Taekwon-do myths (eg "TKD is all about kicks")
• How TKD movements develop power and specifically how some common movements differ from Karate
• Research Sources for new applications
• How and at what grade to teach new applications
• General principles on researching new applications
• Basic TKD movements and how they can be applied in a wider context.

There follow chapters on each pattern, Sajo Jirugi up to Toi Gye. I'm not going to detail much on these as the applications need studying and practicing, but as a general rule each chapter includes:

• Clear photolayout of the pattern
• 3 or 4 pages of background on the pattern meaning and history.
• Applications to movements profusely illustrated with photsequences.
• Alternative Applications, which fit less easily into the flow of the pattern or the analytical method the author has used, but are useful nonetheless.
• Each pattern is covered in 15-30 pages, so a lot of detail.

The book concludes with a chapter rounding everything up, then a series of notes and appendices, covering everything from Ki to Sinewave to tables of which techniques occur where in the patterns.

There is even the URL for a website for continuing discussion of the book with the author!

What I Like
The background chapters contain some real gems of information and a good general background to TKD. For those outside TKD they should go a long way to destroying the negative stereotypes of our art. As a practitioner I found much of interest here.

The Chapters on the patterns themselves show some excellent applications for the movements. Many are restoring the grappling and close quarters aspects of TKD that have been lost to some extent over the years. Those who have attended seminars on this sort of thing will be familiar with these ideas; but to have so many, in such detail and so clearly illustrated with photographs makes for an invaluable resource.

As always, there are some applications that I don't particularly agree with and some that seem to me as unrealistic as the interpretations in the ITF manual. However there are a handful of these, compared to literally hundreds of other intersting and useful movements. Frankly, if you agree with everything in a book of this nature you're not thinking about the interpretations sufficiently for yourself!

Finally, the extra information on each pattern, over and above the standard meanings learnt by most practitioners, makes for an excellent read. Coupled with the introductory section and the Appendices they make this much more than just an applications manual.

Similar books have been written on Karate Kata, so will this add anything if you already have them? Yes, as it is written specifically with TKD movements in mind, so requires no "translation" when Karate movements differ from ours and so would not work in a TKD context.

As a comparison, this does a similar job as books such as Karate's Grappling Methods, but specifically for TKD, in more detail and with a huge amount of background added. And that is not a criticism of Mr Abernethy's excellent book, more an appreciation of the sheer amount of work which must have gone into this.

What I Don't Like
I used to be an English teacher, so grammatical errors annoy me more than they probably should. The opening chapters especially seem to suffer from typos and grammatical problems. There is nothing that interferes with the meaning of the text, and many may not bother most people at all. If a chapter called "Where's the Applications?" doesn't upset you, you'll have no issues with the proof reading, but I am a little disappointed by it.

Interestingly enough, these typos are much less frequent in the pattern application chapters.

The photography is all black and white, which tends to give an overall "school textbook" appearance. Though always clear, some of the photos would look better at a higher reolution. Colour would of course add significantly to the cost and is understandably not always possible in more limited print runs, but I'm reviewing from the viewpoint of what would be my ideal.

Finally, there are some 20 pages in the appendices devoted to photos and details of the author's Association and his own School. I suppose one can't argue with a little self-promotion and it could be argued that it's more about establishing credibility, but this sort of material will be flicked through once then left unused in the future.

Summary
My gripes are based on production costs, proof-reading and a small amount of promotional material. Valid points (for me) but minor.

What I am hugely impressed by is the scope and detail of the research involved here. The research of the applications themselves alone must have been a massive undertaking, but then the additional material takes this beyond being just a book of interpretations of patterns and into something so much more. The clear presentation through description and lavish use of photographs makes for an easy-to-follow guide which will be of interest to all stylists and deeply enrich and inform the training of all Ch'ang Hon practitioners.

Mitch
2nd Dan TAGB
That's right, don't read his stuff about his association, join the TAGB, join the TAGB...

[StuartA]

Originally Posted by mcmillintkd

I cannot recommend the Ch'ang Hon book enough. This has quickly become my favorite TKD book and quite possible my favorite martial arts book. If you practice TKD then you should own this book whether you do the Ch'ang Hon forms or not.

Many thanks for your kind comments,

Stuart

[StuartA]

Originally Posted by kwang gae

We need an America publisher to step up to the plate and print Stuart's book over here as well, so it's affordable on this side of the pond.

Anybody?

It is published in the US, just order via Amazon or any US book store!

Stuart

[StuartA]

Originally Posted by TKDMitch

Sajo Jirugi

Originally Posted by TKDMitch

I used to be an English teacher, so grammatical errors annoy me more than they probably should.

hee hee

[TKDMitch]

Originally Posted by StuartA

hee hee

Yeah, but no, but yeah, but no, but yeah....

BUT! Aha! TAGB spell it "Sajo" in their "White Belt to Yellow Belt" book so I'm going to claim victory!

This may be the result of them translating it in a midlands accent or something, but I'm willing to take it.

So

Cheers,
Mitch

PS: It should be, "Hee hee" not, "hee hee"

Pedantic-Mitch

PPS: It's still an excellent book, many congratulations.

PPS: StuartA is correct about the associations, IAOMAS are not rivals to TAGB, my bad and apologies to all. You should all still join TAGB though...

[kwang gae]

Originally Posted by StuartA

It is published in the US, just order via Amazon or any US book store!

Stuart

Cool! I thought it was only available in the U.K. and Europe.

Thanks Stuart!

[StuartA]

An interview appears in next months TKD&KMA magazine, about the book.

The magazine version has been edited , so you can read the full version online if you wish.

The link is: http://www.raynerslanetkd.com/Press/Press_2006.html

Regards,

Stuart

[wmks shogun]

I got my copy off Amazon a few days ago. It is a great book and just full of information. I have actually talked it up on another thread on here, but I will go ahead and say again, if you are ITF or ITF based, you should own this book. And yes, there are typos, but really, the important part is the information, which is well laid out and easily understood. Color photos would have been nice, but black and white works because they are of good quality. And the thing about the organization is about the IAOMAS, which is an international 'brotherhood' of martial arts schools. It costs nothing to join and just encourages martial artists of all styles to be respectful and learn from each other as well as offering temporary training facilities to travelling martial artists. This is just a quick overview, for more, check out the book or the website.

[kwang gae]

I got my copy in the mail a few days ago, and I'm still pouring over it, but I have to say so far it's a really great book!

It's well worth the money, and in fact I'll be ordering a 2nd copy for a Xmas gift for our senior instructor.

[TKDMitch]

Not a TKD book as such, but interesting and well put together is Bob Breen's A Path to Understanding Fighting, ISBN978-1905005-07-9.

Bob is a well respected JKD guy here in the UK.

I haven't finished it or begun to digest it all but what I have looked at seems clear, concise and interesting.

Waterstones in the UK have it for £9.99, reduced from its normal £14.99 at the moment.

Mitch