Average customer rating:
- Every Shotokan Karate-ka ought to be given this when they 1st join their club
- a fine book, recommendable
- Funakoshi Sensei Life in Karate Guide
- Interesting biography
- Karate-do My Way of Life by Ginchin Funakoshi
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Karate-Do: My Way of Life
Gichin Funakoshi
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0870114638 |
Book Description
Linking the time when karate was a strictly Okinawan art of self-defense shrouded in the deepest secrecy and the present day, when it has become a martial art practiced throughout the world, is Gichin Funakoshi, the "Father of Karate-do."
Out of modesty, he was reluctant to write this autobiography and did not do so until he was nearly ninety years of age. Trained in the Confucian classics, he was a schoolteacher early in life, but after decades of study under the foremost masters, he gave up his livelihood to devote the rest of his
life to the propagation of the Way of Karate. Under his guidance, techniques and nomenclature were refined and modernized, the spiritual essence was brought to the fore, and karate evolved into a true martial art.
Various forms of empty-hand techniques have been practiced in Okinawa for centuries, but due to the lack of historical records, fancy often masquerades as fact. In telling of his own famous teachers-and not only of their mastery of technique but of the way they acted in critical situations-the
author reveals what true karate is. The stories he tells about himself are no less instructive: his determination to continue the art, after having started it to improve his health; his perseverance in the face of difficulties, even of poverty; his strict observance of the way of life of the
samurai; and the spirit of self-reliance that he carried into an old age kept healthy by his practice of Karate-do.
Customer Reviews:
Every Shotokan Karate-ka ought to be given this when they 1st join their club.......2007-07-22
In his biographical masterpiece, Grand Master Funakoshi gives a very witty, intelligent & often funny account of his whole life, from his early days when he was forced to take up training for his poor health to when he was finally invited to Japan to give the first successful demonstration of his art - Shotokan Karate.
He was obviously a very clever man who really had a passion for his art. At an early age he developed a goal, a vision and a passion to learn all he could about karate from the then great masters of his time and present it to the world. He recounts several times in his life when he was confronted by would-be assailants and describes how he got out of the potentially lethal encounter, he does this in a very witty and often funny way.
Despite the book being very small and could be read by some perhaps in a day or so, it really is very interesting and worth reading several times, especially if you practice Karate. I think that it's the sort of book that should be given to new students on joining a Shotokan club.
It's just packed with gems of wisdom worth there weight in gold for successful living, even in today's manic society.
As in all the other positive reviews listed here already, Funakohi's book is full of wisdom, inspiration and hope.
Check out Clive Layton's "Training With Funakoshi" too, an excellent work from a different perspective not to mention Funakoshi's "Twenty Guiding Principles".
a fine book, recommendable.......2007-07-14
This book should enrich your knowledge of the martial arts, and is an enjoyable read.
Funakoshi Sensei Life in Karate Guide.......2007-04-07
Awesome read and instructional guide for those who may be considering embracing Karate as a way of living, not just for sport karate or to live like a karetaka, but actually internalizing the survival and philosophical applications of karate on our daily doings. A guide to discover the esoteric meaning of self control, loyalty, honor and etiquette encompassed in karate, beyond the mere exoteric physical functions of punching and kicking. Highly recommended for the martial way enthusiast. A great timeless window into the concept of interpratation of Karate by a true Karate Grand Master. Osu!
Adames Sensei,
Manila, Philippines
Interesting biography.......2007-02-22
This book gives an interesting look into the founder of modern karate, and some practical advice for living.
Karate-do My Way of Life by Ginchin Funakoshi.......2007-01-15
If you study "the arts" learning about one of the MOST influencial Sensei's of modern karate is a must read!
Book Description
In this concise and lively volume, award-winning author Robert Buzzanco examines the role America played in the Vietnam War and how the consequences of this involvement dramatically changed American politics, culture, and society at a period when the United States was most vulnerable.Divided into two sections, Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life begins with a history of the emergence of Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese nationalist movement and explains why the United States intervened in Vietnam despite pessimism over American military prospects there. Buzzanco then traces the repeated escalations of the war in the Johnson and Nixon years, and, finally, the causes and consequences of American defeat. Part Two focuses on the major political and social movements of the 1960s: liberalism, civil rights, women's liberation, student activist movements protesting the war, and other youth culture movements. The book demonstrates how domestic mobilization against the war changed US political and social life and these changes gave rise, in turn, to other movements and consequent changes of great significance to American society.The Vietnam War, which dominated American life during the 1960s, helped to create, radicalize, and alter social and political life in the US. In Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life Robert Buzzanco generates fresh and intriguing insights that will inspire both students and general readers as they approach this dramatically divisive, volatile, and ultimately crucial period of American history.
Customer Reviews:
A Review of Vietnam.......1999-12-21
Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life, is very interesting and informative. It was definitely worth the time and the effort reading and working on it. Audiences of all backrounds should benefit from the information, including those of who lived during that time period. Many younger generation kids are oblivious to what actually happened during the Vietnam War, and should be educated about the historical importance of the war. The book itself helped the audience, especially those of who are of Vietnamese decent, understand how their ancestors survived and what they went through during the course of the war.
Review of Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life.......1999-12-14
Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life designates the aspects of the Vietnam War as well as the political and social movements of the American people during the 1960's. Dr. Buzzanco's main thesis that he is trying to convey is divided into two parts, the Vietnam War and the issues of the 1960's. His first theme on the Vietnam War subject is the United States after World War II tried to become the world leader during their foreign affairs in the Indochina region but failed. The second theme, which deals with the domestic problems in America during this time period, is how the people of the United States erupted into its domestic problems and how they are linked with the war in Vietnam. In the first half of the book, Buzzanco announces his thesis statement, letting the reader know that the first half was all the details of the war. Then he comes back in the second half of the book and describes what was happening at home on American soil. In essence, he has written two documentaries and combined them quite well. He has two points that he is trying to convey, broken up into two halves. Dr. Buzzanco did an astounding job in proving his points. He clearly and strongly showed examples that lead people to believe him. In every major point in both parts of his book, he used clear and precise examples to prove his words correct. He used all second hand information due to the fact that he was born too late to participate in the actual war. But his information was all very accurate and strong. He really did not use any points that criticized anything he was trying to convey in his book. But there could be some rival opinions on various subjects throughout the book. For example in the second part of the book, on page 202 he is trying to blame much of the domestic uprisings on Martin Luther King and the march on Washington. He claims that the march got the African-Americans to strongly disapprove of the war. But the march was more or less strictly on the civil rights issues, not on the war. He was, however, extremely successful at effectively using his sources in a convincing manner. Starting on page 104 and continuing, he shows how American foreign policy on the countries surrounding Vietnam essentially escalated the conflict even further. He does not however; use any examples of others that would give evidence that his points are not true or inaccurate. Some of his issues are controversial and he leads the reader to think that they are not. For example on page 68, he makes it clear to the reader that the war was inevitable even in the early 1960's under JFK's policy. But in reality much could have been done to prevent the conflict from escalating. More or less he is trying to convince the reader that his points are one sided and are not controversial. He seems biased on the fact that he offers nothing on the opposite side of him. All good writers usually give points to satisfy both for and against. All of his points, especially the first half of the book, help to prove his thesis. He pretty much uses strong logical reasoning and uses evidence to support that. Due to Dr. Buzzanco's education level and his astounding credibility and awards his information can be trustworthy. He uses strong examples to prove his thesis and also uses several other points throughout the book.
Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life-Review.......1999-12-10
Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life is an intelligent and informative look into the Vietnam War and how it influenced American life. This book helps you understand better the people, issues, problems, and times of the 1960's and early 1970's and how Vietnam influenced the people, issues, and the problems of that time.If you are not knowledgeable about the Vietnam War, this book explains in great detail the events leading up to the war and the repercussions of the war on Americans and American life and, it will make you understand and create your own opinions about the war.
Thumbs up for Buzzanco.......1999-12-08
The first part of the book explains the war itself. It starts off with a brief explanation for the war, which was to "...preserve an anticommunist government in Southern half of Vietnam." Buzzanco does a great job of telling both sides of the war in great detail. He spends a lot of time explaining to the reader how Ho Chi Minh emerged into a great war and political leader of the DRVN and maintained his popular support from most of the Vietnamese society. He also tells of the events which led up to the Vietnam War from the US point of view starting with WWII to the unrevealing exception to defeat. Buzzanco also does an exceptional job of telling why the US felt the need to be involved with the Vietnam conflict. He also talks about the US supporting the French, who were against Vietnam. He further explains that the US did this in order to maintain French support in the European Cold War, to contain Communism in Asia, and to encourage economic development in the US. Throughout his book, he does the same thing, which is to give an extensive informational explanation of the events, and then get to the main point at the end with just a simple sentence or two. Buzzanco also goes into Vietnam's communities and the people's aspect of the war. He lets the reader know that the Vietnamese people were for the most part on Ho's side, letting the truth of the matter shine through. The truth being that the DRVN was corrupt, and the Vietamese people knew it, thus they mainly supported the DRVN. Among the best aspects of the book was the detailed explanation of military moves and decisions on both sides. He explains why each side made each move in the long war, as well as the political moves. Which brings us to the second part of the book, "The Movements of the 1960's." Buzzanco uses several sources throughout his book. He lists them all at the end, far too many to list. He used books as well as papers. He even used comic strips that were published during that period of the war. He also lists his sources in a bibliography as well as a notes section. Buzzanco does not choose sides in his book. He merely tells the story and the events how they happened. He does not skip around either, and it was easy to follow as well as to understand. For every point in the book, he marks it with a source, which only enhances what he has already said.
Book Description
At a time when international terrorism is the focal point of our concerns, a far more pressing threat has arisen to the balance of power in the world and ultimately to the security of our country. Since the Islamic Republic of Iran admitted, just two years ago, that it was secretly producing highly enriched, weapons-grade uranium, leading nations have struggled to react in an appropriate manner. In this book, the U.S. public is able to learn, in full detail and for the first time, exactly what the Europeans and UN have been trying to forestall.
In Iran we see a country, located at the center of the Middle East, which could very shortly have the ability to strike its immediate neighbors and nations farther away with nuclear weapons. With the innate size to dominate its region, Iran is also a country with an avowed mission to export it's theocratic principles, and a nation which has, over the past 25 years, been a notorious supporter of terrorist organizations. Its parallel development of atomic bombs comprises the greatest threat that we have seen in the new millennium.
In Iran's Nuclear Option, defense expert Al J. Venter details the extent to which Iran's weapons program has developed, and the clandestine manner in which its nuclear technology has been acquired. He demonstrates how Tehran has violated the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and details the involvement of several countries who have been shown by the IAEA to have trafficked in illegal nuclear materials. He proves, for the first time, a direct link between the now-defunct South African apartheid regime's nuclear program and Tehran's current nuclear ambitions.
Venter digs deep into ancillary subjects, such as Iran's fervor on behalf of Shiite Islam, its missile program-developed alongside its nuclear one-and the role of the Pasdaran (Revolutionary Guards), whose tentacles have spread throughout the Middle East and increasingly further afield. While noting Tehran's support of terrorist groups such as Hizbollah, Venter follows closely how the Persian homeland itself has progressed toward a strategic nuclear capability that would make recent terrorist attacks look obsolete.
Iran's Nuclear Option is essential reading for anyone with an interest in global security and the perilous volatility of the Middle East. It also comprises an indicator for America's own options, should it be willing to counter the threat while time remains, in favor of world peace rather than greater global instability.
Customer Reviews:
An interesting view on Iran's atomic bomb.......2006-12-31
Recent events since the book has been released show that Iran wants a bomb but probably is further away then this book suggests. As most of the other reviews have covered the book, well enough as I will just add that I found the large section that the writer discusses on South Africa annoying as I thought it was off topic and yet an interesting one as he states that South Africa in actively spreading helping the spreading of nuclear and advanced conventional weapons. I am not totally convinced on the nuclear weapons. I hope the writer will in future, supply more information on this subject.
Iran has a right to self-defense.......2006-08-21
While I'm not an advocate of nuclear weapons or nuclear power, I can certainly understand why Iran would be moving in the direction of this sort of technology. It understands that the US is an aggressive military empire that has been on a quest for hegemony for generations. On top of that, the US has already been involved with the overthrow of an Iranian leader, the democratically elected Mossadegh. That overthrow led to the US-backed Shah and his brutal security forces. So, predictably, Iran is moving to defend itself. If US citizens have a problem with that, they should work to change their own society which has thousands of nuclear weapons, a yearly $450 billion military budget, hundreds of military bases around the world and a history of conducting aggression around the world.
Stephen Kinzer's "All the Shah's Men" and nobel peace prize winner Shirin Ebadi's "Iran Awakening" are vastly superior books.
By the way, Iran's president did not suggest that Israel and the Jews should be destroyed, what he said was that the "occupying regime" of zionist Israel should be "removed from the pages of history." A remark similiar to what the ANC was saying about ending South Africa's Apartheid regime. The blog of Middle East scholar Juan Cole analyzes the way Ahmedinejad's remarks have been mistranslated, while providing regular analysis of the region as a whole.
Some people seem to desire these fear-mongering books/tv dramas/radio shows that go on about all the threats the US allegedly faces. I guess that's because they or loved ones make a living in our military industrial compex and need to rationalize what they're doing. Similarly, the citizens of fascist Germany were convinced of various concocted threats to their country (Poland, the Jews, etc.) while diverting their eyes from the actual harm they were causing in the world.
"Every government explains its existence and justifies all its violence on the ground that if it were not there things would be worse. Having convinced the people that they are in danger, the governments dominate them. And when the people are dominated by governments, the latter compel them to attack each other. And in this way a belief in the governments' assurance of the danger of attacks by other nations is confirmed among the peoples. Divide and conquer."
-Leo Tolstoy, "Christianity and Patriotism"
Lacking in focus, not lacking in analytical short cuts.......2006-07-20
OK. I'm not sure where to begin with this book. First of all, it is the most scattered, poorly focused book i have ever read. I am not sure why the chapter on the Iran-Iraq War was in the book, nor am I positive why the author spent so much time discussing South Africa. Many of the chapters did not fit and would have been better off in the appendix, while many of the appendices, such as the one on iran's missiles, would have been much better suited in the main text. Also, while much of the text is interesting, such as the Appendix on Hezbollah, the author spends too much time talking about that topic, and not its relationship with Iran. While this book is supposed to be about Iran's nuclear weapons program, very little time is actually spent discussing it.
The most glaring flaw with this book is that it lacks definitive proof to support many of the claims the author is making. He takes many analytical short cuts, arriving at dubious assessments based on questionable evidence. His chapter on the Iranian involvement in 9/11 is bizarre, and i find it hard to believe that the US, based upon the information provided by the intelligence community, attacked the wrong country, while the author, based on his limited sources, was correct.
The bottom line is that this book is at times sensationalist and before the Iraq war I read scores of books that were similar in their apocolyptic tones.
While much of the information in this book is interesting, such as the bits on Islamic culture, I caution the reader to keep a healthy skepticism in regards to many of the author's claims, and suggest that Venter takes a class on how to organize a paper.
Solid Work Heavy Reading Though.......2006-06-15
Patrick Clawson said it well enough, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have uncovered one hidden Iranian nuclear program after another during the last two and a half years. Tehran has now acknowledged having concealed (for eighteen years) a wide range of nuclear activities. Some of them have few peaceful applications but are directly useful for nuclear weapons. This surprising nuclear progress fits a context, for the Iranian regime has also tested long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, and its Supreme Leader has proclaimed that Israel is a cancer that should be excised by being wiped off the map.
Iran's nuclear program has attracted much attention from governments and from authors intent on highlighting the Iranian threat. Some books are scaremongering, ill-informed, or both; in contrast, the Timmerman (Countdown to Crisis: The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran) and Venter books are solid accounts (as the forthcoming Iran's Strategic Weapons Programmes: A Net Assessment from London's International Institute of Strategic Studies also promises to be).
Timmerman writes in a chatty style with much color about the various players, structuring his account around the interaction among the actors. Learning, for example, that German foreign minister Joschka Fischer is married to the daughter of an Iranian dissident illuminates the dynamics of policymaking. Timmerman's account is also extraordinarily well-informed, reflecting his years of association with the policy circles he describes. Unfortunately, he undermines his credibility by accepting too readily the accounts of some Iranian exiles, especially the defector Hamid Reza Zakeri, who tell hair-raising stories about Iranian hidden capabilities. Timmerman is correct that U.S. intelligence agencies have a bias against defectors, preferring assets they themselves cultivated, but Zakeri's accounts are at times suspiciously convenient. That said, Timmerman's Countdown is the book to read for an engaging peak behind the curtain.
Venter's Nuclear Option is the place to turn for technical details and footnoted references. It offers the most systematic exposition to date about Iran's nuclear program and its role in world affairs. After a solid introduction to the history and political culture of the Islamic Republic, with a solid exposition about Iran's support for terrorism, especially by the Revolutionary Guard Corps, Venter carefully walks the reader through Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Along the way, he incorporates essays by leading experts from the Institute for Science and International Security (David Albright and Corey Hinderstein) and the Federation of American Scientists (Charles Vick). As might be expected from a South African author, Venter highlights the parallels between South Africa's successfully concealed nuclear program and what is known about Iran's efforts. Some of the most technical information is in appendices; nevertheless, his account does make for heavy reading.
The world on the brink.......2006-01-24
The reality of the nuclear threat from Iran is gaining prominence in the media with the belligerent utterances of its unstable president. So in a way this book has been prophetic; it remains a must-read, along with Atomic Iran by Jerome Corsi. Venter deals with more than just nukes by investigating the ayatollocracy and its power structures, the country's missile programme, its other dangerous weapons and its terrorist network.
Chapters 1 to 3 provide an overview of the country, the people and recent history like the Iran-Iraq War. There is also a discussion of the differences between the Sunni and Shia varieties of Islam, the role of the 12 imams and the Mahdi, the 12th. This is very relevant in the light of Ahmadinejad's apocalyptical mysticism and provides insight into the regime's ambitions to become a regional super power.
How close Iran is to having a nuclear weapon? Despite Steven Tanner's doubts expressed in the foreword, it might already have one, according to the evidence in chapters 4 to 6, which also look at technical aspects like centrifuges and the enrichment of uranium. The horrifying effect of detonating a nuclear bomb in Manhattan is discussed here.
The co-operation or involvement of primarily South Africa, Russia, China, Pakistan (the Khan network) and North Korea with Iran's nuclear and missile programmes is explored in chapters 9 and 10. But France, Germany and India have also contributed to the current situation. The next chapter details Iran's history of support for terrorists and the brutal oppression of its own people.
Chapter 11 discusses Iran's attempts to obtain other weapons of mass destruction; the next one seeks to determine the mindset of the Pasdaran and the revolutionary guards, the pillars of the regime. It is imperative to halt the country's nuclear programme but the author does not offer any suggestions as to how to go about it. The book concludes with detailed appendices and an index.
Iran has been expert at deceiving the world about the progress and purpose of its nuclear programme for more than two decades. Thanks to Ahmadinejad, it is no secret anymore that Israel is Iran's prime target. This holocaust denier has said so. But of course the regime also wants to dominate the entire region and control its oil reserves. Whatever happens, forget about cheap oil for the foreseeable future. The world is on the brink, as this book made clear months ago.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Parameters, published by Thomson Gale on March 22, 2006. The length of the article is 768 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Iran's Nuclear Option: Tehran's Quest for the Atom Bomb.(Book review)
Author: George H. Quester
Publication:
Parameters (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 36
Issue: 1
Page: 125(2)
Article Type: Book review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
- Indispensable
- Occurence location guide for Sonoron birds
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The Birds of Sonora
Stephen M., M.D. Russell , and
Gale Monson
Manufacturer: University of Arizona Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0816516359 |
Customer Reviews:
Indispensable.......2005-04-10
This is the only recent treatment of a fascinating avifauna, an indispensable reference for all birders interested or active in Mexico and the southwestern US. A typical species account begins with a summary of the bird's abundance, distribution, and habitat preferences in Sonora; dates, observers, and citations are provided for records of rarities. Every species is given a large-scale, generally quite legible map, on which breeding, migrant, and winter occurrences are carefully distinguished.
These data constitute a clear and easily used source of baseline information for evaluating new sightings. Inevitably, in a region with a large and still relatively little-known avifauna, some of the information provided is out-of-date, with a number of species listed here as rare or even extirpated in fact still present. Careful observers will use this book in conjunction with more recent sources such as Russell's systematic treatment of the birds of extreme southeast Sonora (in: The Tropical Deciduous Forest of Alamos), the "Northern Mexico" reports in North American Birds, and the trip reports published on MexBirds.
It may seem ungracious to carp that the authors have not done even more than they so meritoriously have, but the book could only have been improved by more extensive discussions of geographic variation in the birds treated here. Obviously, the precise status and distribution of certain polytypic species are considerably less well known in Mexico than they are in northern North America, but even a tentative sketch would have been tremendously useful.
Occurence location guide for Sonoron birds.......1998-11-03
Make sure your expectations are set right for this valuable book. Like Monson's "Annotated Guide to the Birds of Arizona" -- this book focusses on the occurence and location of bird sightings in Sonora. Valuable for determining the frequency and location of birds in Sonora, but no details on actual sites. NOT a Lane guide to Sonora by any means. Nor does it have any photos, descriptions, etc. My interest is the 'south of the border' occurence of Arizona vagrants, casuals, etc.
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