Michael Croucher

Same book as The Fighting Arts-The History, Great Masters, Technique and Practice of Marma-adi, Judo, Ju-jitsu, Kung fu, Karate, Hsing-i, Naginata-do, Kalaripayit, Eskrima, and T'ai-chi

From cover

Join the great Masters of India, China, Japan and the Philippines and gain fascinating insight into the martial arts of Kalaripayit, Marma-adi, Kung Fu, Hsing-I, Pa-Kua, T'ai-Chi, Bujutsu, Aiki-do, Kendo, Naginata-do, Eskrima and Shorinji Kempo.

Richly illustrated throughout, The Way of the Warrior is essential reading for the dedicated enthusiast but will prove equally fascinating to all those intrigued by the paradox of the martial arts-the notion that study of a lethal skill can lead to an increased spiritual enlightenment-a fighting way to peace.

Howard Reid PhD is an anthroopologist by training but has been a studend to the martial arts since 1976 when he first began to study Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate. He undertook most of the research for major television series on the martial arts, an experience which led to the writing of this book.

Michael Croucher is a higly respected television producer, specializing in plays and documentary programs. While working on the television series on martial arts with Howard Reid, he led the team that filmed the activities taking place in southern Indian 'battle houses,' Japanese 'dojos' and parks in China.

Contents

Foreword
1 The Art of Fighting
2 Myth to History: The Roots of the Martial Arts
The enigma of Bodhidharma
3 The Village Art of Kalaripayit
Vasudevan Gurrukal
Mathavan Asan
Panickar Gurrukal
4 The Shaolin Tradition
Master Chan
5 The Soft Arts of China
A family of martial artists
6 The Classic Weapons Schools of Japan
The Japanese Sword
7 Karate: Art of the Empty Hand
The philosophy of Higaonna Sensei
8 The Modern Martial Disciplines of Japan
9 The Next Steps
10 Martial Systems of the World
Glossary of Terms
Further Reading
Author's Acknowledgements
Index of Chinese Terms
Index… (altro)

This book was very entertaining once it really got started. The first couple chapters it was hard to get into, but I promise it gets better. I loved how the author mixed up the real world with the supernatural world, but not enough that it will turn off the reader of the crime/suspense genre. It moved at a very steady pace. I also enjoyed how it tied up everything so neatly in the end. I do look forward to seeing how Mr. Croucher develops his character of Off. Mahood as time progresses. He is off to a great start with it. I hope Gloria and Charles stick around since I would like to see them more utilized in the future as Phil continues to shed his skepticism. All in all, it's a great read.… (altro)

Wow, a vicious, hardened criminal will stop at nothing to get any diamonds he knows of as his last job. Anyone helping him is dead after the job is done. He leads a bloody path everywhere he goes, and has been at it for five years. Can he be caught? How many more victims will there be?

And this is also a ghost story! I have never read a book that had both of those genres until now. And this ghost actually plays a major role in the story.

What a great book it was! The beginning was a little slow while introducing all the characters, but after that, the story took off with a flourish. I so wanted to finish it in one reading, but I was so tired I HAD to go to sleep. No matter, I had a nice little start to my morning today.

This was my first book by Michael Croucher, it won't be my last.

Thanks Library Thing for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I was thoroughly entertained!… (altro)

I thought this novel was interesting, however, I do think the flow of the story could have been more organized. I understand the reasoning for the different twists in the story, but it might have been easier to follow if the chapters pertaining to one character were slightly extended. I felt it was a bit choppy. It was a fun read and at times, I didn’t want to put the book down.
Not sure if I like the authors style in writing but I did think the plot was great. Michael Croucher did a nice job with getting the reader to be able to relate to the characters and how they felt. Spoiler alert: The one thing that struck me as odd was the reaction of Phil Mahood when he first experienced the paranormal event with the bed. I think a majority of the people would have run out of the house screaming. Good story.… (altro)