Product Description

Catherine Fox is not your typical martial artist. Her initiation into the sacred rites of judo began not in a dojo in Tokyo but in the Tunnel Cement Works in Pitstone, Buckinghamshire. And her dedication to the sport has been questionable: a thirty-year sabbatical, two children and a life spent writing books does not necessarily prepare one for enlightenment. Determined not to let these details stand in her way, Catherine has set herself a challenge: before she turns forty-five she will become a black belt. After all, how many other opportunities do vicars' wives get to roll around the floor with sweaty blokes'. "Fight the Good Fight" is about a pilgrimage. It's about finding out what you're really made of, when you've not set yourself any genuine physical challenge since your school faced mighty Cheddington Primary in the netball clash of 1972. It's about toughness and pain and coming to terms with your limitations. But it's about much more than that. It's about the relationship women have with their bodies, about femininity and aggression, about the Way of the Sumarai versus the Anglican Way. Set to the greatest hits of "Hymns Ancient and Modern", "Fight the Good Fight" asks what lessons judo can teach you about life. It's touching, surprising, gripping (in every sense) - and the funniest take on spiritual struggle since the last Lions vs. Christians fixture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #170470 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

The Times
'inspirational and occasionally hilarious'

Chris Maume, Independent
'One tough cookie.'

About the Author
Catherine Fox is the author of three novels - The Benefits of Passion, Love for the Lost and Angels and Men - as well as a series of humorous books arising out of her weekly column for The Church of England Newspaper. She lives in Lichfield with her husband, who is a canon at the cathedral, and their two sons.

Customer Reviews

Page-turning, LOL-inducing, cracking read
There is something about Catherine Fox. No one would expect great things from a book about judo by a clergy wife, just as no one would jump up and down with excitement on hearing of a first novel about students (`Angels and Men'). But this is a fantastic read.

With some uncanny echoes of themes from her fiction, Fox charts her progress over two years as a middle-aged aspiring black belt. Will she attain her goal by her forty-fifth birthday? Why has she set herself this target? Why does it matter so much? There are occasional moments where the humour is a bit wobbly, but as she tackles these questions with admirable honesty and thoughtfulness, I found myself laughing out loud, learning about judo and reflecting on her comments about Christianity.

There's probably a good chance of enjoying this if you are an amateur judo enthusiast, a woman, a Christian, feeling a bit blah about middle age, or just a fan of Catherine Fox.

Unusual and very entertaining
Fight the Good Fight is a warm and funny account of the author's quest to become a black-belt in judo before the age of 45.
It would appeal to anyone who has ever set their heart on something only to find that life gets in the way. It speaks volumes about success and failure and what happens on the way.
I enjoyed this book so much that I then went on to read Catherine Fox' three novels: Angels and Men, The Benefits of Passion and Love For the Lost. They were all unputdownable

Don't be put off if you're not into judo!
This book is the story of how a vicar's wife, Catherine Fox, decided to return to an old passion - judo - and get her black belt before a crucial birthday. This is an excellent introduction to the sport of judo, but it is also so much more.


The mark of an excellent non-fiction writer is someone who can take a subject that their readers aren't necessarily interested in, and make it fascinating. Richard Askwith's Feet in the clouds did this superbly, and Catherine Fox does so just as well. Judo? Me? But this book is not just about judo, it's about pursuing a goal, going for something tough. It is extremely funny - Catherine Fox's books always are - and life-affirming. I thoroughly recommend it.