Product Description

Do you know your ashiwaza from your elbow strike? Find out with The Way of the Warrior, which features every major style of martial art in existence, bringing ancient and modern arts together in one complete work of reference. This comprehensive, fully illustrated encyclopedia covers a huge range of martial arts, from the ancient and renowned styles of China’s Shaolin Temple to the lesser-known styles of Africa’s indigenous tribes. It looks at the history, philosophy, guiding principles, key moves, weaponry, founding members, and famous exponents of individual arts, as well as highlighting unbelievable feats, such as drilling wood with a finger or deflecting swords with the abdomen. Specially commissioned photo-narrative and first-person features trace the daily training schedules of key exponents, providing human-level insights into ways of life and often complex and mystical disciplines.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38653 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 360 pages

Review
"The ultimate guide to over 300 different martial arts from around the world."
--Greenock, 04 October 2008

About the Author
Chris Crudelli has brought his obsession for the Eastern arts to TV audiences worldwide with his successful BBC Three series' Mind, Body & Kick Ass Moves, Kick Ass Miracles and Kick Ass in a Crisis, broadcast in over 120 countries. Chris also turns his hand to military, police, and security training and runs specialist Kung-Fu training courses.

Customer Reviews

The Way of the Warrior by Chris Crudelli
I bought "The Way of the Warrior" because of a fascination and deep interest in martial arts and their history. What you actually get with "The Way of the Warrior" is one of the most in depth and informative encyclopaedia on any subject written. The sheer effort, energy and visually stunning nature of this book are evident from your first inevitable flick through as you try to comprehend the wealth of martial arts that exist. It is actually when you sit down and start to really read "The Way of the Warrior" that you realise that you have made a purchase that is going to both inform and entertain you as a martial arts fan or knowledge fanatic. Gone are the days of "this martial art is better" or "this is more deadly than that." Chris Crudelli (author) presents you with informed, unbiased truths about the codified fight systems that have existed for centuries. The history of martial arts is presented as a journey through the world not just the precious domain of the Far East. For the first time the passage of fighting systems and how countries pooled from each other is truly exposed giving the reader a genuine perspective into how we as humans have always learnt from each other regardless of colour or creed. The writing is clear, always informative and will appeal to martial artists and casual readers alike.
For me, what really takes this book to the highest level is the fact that every page is a visual feast. The photography is stunning. The book and its information leaps off the page because you are presented with such exciting imagery so descriptive in its nature you would be excused for thinking this book was a work of art. Every page is soaked in bold and artistic yet completely functional images. Not the standard martial arts photography you have seen before but new perspectives and specifically commissioned photography giving this book a completely unique feel.
I would recommend this book to martial artists. I would recommend this book to fans of photography. I would recommend this book to anyone that reads. "The Way of the Warrior" does not polarise its potential buyer base. I do not own anything like this book and it is going to take a lot of effort to find any encyclopaedia that comes close.

Superb
If you have never experienced any martial art, this book is still worth buying. I am amazed at the photographic content and descriptions which show how well the author has researched this book.It is totally flickable and a great addition to any library! I am buying more than one copy for xmas this year!!

A beautifully illustrated introduction to the martial arts
I have always liked the style of the DK books & I have a great interest in the martial arts, so this was a perfect pairing for me. I wasn't dissapointed when I got my hands on a copy, the photography is stunning & it is an enjoyable read.
As with most DK books, it doesn't delve deep into each of the hundreds of differing martial arts that it covers, but offers a small synopsis of each style, with the exception of a number of the most commonly practiced martial arts. For those readers who are searching for a deeper exploration of the history & philosophies of the martial arts, there are many other more relevant sources to be found elsewhere. But this book presents a lot of interesting information on the different styles, including some of the more uncommon martial arts. It is nicely laid out & like I mentioned before, the photography is beautiful & is worth the purchase alone.
This would make the perfect gift for a martial artist, or for anyone who wants an interesting 'coffee table' book.