Product Description

'Excellent...a classic in its genre' Robert Twigger, Sunday Times 'One of the year's most entertaining sports books, and the best one to be written about a martial art since Robert Twigger's Angry White Pyjamas. It's lively, it's witty and, above all, so persuasively enthusiastic that by the end you'll find yourself feeling an intense urge to try it for yourself' James Delingpole, Mail on Sunday 'This is damn fine stuff, and will entertain and enlighten an audience far beyond the confines of the dojo' Andrew Baker, Daily Telegraph Mark Law's book is the first literary sports book on the most popular of the martial arts. Law took up judo at 50; he follows the history of the sport back to its Samurai beginnings, profiles the legends of judo from the Japanese Kimura to the giant Dutchman Geesink, and at his London club even finds himself battling Brian Jacks, the former BBC Superstars champion. Superbly well written, intellectually rigorous and brilliantly witty, this is a magisterial exploration of a sport practised by thousands in Britain, but still one of the most enigmatic of pastimes. Mark Law is Editor of the online magazine The First Post (www.thefistpost.co.uk). He has been a member of a judo club for some years. He lives in London.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30017 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Review
'Excellent... a classic in its genre' Robert Twigger, Sunday Times 'One of the year's most entertaining sports books, and the best one to be written about a martial art since Robert Twigger's Angry White Pyjamas. It's lively, it's witty and, above all, so persuasively enthusiastic that by the end you'll find yourself feeling an intense urge to try it for yourself' James Delingpole, Mail on Sunday 'This is damn fine stuff, and will entertain and enlighten an audience far beyond the confines of the dojo' Andrew Baker, Daily Telegraph

Customer Reviews

inspiring
Mr Law's book is an inspiration. From a slob who ate and drank too much for his own good he became a lean, mean fighting machine, a force for good not bad. In Britain and abroad he studied the Masters of Judo. He learned wisdom and implacable hostility towards bullies and bad people generally. By the end Law is almost a Knight. I am so impressed that I intend to take up judo myself although my children say I am 'past it' at 56. Law says you are never too old. I agree.

useful
an amazing book that describes the transformation of mark law from the proverbial 'nine stone weakling' to a man able and willing to face down anyone. it can be read on many levels. as a keep fit guide. as a no nonsense guide to stopping smoking and eating healthily. as the awakening of a middle aged man to what life can hold in store if he lets himself be true to himself. as satire. as a deeply philosophical treatise on East versus West. as the ultimate answer to those who say we should turn the other cheek when insulted. no finer book on judo exists. i doubt there is any finer work on sport as a path to truth. i give this five stars with no hesitation.

superb
as a judo 'nut' i have read every book every written on the sport in english but not japanese which i do not speak. this is the BEST i have ever read. it is a great read. my only criticism is there are too many photographs of mark in his judo robes. one would have been enough.