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Taekwondo: Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Warrior | 
 enlarge | Author: Doug Cook
Publisher: YMAA Publication Center
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
Buy New: $7.76
You Save: $11.19 (59%)
New (15) Used (8) from $6.85
Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 152393
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 1886969930
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.8153
EAN: 9781886969933
ASIN: 1886969930
Publication Date: October 25, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships immediately! Perfect and New! 2001 Paperback.
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Product Description
Although millions of people around the world practice this fascinating art, very few know the real story behind it.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 A Must Read For Every Tae Kwon Do Practitioner June 2, 2008
This book does not, nor was it ever intended to teach you, the reader, a single solitary physical Tae Kwon Do technique. This book is intended to broaden your mind and your martial spirit by providing you with a wealth of information on the history, philosophy, and etiquette involved in Tae Kwon Do. Although I must admit that this book does fall a little bit short in the history department, which is actually quite fine since it more than makes up for it in other areas.
This absolutely wonderful book on the history, philosophy, and etiquette that flourishes in Tae Kwon Do is truly an outstanding work and the author should be very proud of his accomplishment. I hadn't heard of this book until very recently and decided to check it out, and boy was I pleasantly surprised at how well written it was and the quality of the information put forth by the author.
One thing in particular that struck me was the author's brilliant way of comparing certain philosophies in Tae Kwon Do to everyday things that the average person would be knowledgeable about. For example; the author compared the rituals and significance of a black belt testing to a marriage. Although there are obviously a lot of differences, surprisingly there are also a lot of similarities. I also liked the way the author shared personal stories of his experiences in the art to help better explain the various points that he was trying to get across to the reader.
I would strongly recommend that this book be required reading for ALL Tae Kwon Do students regardless of rank.
Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.
A book on history, philosophy, and proper attitude April 30, 2008
As other reviews have states, this is not a book of techniques. This is a book about the history and philosophy of Taekwondo.
The book begins by giving a brief lesson on korean history, and the events that led up to taekwondo's creation. This is useful for someone getting into the art, who wants to learn a little bit more, but there is nothing really groundbreaking at this point.
The remainder of the book consists of chapters relating to a serious attitude, virtue, courage, and topics along those lines. These are things which are important to all people, regardless of which art they study (of even if they study one at all). Anecdotes relating to the author's martial arts career cement how taking classes can help people unite themselves with these qualities that I meantioned above.
I believe this is a great book for someone who is taking classes, and wishes to make the most out of them. It will enable you to be able to take these concepts out of the dojo(jang) and beyong simple self-defense, and try to help you become a better person.
 Not what I was expecting February 19, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book is worth reading, but not what I was expecting. I have no doubt that this book is from the heart and sincere, however it reads as if Master Cook were trying a bit too hard share the spiritual aspect of this fine martial art. It comes across a bit heavy handed, forced, and almost "preach-ey" at times. While lip service is paid to how incrediably different dojangs and teaching styles are even among those that are not "McDojangs" he comes across as if he feels the way that it is done in his school is "the" way. (the right place/importance of meditation in TKD studies is one example).
I think this is a good addition to the library of the serious student of TKD, but as such it would be a supplement to the philosophy books in their possession and would not be the only source. For the new student or for people simply trying to understand TKD philosophy out of one or two references, I would look elsewhere.
Like I said, it feels sincere and heartfelt and is otherwise well done - just know what you want before you buy.
Worth a read. . . February 19, 2004
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book has many positive points. I would encourage any TKD practitioner to read it. However, it is ponderous at points, I think due to Mr. Cook's attempt to convey the great inner meaning TKD has for him. It tends to be too personal and anecdotal, reading like a diary of his last trip to Korea. The author tends toward strings of polysyllabic words, however, that conceal as much as they reveal. A good editing to strip away the fluff would have made for a more accessible work. Like another reviewer, I found the author's enthusiasm for other spiritual/philosophical viewpoints a bit grating at times. Is it possible to NOT embrace Buddhism, and yet be a martial artist? If the martial arts encompass universal values, that should be true.
Not to fault the author, though. He is clearly well-informed and writes with passion and enthusiasm. For that reason I would recommend it especially to adult readers who want to take their practice of TKD beyond a repertoire of physical techniques.
Outstanding description of a noble art. August 13, 2003
So many people today decribe taekwondo as having no philosophical foundation. This is clearly not the case after reading Doug Cook's work. So much care is given to every facet of the traditional art of taekwondo. If you have grown cynical about your practice, read this book. It will revitalize your outlook and remind you of the virtues of your practice.
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