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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 796
EAN num: 9780873644099
ISBN number: 0873644093
Label: Paladin Press
Manufacturer: Paladin Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 328
Printing Date: 1987-02
Publishing house: Paladin Press
Sale Popularity Level: 640406
Studio: Paladin Press
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Find out how famous Western battles could have been fought differently had the generals known the secrets of Japanese strategy. An expert instructor of kenjutsu and aikijutsu, Fredrick Lovret explores the use of its principles on the battlefield and in the world of business. Whether entering battle against a military foe, business competitor or kenjutsu master, be prepared to conquer!
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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Notice that reviewers tend to either love or hate this book? When I read this book, I had trouble putting it down. I'm guessing that without some time in martial arts, and with a Western perspective, "The Way and the Power" will not make much sense. In fact, some reviewers perceive it as nonsense.
But if you are a serious student of the martial arts, with enough time spent in practice, it has a clear message. Mr Lovret has an amazing way of explaining Japanese terms and philosophy. If you understand his message, not just intellectually, but as it applies to your practice and your daily life, you will appreciate his insight. In fact, Mr Lovret takes great care to "de-mystify" concepts like "ki" which are often misinterpreted by westerners.
If you didn't like the book, that's fine. But at least pass it on to someone who might appreciate it. Or come back to it after you have more time in the martial arts and re-read it. It contains wonderful insights.
Rated by buyers 
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The book has a number of failings that make it not worth the money, unless you can find it in a .99 cent bin at some used bookstore. It is worth the .99 cents because (and this is its one and only good point) is it does contain a list of the major concepts of Japanese military strategy. This list is the table of contents.
Once you get beyond the table of contents, the book turns utterly useless. It is poorly written and features somewhat pointless photos. Three things really condemn the book. First is what I have come to call the "macho-military martial arts" tone of it. The author goes on and on about "warriors" this and "warriors" that and trained killers and how there are two classes of people on earth; the wolves (and I guess the author fits himself in that category, which provides the very first laugh of the book as the author, at least to my knowledge, was nothing more than an enlisted guy in the Navy and a gift shop keeper and running his martial arts studio) and the sheep (which are those who have not been "in combat") and it quickly becomes tiresome. That kind of talk is okay for a video game manual but is less suitable for what I presume was supposed to be an adult book.
Reason number two is the fact that the supposed business examples of how to use these strategies are foolishly and unrealistically simplistic. Yes, he claims that running a business is just like running a military battle; which it is not. And even on the martial side the book talks in such generalities that the strategies do not have much use. If you are interested in Japanese/Chinese military strategy Samuel B. Griffith's translation of Sun Tzu: The Art of War is the one stop source for that.
Reason number three is the fact that the author seems to have little background in Japanese martial arts. Amazon reader review policy says not to attack authors so I will not. Suffice to say, the book looks like it was largely copied from other english language sources and padding is provided by the hyperbole of the author. For example this typical bit of prose in the introduction; "A man, like a tree, begins as a seed. As with a tree, his birth is a time of struggle. From that day forward he exists in a constant state of war with his environment. To live he must eat and to eat he must kill.." well, you get the point. Actually author Fred, to eat I go to the store or the Golden Arches, I have gone 46 years and never killed anything and neither, I strongly suspect, has the author, so that kind of talk just comes out sounding stupid.
Well too, I guess if you want a laugh or are a collector of really bad martial arts books .99 cents may not be too much for this book.
Rated by buyers -
but I had to with this. I didn't want such a horrible book to fall into someone elses hands and them getting delusions of Japanese fighting. The authors martial background is questionable. He claims he is/was the only one taught some super secret Ninja sword fighting technique from a Ninja master because he saved his life. The book is poorly written, has alot of questionable material, bad visuals and just plain awful. I agree with the others, this book wastes shelf space and deserves to be destroyed.
Rated by buyers -
This is an outstanding book, full of the wisdom and spirit needed for martial arts and survival. Without intending to, Lovret has created a work that clarifies the tactics and techniques listed by Miyamoto Musashi. Beyond merely teaching us the strategies of sword-fighting, he details each principle as it applies to weapons, empty hand, grappling, competition, street use, and business. This book is the modern addendum to the "Book of Five Rings", and is a must for any serious student of the martial arts. Only those living in a fantasy of idealized notions would be unable to see the wisdom therein.
Rated by buyers -
This book is complete garbage. I found it a waste of money and time reading it. The best thing I can find use for in this book was to keep the fire going on a cold winter night. This is another great book published by Paladin Press which brought you such great books written by Ashida Kim. Don't waste your time buying this.
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