What are the best Texts you have seen

[eXcessiveForce]

Okay serious question for all of the experienced martial artists.
I have been working on increasing my Library lately and was wondering what books people have found useful for technique, strategy, and inspiration.

I recommend

A book of five rings
Hagakure
The way of the Warrior


really interested in what everyone else has to say on this. I have purchased about 20 books in the last few weeks and have probably around 100 martial arts books in my collection. and about 3000 books on just about everything else. But it always amazes me what I don't have or haven't even heard of and what I have read and thought wasn't good only to be told how great it was by someone else. Only to reread it and agree with them.

Anyway, tell me what you think.

[ryanhall]

A martial arts collection would not be complete without Sun Tzu's "Art of War." It's a little tough to answer your question because you didn't specify what aspect you are interested in. There are many great books out there that are useful and full of information but not necessarily "martial arts" books (read Gavin de Becker's "The Gift of Fear")

Mental/Fear/Psychology
Strong on Defense- Sanford Strong
The Gift of Fear- Gavin de Becker

Self Defense
1001 Streetfighting Secrets- Sammy Franco
War Machine- Sammy Franco
In Total Defense of the Self- Richard Dimitri
Get Tough- William Fairbairn
Kill or Get Killed- Rex Applegate

There are tons of good books out there.

[MDVaughn]

I would recommend and love these books

1.Jeet Kune Do Its concepts and philosphies by Paul Vunak

2 anatomy of a street fight by Paul Vunak

3.Dan Inosanto biography the preacher, the teacher the philospher. Forgot the author.


Them are my favorites,

Mike Vaughn

[eXcessiveForce]

I'm just curious what books people have found interesting. Their favorites. Sometimes books that have helped people with their training aren't even martial in nature. Tao Te Ching for example. I have The art of war in my collection as well.

I'm not looking for anything in particular. More for just some input. Maybe someone will mention a book and it will inspire me to take a look at it.

There are so many books out there of various qualities that it is impossible to get them all.

Anyway thanks for the input.