Gen. Choi's Book: Good & Humorous

[KSD]

Has anyone read General Choi Hong Hi's book, "TaeKwon-Do?" It's quite a fascinating piece of literature, although at times it gets downright humorous... For example, there's quite a lot of information regarding military etiquette in TKD. One such lesson teaches that a student must never object to his master's wishes, even though his master is in the wrong. How's that for brainwashing?...

There's more... The book shows TKD's applications against soldiers with machine guns. Yes, a knife hand followed by reverse punch can defeat an armed soldier, or so this book says. One has to really wonder how many people can really get into such an encounter. In all fairness, the soldier would simply point and shoot.

The most interesting thing about the book is that it is very thorough in covering every aspect of TKD: history (questionable), theory & practice, techniques, applications & original forms.

Which one? His original book or the 1-ton paperweight? If you want a real good laugh lokk at the hyungs or Tuls from the DVD encyclopedia. I fell over laughing and no, I didnt pay for the DVD's.

[ipscshooter]

Has anyone read General Choi Hong Hi's book, "TaeKwon-Do?" It's quite a fascinating piece of literature, although at times it gets downright humorous... For example, there's quite a lot of information regarding military etiquette in TKD. One such lesson teaches that a student must never object to his master's wishes, even though his master is in the wrong. How's that for brainwashing?...

There's also a section that says the master should encourage his students to cross-train, so they can experience other styles. Brainwashing? I'm going to have to review some of the text, but I suspect that, read in context, "never object, even if he's wrong" may be a bit of an overstatement.

There's more... The book shows TKD's applications against soldiers with machine guns. Yes, a knife hand followed by reverse punch can defeat an armed soldier, or so this book says. One has to really wonder how many people can really get into such an encounter. In all fairness, the soldier would simply point and shoot.

I went through the entire encyclopedia this weekend looking for this. The only thing remotely comparable was a section on defense against bayonet. The photos appeared to be of someone wielding a rifle with bayonet. It was not a "machine gun." And, I don't see why teaching an unarmed defense against a bayonet charge is so odd as to have you rolling on the floor with laughter. First, I would bet that someone charging at you with a bayonet has probably run out of ammunition. Second, would you suggest that the person just stand there and wait to be stabbed? Or, do you think that a wise instructor would try to teach his student some method of avoidance and counter-attack? Sounds to me like you're just a TKD-Hater, trolling around on a Korean Arts forum trying to stir up a bunch of BS, knowing that most TKD practitioners probably don't have the book, and therefore, don't have the information with which to contest your "facts".

The most interesting thing about the book is that it is very thorough in covering every aspect of TKD: history (questionable), theory & practice, techniques, applications & original forms.

This sounds to me like a very good description of what Gen. Choi intended the book to provide. So, again, why is the book so funny to you?

[ipscshooter]

Which one? His original book or the 1-ton paperweight? If you want a real good laugh lokk at the hyungs or Tuls from the DVD encyclopedia. I fell over laughing and no, I didnt pay for the DVD's.

Any chance you could give some more information regarding the "DVD encyclopedia"? Was this the "Legacy" set?

Greenthink: You might want to lower your asking price. You can get one new from ITF for less than $150. It's on sale now for $99.00.

[ipscshooter]

Has anyone read General Choi Hong Hi's book, "TaeKwon-Do?" It's quite a fascinating piece of literature, although at times it gets downright humorous... For example, there's quite a lot of information regarding military etiquette in TKD. One such lesson teaches that a student must never object to his master's wishes, even though his master is in the wrong. How's that for brainwashing?...

What the book actually says is that if the student disagrees with the instructor, the student should do as instructed, and then discuss the issue with the instructor after class. I think you may be mistaking common courtesy with military etiquette. Perhaps you could point to a few more examples.

[KSD]

Any chance you could give some more information regarding the "DVD encyclopedia"? Was this the "Legacy" set?

.

Yes that's the one.