Richard Chun
Tae Kwon Do: The Korean Martial Art

This volume serves as our unofficial textbook. It contains the standard version of the eight Pal Gwe forms and examples of many of the kicks, blocks, and strikes that form the basis of our Tae Kwon Do practice.

Bruce Lee
Tao of Jeet Kune Do

Never a formal martial arts style, Jeet Kune Do was the process through which Bruce Lee determined which martial arts techniques were effective for him, based on close observation of his body type and way of being in the world. These notebooks may or may not be helpful for individual students, but the methods Lee used to incorporate traditional study to his own needs is engaging and thought-provoking as a model for developing a training process.

Reid/Croucher
The Way of the Warrior
The Paradox of the Martial Arts

Although the treatment of Tae Kwon Do and other Korean styles is thin, this is a fine survey of Asian martial arts. The focus is on Chinese and Japanese practice, but it also contains research on styles from India and other unusual locations.

Peter Lewis
Myths and Legends of the Martial Arts

An anthology of dozens of the best known, archetypal stories of martial arts training and accomplishment.

Randy F. Nelson, editor
The Overlook Martial Arts Reader

A wide-ranging anthology of writings of many types, lengths, and themes—from history and scholarly interpretation to personal accounts of training. A mixed bag, and like many "kitchen sink" style anthologies, some passages are tedious or overblown and others are inspiring and beautiful.

Thomas Cleary
The Japanese Art of War

A critical reading of seminal texts about the Japanese concept of strategy, such as Musashi's The Book of Five Rings that show how the lessons of martial ways can be applied outside the practice hall.

Noel Perrin
Giving Up the Gun:
Japanese Reversion to the Sword, 1543-1879

Not explicitly a martial arts book, but a fascinating unpacking of the social factors that led Japan to abandon the use of firearms in the sixteenth century and revert to traditional weapons for more than three hundred years.

Richard Chun
Tae Kwon Do Spirit and Practice:
Beyond Self-Defense

A well-written autobiography of a leading Korean master's life and practice in both the US and Korea, both in and out of the dojang.

Joe Hyams
Zen in the Martial Arts

An entertaining but substantive memoir of Hyams' practice of the martial arts. Hyams studied with several well known and highly regarded masters and distills nuggets of wisdom from his experiences.

Dave Lowry
Autumn Lightning:
The Education of an American Samurai

Archtypal story of a student's journey from beginner to seasoned master of Japanese sword styles. Examines roots of traditional sword practice through the experience of training with a contemporary master. Those who like this book will also enjoy Persimmon Wind: A Martial Artist's Journey in Japan, also by Lowry.

Deng Ming Dao
Chronicles of Tao:
The Secret Life of a Taoist Master

An entertaining and highly readable biography of a member of what what may be the last generation of Chinese practitioners of monastic Taoism. Set during the transition from Imperial China to the present Communist regime, the story is both epic in scope and highly personal. For those more accustomed to a Zen/Buddhist orientation in martial arts practice, this provides an eye-opening contrast in styles of monastic martial arts practice.

Funakoshi Gichin
Karate-Do: My Way of Life

Autobiography by the founder of Shotokan Karate and one of the twentieth century's most influential martial arts practitioners and instructors.

Peter Lewis
The Father of Judo
A Biography of Jigoro Kano

Biography of the founder of Judo, a national hero of postwar Japan.

Dave Lowry
Traditions

A thought-provoking book especially suited for the beginning practitioner. An eloquent writer, thinker, and student of Japanese martial arts, Lowry is one of the rare people who have both paid their dues in the practice hall and writes in a way that accurately represents, in words, the spirit of training.

Dave Lowry
Moving Toward Stillness

All of Dave Lowry's books have wonderful moments. This one is perhaps best for intermediate level students.

Dave Lowry
Sword and Brush:
The Spirit of the Martial Arts

One of the author's more abstract books, this is generally more interesting for the advanced practitioner, although certain passages are among his most inspiring for students of any level. His explanations of fundamental martial arts principals through the kanji (characters) that represent the words will also interest those who love language.

Kensho Furuya
Kodo: Ancient Ways

Observations from a lifetime of teaching by a monk and Aikido instructor with an influential dojo in the Los Angeles area.