I read "Zen and the Martial Arts" years ago, and have read my copy a couple times since then. I just learned of Joe Hyams' passing and am posting this article that I recieved from Martial Info:

Joe Hyams, Best-selling Author and
Martial Arts Pioneer, Dies at Age 85

Joe Hyams (June 6, 1923 - Nov. 8, 2008)

Best selling author of Zen and the Martial Arts -and numerous other
books, Hollywood insider, and veteran martial arts enthusiast, Joe
Hyams passed away, of natural causes, on November 8, 2008.

During his long entertainment career, Joe Hyams was the Los Angeles
Bureau Chief and Hollywood columnist for the New York Herald
Tribune and also actor Humphrey Bogart's best friend.

Joe Hyams took up fencing lessons in the 1950's and through those
classes he met film music composer Bronislau Kaper. In 1958, Kaper
introduced him to Ed Parker, who was teaching Kenpo in the weight
room in Beverly Hills Health Club. Mr. Hyams became one of Ed
Parker's first private students and also one of Mr. Parker's first
black belts.

Joe Hyams was the first person to introduce Bruce Lee into the
Hollywood community. He helped Bruce Lee, with whom he trained
privately get a foothold in Hollywood during Bruce's struggling
years. Mr. Hyams trained with Bruce Lee for two years, and when
Bruce left for Hong Kong to pursue his film career, he suggested
that Joe learn from Jim Lau, who trained him in Wing Chun.

A thorough treatment of Mr. Hyams life and times is being prepared
by his protégé, martial arts writer and editor John Corcoran.

Please visit http://www.martialinfo.com/joe-hyams/ for more information.

I've always been associated with Veterans. My grandfather landed on two beaches in WWII. He brought home two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star from that war. My father spent twenty-two years in the Air Force, with two tours in Vietnam. My father's current wife spent four years in the U.S. Navy. I spent four years in the Army with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. I've known many men and women throughout my life that have served in the Armed Forces. Many have been good friends. Because of my time in the service, and my relationship with so many others who served, I know of the sacrifices made by everyone who dons a uniform and commits to serving our country.

On this special day, set aside for our Veterans, I want to thank each and every person who ever served, who is serving now, and who will serve in the future. The sacrifices made by our Veterans have been great, and all of us owe those that served.

Thank You Veterans!

Alain

The tenth book of Shawn Kovacich’s Achieving Kicking Excellence series features detailed instruction on the side kick and ten of its main variations. Bringing this initial series to a conclusion, these ten books are without a doubt the most detailed written work on kicking available. When completed, Kovacich’s next volumes on applications and defending against kicks will make a kicking library like no other. However, I am getting ahead of myself, and must focus only on “Side Kick” right now and wait till Kovacich’s future kicking series are complete before discussing those.

This volume is similar with the first nine in its format and contents. Like the previous texts, this book contains short chapters on anatomy, warming up, stretching, skill training, strength training, speed training, and power training. These are very elementary chapters on these topics. If you are like me, you already have compete texts on these topics, if not numerous texts on each of these topics that contain much more information that Kovacich’s short chapters. However, if you don’t, Kovacich does offer enough to get you started, and my prompt you to learn even more on these subjects. Because his goal was to make a complete kicking resource, these chapters are a welcome addition just to make it known that these are important to kicking.

The reason to purchase this book, just like the others in the series, is for the detailed instruction on the side kick and ten variations. The ten variations Kovacich includes are: Turning Side Kick, Step-Behind Side Kick, Hop/Slide Forward Side Kick, Hop/Slide Backward Side Kick, Front Leg Side Kick, Switch Side Kick, Off-Setting Side Kick, Step-Back Side Kick, Jumping Side Kick, and then the Step-Behind Side Kick with the left leg. (Kovacich primarily describes all the kicks with the right leg, and a person would just have to convert the instruction to the other leg, he does advocate training with both legs.

The book contains hundreds of photographs and diagrams to help the reader with the side kick. Even though the photographs are black and white, I feel they are clear enough to get Kovacich’s instruction through to the reader.

Like the others in the series, this is not a book to sit and read cover to cover for enjoyment. It is a tool to be used to assist with your kick skills. I’d encourage the reader to read the book through one time to know what the book contains, but then after that to use the book as needed when training. First one should learn the primary kick and get that down, then you can start practicing the variations. The way Kovacich designed the book, you can just pick it up, turn to the chapter on the variation you are working on, and there it is with detailed descriptions to help you along.

One thing I wish Kovacich would have included is a description of the side kick variation that includes a different coil. Kovacich describes the traditional coil position very well, but this is not the only way to perform this kick. My instructors in Korea teach that the beginning of the front kick, side kick and roundhouse kick all start with the raising of the knee in the same position. It is a bit different than Kovacich teaches here. It would have been nice for him to have included this variation. Otherwise, his instruction is right on for what he teaches.

Kovacich includes the “notes” sections in this volume as he did with the first nine. I really enjoy these little notes. Kovacich imparts a lot of useful information with these and sometimes they are easy to just skim and miss the important details he included. I recommend the reader pay attention to these notes to get the full value from this book.

When you look at martial art books that only have a page, or sometimes only a paragraph, describing a kick, it makes you wonder how there could be an entire book on just the side kick (as well as entire books on nine other kicks that this series entails), but when you read “Side Kick” you realize just how much goes into kicking and how the technical expertise Kovacich possesses is set forth in this book. I appreciate his detail and his passion for teaching.

This is a great book for anyone who practices a kicking art. I highly recommend it, and the entire series, for all martial artists. They are great additions to any martial art library, and if you use them as intended, they will help improve your kicking and achieve kicking excellence.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese

Shawn Kovacich has several Kicking DVDs planned with Aiki Productions. One set has been filmed and is currently being edited and prepared for release. Kovacich will be filming additional volumes in November 2008. Stay tuned to Aiki Productions website and blogs for additional information on these kicking resources!

I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy of "Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior" by Bohdi Sanders to provide an endorsement on back and inside cover. When the book came out, I read it again. It is that good! In fact, I can't say enough good things about this book, I enjoyed it that much.

First of all, it is readily apparent that Sanders and I have studied much of the same things over the years. While we have not studied the same martial arts, we have studied much of the same warrior literature that has been written over the years. This includes ancient texts and modern works. Because of this, I recognized many of the quotes Sanders has in "Warrior Wisdom."

Before I go further, this is a quote book, but also much much more than a quote book. There are 167 entries or chapters to this book. Each entry starts with a quote. It is many of these that I was familiar with. Quotes such as, "He is victorious who knows when and when not to fight" by Sun Tzu and "In order to progress in life, one has to improve every day in an endless process." From the Hagakure. If all this book contained was 167 quotes on warriorship, I would still have enjoyed it, and would most likely read it again and again at various times. However, Sanders did not just compile a list of quotes. After each quote, Sanders has written commentary on the quote and what that means to those living as warriors today.

I found myself many times thinking, "He nailed that; that's how warriors should think and act." It is very apparent that Sanders has taken considerable time studying and thinking on warriorship and what it means to be a warrior. His personal definition goes beyond someone who is in the military or who engages in war. His definition of warrior can be obtained without having to actually kill in battle, but to engage oneself in the war of life, and live with honor and integrity. Don't be fooled that Sander's definition neglects the traditional concepts of battle and warfare that is indeed found in the term warrior. Sanders believes modern warriors should train and be prepared to battle injustices and be able to defend themselves and others. However, developing character shines through in many of the commentaries. I agree with Sanders one hundred percent in that warriors must live by a higher standard and the standards he presents in this text, if adhered to, will make anyone, man, woman, or child a better person, a stronger force for good, and a powerful example of someone who epitomizes character.

I find myself now picking up the book periodically to read one entry, and not just read it, but to study Sander's commentary and ask myself if that is how I am living. Personally, I find my military service and my martial studies to be part of me, not just something I did or do. They are a way of life. Sure, that may sound funny to some, but for those that actually live this way, we know it is a powerful way to live. The warrior's edge that I write and speak about is just what this book is about. Its about living more powerfully with honor, integrity, and self-discipline.

I encourage anyone to read this text and focus on the character and self-discipline lessons Sanders shares. Incorporating even some of the advice into your daily living will make a difference. If you are a warrior, or desire to live as one, read Warrior Wisdom.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer.