Jonathan Bluestein's Reviews > Research of Martial Arts

This book is by far one of the most important texts for any martial artists or enthusiast. I have not read a book that I feel this strongly about since Lee's "Tao of Jeet Kune Do". Sifu Bluestein's detailed, and sometimes opinionated text offers a unique lens with which to view the Martial Arts through. His understanding of the internal and external aspects coupled with his ability to communicate this understanding lends itself to a deeper experience for the reader. His poems and commentary pepper this collegiate level texts with a valuable vantage point to consider whilst examine carefully presented facts. In his well researched systematic delivery Sifu Bluestein lays bare these misunderstood ancient (and newer) disciplines from root to leaf. Although his personal experience and lineage is predominantly Chinese in origin, his understanding of Japanese, Thai, European, Filipino, Indonesian, Middle Eastern and ancient Indian Martial Arts is evident in this text. As a Renshi Godan (5th Dan) with a strong Martial arts lineage myself, I do not sing praises for other martial artists without due warrant. This text warrants these praises that I give without reservation. This book would serve as a great asset to any adult martial artists's education, and would be equally beneficial to the collegiate scholar of Military Science, Philosophy, Asian History or Cultural Anthropology. This book is of an academic quality peppered with relevant personal experience and insightful opinions presented with thought provoking poetic flair. If one aspires to be a well rounded scholar or Martial Artist, owning this book is probably one of the best decisions to further the pursuit of those aspirations.

Jonah Young
Renshi Godan Sensei