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Keith Vargo

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

https://www.keithvargo.org/

Genre

Nonfiction, Philosophy, Sports

Influences

William Buck, Norman Mailer, Adam Hsu,

Member Since

July 2025

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I am a writer, former fighter, and martial artist based in Tokyo, Japan. I was a contributing editor for Black Belt magazine for 17 years, where I wrote a popular monthly column called "Way of the Warrior." I've also written for FightSport magazine, Karate/Kung-fu Illustrated, Sports World Japan, Maxfighting.com, and MMA-Japan.net.

I am also the author of three books. The most recent is Kakutougi Boom: Reports from the Glory Years of Combat Sports in Japan. It's a series of books that feature my fight writing from the most exciting and compelling era in the history of combat sports. Volume I of Kakutougi Boom is currently available. Volume II will follow in 2025 and Volume III after that. My other two books are The Soul of Fighting: Martial ...more

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Keith Vargo’s books

Average rating: 4.19 · 21 ratings · 1 review · 8 distinct works

	Philosophy of Fighting: Morals and Motivations of the Modern Warrior 3.73 avg rating — 11 ratings — published 2008 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Soul of Fighting: Martial Arts, Combat Sports, and the Search for Warrior Wisdom by Keith Vargo (Goodreads Author), Jeff Broderick (Photographer), James Farmer (Photographer) 4.80 avg rating — 5 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Judo Warrior's Journey Around the Globe: America 1904~1907 by Maeda Mitsuyo, Keith Vargo (Goodreads Author) (Foreword), Eric Shahan (Translator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kakutougi Boom: Reports from the Glory Years of Combat Sports in Japan: Volume I (The Kakutougi Boom Series Book 1) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Soul of Fighting: Martial Arts, Combat Sports, and the Search for Warrior Wisdom it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kakutougi Boom: Volume II: Reports from the Glory Years of Combat Sports in Japan (The Kakutougi Boom Series) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kakutougi Boom: Volume II: Reports from the Glory Years of Combat Sports in Japan (The Kakutougi Boom Series Book 2) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Boxing: A Quick Guide by Watanabe Yujiro, Koriyama Kokichi, Keith Vargo (Goodreads Author) (Foreword) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Keith’s Recent Updates

Keith Vargo made a comment in the group Mike's "NONFICTION" Book Club — Welcome to MBC topic " Hi. I'm a niche writer focused on martial arts and fighting sports. I wrote for Black Belt magazine for nearly two decades and have a bunch of nonfict ...more "
Jun 21, 2026 05:01AM
Keith Vargo liked Carol Cruz's review of Ways to Die in Tokyo: "⭐️⭐️⭐️¾ Ways to Die in Tokyo is a moody, atmospheric dive into Tokyo’s underbelly, with rich detail and a noir vibe that really pulls you in. I especially loved Hiroshi, the retired detective turned bar owner—his quiet complexity gave the story real w" Read more of this review »
Jan 16, 2026 02:20PM · see review
Keith Vargo is now following Karen Attiah Author of Say Your Word, Then Leave: The Assassination of...
Sep 09, 2025 06:53AM · like
Keith Vargo wants to read Say Your Word, Then Leave: The Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi and the Power of the Truth by Karen Attiah	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 09, 2025 06:52AM · like
Keith Vargo answered Goodreads's question: What books are on your summer reading list this year? I'm currently rereading "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare and hoping to finally finish "A History of Astronomy from Thales to Kepler" by J.L.E Dreyer. Also, I'm rereading "Boxing: A Quick Guide" by Yujiro Watanabe for the first time since I worked See Full Answer
Jul 06, 2025 04:27AM · like
Keith Vargo is accepting questions on their profile page.
Jul 06, 2025 04:12AM · Be the first to ask Keith Vargo a question
Keith Vargo joined the groups Goodreads Authors/Readers and Mike's "NONFICTION" Book Club
Jul 05, 2025 11:40AM
Keith Vargo rated a book really liked it Secrets from the Eating Lab: The Science of Weight Loss, the Myth of Willpower, and Why You Should Never Diet Again by Traci Mann	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 05, 2025 08:24AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Secrets from the Eating Lab by Traci Mann. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Secrets from the Eating Lab by Traci Mann <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Keith Vargo rated a book really liked it Developing Sport Expertise: Researchers and Coaches Put Theory into Practice by Farrow. Damian ( 2013 ) Paperback by Unknown Author	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 05, 2025 08:23AM · like