Okinawa's Complete Karate: Isshin Ryu

It is not easy to write a book, especially for such a niche market, so you should at least give credit the author for trying. However, it's FULL of critical historical errors, glosses over critical areas of the style (e.g., talking about "chi" or "ki" in one chapter but completely ignoring "chinkuchi"). Virtually no useful history of the kata. Everything is just extremely basic. Someone who has just started training in Isshinryu might find it useful and interesting, which is great, but they'd also be reading a lot of incorrect information.

I'm all for any book on my style of Karate, but there really isn't much in this book that isn't found in other isshinryu books. Not only that but there are some errors that give away the fact that one the author's reference were obviously older isshinryu books that are know to have said errors. Also there are no techniques in this book, its purpose is more aimed at just giving the history of Isshinryu. However with errors, like the founder's birthday being the wrong day and year, it could use a little bit more work.

This purchase was one of the best I have ever made. The small black dot on the side of the book they described in no way impedes the reading of the book. I would buy from them again from them without reservation. Speedy shipment also, it came in half the time they said.

One of the best books I have read on Isshin Ryu karate Mr Rosenbaum did a great job. I think all Martial Artist should read this book.Its a book about keeping it real.

It was a gift for my brother and he loved it - God knows I'll never read this, myself, but he said it really goes in-depth as far as the history.

My thoughts on this book are mixed. On one hand the book is well written, but on the other hand the book has some interesting facts. Everyone has their view on Isshin Ryu, and most people's do not agree with eachothers'. Isshin Ryu has a sorted past with many "experts" claiming to know the history. Maybe there are a few experts out there, but what were they really taught. Remember this, the USA was at war with Japan during the time when the martial arts were being taught to Americans. So how can we be sure that the information passed on to us is accurate. We all have our own thoughts and each of us has had knowledge passed down from our Senseis', which was passed down from theirs'. Mr. Rosenbaum has put together a little piece of Isshin Ryu history that should be read and not criticized. We are all under Master Shimabuku and need to unify.My 2 cents.Bryan Winkelman ([...]) - author of "Training Manual for Isshin Ryu Karate" listed on amazon.com

Mr. Rosenbaum did an excellent job of researching the rich history of Isshinryu karate. His book includes details about Okinawan history, the influences on Tatsuo Shimabuku, kata description, and the personalities involved with the development of Isshinryu in the United States. His writing style is obviously considerate of the new karate-ka (student) and provides a general overview of Isshrinyu without spending too much time on any one topic. I have applied Mr. Rosenbaum's information to questions presented to me in the dojo by my sensei, so the topics Mr. Rosenbaum covers are very applicable.The major fault with this book is poor editing. Typographical errors that are common to any author are present and this book would benefit greatly by a professional editor reviewing the text prior to the next edition. But the errors are not so abundant as to distract the reader.I appreciate Mr. Rosenbaum's attitude about the political issues between different Isshinryu organizations. His respectful tone and hope for a stronger Isshinryu community are good examples for the rest of us.Another strength to this book are the simple illustrations of the major contributors to Isshinryu accompanied by brief biographies. I would like to see more of Mr. Rosenbaum's illustrations in a future edition.

The author takes a different route in this book in that he explores Isshninryu not so much from the standard party line of it being the greatest martial art the world has ever known. Instead he sets down before the reader a great overview of the system and its early pioneers, most of whom were Americans, and tells how and why this Karate System evolved without trying to debase any other systems of karate. He does however take a different viewpoint towards the effectivness of modern day sport based systems and is quite quick to point of the differences between Japanese Styles and Okinawan Styles of Karate.There are very few pictures in this book except for the sketches done of famous Isshinryu practitioners however he does a wonderfull job of exploring the body mechanics of the system, its hard and soft elements as well as its internal and external elements all explained in a rather matter of fact viewpoint. Nowhere does he delve into quasi-mystical elements as is so often done in many martial arts books attributing this or that to chi, ki or anyother unseen element. Intead he presents facts to the reader and lets you determine what is real and what isn't. Also he takes the same approach in his presentation fo the system itself. He is however, and rightly so, pretty harsh on modern day ranking it's abuse and the good ole boy politics found within many styles of karate, Isshinryu included. Over all its a good book, not to deep, just to the point and factual.