Recommended first reading

[Kobalt]

Hello all,

Well Im takeing the plung head first into Kenpo. I can see me enjoying this for a very long time.

I have seen a couple lists of "Recommended Reading" but what would you say should be my first book that I pickup to read. Keeping in mind I have just started training.

thanks,

Kobs

[kenpo0324]

Hello Kobalt

I like Ed parker's Infinite Insights into Kenpo..Vol 1 thru 5
I really enjoy reading them.. Great Books..
I think you would really enjoy reading them too..

[Rob Broad]

I agree with Kenpo0324, the infinite insights series is a great place to start.

[Seig]

Absolutely Infinite Insights, Vol 1. is the best place to start.

[Gin-Gin2]

Ditto!

And, after you read Infinite Insights, I highly recommend that you get the Encyclopedia of Kenpo. It has all of the glossaries in the Infinite Insights series put together and more!

[Seig]

Ditto!

And, after you read Infinite Insights, I highly recommend that you get the Encyclopedia of Kenpo. It has all of the glossaries in the Infinite Insights series put together and more!

I disagree, while the Encyclopedia does have a plethora of information available in it, there is some of it that is not completely compatable with Infinite Insights. It is important to remember that the Encyclopedia was compiled and published after Mr. Parker's death. Someone new to the art is going to have their plate full with the Infinite Insights for a while. Even as an instructor/advanced student, I continually refer to mine. I would recommend holding off on the Encyclopedia until at least an intermediate belt level; thus giving you a firmer base of understanding to work from.

[Hunter]

I am kinda going against the grain here and recommending a book not authored but influenced by Ed Parker......

Lee Wedlakes Kenpo Karate 101

My first set of books bought were the infinite insights series but knowing what I do now I would seriously recomend Mr. Wedlakes book to any begginer or anyone just starting thier kenpo journey.

This book is logical, well thought out, and gives someone a good idea of what to expect and look for in American Kenpo. I think his website is still www.lwkarate.com he has an online store and this book is about 15 bucks if I remember right.

[Brother John]

Ditto!

And, after you read Infinite Insights, I highly recommend that you get the Encyclopedia of Kenpo. It has all of the glossaries in the Infinite Insights series put together and more!

I agree completely! The Insights books are great, but I think that the Encyclopedia is a huge help...once you have your base.

I'll make a more daring leap that Hunter did...I'll not just go with a non-Parker book, I'll go with a non-Kenpo book.
I recomend that anyone taking up the martial arts, especially any form of Karate, read "Karate-Do, my way of life" by Gichin Funakoshi.
EXCELLENT. Very good for insight into where everything came from.

Your Brother
John

[Ronin Moose]

I agree with all of the choices above, having read them all. I believe that Mr. Wedlake's books are really quite good for the new student - easy to follow. Just my 2 cents worth.

-Garry

[Kenpo-Sloth]

Personally, I like GREEN EGGS & HAM, but that's just me
It teaches you about making decisions!!

[Brother John]

Personally, I like GREEN EGGS & HAM, but that's just me
It teaches you about making decisions!!

hahahahahahaha
OR, hows about, by that same author....with regard to our dreams of reaching a higher rank:
"Oh the places your go, or maybe you won't"

Your Brother
John

[The Kai]

Personally, I like GREEN EGGS & HAM, but that's just me
It teaches you about making decisions!!

If you got nothing to add to the conversation, would'nt it be better to say nothing???

[Brother John]

If you got nothing to add to the conversation, would'nt it be better to say nothing???

hey Kai, please check the response to this thread:
Moderation question

apparently, most don't mind a bit of drift or off topic humor. I don't mean to tell you what to do, but maybe you could suffer some of us to use this site as a place to be humorous and blow off steam w/other Kenpoists. If we do so, skip it.
...worth thinking about.

Your Brother
John

[Kobalt]

Being the started of this Thread.... I say

All work and no Play may John a dull boy!!!

=)

thanks kobs

[Brother John]

I am NOT dull!


ANYWAY..... Back to martial arts books:
One martial arts book that I think is GREAT, regardless of what martial art you study, is "Living the Martial Way" by Forest E. Morgan.
Click on that, it'll take you to Amazon. Read the reviews at the bottom.
BELIEVE'M.... it's goooood.

Your Brother
John

[Mace]

I have to agree with Brother John, "Living the Martial Way" is a great book and well worth reading, regardless of which style you study.

Sean

[Gin-Gin2]

I disagree, while the Encyclopedia does have a plethora of information available in it, there is some of it that is not completely compatable with Infinite Insights. It is important to remember that the Encyclopedia was compiled and published after Mr. Parker's death. Someone new to the art is going to have their plate full with the Infinite Insights for a while. Even as an instructor/advanced student, I continually refer to mine. I would recommend holding off on the Encyclopedia until at least an intermediate belt level; thus giving you a firmer base of understanding to work from.

You're probably right. Because I've been in Kenpo a little while & am not an instructor, it didn't occur to me that it might overwhelm/confuse a beginning student. I also continually refer to my Infinite Insights books--they're so handy!

Anyway, someone mentioned Mr. Wedlake's book Kenpo Karate 101; I have that one as well as Further Insights into Kenpo, and I enjoyed both of them very much.

I've heard of both Karate-Do & Living the Martial Way so I'll check 'em out & see which one I can get my hands on first. Thanks for the recommendations, everyone! (even "Green Eggs and Ham" which is a classic, but in another genre)

[Brother John]

You're probably right. Because I've been in Kenpo a little while & am not an instructor, it didn't occur to me that it might overwhelm/confuse a beginning student.

The infinite insights ARE great! I agree with what Seig said! Digest what's in the "Insights" books first. There's lots there to chew on. Then later, once you have a better foundation and are getting used to the terms and the way of thinking that Kenpo has.... Dig into the Encyclopedia to realllllly top it off.

PLUS: The Zen of Kenpo, by Ed Parker. That's a goooood book. I really like it. Some of the sayings are a bit..........Hokey. But that's okay.

Use the three books together to give yourself a GOOD depth and bredth of things to consider in Kenpo....
BUT: Never use them as a BIBLE!!!! They...like the very techniques that comprise our beloved art....are nothing more than a POINT OF REFERENCE. (sorry to shout, but I feel strongly here). If we elevated them to GOSPEL, then I think they lose much of their worth. I'll never use them to tell somene why something IS or IS NOT in Kenpo or "We don't do it that way, because it's not how it is in the Insights books"..
It's bad enough that we quote them as much as we do. HA!!

Sorry...
I'll get off my soap-box now.

Take it cheeezy..
Your Brother (who LOVES his 'points of reference')
John

[Seig]

I know this too has been said a few bajillion times, the books, while invaluable tools are no substitute for a knowledgeable teacher. There are a few mistakes in the books, and they are intentional to the best of my meager knowledge.....

[Brother John]

I know this too has been said a few bajillion times, the books, while invaluable tools are no substitute for a knowledgeable teacher. There are a few mistakes in the books, and they are intentional to the best of my meager knowledge.....

GOOD call Seig!

(I'd heard they were intentional too.)

yer bro.
John