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Sample Chapters, click to download PDFs:
- Introduction             - Judo / Jon Bluming
- Shaolin / Gao Fangxian     - Taiji / Zheng Manqing

DESCRIPTION
In every century there are unique individuals whose fate makes them standing symbols of unique merit and accomplishment. Robert W. Smith's Martial Musings stands out as the sole literary work with offers readers an unique perspective of martial arts as they evolved during the 20th century.

Smith personally escorts the reader on a tour of martial arts. He starts with his own initial involvement in the arts, then launches outward, across the nation, over to Asia, and eventually home again.

No doubt, you will find Martial Musings insightful and enjoyable reading. As a pioneer in Asian martial arts research in America with thirteen previously published books, Smith shares more than fifty years experience in martial arts practice and research. Based on reflections on the people and places that shaped martial arts in the 20th century, the book's topics include:

Highlights:
    

• martial arts theory & practice    

• portrayals of leading Asian instructors

• Westerners who were among the first to study martial arts in Asia and return to their own countries to initiate and develop the arts

• a detailed historical record of the evolution of martial arts in the West

• a philosophical treatment of martial arts as exhibited in modern practice

• two-color text; full-color cover

• 400 pages - 6" x 9" - 300 illustrations - hardbound - ISBN 1-893765-008

AUTHOR'S BIONOTE
Robert W. Smith may be known as a world's leading authority on Asian martial arts, but this book shows he is much more than that. His pioneering work in the field has inspired others to follow, but perhaps none have brought such drive, stamina, and scholarly skills to such a monumental task.

Smith has practiced, taught, and written on the Asian martial arts for more than fifty years. From his late teens he trained under eminent Western boxing and wrestling coaches and later immersed himself in judo and finally the Chinese martial arts under celebrated masters. He taught many students in the latter arts in the Washington D.C. area where he worked as an intelligence officer for the CIA.

Martial Musings records insightful details associated with Smith's years of absorption in the combative arts in the USA and overseas. But, what makes this book such a joy to devour is the literary relish Smith stir-fries in with the book's basic ingredients. He austutely couples combatives with literary panache, quick wit, and penetrating insights.


REVIEWS

"America's greatest martial arts writer has produced his genre's one indispensable book." ~ Inside Kung-Fu Magazine

"A well-written memoir is a sure-fire way to make Asian history and culture come alive... Smith not only offers us the story of one man's joyous, passionate, and often genuinely daring romp through the modern martial arts, he does so by interweaving his subject with the multiple perspectives of international relations, literature, and American popular culture." ~ Education About Asia

"For anyone who cares about the people and culture forces that have shaped our modern world from China to Japan to America, for anyone who understands that studying the lives of extraordinary individuals helps us live our own mundane existence, for anyone who's just interested in a unique, good read, Martial Musings is a bargain." ~ James Grady, author of Six Days of the Condor

"Who is the real Robert Smith?... What comes across strongly is his candour and honesty, traits which are increasingly rare in the world of martial arts, and his willingness to protest against unethical behavior and injustices. It is fascinating to peer into another life providing one can learn something and one can do so from his largely autobiographical Martial Musings. Read it! It will be to your advantage." ~ Richard Bowen, Vice President, The Budokwai

"I heartily endorse R.W. Smith's new book... a big informative book on these arts, telling the stories of those men and women populating them." ~ Henri Plée, 10th-dan karate, 5th-dan judo