This is a short list of books which may be of interest to those involved in the martial arts.
The Walking Stick Method of Self-Defence
By "An officer of the Indian Police"
Published by Kilcash Press
Available in book form or download from Lulu.com
This book, first published in the 1920's, contains a complete, well illustrated and easily learned system of self-defence based on the use of an ordinary walking stick. Highly recommened.
Chapter 2 can previewed free of charge at: Sample
Hapkido - An introduction to the art of
self-defence
Marc Tedeschi
Published by Weatherhill
ISBN 0-8348 0483-2
An excellent introductory text summarizing the author's massive tome listed below. This book covers sixty practical self-defence techniques, anatomical drawing of 83 common pressure points as well as a comprehensive history of the art.
Hapkido - Traditions, Philosophy and Technique
Marc Tedeschi
Published by Weatherhill
ISBN 0-8348 0444-1
A massive 1136 page book covering every aspect of Hapkido. For a glimpse visit Tedeschi Media
Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-jujutsu
H.E.Davey
Published by Masters Press
ISBN 1-57028-121-1
H.E. Davey is a director of both the American Kokusai Budoin Association and the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts. His book places considerable importance on the cultural aspects of the Japanese martial arts and their place in Japanese society. The first of the book's three sections presents a detailed history on the origins of Aiki Jujutsu with particular reference to Daito Ryu. The second section deals with the mind and body in Aiki Jujutsu and the third section illustrates a number of Aiki techniques.
Legacies of the Sword:
The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture
Karl F. Friday & Seki Humitake
Publidhed by University of Hawai'i Press
ISBN 0-8248-1979-2
An excellent insight into the cultural importance of the martial arts throughout the last 600 years of Japanese history covering heritage and tradition, the philosophy and science of combat and the martial path. Essential reading for anyone interested in the Japanese warrior arts, particularly western students seeking to understanding the underlying principals of these arts often neglected outside of Japan.
Budo
Morehei Oeshiba
Published by Kodansha America
ISBN 4-7700-2070-8
"Budo" was originally published and privately circulated in 1938 by Oeshiba to explain the philosophy and techniques of what would become Aikido in 1942. Terse and sometimes cryptic, "Budo" is a tradition Japanaese instruction manual regarded by many as a classic. This edition, published in 1991, has a forward by Kisshomaru Oeshiba giving a brief history of Aikido and some context to his father's work.
Stick Fighting: techniques of self-defense
Masaaki Hatsumi & Quintin Chambers
Published by Kodansha International
ISBN 0-87077-475-1
First published in 1971, this fine manual covers some of the many stick techniques of Kukishin Ryu. Masaaki Hatsumi, better known as the head of the Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, is also the Master of the Kukishin Ryu and in this well illustrated book he covers techniques using the bo (long staff), jo (medium staff) and hanbo (walking-stick length). These are roughly the same in length as the daijo, chujo and shojo. Also of interest are a number of the very short stick techniques based the use of the tessen war fan.
The Unfettered Mind
Takuan Soho (translated by William Scott Wilson)
Published by Kodansha International
ISBN 0-87011-851-X
Three short essays offering advice on the practical, technical and philosophical aspects of confrontations, seeking to unify the spirit of Zen with the spirit of the sword. The first essay "The Mysterious Record of Immovable Wisdom" deals with conflict in a way that may be of interest to students of the Aiki arts.