Martial Arts History

Folk tales of the Shaolin Temple depict warrior monks with superhuman abilities. Today, dozens of East Asian fighting styles trace their roots back to the Buddhist brawlers of Shaolin, although any quest for the true story soon wanders into a labyrinth of forgeries, secret texts and modern retellings. This new study approaches the martial arts from their origins in military exercises and callisthenics. It examines a rich folklore from old wuxia tales of crime-fighting heroes to modern kung fu movies.

Track the evolution of combat history as ancient warriors transformed raw violence into disciplined martial arts. Whether you need an action-packed listen for your next gym workout or an engaging deep dive for a morning commute, this epic journey delivers. Explore how early civilizations turned...

Wing Chun is the most popular form of Chinese kung fu in the world today, with more than four million practitioners. This guide will fascinate and educate anyone interested in the martial arts, from beginner to master. The art as it is presently understood has been handed down from teacher to student for more than 300 years. Until now, no one has ever stepped back and taken a critical look at why this art's techniques are presented and performed the way they are. 

The goals of the budo - the martial arts and ways of Japan - lie in refining the body and spirit. These goals are not always the obvious ones - and are learned only through the guidance and direction of great teachers. The techniques, methods, and rituals of the sensei can serve as guides to a well-lived life - and provide invaluable lessons for today's martial artists.

The Shaolin Monastery charts for the first time in any language the history of the Shaolin Temple and the evolution of its world-renowned martial arts. In this meticulously researched and eminently readable study Meir Shahar considers the economic political and religious factors that led Shaolin monks to disregard the Buddhist prohibition against violence and instead create fighting techniques that by the 21st century have spread throughout the world.

The reason you never heard these histories is so dark that few have dared to speak about it, until now. Completely new and meticulously researched, Tai Chi, Baguazhang and the Golden Elixir erases 120 years of confusion and error to reveal the specific theatrical and religious origins of Chinese internal martial arts.

Trace the epic historical evolution of human combat from raw battlefield survival to refined philosophical martial arts. Perfect for deep learning on your commute, this thought-provoking narrative reveals how ancient societies transformed brutal violence into lasting codes of honor. Dive into...

Le Bushi, c'est le samouraï, le soldat du Moyen Age japonais. le Bushidô est un code de conduite, l'ensemble des valeurs que ce chevalier d'Orient était censé respecter. Pour l'auteur de cet ouvrage, Inazo Nitobe, c'est aussi le fond culturel et moral du Japon tout entier, la colonne vertébrale de la mentalité nipponne.

Desde los inicios de la civilización china, hasta nuestros días, el kung-fu transmite una filosofía arcana y múltiples técnicas de combate que, a través del cine, han maravillado al mundo entero. La Breve historia de kung-fu nos descubre la apasionante historia de las artes marciales chinas, unas técnicas de combate que datan más o menos de los tiempos de Fu Xi en el 2.800 A. C.

Watch brutal dueling transform into an elegant Olympic sport in this thrilling history. Journey from muddy killing fields to brightly lit modern pistes, turning your daily commute into an immersive exploration of armed combat. Hear how early societies trained with blades, fearing and admiring...

Jiu jitsu is an unarmed form of combat first used by the samurai warriors of ancient Japan. It's an all-round martial art that uses striking, blocking, grappling, locking, throwing, ground, submission and weapons techniques. The emphasis is on technique over power and strength by using the opponent's force against themselves.

Told by a former MMA combatant whose promising career came to an unexpected end due to a freak sparring session injury, Saleh Stevens' History of MMA: From Rome to Today covers the many critical influences that ultimately shaped the practice of mixed martial arts as it is understood today. In his first book, the author begins by offering his insight into the role of the earliest practitioners of pankration, a sport that was included in the original Olympic Games.