It took me a long time to get around to this book. I didn't like the cover, and you can kind of tell from the artwork what kind of book it is. It's exactly what you would expect. It's not a bad book and I would rate it slightly above average. It starts out strong and ends well but is rather slow in the middle. This book is in the vein of the 'year in the life of...' style that is very popular right now. The author is not an expert but intends to live his life in the style of a martial arts student for a year. He goes on some interesting trips and has some moderately interesting things to say, but he ultimately does not feel passionately about the subject and I think it shows. The author is a journalist and this book reads like a long assignment that maybe went on a bit too long. But again, not horrible. I would recommend it if you are looking for a lighthearted romp on the topic. ( )

I didn't like this book. I thought the writing was all over the place...in some places interesting and in others really boring. I would not recommend this book. ( )

Try going out where little kids congregate these days and tell me how many short people you see wearing white pajamas, also known as martial arts uniforms. My children have never participated so my knowledge of the sport remains incredibly superficial. I've never seen a Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan movie. And Eastern philosophy doesn't tend to stick nicely in my brain (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is on the short list of books that actually made me want to poke myself in the eye with a pointy stick). So you might wonder why I would even think to pick up a book purportedly about martial arts.

But this is not an instructional book. It is an interesting and insightful book about author Preston's journey towards learning what drives martial arts, both traditional and modern, how people practice this sport, and the underlying philosophies behind it. He himself was a complete novice when the idea for this book popped up and he thought he could chronicle his own journey to a black belt. Only it wasn't as easy as it looked. After his own learning was derailed (or at least postponed), Preston examined the different disciplines, interviewed big names, and traveled to China to search out practitioners where it all originated. While Preston is respectful, he doesn't shy away from the problems plaguing the sport or some of the ridiculousness associated with it. He finds humor in his search and pokes gentle fun at himself during this journey. And what he learns about himself during his research is as interesting as the research itself.

Preston is quite thorough in his coverage although for the uninitiated, the differences in disciplines seem to be splitting hairs and are not necessarily particularly clear. And I'm not certain how this fault could be remedied in a book as it would probably take a video. Despite missing nuances that must certainly speak volumes to actual practicing martial artists, this was an interesting read and one that let me poke a toe over the threshold of a world in which I'll probably never have a part. I enjoyed my time visiting monastaries and temples, meeting Ultimate fighters, and learning in neighborhood martial arts schools and clubs.

Thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for a review copy of this book although in the spirit of full disclosure, I actually bought the copy I read, not having changed my address after we moved and therefore some other lucky soul, perhaps the folks who bought our last house, was the lucky recipient of the free copy of the book. ( )

After years of running from danger, Brian Preston decides to learn to defend himself. He enrolls in a Kung Fu Academy. His plans to earn a black belt, or at least a blue belt, are derailed when he suffers rib and shoulder injuries - and his daughter Grace is born. While he heals he embarks on a series of trips to explore the history and various kinds of martial arts. His journeys take him from a quiet walk up a mountain in China to a seat at the rowdy Ultimate Fighting Championship. By the end of the book, Preston finds a form of martial arts that works for a so-called "spineless wuss" like him.
Preston writes in a readable style that alternates between a personal journal and a martial arts history lesson. I didn't know anything about martial arts when I started reading this, but neither did Preston when he began writing, so this book worked out well for me. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in martial arts, or anyone who enjoys reading adventure-type memoirs. My only wish was that it had a few photos! ( )

I'm not a martial arts person. I'm not even all that into Eastern philosophies. This book was still engaging though. I wanted to keep reading to see what highjinks Preston would get into next. There are a few parts of the book that drag a little, but for the most part, it is a fairly quick and easy read. I'd look for other books by this author.