any good books?

[Commander]

Hi everyone, do you know of a good kendo/samurai orientated book that i could find?

Something that has a story of someone's past or something lol

Thanks

[ahmed61086]

The book of five rings by Myimoto Musashi. No story, just good ol strategy. Read it if you want to boost your sword skills.

[ramblingmind]

The Life-Giving Sword by Yagyu Munenori (don't ask me who translated it though)

[Mr. Donigan]

The book of five rings, is a good read. Not too many martial arts books out there will tell you to test your new sword on a cadaver, or prisoner!

Also read "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa. It's about Myimoto Musashi, and his life adventers. It's part fact, part myth, and a great read. There is also a movie trilogy based on it. Musashi played by nonother than Toshiro Mifune. My local Hollywood Video has it.

[Commander]

Which book is the best read?

[hamish]

Forget the book of five rings, its not a good read. Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa or the Shambala book about Yamaoka Tesshu, (The Sword of No-Sword) THAT was a good read, a lot shorter than Musashi, and factual.

[KenShi_JoB]

I second Hamish! Sword of no sword is very good read.

[piggy]

and i will 3rd hamish.

[Commander]

Thanks for the imput guys

[Commander]

Just wondering which of either Musashi or The Sword of No-Sword is better?

P.S theres another author of Musashi called William Scott Wilson, would it be best to stick with your author?

[Mr. Donigan]

I've not familiar with the other version. Eiji's is well known, and well repected. I'd personally stick with a Japanese author for a story about a Japanese folk legend. Just as I'd stick with an American auther about George Washington, and a Canadian author about William Shatner. As far as which book is the best, I haven't read "Sword of No Mind", but I will now based on their suggestions. Though book of Five Rings, isn't an exciting read, it's more a martial arts text book for two sword fighting, I really got a lot of life lessons out of it. You have to look beyond the basics of the fighting technique and see how it could apply to your life. Hope this helps.

[Mr. Donigan]

Correction: I said Sword of No Mind... it should have read Sword of No Sword. editors note

[nodaka]

I just started reading "The Life Giving Sword", by Yagyu Munenori. Translated by William Scott Wilson.

Great Book.