The Overlook Reader is a great overview reader. As the title and subtitle
(classic writings on philosophy and technique) suggests, the work is a compilation
of martial arts writings on a variety of subjects with varying levels of
importance. Because the individual essays and excerpts are so varied, the
reader's interest may also modulate, but overall the book does a wonderful
job of sampling to ensure that virtually everyone will find several entries
entertaining. Some of the selections are more straightforward essays, but
many are stories or personal accounts that illustrate a martial arts moral
or lesson. The detail of such narratives also provides a more general education
in martial arts culture and attitudes. The short but entertaining entries
keep the reader from tiring and/or allow the book to be read in intervals.
It is an excellent source for beginning students to get a general feel for
a host of concepts and issues that surround the martial arts. More advanced
or more educated students may likely find some of these discussions familiar,
but the book will probably still offer some new examples or ways to illustrate
the concepts. Another positive of the book is that many selections are excerpts
from well known martial arts classics or written by key historical martial
arts figures. This adds credibility to the book, although beginners may
not initially appreciate this fact as much as someone more familiar with
the original people and works.
The book is divided into four parts. The first section is labeled "Culture
and Conflict: the Histories" and includes brief histories of the martial
traditions of China and Japan (of particular note is how this relates
to the political world order of the times). It also includes a piece entitled
"Cult of Cold Steel" by E J Harrison (one of the first Westerners
to write about the martial arts, at least popularly) and a brief biography
of Aikido founder Ueshiba by John Stevens (a notable Aikido author). Section
two (master and students: the philosophy) offers a myriad of entries that
touch upon key concepts and philosophies. Included are personal accounts
by the great Tai Chi master T.T. Liang (his experience and growth while
doing tai chi) and the founder of Karate-Do Gichin Funakoshi (the concept
of wining by losing) and an excerpt from Moving Zen by Nicol (among others).
Another story of note is an excellent portrayal of both compassion and
de-escalation in a piece called "A Soft Answer" by Terry Dobson (I know
one person who does seminars on de-escalation that uses it as an example.)
Section three is labeled "Training and Discipline: the Way." Here again,
major writers and historical figures are among the contributors, including
Funakoshi, judo founder Jigoro Kano, and Dave Lowry. There is a portion
from The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Mushashi. Arts represented include
Aikido, Tai Chi Ch'uan, Kung fu, Karate, Jujitsu (judo), and weapon uses,
such as swordsmanship and mounted archery. The last section entitled "Other
Aspects" is truly miscellaneous. But one piece that might be of particular
interest to DePauw students is a chapter called "Liberal Arts and the
Martial Arts". It also has an excerpt from another martial arts classic
(Bushido, by Nitobe) on women and the martial arts.
As the editor notes in the preface, this book is more about the traditions
than absolute fact, and more about the ideals than pragmatic fighting.
The lessons include moral development, respect for teacher and for others,
the defensive nature of the martial arts, and the love of peace and harmony
with others and with onesself through the intrinsic rewards of the martial
arts. The sampling of entries has a cumulative effect-- each one of the
works by themselves is not of great significance but when combined, they
leave the reader with an appreciation for many facets of the martial arts
in a manner that a more specific or focused text would be hard pressed
to equal. In effect, this book can do the work of several or at least
serves as a recommended stepping stone to more focused pursuits.
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