Top 10 Books for Martial Artists

Here are my top ten book recommendations for martial artists. These books cover classical budo, martial arts philosophy, strategy, and even modern mindset research. You will not find a 'how-to-karate' book in this list. To train your body, hit the dojo floor. These books will help cultivate the mind. This is the recommended reading list for dan candidates. The list is in no particular order.

1. Bubishi, The Classic Manual of Combat: translated with commentary by Patrick McCarthy - Excerpts of this classic are a must-read for all karate students. It is for good reason that the original publication of this book included the sub-title 'The Bible of Karate'. This book reads like the classic student manual that it is. In it, you will find the history of karate, the Eight Precepts of Quanfa, combat techniques, and much, much more.

2. The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho): Miyamoto Musashi with commentary by Kim Taylor - For serious martial artists, particularly those who train with traditional weapons, I strongly recommend Kim Taylor's translation. This is the only version with commentary by someone who trains in the specific sword school that Musashi taught. For a more detailed review: Go Rin No Sho.

3. The Unfettered Mind – Takuan Soho, translated by William Scott Wilson

4. The Classical Man - Richard Kim

5. Tao of Jeet Kun Do - Bruce Lee

6. Karate-do My Way of Life – Gichin Funakoshi

7. The Art of War – Lao Tsu, translated by Ralph D. Sawyer

8. The Way of the Living Sword – Yagyu Munennori

9. Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate - Rick Barrett

10. The Champion's Mind - Jim Afremow

Honorable Mention

I culled the list of recommending reading with much personal angst. There are literally volumes upon volumes of timeless literature available, and I strongly recommend absorbing as much of it as possible. Here are a few more books for consideration.

1. T’ai Chi Classics – Waysun Liao

2. Ba Gua – Hidden Knowledge in the Taoist Internal Art – John Bracy & Liu Xing-Han

3. Classical Budo – Donn F. Draeger

4. The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff

5. The Master Key – Charles F Haanel

6. Legend of the Fist Vol #1 - Patrick McCarthy

7. Infinite Insights series - Ed Parker

8. Zen in the Art of Archery – Eugen Herrigel

9. Tales of Old Japan (including the Forty-Seven Ronin) – A.B. Mitford

10. Young Samurai series - Chris Bradford - This action-adventure / martial arts series is a fun read for kids. Set in the 17th century Japan, our young hero is shipwrecked and through the series strives to learn the ways of the samurai.

Additional Readings

If there are other books you recommend as favourite all-time martial arts books, I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your suggestions in the comments below.