Throughout, Wolfe offers parallels of his lifelong commitment to Japanese martial arts, often crediting his success on and off the training mat to the Eastern art form. He touches on the potential for martial arts to have a darker side as well, arguing that “martial arts… are, at the core, about the development and exercise of power. And this paradigm is ripe for misuse,” encouraging readers to bring their own spirituality to the practice and asserting that “training [is] considerably enhanced when viewed within an encompassing framework of faith.” That heedful, deliberate perspective forms the backbone of Wolfe’s writing, whether he’s confronting self-defense myths, sharing personal lessons he’s learned on the need to be prepared, or breaking down specific training techniques and their relevance to everyday life.

Most striking throughout Wolfe’s book is his adaptability, both within his dojo and without. He details the various transitions of the Itten Dojo through the years—emphasizing the value of high-quality martial arts training paired with dedicated dojo members—and shares the principles he’s learned from years of training. Wolfe’s knowledge is extensive, but he makes even the most technical information understandable, diving into the history of martial arts, chronicling his mentors along the way, and including photographs of his experiences. He closes with an appendix, written by Peter Hobart, that highlights the qualities skilled martial arts teachers should possess.

Takeaway: Insider’s glimpse of the dedication, discipline, and Japanese martial arts.

Comparable Titles: Stephen F. Kaufman’s The Way of the Modern Warrior, Gichin Funakoshi’s Karate-Do.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-