Customer Reviews

Ch'ang Hon Taekwon-do Hae Sul - Real Applications to the ITF Patterns: Vol 1

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I came into contact with Stuart Anslow around 2002 via internet. As is the case of every good instructor I have met, he is first and foremost a dedicated martial arts student. He showed a passion for TaeKwon-Do beyond physical practice, and simultaneously carried out an important number of projects: developing an international network of martial artists, offering an extraordinary martial arts resources webpage, keeping a serious standard in his personal practice and his duties to offer intelligent instruction to his students. As a part-time TaeKwon-Do researcher myself with 24 years of diligent training and more than a hundred martial arts books in my library, I had found some of Stuart's ideas quite interesting, but they seemed an attempt to cover too many matters.
When I saw the book, my opinion changed completely. Stuart has successfully condensed his experience on TaeKwon-Do patterns in a coherent and solid piece in which he shares what he knows (a bunchful of knowledge, indeed), his reaserch, and is not afraid to publicly discuss his doubts on alternative interpretations of the motions. In the martial arts environment there is a tendency of teachers to force their students into their opinions, preventing a decent dosage of independant thinking to develop. Free spirits typically depart from regimented styles, and thus such styles tend to stagnate. Beyond the good content of the book, Mr. Anslow shows ITF stylists they can and should think for themselves. This refreshing book is very attractive in its format, the pictures are easy to follow, and there are some "pearls of wisdom" that make the purchase almost an obligation. Most of the content of the book is simply excellent (which doesn't mean I fully agree with some concepts, but in each case, it would deserve an in-depth discussion, at the bottom line, on whether applications were meant to be the heart of ITF TaeKwon-Do patterns). Mr. Anslow has obviously put a lot of energy into this book, obtaining an impressive result.
My reason for not granting a five star qualification (I would have actually awarded the book a 4.5) is that (a) the history part is rather simplistic, and has some mistakes (maybe edition problems: Taek Kyon is called Taek Kwon; Tae Soo Do and Tang Soo Do names are interchanged); (b) the book serves to preserve and enlarge Gen. Choi's image as adroitly designing TaeKwon-Do techniques having specific reasons in his mind, while authorized historical accounts have pointed out that many changes in technique resulted from more or less casual circumstances in which Gen. Choi had little or no participation; (c) the book assumes all moves found in ITF patterns have a reasonable and effective combat application, of which I am not yet convinced; and (d)some techniques -specially the comparison between ITF TaeKwon-Do and an unspecific Karate style- are shown in photographs of students with evident lack of Karate skills, and even a TaeKwon-Do level insufficient for a book of the quality Mr. Anslow intended, although it is evident Mr. Anslow was being generous with his own student allowing them to actively be part of the book.
If my students were English language speakers, I would make this book mandatory reading before black belt testing.

Chang Hon Taekwon-Do has deep roots in Shotokan Karate. The applications of the Chang Hon and Shotokan stands close, and this is the first book who take this fact seriusly.

If you like to see what the Cang Hon patterns is all about, you cant miss it.

I was not expecting too much when I ordered this. I thought it would be another forms book that would help me. If you are looking for a forms book for the traditional ITF forms then look elsewhere because there is the briefest over view of each form. If you wanted to know the "why" of each form then this is the book for you. You will find the martial applications for each move and some of these will surprise you. You will also find moves that are not taught too much in many TKD schools such as sweeps and joint locks. This is the most careful and thoughtout book on traditional TKD that I have seen. I have only had it a couple of days and already I find myself incorporating ideas whenI do my form. When does the second volume come out? Soon I hope.

I have practiced martial arts for 23 years, have exposure to three main styles, and am graded as a 4th degree BB. I currently practice traditional Taekwondo, and have for the past few years been researching and writing my own TKD bunkai book.

Stuart Anslow's book is THE BEST taekwondo book available on the market.

The book goes through history and background of each pattern, pattern sequences, applications and variations. Though there are some typos, the information is presented clearly. Another plus is the book is written in such a way that you feel like you were standing in Stuart's training session - it's written in such a personable manner.

The applications are practical and well thought out. I have not seen such breadth nor insight coming from any other ITF TKD instructor. In fact I have not seen a collection of such solid apps in any other martial arts book (and I have quite a lot).

Given my research over the last few years into TKD bunkai, I know for a fact that there is a major dearth of such information for the traditional and ITF TKD world. Publication of this book fills this hole and I think the book will be a profound toolkit for any serious practitioner or instructor of TKD.

I have been acquainted with Stuart since 2003, and I know for a fact that this guy literally pours his heart into his martial arts school, his training, and now this book. Stuart upholds many of the values that small independant schools and traditional stylists hold dear - and I applaude him for putting the extra effort into improving the resources availalbe for martial artists everywhere.

Colin Wee
[..]

When it comes to learning the TKD patterns there are many resources available in the market however this is the first that I've seen to break down the individual moves into self-defense or actual applications.

Although some of the movements in the explainations are not executed as when performing the pattern, one must think outside the box and realize that a chamber position for example in a real world scenario doesn't require the hands to cross but can be used as a grab or throw as illustrated by Mr. Anslow.

This book is a great resource for any instructor or student who has ever asked or been asked... "What if this technique is used?" or "What is this technique used for?"

Although the book focuses on the ITF patterns one does not have to be a practitioner in my option to get value of the self-defense applications illustrated by Mr. Anslow.

A definate must have in any school or personal library.

I found the pattern applications to have a fair amount of resonance with my own training. (Not to mention Mr. Anslow's usenet postings and older articles which I'd already read elsewhere.) I thought the historical explorations of the pattern stories, and the look into what each pattern was generally intended to teach was the most compelling reading.

Pros: Goes into great detail about a variety of applications (bunkai for you japanese stylists) for the itf forms, as well as some of the unique features of tkd vs. karate, for example. For those who like stuff by Bill Burgar or Iain Abernethy, as well as Lawrence Kane, the material here is more of the same as applied to the ITF TKD forms.

Cons: The published font is very very small and hard-to-read. All the photos are badly-copied black-and-white. The writing itself is full of grammar errors and typos (I'm talking about fragments and run-ons, not just differences between British and American English). The author has an annoying love of the exclamation points, as well. Everything he wants to emphasize has one! Some have two!! Very annoying writing crutch.

Overall, a good source of the sort of material that tkd stylists who wish to delve deeper into their forms will find helpful. In terms of content, every bit as good as anything I've read by Kane, Abernethy or Burgar. In terms of writing, not so much, but if you can get past that and the irritatingly small font and photos, there's some good stuff here. Recommended with reservations.

I came into contact with Stuart Anslow around 2002 via internet. As is the case of every good instructor I have met, he is first and foremost a dedicated martial arts student. He showed a passion for TaeKwon-Do beyond physical practice, and simultaneously carried out an important number of projects: developing an international network of martial artists, offering an extraordinary martial arts resources webpage, keeping a serious standard in his personal practice and his duties to offer intelligent instruction to his students. As a part-time TaeKwon-Do researcher myself with 24 years of diligent training and more than a hundred martial arts books in my library, I had found some of Stuart's ideas quite interesting, but they seemed an attempt to cover too many matters.
When I saw the book, my opinion changed completely. Stuart has successfully condensed his experience on TaeKwon-Do patterns in a coherent and solid piece in which he shares what he knows (a bunchful of knowledge, indeed), his reaserch, and is not afraid to publicly discuss his doubts on alternative interpretations of the motions. In the martial arts environment there is a tendency of teachers to force their students into their opinions, preventing a decent dosage of independant thinking to develop. Free spirits typically depart from regimented styles, and thus such styles tend to stagnate. Beyond the good content of the book, Mr. Anslow shows ITF stylists they can and should think for themselves. This refreshing book is very attractive in its format, the pictures are easy to follow, and there are some "pearls of wisdom" that make the purchase almost an obligation. Most of the content of the book is simply excellent (which doesn't mean I fully agree with some concepts, but in each case, it would deserve an in-depth discussion, at the bottom line, on whether applications were meant to be the heart of ITF TaeKwon-Do patterns). Mr. Anslow has obviously put a lot of energy into this book, obtaining an impressive result.
My reason for not granting a five star qualification (I would have actually awarded the book a 4.5) is that (a) the history part is rather simplistic, and has some mistakes (maybe edition problems: Taek Kyon is called Taek Kwon; Tae Soo Do and Tang Soo Do names are interchanged); (b) the book serves to preserve and enlarge Gen. Choi's image as adroitly designing TaeKwon-Do techniques having specific reasons in his mind, while authorized historical accounts have pointed out that many changes in technique resulted from more or less casual circumstances in which Gen. Choi had little or no participation; (c) the book assumes all moves found in ITF patterns have a reasonable and effective combat application, of which I am not yet convinced; and (d)some techniques -specially the comparison between ITF TaeKwon-Do and an unspecific Karate style- are shown in photographs of students with evident lack of Karate skills, and even a TaeKwon-Do level insufficient for a book of the quality Mr. Anslow intended, although it is evident Mr. Anslow was being generous with his own student allowing them to actively be part of the book.
If my students were English language speakers, I would make this book mandatory reading before black belt testing.

After reviewing this book on Tae Kwon Do I feel that Stuart Anslow is one of the most knowledgeable TKD artist I know. His insight is well taken, and his thought process seem to fit every movement in the book. Not only from the history of Tae Kwon Do, but to the real sense of how things are suppose to work in Tae Kwon Do. I find it a refreshing Martial Arts book with very open points of view, and a realistic approach to his art form.


Tim White
Director
Molum Combat Arts Assn.

I started Taekwon-Do in 1973 and have studied under the USTF and Grand Master Sereff for decades. However, I have left any formal organization due to a lack of depth in the Black Belt curriculums. As a full-time school owner and head Instructor at Centennial Taekwon-Do, I have been searching for material to expand the depth of Black Belt training and found it in this book. I highly recommend it to any ITF Black Belt students and Instructors. It is a thorough and thought provoking text book. It is now an important part of what I teach my Black Belts and has improved my understanding of authentic Taekwon-Do. I look forward to see how it improves not only the skills of my Black Belts but also their intellectual depth when it comes to understanding authentic Taekwon-Do. I urge the author to complete the other volumes!