The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tae Kwon Do [Mass Market Paperback]

Karen Eden (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: August 1, 1998

Thirty million people worldwide are performing tae kwon do-the Korean equivalent of karate-and thousands of centers have sprung up in America. Kids, adults, and even seniors are joining in the explosive fun. With easy-to-understand text and 75 clear line drawings and photographs scattered throughout, this layperson's book explains in simple terms the concepts of tae kwon do-how to limber up for practices, how to defend oneself, how to practice on one's own or with a partner, where to find classes, how to rate teachers, and much more.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028623894
• ISBN-13: 978-0028623894
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only thing wrong with this book is the title!, November 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tae Kwon Do (Mass Market Paperback)

As an instructor and a school owner, I have found this book to be the best resource for the new (and not so new) student or parent that I have yet come across. It is clearly written, well organized, an easy read, and is full of relevant information.

It immediately gained a place in my school library and I have recommended it to my members and their families. You are not going to learn to be a martial artist here, but you're not going to learn it from any other book, either.

The writers concentrate on the ideas and concepts of the art that are universal, rather than on being a step-by-step "how-to" manual on techniques: Something which is best left to the instructor, anyway.

One very nice thing: It is not specifically devoted to any one Taekwondo organization to the exclusion of all others, a flaw I have commonly found in other beginner books.

It's too bad this book is burdened with the unfortunate "Idiots" label, because it is a very smart choice.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For Pre-beginners Only, November 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tae Kwon Do (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought this book shortly after my first promotion, and quickly realized it was not going to help me move forward. The book seems to be intent on exposing people who may be thinking about studying martial arts to "the world of Tae Kwon Do", and it does this just fine. However, if you're looking for ways to learn or improve your techniques, you will need to look elsewhere.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Beginner's Guide to the Art, May 25, 2000

By 

Chris Moon - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tae Kwon Do (Mass Market Paperback)

For those parents who are unsure of the safety in the martial arts for theri children, or have any general doubts about how the martial art is designed and how it is run, this book is definetly for you.

I am currently study Tae Kwon Do several times a week, and I am assistant instructor with the school I study at. Many times, when we have parents coming to see what a class is like before letting their child participate, they have a lot of questions.

The biggest thing I have noticed, is that there is perhaps a bit of doubt for the parent in letting their child join.

This is were the terrific layman's terms book written by Karen Eden comes in. Karen has done a masterful job of explaining some of the quirks and etiquette of the martial, and in a very humorous way at times.

I read this book when I had already been in the Martial Art for a while, and I found it still helped to understand exactly who the head instructor thinks, and why the etiquette we have is in place.

I highly recommend this book to any student that is studying Tae Kwon Do, and also to any parent who is considering letting their child join. This book is a wealth of resources that will be sure to benefit you many years down the line in your studies.