A kenpoist is one who studies the martial art of Kenpo. These 24 individuals are masters of the martial arts. This book is both inspirational as well as informative. There is also a chapter dedicated to the world's most famous Kenpoist - Elvis Presley. In addition to a founder's a history chapter, the book contains over 300 historical pictures. "The Journey" received extremely favorable reviews in New York and Las Vegas where it debuted on 8/10/01. This title has the potential of attracting a substantial audience from crossover audiences.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The Journey is filled with priceless wisdom and experience from many of the greatest martial artists of today." -- Martial Arts World, September 2001
About the Author
Joe Hyams has authored the best-seller "Zen in the Martial Arts" as well as biographies of Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, and George Bush Sr. Mr. Hyams has penned 37 titles in total. Tom Bleecker is the author of two books on martial arts icon Bruce Lee. The second bio, "Unsettled Matters" has been widely acclaimed.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life changing stories,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Journey: The Oral Histories of 24 of the Most Proficient American Kenpoists of Today (Paperback)
The usual trip to a marital arts book section reveals an overabundance of books on how to disarm a knife attacker, how to punch a board in two, how to throw a two hundred pound attacker, how to immobilize an opponent, but seldom, except for the life and times of Bruce Lee, do we find stories on the experts themselves. Tom Bleecker and Joe Hyams have collected the stories of twenty-four prominent kenpoists, two of whom are female, and all of whom are in some way connected to Ed Parker, the founder of American Kenpo. Hyams has interviewed each of the featured black belts, allowed them the opportunity to redline but not to add to their stories before including the material, rewritten in an easy-to-read narrative style, to the book.What emerges from reading this book are personal statements of each individual's journey toward his or her individual enlightenment. These are strongly narrative and autobiographical, with pauses to discuss issues important to each of the martial artists. What also emerges is a broad, general understanding of the kenpo/karate movement in America. We see the growth of kenpo from its earliest Asian and Hawaiian beginnings and Parker's introduction to it. The first chapter is historically interesting, for most of us prior to 1960 had little or no knowledge of martial arts beyond the existence of judo in the Japanese American communities and some quiet suspicions of secret Chinese boxing societies deep in Chinatown. The late fifties and early sixties were years when esoteric arts like aikido were introduced into Hawaii, kendo reappeared in Seattle and Los Angeles, and in Seattle Bruce Lee moved into Ruby Chow's and one day appeared on the University of Washington campus, to give the first of several kung-fu demonstrations after having spent several years teaching the art to a small group of Seattle students circa 1961. Ten years before Bruce surfaced in Seattle, Parker was already studying and planning to open American Kenpo schools. Through this book, we understand and appreciate Parker's role in the growth of martial arts in the late 50's and early 60's, before he founded the first Long Beach International Tournament. We see the positive influence of Parker on his many students, now elders of the school themselves, whose stories verify the notion that being involved in the martial arts is a life changing experience. These elder statesmen candidly describe themselves as troubled, angry, or confused youths in search of the men they would grow to be. In the background we see how the American style of martial arts has been a fluid, growing, dynamic system that grew complex, and has been simplified to its basics, depending upon the individual stylist and his approach to the art. We understand that these are men and women searching for a way to contribute their knowledge and skill to improve kenpo and its teaching, and who have found ways to contribute to the society with which they were at odds during their youth. The women discuss how Kenpo has challenged them and given them confidence. Doreen Cogliandro quotes the other woman, Dian Tanaka, " Wouldn't you rather be considered the 99th best black belt on the mat than have someone say you're the best female out there?" Some are teachers like Bob White, who has a reputation for creating martial artists who win tournaments, or Chuck Sullivan and others who worked with Parker to create new ways to teach the art. Others, like Frank Trejo, have used their art in helping the less successful and the disabled. Trejo worked with the Lincoln School for disabled Children. He says, "I've seen Kenpo change their lives-physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually -- Kenpo has made a difference." Sean Kelly has worked with the Guardian Angels, a work which has "taken on a sense of civil and moral responsibility that goes beyond my immediate family." Bryan Hawkins co-founded Martial Arts for Peace, and Dennis Conatser has been involved with the Boy Scouts. Others have earned their living from Kenpo. Jeff Speakman has been the most successful of the kenpoists in films, but others have had brief celluloid moments, including Parker, Dian Tanaka, Chuck Sullivan, and Stephen LaBounty. I think I saw Steve Muhammad briefly in the opening sequences of Enter the Dragon. Muhammad, and Sullivan have done police work, and Dave Hebler worked as Elvis Presley's bodyguard. And, of course, all have earned food, room, board and income from teaching the art. The book's appetizer and dessert feature an early recollection of Bruce Lee by Hyams and concludes with a segment on Elvis Presley. Bruce Lee met Parker shortly after leaving Seattle, and Joe Hyams' personal experiences in training with Bruce are vividly described in the foreword We are reminded in the final chapter that Presley was thoroughly fascinated with karate and ended up training with Parker privately. For those who know these men and women, the book is well worth reading. The general reader and neophyte kenpoist may well find inspiration in the words of those portrayed in the book's pages. I found it fascinating to read about the changes and development of the art, seeing it as an organic, growing, changing body of knowledge.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the time to read many times,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Journey: The Oral Histories of 24 of the Most Proficient American Kenpoists of Today (Paperback)
It doesn't make a difference if you practice Kenpo, the honest insights from these individuals are worth their weight in...platinum. This is not a hit here; strike this way book; however it is as bold and direct as a strike. You may not like all of the people in the book, their way of looking at the world, or you may just think Kenpo is not worth your time. However if you are a martial artist, this is a must read and a must have. If you don't have a profound respect for what Ed Parker has done, you will once you have read this book.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book,
By "sholin" (Portugal) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Journey: The Oral Histories of 24 of the Most Proficient American Kenpoists of Today (Paperback)
"The Journey" is a well thought out book, very interesting to read... It has the personal story of 24 of the most proficient kenpoist today... The honorees of this book are: Dian Tanaka Grandmaster Michael Robert Pick It also has a memoriam story by Dr. Steven Walton, D.C. about Elvis Presley, an interview with Ed Parker Jr. and a brief story about the origins of American Kenpo also by Dr. Steven Walton, D.C. ... The front cover was design by Ed Parker Jr. ... All of the Honorees have their portrait painted black & white also by Ed Parker Jr., which makes a great spot for the book to be signed... To sum it up, it's a great book with a lot of photos to go along with the stories... Definitely worth your money!!
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