Customer Reviews

The Journey: The Oral Histories of 24 of the Most Proficient American Kenpoists of Today

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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.
While there is little discussion of techniques, there are interesting discussions about the yin/yang of martial arts, of developing speed as described by both Paul Mills (as a fast draw specialist) and Larry Tatum. Dian Tanaka talks about forms competitions and what competitors can do to draw the eye of the judges.

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.

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.

"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 Chuck Sullivan
Professor Frank Trejo
Associate Master John Sepulveda
Sean Kelley
Sigung Stephen LaBounty
Grandmaster Dave Hebler
Bryan Hankins
Professor Bob White
Richard "Huk" Planas
Skip Hancock
Grandmaster Steve Muhammad
Gilbert Velez
Dennis Conatser
Doreen Cogliandro

Grandmaster Michael Robert Pick
Paul Mills
Master Larry Tatum
Lee Wedlake
Bob Liles
Vic LeRoux
Jeff Speakman
Bishop Donnie Williams
Rainier Schulte

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!!

Whenever I am feeling unmotivated to train I read a chapter or two of this book. Its like travelling back in time and being a fly on the wall in Ed Parkers dojo's. The most inspiring and motivating martial arts book I have ever read. You do not need to be a Kenpo stylist to enjoy it.

I think it was Anthony Robbins who said the secret to success is finding successful people, learning what they did to succeed, and emulating their actions. With its rich collection of essays, "The Journey" will help Kenpoists and all martial artists realize that a black belt is just "the beginning" in the complex and challenging road of a student of the arts. I consider the anecdotes of high-ranking Kenpoist, especially those stories involving Grandmaster Ed Parker, to be utterly fascinating and entertaining. And if anyone still doubts the genius of Mr. Parker, the multiple recollections in this book will tear into those doubts like the multiple strikes of a Kenpo defense technique. The Journey unites the many factions of Kenpo in to one great resource and should be on the shelf next to Infinite Insights.

Whether you are a kenpoist, a martial artist of another style, or someone just looking for an inspirational story, this book is for you. Many of the masters from this book came from troubled childhoods. Others needed a push in the right direction in their lives. All at one time or another, they all found Ed Parker and discovered that kenpo isn't just about self defense, but its about the journey of life as well. An outstanding read for all.

"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 Chuck Sullivan
Professor Frank Trejo
Associate Master John Sepulveda
Sean Kelley
Sigung Stephen LaBounty
Grandmaster Dave Hebler
Bryan Hankins
Professor Bob White
Richard "Huk" Planas
Skip Hancock
Grandmaster Steve Muhammad
Gilbert Velez
Dennis Conatser
Doreen Cogliandro

Grandmaster Michael Robert Pick
Paul Mills
Master Larry Tatum
Lee Wedlake
Bob Liles
Vic LeRoux
Jeff Speakman
Bishop Donnie Williams
Rainier Schulte

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!!

I have owned this book since it came off of the presses and thoroughly enjoy the collection of stories as told by the 24 featured Kenpoists.

Kenpo Karate is a longer and harder Journey, I think, for a martial artist. There is a head-ful (and a half) of information you must learn in order to get through the belt ranking system. What it inevitably teaches you, though, is that you do what it takes to perfect each step you're learning. THAT is the true Journey.

This attitude applies to your own every day life, also. It makes for a more open minded person in the end. A lifetime scholar.

These Masters (all of them, regardless of their rank) share their personal Journey. It is NOT a learning manual.

The true-to-life portraits by Ed Parker, Jr. are beautifully drawn. The personal photos give us insight into days gone by.

I have used it as an autograph book and have most of the pictures signed, and all other spaces signed by other Martial Artists.

Only so many of this book was printed, and from what I've heard, that's it. If you are balking at the price here, you will soon be left out of owning a great book!