Customer Reviews

Mind of the Ninja: Exploring the Inner Power

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is the typical product of pop psychology--while it is interesting and informative, the academics are a bit soft and the main premise based more on the teachings of well known authorities and personal opinions and less on historical or scientific fact. For example, there are sweeping statements of personal opinion like "Buddhism--probably the most advanced spiritual discipline known to man" used to bolster the author's case.

I do not mean to discredit the purpose of this book, which is to explode myths surrounding the art it is trying to defend. Rather, I applaud this effort. But, a compelling defense needs to be a bit stronger and leave out sweeping statements which are based on the authors opinion. The aim of this book should be more sharply focused on changing the minds of people who are not as open-minded to the ninja as perhaps I am. After all, the type of people who are likely to buy a book which is titled "Mind of the Ninja: Exploring the Inner Power" are martial arts enthusiasts. And the photo art depicts the author striking poses in his various costumes. Clearly he was trying to aim at the ninja boom market to increase readership, which was probably good in the 80s for attracting who? You guessed it--martial arts enthusiasts. The point I'm trying to make is that he is trying to dispel myths in his book, but the title and book art attract people who probably would support his argument anyway. It all adds up to a total package that would be scoffed at by any serious intellectual.

I realize ninjutsu is more a mind/ body/ spirit art than it is an intellectual affair, but the book is trying to bring the art into the intellectual realm, and so it needs to play by the rules of the game. If ninjutsu is to be discussed amongst people with the power to outlaw it, who will be backed by intellectuals, a better book needs to be written. Still, if you like psychological theory (mainly that of Carl Jung), and you are open to a new perspective without the need for heavily documented scholarship, you will enjoy this book. Just remember that it is one man's perspective. Even Stephen Hayes, author of the foreward, makes this important distinction. Additionally, if you want to read books about ninjutsu, try the Grandmaster's books. They are focused on the essence of the art rather than on intellectualism. They alone provide a more highly compelling argument than anything anybody else has written on the subject. And, they are works of art in themselves.

This book is the typical product of pop psychology--while it is interesting and informative, the academics are a bit soft and the main premise based more on the teachings of well known authorities and personal opinions and less on historical or scientific fact. For example, there are sweeping statements of personal opinion like "Buddhism--probably the most advanced spiritual discipline known to man" used to bolster the author's case.

I do not mean to discredit the purpose of this book, which is to explode myths surrounding the art it is trying to defend. Rather, I applaud this effort. But, a compelling defense needs to be a bit stronger and leave out sweeping statements which are based on the authors opinion. The aim of this book should be more sharply focused on changing the minds of people who are not as open-minded to the ninja as perhaps I am. After all, the type of people who are likely to buy a book which is titled "Mind of the Ninja: Exploring the Inner Power" are martial arts enthusiasts. And the photo art depicts the author striking poses in his various costumes. Clearly he was trying to aim at the ninja boom market to increase readership, which was probably good in the 80s for attracting who? You guessed it--martial arts enthusiasts. The point I'm trying to make is that he is trying to dispel myths in his book, but the title and book art attract people who probably would support his argument anyway. It all adds up to a total package that would be scoffed at by any serious intellectual.

I realize ninjutsu is more a mind/ body/ spirit art than it is an intellectual affair, but the book is trying to bring the art into the intellectual realm, and so it needs to play by the rules of the game. If ninjutsu is to be discussed amongst people with the power to outlaw it, who will be backed by intellectuals, a better book needs to be written. Still, if you like psychological theory (mainly that of Carl Jung), and you are open to a new perspective without the need for heavily documented scholarship, you will enjoy this book. Just remember that it is one man's perspective. Even Stephen Hayes, author of the foreward, makes this important distinction. Additionally, if you want to read books about ninjutsu, try the Grandmaster's books. They are focused on the essence of the art rather than on intellectualism. They alone provide a more highly compelling argument than anything anybody else has written on the subject. And, they are works of art in themselves.

This is one of the best Ninja books I've read! Kirtland Peterson describes in depth why the public still views ninjas as violent, deadly, assassins. He describes other various ninja stereotypes. There is a lot of ninja history in this book. Kirtland refers to Masaaki Hatsumi, Stephen K. Hayes, Jack E. Hoban, Bud Malmstrom, Glenn J. Morris, and Christopher Hunter/Ashida Kim. Stephen Hayes does a excellent foreword in this book. I won't spoil the rest of book for you. If you like this book, I suggest reading anything by Masaaki Hatsumi, Stephen K. Hayes, Jack E. Hoban, Doron Navon, Glenn J. Morris, Charles Daniels, Bud Malmstrom and Richard Van Donk

Mind of the ninja is simply one of the most informative books out there on the true art, and essence of ninjutsu.Only the true ninjutsu practitioner ,can fully understand what the ninja families had to go through ,to survive their unawared oppressors.Think...to survive any type of oppression,one must link the mind,the body,and the spirit,together...This is what the shinobi(ninja)warrior was.Not some evil merciless terrorist or killer.This book is definetly a true NINJA book.

This book is another prespective on that multi-faceted art ninjutsu. It gives the reader more insight into the art, especially the perception of ninjutsu by the masses. I did however find the book in the later chapters to be slightly long winded and containing too much psycho-babble. The book was published in 1986, I wonder if the author is still training. If anyone knows please email me.

Overall I found the book to be the authors psychological interpretation of the art of the ninja and its place in society. As such I consider it one man's personal view of the art.

Includes an overview of the history of authentic ninjutsu, explores the common public perception of what a "ninja" is both in western culture and in the east. Interestingly enough, includes a chapter on "modern" (non-lineage schools, such as Chris Hunter/Ashida Kim's, and Frank Dux, which blend several arts such as kung fu, shurei karate, and/or tae kwon do, etc.) ninja schools, which compares the major differences between these, and the traditional, legitimate schools (Hatsumi, Tanemura's lineage, etc.). Unfortunately for the general public, Peterson is not overly specific here--otherwise, his book is fine. Focuses on philosophy from a psychologist's viewpoint (he holds a doctorate in clinical psych), which is something I wish there were a bit more of in this subject area. . .Although originally published in 1986, most of the information in this 300 pager is still relevant.

This book is very well researched and documented and does much to dispel some of the mistakes that come out of Hollywood and whacos like Ashida Kim.

This book contains a lot of information about the real truth of ninja, and how they were, most of it is very entertaining, and educational

Excellent book, explains a lot, but a little boring in places. Really explians a lot about what the ninjas of old believed. As a ninjutsu practitioner, I highly recommend this book for anyone.

It is obvious the author of this book is yet another worshipper of the great GOD Stephen Hayes, after all if he said it, it is gospel. Why do you think these types of books are written against other Masters and types of Ninjutsu? Because they are scared of losing their business, after all, if there is competition, they lose funds. I have read some of the books they take shots at in this book, and not in any of those books do they take shots at Stephen K. Hayes or any other "Ninja Masters." Face it, folks, Ninjutsu was created for one purpose, "survival." It is not a "poetic" art or a religion, why do people regard it as such?