Te Waza: A Novel of the Martial Arts [Paperback]

E. Dearing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2005

Jesse Standard, PhD, the premier expert on Asian martial arts, is called by his best friend, movie star and founder of Te Waza Karate, Tiger Radelle for assistance with his latest project—the launch of an all martial arts network initiated by a high stakes tournament.

Te Waza or Hand Techniques system was only the start for Radelle. The one time karate circuit star and California surfer is a hugely successful entrepreneur with a taste for the good life and making the million dollar deals.

Standard, a former international judo champion, is plunged into a world far removed from his normal academic circles and discovers a deadly mix of esoteric martial arts and big business; a place where nothing is quite what it seems and where everyone has an agenda—some of which prove fatal.

Te Waza is a fast paced mystery that takes you from tournament action to terrorist activities and back again. A place where the action is not restricted to the ring and as the intrigues start to reach their deadly conclusions, Jesse Standard must use both his physical and mental martial arts training to attempt to stop a killer before more than a tournament is destroyed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

E. C. “Bill” Dearing has been a martial artist for over thirty years and is a Yodan (4th Degree Black Belt) in Kodokan Judo and a Godan (5th Degree) in Sanshinkai Jujitsu.

This is his third novel and the first one set in the exciting world of martial arts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (June 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595347444
• ISBN-13: 978-0595347445
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,281,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't finish it, June 26, 2006

By 

Karate Enthusiast "Tom" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Te Waza: A Novel of the Martial Arts (Paperback)

I love martial arts books. Eisler, Lustbader, Bradley, Donohue... I read them all. I recently came across some reviews for Te Waza and thought it sounded compelling. I don't want to come off as harsh, but it is really pretty bad. The story is weak, the dialogue forced, and the characters completely unrealistic and boring. The fight scenes are ok, and the main character is a bit unique (injured Judo star). But frankly speaking, that's about it. I got about half way through the book, and was having to force myself to read each sentence... a bit like swallowing a mouthful of Mylanta. Not something I was enjoying. Also, as others have stated, the book really needed a professional edit. There are misspelled words, typos, fragments, and other mistakes. My advice is to go pick up Barry Eisler's Rain series, Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels, or Arthur Bradley's Process of Elimination... all way more fun than this was.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From another author, June 20, 2006

By 

Arthur Bradley "Arthur Bradley" (Eastern USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Te Waza: A Novel of the Martial Arts (Paperback)

If you enjoy the classic martial arts tournament movies, e.g. Bloodsport, Enter the Dragon, etc., you will likely also enjoy Te Waza. The guiding principle is the same, although Dearing has tossed in some additional complexities to keep it interesting. I think the carefully crafted fight scenes are a strong point for this novel. Clearly, Dearing has some expertise and he is able to bring it to paper. Congrat's.

I have two criticisms, both of which shouldn't keep an interested reader from purchasing it. First, the book's premise of a grand martial arts tournament comes across as a bit of cliche - seen it too many times I guess. Characters are a bit over the top - perfect entrepreneur, shrewd oriental wife, gentle giant sumo, meathead with a mowhawk, flamboyant villain (with a ruby eye no less) - but at least they're colorful.

The other thing that bothered me was that the book is riddled with typographical errors. I have read plenty of drafts (including my own until I was blue in the face), so I can appreciate how hard it is to get the grammar/punctuation right. But there are literally hundreds of typos. Most are just minor things, so it doesn't detract from the story much. That said, if you're an English teacher, you should probably pass on this one.

Final assessment: Dearing gives the reader a decent few hours of escapist fun, and who can complain about that.

Written by author of "Process of Elimination," a sexually-charged thriller that pits a Kenpo Karate/Judo against a world-class sharpshooter out to shape the next Presidential election.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Satisfying Read, August 4, 2005

By 

Scott Masterton (Blaine, MN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Te Waza: A Novel of the Martial Arts (Paperback)

Although a bit short, Te Waza is a good read. The plot is put together nicely and characters, for the most part, are believable and interesting.

My only criticism (and it is not of the author) is that this book is seriously in need of an editor, or if it had one, the editor needs to be gently slapped. There are quite a few errors in the book; it is an awful lot like a first draft of a novel but good none the less. If not for the typo's and sentence errors, I would have given this novel 5 stars.

Now that the criticism is out of the way; E.C. Dearing is a good solid writer with an extremely open minded view of the martial arts. Martial artists tend to fall into two camps: Traditionalists and Non-traditionalists. Dearing seems able to see the value in all of the approaches and seems to appreciate that each has its strengths and weaknesses.

If you are a martial artist or if you are at all interested in martial arts, you will definitely enjoy Te Waza. I highly recommend it.