Post by Piotr Bernat on Sept 21, 2006 15:04:36 GMT
I have quite a big library on Taekwondo, including a number of titles describing the patterns. To be honest - may of them really dissapointed me, being just better or worse clones of the Encyclopaedia. Series of pictures with the pattern movements - either photos or drawings, Short descriptions of the philosophy behind each of them. All looking the same, none bringing some new information.
The first impression after getting Stuart's book was: "finally something new and refreshing!". Seriously, I don't know any other title on TKD patterns written in the last years with such a wealth of new information. To me, it's like the missing volume in General Choi's Encyclopaedia. It doesn't really matter whether you like the application presented or not - the number of the applications allows you to choose the ones that suit you best, or will at least make you think about modifying them for your needs. The historical articles about each pattern are also excellent. Written in an easy to read, down-to-earth way, this book is a reader's favourite.
The funniest thing is the fact, that I'm definitely a freestyler and the patterns do not have that much place in our classes. Yet, I can't wait for volume two to see the application of the higher Tuls. It's really a pioneering book in the world of ITF TKD. I feel that every serious TKD instructor should have a copy - even if s/he won't teach the applications presented, it will give him/her a different and new look on the Tuls.
Highly recommended! It's only a pity that the book is not a hardbound. I wonder how long will it last when used as a training reference...
The first impression after getting Stuart's book was: "finally something new and refreshing!". Seriously, I don't know any other title on TKD patterns written in the last years with such a wealth of new information. To me, it's like the missing volume in General Choi's Encyclopaedia. It doesn't really matter whether you like the application presented or not - the number of the applications allows you to choose the ones that suit you best, or will at least make you think about modifying them for your needs. The historical articles about each pattern are also excellent. Written in an easy to read, down-to-earth way, this book is a reader's favourite.
The funniest thing is the fact, that I'm definitely a freestyler and the patterns do not have that much place in our classes. Yet, I can't wait for volume two to see the application of the higher Tuls. It's really a pioneering book in the world of ITF TKD. I feel that every serious TKD instructor should have a copy - even if s/he won't teach the applications presented, it will give him/her a different and new look on the Tuls.
Highly recommended! It's only a pity that the book is not a hardbound. I wonder how long will it last when used as a training reference...