Book Review: The Detachment by Barry Eisler

Posted on 22 September, 2011 by admin

I posted the following review of Barry Eisler’s latest thriller, The Detachment, on Amazon.com.

Gripping from End to End

The Detachment is the latest of Barry Eisler’s series of thrillers featuring four gritty characters coming together for the first time as a single detachment (hence the outward meaning of the title). Rain, Dox, Treven and the particularly evil Larrison join forces to use their special “skills” to prevent a coup in the US government. When they find out they might unwittingly have become aiding the coup, things get murky.

The four members of the detachment each have their own issues and agendas, and before they can achieve the final goals, they need to survive working with each other.

From start to finish, The Detachment is a gripping tale. Author Barry Eisler brings realistic fight scenes to the story line, based on his own experiences as a martial artist. The spy craft is supposedly equally real-world, given Eisler’s 3 years of experience in a covert role for the CIA. He marries all this together with his interest in politics and sociology to weave a story that is compelling and believable.

I have read all of Eisler’s previous thrillers and 2 short stories, and now can’t wait for the next instalment.

I also really liked the fact that Eisler is now writing with a contemporary audience in mind – The Detachment was released first as an ebook and audiobook, and will be released later as a printed volume. I somehow think the wait for instalments will be shorter with Eisler likely to release short stories in ebook form more regularly.

Buy The Detachment at Amazon.com (aff.).

The Applied Karate Show Episode 14 – Chris Denwood Sensei

Posted on 15 September, 2011 by admin

Applied Karate #014 (mp3 – 27MB – 60 mins) DOWNLOAD EPISODE 014 OF THE APPLIED KARATE SHOW

Kicking off our new monthly schedule of podcasts in The Applied Karate Show podcast series is episode 14, featuring Chris Denwood sensei of the Eikoku Satori Karate-do Kyokai (E.S.K.K®).

Chris has been practicing martial arts since childhood, having started under the watchful eye of instructors like Doug James sensei of the British Karate-Do Chojinkai and Iain Abernethy sensei (guest on Episode 9 of The Applied Karate Show podcast), and currently holds the rank of 4th Dan with the English Karate Federation. He is Founder and Chief Instructor of the E.S.K.K® and a senior instructor with the British Karate-Do Chojinkai, one of the most respected and successful associations in the UK. He is also a nationally qualified fitness coach and advanced level kettlebell lifting instructor.

A columnist and key writer for Combat, Traditional Karate and Jissen magazines, as well as a regular contributor to a number of other martial arts/fitness periodicals and online publications, Chris has written over sixty pieces on subjects including the technical and pragmatic aspects of traditional karate, functional fitness, kettlebell lifting and general motivation/positive thinking.

Chris is also author of the internationally acclaimed two-disc kata bunkai DVD Acorns to Oak Trees and has recently published his first book entitled Respecting the Old Creating the New, which is an accumulation of around five years work, combining a selection of his articles on traditional karate for self-protection and personal growth.

Chris currently lives on the edge of the western Lake District in Cumbria, England, where he regularly trains with and teaches to a dedicated membership of karate practitioners and fitness enthusiasts. He is also active on the seminar circuit, where his courses and workshops have gained excellent reviews from martial artists nationwide.

I trust you enjoy this interview with Chris Denwood sensei, a karateka who struck me as being very sincere, thoughtful and dedicated to the pursuit of classical karate. Chris discusses his approach to karate and strength and conditioning training, his background, his 2010 trip to Okinawa and much more. You can get in touch with Chris sensei through the web links above.

We love feedback. Email can be sent to podcast@appliedkarate.com. For up-to-date info on the Applied Karate Show, follow us on Twitter – we’re @appliedkarate. Of course, you can leave a comment below, or join us for the ongoing conversation on The Applied Karate Show Facebook page at Facebook.com/appliedkarate.

I’d appreciate it if you could rate us and leave a comment in iTunes through the music store.

Movement by Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro

Posted on 15 September, 2011 by admin

The following YouTube video shows an excerpt of a seminar by Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro, 10th Dan, of Seibukan Karatedo, the style founded by his father (Zenryo Shimabukuro sensei) based on the Shorinjiryu of Master Chotoku Kyan.

In various videos of Hanshi Shimabukuro, I’ve constantly been impressed by his masterful demonstration of power and economy of movement. A very interesting video.

How To Win A Fight

Posted on 13 September, 2011 by admin

Prolific martial authors Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder (guest on Episode 3 of The Applied Karate Show podcast) are set to release a new book in October called How To Win A Fight (aff.).

Lawrence and Kris have released the following video promo for the upcoming book.

I’ll update when the book is released, as it follows on from a number of excellent publications from these outstanding karateka.

Kris and Lawrence host the Martial Secrets podcast, which I highly recommend.

New Facebook Page

Posted on 7 September, 2011 by admin

I’ve set up a new Facebook Page where you can follow the stories and podcasts.

I’d really appreciate it if you could head on over and “Like” the Applied Karate Facebook Page.

Enter The Dojo Show

Posted on 7 September, 2011 by admin

I’m enjoying a new parody show that is available on YouTube called Enter The Dojo.

The show follows the instructor and students at a fictitious dojo of a fictitious style called Ameri-Do-Te.

Enter The Dojo is of course a parody, but enjoy. Its good for us to take a look sometime at the idiocy sometimes propagated, and perhaps the preconceptions people might have about the martial arts.

The Applied Karate Show Podcast Schedule

Posted on 6 September, 2011 by admin

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I am now in the process of putting together the next episode of The Applied Karate Show podcast. The interview is recorded, and the show will be out shortly.

When, you ask? Well thats the reason for this post.

I’ve been thinking a bit about the show. I really enjoy doing it, and have come to the conclusion that if its going to happen, I need to set a schedule and stick to it.

So, going forward, the plan is to release one podcast interview per month, with the episode going live on the 15th day of the month.

This is a schedule that should be “do-able”, and will help in preventing the old issue of “life getting in the way”. I am currently drawing up a schedule of interviews for the coming months, and this will help me to lock in.

I trust you’ll enjoy the podcast when its back “on the pod”, and as always, I would appreciate any input or suggestions you might have.

Podcasts I’m Listening To

Posted on 12 August, 2011 by admin

While you’re waiting for me to get The Applied Karate Show podcast back on air, there are some other excellent martial arts related podcasts you should be listening to:

Iain Abernethy’s Podcast

Ian is a UK based “pragmatic traditionalist” karateka who puts out a monthly podcast where he discusses his views and insights into all aspects of karate related to real world applications. A true skeptic when it comes to many of the kata application claims made by some traditionalists, Iain has a way of not backing down when it comes to firmly but politely making his point. Iain was interviewed in episode 9 of the Applied Karate Show.

Martial Secrets

A very regular podcast being put out by Seattle based Goju karateka Kris Wilder and Lawrence Kane, Martial Secrets is generally a two person discussion between the hosts on a variety of martial arts related topics. Occasionally the show focuses on interviews by one of the hosts with a variety of people who are knowledgeable in the arts, or have insights into human nature, psychology or violence as it relates to them. Kris was interviewed in Episode 3 of the Applied Karate Show.

Karate Cafe

Karate Cafe is probably the grand-daddy of karate podcasts, and has gone through several iterations of hosts and formats. Its quite regular at the moment, and I enjoy listening to Paul and Dan discussing a variety of topics.

The DenshoW

Hosted by professional broadcaster and martial artist, Chris Kaye, The DenshoW is a semi-regular show the provides a news roundup of various topics of interest to martial artists, along with short interviews.

I hope you enjoy these, and look forward to bringing you more episodes of The Applied Karate Show soon.

Kenkokan Dojo Renovations

Posted on 2 August, 2011 by admin

I was interested to see that the Shorinjiryu Kenkokan So-Hombu Dojo in Tokyo is being renovated. The Shorinjiryu Kenkokan headmaster (and my former teacher), So Shihan Masayuki Hisataka (Hanshi 9th Dan) has recorded a short video showing the work in progress.

I spent 2 years training at the Kenkokan So-Hombu Dojo, and it is interesting to see the renovations. Operating since 1955 in the current location (near Waseda in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward), the Dojo was quite small but had a great atmosphere. I loved every minute of my time training there.

It looks like the new dojo will be larger and will have sprung wooden floors and walls, with tatami mats to allow for practice of throwing techniques and ground fighting.

Congratulations to Hisataka Sensei and all at the Kenkokan on the new dojo. I look forward to seeing news from the official re-opening in October.

The Applied Karate Show Episode 13 – Pat Nakata Sensei

Posted on 15 December, 2010 by admin

Applied Karate #013 (mp3 – 31MB – 30 mins)

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 013 OF THE APPLIED KARATE SHOW

After a long hiatus, the Applied Karate Show podcast is back with what I like to refer to as Season 2! Going forward, its my plan to release one episode each month, hopefully on the 15th or so of the month.

This special guest for the launch of season 2 is Pat Nakata Sensei, a longtime practitioner of Chibana Shorinryu Karate hailing from Honolulu, Hawaii. Nakata Sensei has been practicing martial arts for over 60 years, with more than 50 years of karate practice. His teachers include some well known names, including Ohtsuka Hironori Sensei (Wadoryu founder) and Walter Nishioka Sensei. Perhaps his main teacher however was Shorinryu pioneer Chibana Choshin Sensei, under whom Nakata Sensei trained for a year, whilst living on Okinawa.

In this interview, Nakata Sensei speaks about his genesis in budo, starting with Judo at the tender age of 5, and moving into karate from age 14. He discusses visiting Japan and Okinawa with Nishioka Sensei, and his experiences in staying on in Okinawa, training under the watchful eye of Chibana Sensei. He discusses the differences between one-on-one and group training in Chibana Sensei’s dojo, and how Chibana Sensei imparted kata meaning and philosophical aspects.

He also talks about kobudo training with Nagaishi Fumio Sensei and Kyan Shinyei Sensei, and the changes in karate over the past 50 years.

Nakata Sensei also discusses training at his own dojo, and why he has done away with any form of ranking, and also the karate gi jacket.

For more information about Pat Nakata Sensei, please visit the website of his student John Oberle at Bujutsu Blogger.

We love feedback. Email can be sent to podcast@appliedkarate.com. For up-to-date info on the Applied Karate Show, follow us on Twitter – we’re @appliedkarate. Of course, you can leave a comment below, or alternatively, post over on The Applied Karate Forum.

I’d appreciate it if you could rate us in iTunes through the music store.