On the Warrior's Path, Second Edition: Philosophy, Fighting, and Martial Arts Mythology

By Daniele Bolelli

Book Overview

An entertaining and insightful history of martial arts and the role of the warrior, drawing on pop culture, philosophy, mythology, religion, and spirituality

The urge to forge one's character by fighting, in daily life as well as on the mat, appeals to something deep within us. More than a collection of fighting techniques, martial arts constitute a path to developing body, spirit, and awareness. On the Warrior's Path connects the martial arts with this larger perspective, merging subtle philosophies with no-holds-barred competition, Nietzsche with Bruce Lee, radical Taoism and Buddhism with the Star Wars Trilogy, traditional martial arts with basketball and American Indian culture.

At the center of all these phenomena is the warrior. Though this archetype seems to manifest contradictory values, author Daniele Bolelli describes the heart of this tension: how the training of martial technique leads to a renunciation of violence, and how overcoming fear leads to a unique freedom. Aimed at students at any level or tradition of martial arts but also accessible to the armchair warrior, On the Warrior's Path brings fresh insights to why martial arts remains an enduring and widespread art and discipline. Two new chapters in this second edition focus on spirituality in the martial arts and the author's personal journey in the field.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158394219X
• ISBN13: 9781583942192
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book

Many times after reading a book you aren't going to absorb very much at all, however. I can honestly say that there were a few very important things that I was able to learn as well as absorb from this book, that I actually carry with me to this day. I highly recommend it and it's at an excellent price as well.

a great read

This book is awesome. It introduced me to the philosophy of Taoism and it also discusses all the topics with eloquence and insightfulness. It is one of the books that can be read multiple times and be a different story each time.

An excellent view into the inner side of martial arts

This book is very well written. Having studied martial arts for many years, I was looking for a text that discussed the topic from an inner perspective. This book was just what I was looking for. Bolelli's writing style is very engaging and the topics he covers are wide ranging. The last three chapters of the book were written 10 years after the original content, and it does show. I will agree with others here that their content seems a bit awkward in comparison to the remainder of the book. However, it's still a very good insight into the mind of a warrior, and the personal goals one can achieve with a solid connection between the mind and body. Highly recommended.

Excellent and Relevant to All

I purchased "On the Warrior's Path" because the philosophy behind it intrigued me. Having absolutely no experience with any form of martial arts ever, I was probably far outside the target audience for this book. Despite this, I found it to be one of the best books I have read in the past year. I found "On the Warrior's Path" to be amusing, engaging, and thought-provoking. It is impossible to summarise the book in a way that captures all that it encompasses, because it covers so much. Read it. The writing style is very down-to-earth and easy to follow, but does not sacrifice content or deeper ideas in the process. The author draws from many eclectic sources, but does so in a way that is relevant and interesting. Most importantly, the author's message can be meaningful and relevant in anyone's life -- the warrior, the poet, man or woman, martial artist or not.

One of my favorite books of the year!

This is not only one of the most original books I have read about martial arts in general, or philosophy and martial arts more specifically. This is one of the most original books I have read, period. How often does it happen do run into an author who can dance around from Nietzsche to the Pearl Jam, from Ultimate Fighting Championship to environmentalism? But above all, my favorite aspect of the book is the excellent writing style. It reminds me of Tom Robbins (if I remember correctly he mentions Tom Robbins in the acknowledgments so they may actually know each other). The book is a collection of essays on a variety of topics related to philosophy and the martial arts. Some chapters are downright brilliant (The Body as a Temple, The Warrior as Bodhisatva, and Epistemological Anarchism: the philosophy of JKD). A couple are a bit weaker. But overall, this book is a work of genius. This should be required reading for all martial artists. Specialists in the field of martial arts are going to see how their practice can be tied to a much wider world. And people who do not care for martial arts, may find some unlikely inspiration here. Truly amazing. I look forward to whatever this author has in store next.