5 comments about Abundant Peace.

1. A must own for all that take Aikido and are interested in the philosophy behind it. I use the principles of Aikido almost every day in my life and John Stevens did a great job of getting to the essence of Aikido's philosophy and the spiritual views of the founder. Thanks John Stevens for writing this book!



2. ABUNDANT PEACE is akidoka John Stevens' rather quirky (coffee table paperback) biography of the rather quirky Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido, usually referred to by Aikidokai (but interestingly, never by Stevens himself in this book) as O'Sensei, the Great Teacher.
   
   Stevens unhesitatingly says that Ueshiba was "undoubtedly the greatest martial artist who ever lived" and this claim may well be true. The diminutive (5'0'') Ueshiba was able to pin sumo wrestlers with one finger, evade multiple attackers with such grace that he literally became invisible to them, and could defeat an opponent simply by uttering a "peculiar kiai."
   
   Ueshiba ultimately became a universalist, but very little in the first half of his life indicated that he would do so. Ueshiba was idiosyncratic at best (he was given to pounding his head against rocks hundreds of times a day in order to thicken his skull and enjoyed uprooting small trees barehanded in contests of strength), temperamental, moody, and given to egoistic adventurism (he founded an agricultural colony on barren Hokkaido, later leaving it suddenly and without explanation, and was intimately involved in the Great Mongolian Adventure, a Japanese expansionist incursion into China for which he was nearly hanged by that country's leaders).
   
   The one constant in Ueshiba's life was martial arts, and even here his choices seemed strange. As a young man he came under the tutelage of Sokaku Takeda, a hard-drinking, violent and mendacious street fighter who was also the last Samurai-trained warrior in Japan. Although Ueshiba later broke with Sokaku, early Aikido clearly owes much to the man.
   
   Following his break with Sokaku, Ueshiba became a close disciple of Onisaburo, the founder of Omoto-Kyo, a messianic Shinto sect. The odd Onisaburo was part charlatan, part clairvoyant, part spiritualist, and part Liberace (at least in his theatricality). In the 1920s, Japan was undergoing a spiritual crisis as those who followed the old ways finally died out and modernity and militarism became key. Dime store messiahs seemed to be on every streetcorner, but Onisaburo maintained his credibility. The Omoto-Kyo sect became so popular that it was violently suppressed by the government around 1932. A few selected personages (Ueshiba among them) were spared. In Ueshiba's case, his martial arts prowess was such that he was appointed to teach the Japanese military. It may seem ironic that Ueshiba (whose name means "Abundant Peace") was teaching Aikido ("The Way of Peace") to what was unquestionably one of the most bellicose organizations ever formed, but it was not the first, nor would it be the last, time that irony ruled Ueshiba's life.
   
   In 1942, Ueshiba underwent the second of his three great enlightenments in which he perceived the oneness of all life, soon thereafter resigning his offices and becoming a committed pacifist. Stevens rather cynically points out that his second enlightenment occurred not long after Pearl Harbor, when Ueshiba's retreat from public life would mean that he had little chance of being marked as a war criminal after the Pacific War, a war he knew Japan could not win. Be that as it may, Ueshiba is proof positive that human beings can grow and change throughout their lives. There is no greater difference ever seen than between the dour middle-aged Ueshiba, looking like a Mexican bandit while being photographed in leg irons as a Chinese prisoner during the Great Mongolian Adventure, and the aged will o' the wisp bearded sage who created a kakemono which reads, "The lovely form of heaven and earth lovingly created by the Great God, Father of Humankind."
   
   Stevens rather bizarrely divided ABUNDANT PEACE into three sections. "The Man" is a straightforward, honest, but rather colorless recitation of the facts of Ueshiba's outer life. "The Martial Artist" addresses Ueshiba's development of Aikido over his lifetime from a form of attack and defense into a philosophy of love. "The Message" is a discussion of Ueshiba's inner life, the spiritual underpinnings of Aikido, the importance of ki (life energy) in the practice, and (though Ueshiba was Shinto not Buddhist) Aikido's relationship especially to Zen (Stevens himself is a Professor of Buddhist studies, which explains this otherwise inexplicable focus on a faith not Ueshiba's own). Despite Ueshiba's Omoto-Kyo Shinto practice, so much of his writing is identical to Zen philosophy that the cross-pollination of Japanese culture is completely evident throughout.
   
   The problem with this three-way division of ABUNDANT PEACE is that each section presents us a dynamically different Ueshiba, dividing him into three parts. Unlike Caesar's Gaul, it would have been better if Stevens had given us a unified portrait of this incredibly complex, self-contradictory, earthy and spiritual man, and brought him alive. As it is, ABUNDANT PEACE is a fine if brief introduction to the world of Aikido and it's amazing founder.



3. There is not a more complete work on this subject to be found in the English language. O'Sensei was both enigmatic and cryptic, and this book clears up much of the cloudiness. From rare photos to rare personal insights, it is a must-have in any Aikido collection.



4. Stevens' biography of Morihei Ueshiba goes a long way towards providing the interested student with great information about the origins and philosophies behind Aikido. His examination of the Omoto-kyo religion and Ueshiba's esoteric Shinto beliefs provides a great background on the philisophy of Aikido, while the information on Morihei Ueshiba's teachers and personal investigations into the martial arts shows both the origonality and relation to other arts of Aikido. The book moves reletively quickly over Ueshiba's life, and at times it feels as if a lot of time is being rather quickly skipped over. It would be interesting to know what other information there is to fill in these gaps. The author also makes obvious his own personal admiration for Ueshiba; the many stories of O-Sensei's unbelievable feats are presented uncritically, and with no more concrete attribution than any of the other apocryphal reports of Ueshiba's power. Abundant Peace is perhaps most valuable as a source of information on the martial and philisophical origins of Aikido, particularly for its focus on the origins of the Omoto-kyo movement, Ueshiba's own beliefs in kotodama, and the innovation involved in the techniques of Aikido. As a biography of Morihei Ueshiba it is at times too brief and too uncritical, but serves as an excellent starting point for learning about the life of the founder of Aikido.



5. A wonderful book for Aikido students of all levels

5 comments about Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board.

1. To be honest, this was an enjoyable and quick read. The writing style of the book was not difficult and had an easy flow to it. I did like how Bethany decided to focus the majority of the book around her life pre and post- attack. Only one chapter was really geared towards the actual attack, which wasn't described in much detail at all.
   
   By doing this, she focused on her personal faith in Christ and how that strong bond with her religion and family helped her through the ordeal. Rarely did the book come off as "preachy" or pushing her religious views, except for the ending chapter. This was a nice aspect of the book, because although her faith was a heavy part of the book, it did not discourage me from reading onwards. One part of the book even addressed the fact that many people think that her family may be too religious, but she countered that with the fact that this is just part of her life. Some people may not understand it, and that does not bother her in the least.
   
   It will be interesting to see how my students react to this book. I am asking them the question of the author's purpose for writing the book, and I will be eager to join that discussion. It is a strong lesson about following your drive and determination no matter what the obsticles, but I think they will focus more on the faith aspect of the book and say that trust in Christ was her main objective.
   
   Many of my students watched the news reports and have seen the billboards with Bethany's picture and story advertised, so it is definitely a high interest story for intermediate students. The format of the book is also reader friendly because it is sectioned into shorter chapters.



2. This is good book for any young person looking for inspiration from a positive role model in our modern world of spoiled pop princesses. Bethany has a rather matter of fact attitude to her predicament, taking it in stride. I read it last year on a trip to Oahu where I got a fin to the head and nine stitches, and as I lay there bleeding I thought how horrible it must have been for her and how my problem paled in comparison. While her attitude is based on her strong religious up bring, the message is not overly strong and is fine for any one's beliefs. It does need to be down rated a star for misspelling "Trestles." Shame on the ghost writer and editors for letting such an obvious mistake go: aren't there starving surfers who could have been hired for the job instead?



3. My daughter needed a book for her school's summer reading project. She picked this book off the list because she'd heard about the author who had her arm bitten off by a shark as an 11 year old, surfing. She was able to get through it quickly and she enjoyed it even though she is not an avid reader.



4. At just 13, Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm to a tiger shark, possibly affecting her goals and achievements dramatically in her life forever. But did that stop her from surfing? Of course it didn't! Bethany has been in the water constantly ever since she knew how to swim. She says, surfing is her life and has been since she was three. Her parents have been there for her every step of the way. Bethany has two older brothers, both surfers, and a best friend named Alana, another surfer. She mentioned that without her faith in God she would have never survived and He is the reason she gets up every morning. This book really inspired me to have goals and to achieve and never give up. Bethany Hamilton is a role model to many others and I. I am glad to say that now she is a professional surfer! The sponsor that stuck with her though all the hard times was RipCurl! Bethany is a wonderful girl, daughter, sister and friend to many and I am so glad that I picked up this book and was immediately drawn to it.
   Bethany throws her soul into surfing; she was born for the board. She may have lost her arm in the attack, but she could never lose her faith in God. He was and still is her greatest hero and model. I really think that her faith motivated her to get right back in the waves.
   Bethany Hamilton's first-hand account of the full-on fight to keep surfing is worth the read all the way. This teenage autobiography would interest any type of reader. I personally think that to everyone who has read this incredible book including me, there is no doubt that this book has made an impact on peoples lives. What a great book.



5. This is a great story for all ages! It is about a girl who suffers from a shark attack and loses her arm. Bethany shows a great example of still going no matter how hard times may get. This is defidently a favorite of mine. I encourage you to read this book, it will inspire you as it did to me!

2 comments about Double Dunk: The Story Earl "The Goat" Manigault.

1. good seller, quick shipment, book in good condition. also recommend the book. it's a great story.



2. My son love's basketball. He is 18. He had to have this. Great gift for any basketball lovers in your life.

No comments about Pete Maravich: Magician of the Hardwood (Great American Sports Legends).

1 comments about A Tiger's Walk: Memoirs of an Auburn Football Player.

1. If you love Auburn, particularly Auburn Football, this book is for you. Rob gives you the positive inside view of a great tradition as told by a young man with great talent. Once I started reading I could not put it down. This book is a great read for Auburn Lovers.

No comments about The Mogul: Eddie Gottlieb, Philadelphia Sports Legend and Pro Basketball Pioneer.

3 comments about Just Let Me Play: The Story of Charlie Sifford, the First Black PGA Golfer.

1. The story of Sifford is a very inspiring one. The book was just written in a horrible way. Every other sentance starts with the word "hell". It gets boring afterwards. The first half of the book moves very slowly, but the second half picks up a little more speed. This book will let people know that before Tiger Woods, there was Charlie, Lee Elder, and a lot of other guys too. It is a very good book. What Sifford went through was just horrid, but that's the reality of the world we live in. I could never blame him for being so bitter after all these years of obstacles and not being praised for what he has done. Never mind praise - just for not being allowed to play the game of golf. My limited grasp on golf parlance probably made it a little boring to read this book. But it's a good book, although it may make you a little sleepy.



2. I read this book a few years back before it was offered through normal distribution channels. Mr. Sifford was actually distributing this book from his home. Being from Greensboro and a golfer, I was extremely impressed by Mr. Sifford's commitment to the game and his determination to play as a PGA professional. You truly wonder what the golfing world has already missed by not allowing Mr. Sifford and other African American golfers to pursue their dreams. When Mr. Sifford was attempting to break the "color barrier" there were more black professional golfers than there is today! His story is heartbreaking and encouraing, what he and other black golfers experienced (to include in my hometown of Greensboro NC) is almost beyond belief! I would strongly recommend reading this book.



3. This book took me to a time when all african -americans could look to their heritage with pride. Jackie Robinson was a great man and I place the accomplishments of Charlie Sifford right along side of his. He showed us what real intestinal fortitude is all about. This should be required reading for all youngsters interested in participating in sports. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story of courage under enormous pressure. This book teaches us about the strength and character we all posess inside.

5 comments about Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

1. After reading this book I realized that I would probably despise Ralston if I ever met him in real life due to conflicting personalities, but that does not take away from the sheer awesomeness of this book that will appeal to anyone who likes a good survival story with a proper touch of spirituality. Ralston tells his horrific event down to every disgusting detail with impressive narrative that many writers can't beat. Along with this are just great thoughts about life and spirituality. Every good gruesome detail is here and the pictures are amazing.



2. I found this book inspiring. His will to live drove him to make decisions that most of us cannot even imagine. It will drive readers to value their lives even more.
   
   I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because, as it is well written, it is a bit drawn out. I kept wanting to skip ahead.
   
   Overall - Very good read.



3. I've a feeling we have not heard the last of Aron Ralston, but it won't be long before we do.
   
   His narration of the nearly fatal idiocy that cost him his right hand is interspersed with flashback stories of even greater follies accomplished during previous wilderness "adventures." We are regaled with accounts of running barefoot through the snow with a bear in pursuit, leaping fully clothed into a raging Colorado River for no apparent reason, rock climbing (in sandals, no less) over, and then falling into, a patch of prickly pear cactus, having his footwear fall apart midway up the face of a 2,000-foot sheer granite wall - these apparently recounted in hopes of showing what an accomplished (or at least, passionate) outdoorsman he is - are not the stuff of legend, or inspiration, or courage; they are the tales of a bonehead in search of a Darwin Award. An Hero.
   
   I continually found myself wondering why anybody who suffered such an unbroken string of disasters brought about by poor decision-making, unpreparedness, naivete, or downright pigheadedness would be set up as an inspirational character (or why anyone would seek to publicize their own stupidity thus); but then I remember Timothy Treadwell and his ardent supporters and followers.
   
   In any event, the straw that broke this camel's back was Aron's reviling us with an event he saw as amusing and clever: he and his friends composed a "joke" distress note and put it in an empty vodka bottle which they then threw into Havasupai Creek, to flow over Mooney falls, to perhaps "be found by a jet skier in Lake Mead." Right. More likely broken glass discovered by the waders barefoot downstream.
   
   Oh, I could go on and on.. and Aron does. A litany of grief and stupidity haunts this guy and anyone who does business with him. He manages to lose not only his ice axe on one winter ascent, but the team's only map as well, resulting in abandonment of their summit bid in lieu of an emergency hunt for a way off the mountain.
   
   I think of the disaster that befell the Everest climbers in Krakauer's "Into Thin Air", or the mystery of what happened to Irvine and Mallory detailed in "Ghosts of Everest" and innumerable other actually heroic stories, of excruciating ordeals, unbelievable fortitude and character displayed by many climbers and outdoorsfolk, and then I think of this clown losing his team's map while traipsing around on a 14,000 foot mountain, for cripe sake.
   
   I think about this jamoke going out in the wintertime to scale Colorado's mountains without proper clothing or food, or common sense or respect for the nature in general and mountains in particular. He hikes up mountains in the wintertime but has not the sense to put his chocolate bars or water in an inside pocket where they won't freeze, then bemoans the fact as if it were some giant life lesson Gaia bestows only on hardy souls (who venture forth thus unencumbered with brains).
   
   Feh. Do yourself a favor and skim the tripe. There are perhaps 100 readable pages in the book, and don't swallow any of Aron's stultifying psuedo-religious gobbledygook or cerulean blue prose-poems; it's mostly blather perpetrated by a not-too-bright adrenaline junkie who very well could be the next famous bear scat.



4. I think readers would be better served by skipping every other chapter in this book or just searching online for Aron Ralston, you'll find it. A reader above mentioned he doesn't come off as bragging about his exploits, I found exactly the opposite.
   
   On one hand, Aron and I have been in many of the same places, (probably around the same time) and in a way, reading about his adventures in various places brought back great memories for me. On the other hand, If I wanted to read about his memoir, I'd have bought that book. Halfway through the book I found myself saying, just cut it off already!
   
   While I do respect his accomplishments in his winter solo ascents, I simply don't respecting his risky backcountry decisions. He is redeemed though by calling himself out, recognizing that he's lost friends over his past irresponsible backcountry recklessness. In a sense, the book is a primer for what not to do in the winter backcountry.
   
   I thought it was interesting how with Ralston's considerable experience, intelligence, engineering rigging skills and strength none of it mattered in the end. Just a guy with no more options that did what needed to be done.



5. Aron is an inspiration to all of us and an incredible writer. He fully acknowledges his flaws as a human being which makes this book all the more powerful. He loves life to the limit and paid a high price to do so.
   
   My son was seriously injured in the Iraq war and I purchased a copy for him. It takes courage to make a good life...and Aron has no shortage of that.

1 comments about Tiller: Not Your Average Joe.

1. Purchased this book for my son's 26th B'day. He is a Purdue grad and an avid football fan. He is not much of a reader until he received this book. He thanked me greatly for it and stated he can't put it down.

1 comments about Jay Yelas: A Champion's Journey of Faith, Family, and Fishing.

1. Al fishermen should give it a chance. What a great story of life,love,and christianity. About a man who searched for and found his God,his Savior and how he related his life's committment to Jesus Christ to his success in his career.A book all aspiring fishermen should read. Great job Jay!...Look forward to seeing more like this...Good luck in your life-long career...