When ordering this newly released book I rather cynically and wrongly assumed I was going to receive yet another how-to guide filled with a series of pictures that was thin on actual words. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the book dropped through my letterbox with an almighty thwack as I saw I had taken delivery of a substantial volume that had many pages of words that I could actually get my teeth into. This is a very good book that although is primarily focused on WTF style traditional Taekwondo, has a lot to offer the ITF practitioner as well.

Master Cook describes Traditional Taekwondo as “an alternative style emphasizing a core philosophy rich in basic technique.” This book is purely from a traditional perspective highlighting the holistic and spiritual aspects of the art which he believes are left at the wayside from the sport of Taekwondo. He reminds the reader that the Korean martial art actually contains over 3200 distinct techniques to be used in a self-defence scenario and he doesn’t pull his punches in the opening paragraph of the forward when he comments on sport Taekwondo. “Many techniques have been stripped away or forfeited altogether in favour of those certain to score in the ring.”

The part I found most relevant to myself was the comprehensive history of Korea and the post-World War 2 development of Taekwondo born out of the many older styles of martial art originating from Korea. I was pleased to see that Master Cook also included ITF style in this history as well as the pattern meanings alongside the WTF poom-se meanings and acknowledges the existence of ITF as many WTF books do not. There is also a significant section describing the philosophical side to Taekwondo and its use of ‘Ki’, much like the Chinese use of chi, that I’m ashamed to say I had very little awareness of. Alongside this, we also have detailed chapters describing the traditional techniques that Master Cook espouses coupled with a chapter applying these techniques to women’s self-defence.

This book is one of the first I’ve read about Taekwondo that has a good deal of well written text that reaches the depth of analysis that an interested and intelligent practitioner of Taekwondo wants. This is much more than a how-to guide but a book that quenches the thirst a lot of practitioners who prefer their reading material to be a bit meatier. A recommended read for all those interested in scratching beneath the surface of the art of Taekwondo.

Author Profile: Lesley Jackson

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Lesley Jackson, black belt and Taekwondo teacher is deputy Editor of Martial Edge.

Also by Lesley Jackson:

• Robert Sullivan founder of GKR Karate
• Gary Hall Taekwondo Performance Director for the British Olympic Team
• Ben Taylor and the Legend of Kung Folk