The Fighting Arts: Their Evolution from Secret Societies to Modern Times

by Michael Rosenbaum

This book traces the evolution of the Fighting Arts from the 'old worlds' through today's modern societies. It divides it's contents into two parts. "The Early Development of Martial Art" and "Our Modern Culture and Martial Arts". Part one explores ancient classical fighting arts and the cultural influenced that helped to shape them. Time is spent discussing the differences between civilian and military warfare along with the myths and legends of old. Part two focuses on the assimilation of these "ancient arts" into modern western societies. The segmentation of these arts for the western practitioner along with the role martial arts have in today's society is given prominent attention. A final section discusses the realities of terrorism yesterday and today.

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 2002

About the author

Michael Rosenbaum is a former paratrooper and a longtime martial artist whose books have been published nationally and internationally. He was a desk clerk at the Andrew Johnson Hotel from 1977 to 1979.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Richard Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike many of the books on this shelf, this is almost exclusively a history book, contrasted against a technique or philosophic review (initially I had written "as opposed to" but in this case, that wording seemed to be bad form). It is both curious and captivating that so many of the various schools/approaches started from similar circumstances, i.e., in response to an oppressive force, often a foreign invader, in countries separated by thousands of miles and civilizations separated by centuries.

Likewise to most human endeavors and behaviors, the basics are similar: training, vigilance, defense, and attack. And if the common starting point is bare-handed with no weapons aside from fists, feet, elbows and such, many of the moves are essentially the same.

But to see how the cultures were imprinted upon the defense "system" or how these schools evolved, this is interesting and illuminating. Although I strongly suspect that if you're new to any of these methods, this tract might hold less "need-to-know" than a fundamentals book.

Having practiced TKD for nine years, I did find the overlaps in development to be historically relevant. At the same time, I found just as much for future reading in his bibliography and notes...which I suppose is the sign of a good teacher. It can also be said that only a fool would unwisely criticize someone who has practiced for what would be three decades now and who served in the 82nd Airborne.

Yet what will stay with me longest is the final paragraph: "For us today, the study of a martial art includes many benefits, such as better health, peace of mind, and yes, even self-defense. Yet there is one benefit that is often overlooked by many. Training in a martial art not only requires us to confront our own fears and emotions. We also have to face our opponents. We have to look into their eyes and realize that they are living, breathing human beings. People, just like us, with their-own hopes, dreams and desires. By performing this age-old ritual of meeting our opponent face-to-face, we cannot rely upon technology to do our dirty work. We are forced to understand that there will be a price to pay for our actions. A price, which is paid by not just one, but both sides involved in a conflict. Perhaps, this is a lesson we all need to learn."

[Reagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book covers a general trajectory of martial arts development from specialized warrior groups in tribal and small states to modern commercial times. It was very brief and aside from a few historical facts on the development of Karate and the belt-ranking system, it offered nothing new.