Sumo: A Thinking Fan's Guide to Japan's National Sport

by David Benjamin

Sumo is a fresh and funny introduction to the fascinating world of sumo, Japan's national sport. Author David Benjamin peels away the veneer of sumo as a cultural treasure and reveals it as an action-packed sport populated by superb athletes who employ numerous strategies and techniques to overcome their gargantuan opponents. Sumo provides an engaging, witty, behind-the-scenes look at sumo today.

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2011

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid read that illuminated a lot about sumo without being overly reverent nor falling into exoticism about “what sumo means about the Japanese character,” but alas it tips too far into irreverence and flippant jokes for my taste. Very much a YMMV kind of read, but one that gave me better footing for watching sumo now that my friends have finally convinced me to pay attention to the sport.

[Rob Miech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights into a country's institution