Ultimate Kempo: The Spirit and Technique of Kosho Ryu Book

I've never really seen this much in-depth treatment of a single kata. There are books out there that delve into a single kick, but nothing like this.

Sanchin is a kata used in several forms of Karate. Wilder goes over this in a chapter devoted to what can be known about this form. He also delves into western physiology, eastern holistic practices, and even mathematics (he's taken alot of flack in reviews for including the Fibonacci ratio) to create a very inclusive treatment of the topic.

The best part of this book comes in the piece-by-piece examination of what each body part is supposed to be doing during the Kata, and the breathing process. The numerous tests he includes to make sure you're doing it all properly are indispensable.

Whether I agree with training methods, like the makiwara, or not, is irrelevant, in my opinion. If you don't use it, or won't, then ignore it. A section on it in this book does not make it inferior for including it. There is a cross-over step he uses in Sanchin that I was not taught, and would be loathe to try, as I've been taught in Judo and other styles not to cross my feet like that. This doesn't detract from the book: it's just a style difference.

The care and attention to detail are apparent throughout, and make this a worthy addition to the library of anyone who uses Sanchin, and material to think about for any practitioner of a kata-based style.