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Beyond the Black Belt: Secrets of Advanced Karate Ranks
by Gary Purdue
Product Group: Book
Publisher: 1st Books Library (2002-04-15)
ISBN: 0759672415
EAN: 9780759672413
Dewy Decimal #: 796
Hardcover: 124 pages
SKU: H6176
Condition: Good
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
Beyond Black Belt reveals why not all black belts are created equal. Using fascinating behind-the-scenes insights and anecdotes, Gary Purdue exposes the secrets of advanced karate ranks in this must read for anyone interested in the martial arts.
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Customer Reviews
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Very entertaining and insightful book
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-03-11
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
I have been involved in some form of martial arts for a number of years. I started out dabbling in Aikido until I decided grappling wasn't good for my already destroyed joints. I am still an active practitioner of wushu/kung fu. Having seen many's the black belt come and go from various venues, I was at once excited to scoff at the glorious accolades Gary was sure to bestow on them in his book, Beyond the Black Belt: Secrets of Advanced Karate Ranks. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
The book is an anonymously honest account of Gary's own mistakes and triumphs, and those of students and associates who have come and gone. It shows that there is an escalating battery of neuroses that black belts must overcome in order to achieve the very highest ranks. The book confirms my suspicions that all the black belts who I've seen quit the arts after achieving first degree were afflicted with the same condition: believing a black belt is a finish line.
To students who try (in practice and philosophy) to adhere to the tenets of the traditional martial arts as best they can, Gary's book is a refreshing and sobering look at why it can be said that the martial arts can have as much to do with the mind as the body. One can perfect every move, execute each of them with precision and grace, but fail in battle if he can not control his mind, and show deference and respect to those around them. Black belts must obviously overcome extremes ranging from arrogance to profound and disruptive humility before they can become martial artists in the truest sense of the word.
In sum, while I imagined myself generally familiar with the martial culture and the "bow to your sensei" element of advanced ranks, Gary's book opened up a lot of insight into this often frustrating dynamic. Really, it's not their fault. Every practitioner has to overcome these neuroses to some extent. I have therefore learned to recognize these convulsive reactions to skill in myself, and hope to correct or face them before they become a problem. Overall, it was an extremely entertaining and insightful book.
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The Printed Appearance of this NEW book is unpleasant
Rating  (2)
Date: 2003-05-19
3 out of 5 customers found this reveiw helpful
I just received this recently published book ...
I must admit, something just irritates me about books printed in "Times New Roman" and print that is justified to the right hand margin causing some sentences to have larger gaps between the words. Just makes for bumpy reading, and that's why you commonly don't see books printed like this. I wish the publisher or author would have chosen a better printed, "reader-friendly" appearance.
The book might be loaded with awesome information and stories... once my eyes adjust to the format, I'll be able to find out. Until then, I thought I'd let other "would-be-purchasers" know what to initially expect after paying ... for a 2002 book with pages that look like they just rolled off of an early 80's computer printer.
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Review
Rating  (1)
Date: 2003-05-17
1 out of 5 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book has about as much depth as a parking lot puddle. When the author opens his mouth, it seems it is only to change whichever foot was previously there. Since my last post, this author has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.
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Guide to Starting a Fight
Rating (1)
Date: 2003-05-16
1 out of 10 customers found this reveiw helpful
1. Make race car noises
2. Blow your nose on other people.
3. Grimace painfully while slapping your forehead and muttering, "Shut up dammit, all of you just SHUT UP!"
4. Whistle the first 7 notes of "It's a Small World" incessantly.
5. Sell Girl Scout Cookies.
6. "Ever had a Wet Willy?"
7. Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you "Daddy."
8. One word: Flatulence!
9. Do Tai Chi.
10. Stare, grinning, at another people for a while, and then announce: "I've got new socks on."
11. Give religious tracts to people.
12. Meow occasionally.
13. Stare at people, then announce, "You're one of THEM!"
14. Wear a hand puppet and talk to the other people "through" it.
15. Start a sing-along.
16. Play the accordion.
17. Announce in a demonic voice, "I must find a more suitable host body."
18. Carry a blanket a clutch it protectively.
19. Wear "X-Ray Specs" and leer suggestively at other people.
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Beyond the white belt
Rating (1)
Date: 2003-05-16
3 out of 8 customers found this reveiw helpful
I had the opportunity to spar Gary in the late 70's at a martial arts competition. I beat him then and I can beat him now. His whole philosophy on martial arts is disgraceful.
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