Not a light read, with a number of highlighted discrepancies in the facts presented, but a must for anyone interested in how Shotokan started in the UK.
IMO, it highlights the shaky foundation of Shotokan in our country and the problems of ego and the need to create mystery. A totally enjoyable read!
Vernon Bell made all his surviving paperwork, including letters, certificates, diplomas, publicity and grading forms available to Dr Layton, so no stone is left unturned in the search for the truth. The fact that frequently it really isn't clear exactly what happened only adds to the enjoyment of the book.
Bell was a tenacious man who initially forged links through the French Karate Association and by the end of this volume is approaching the JKA.
He was the first ever British Shodan (there is some evidence this may have been an honorary black belt though). His grade was given in April 1957 by Mr Plee from the FKA. Although Bell grades to 2nd Dan during the period covered by this first volume I never got the impression that he was a hands on senior Karate instructor.
Sadly his admirable attention to detail and the sheer bureaucracy involved in running the BKF in the early years seems to have prevented him from training a lot of the time. When you Read the book you will find it incredible how much time Bell spent writing to people, crossing T's and dotting i's, as well upsetting people and being upset by people. Sensibly Dr Layton has left the names of people and organisations unstated when the level of acrimony was at its worst!
I had absolutely no prior knowledge of the history of British Karate before reading this book, and can confidently say the book will be of interest to both the newcomer wanting to understand the early years and totally absorbing to anyone who may have trained during the period concerned, or in later years with the people involved.