Book Review

This is an excellent book that covers virtually all the basics and Kata you will need to go from beginner to black belt. However, don't buy this thinking you can teach yourself Karate. You need to go to classes as well. I bought this as a complete beginner (at the age of 45) in 2005. The Kata photographs are good but some sometimes difficult to follow (even with directional arrows) because when Sahota is facing you and steps forward to punch with his right-hand you tend to want to punch with your left hand.
The other problem is that whilst the number of Kata covered is very comprehensive, at neither of the two clubs I've belonged to have the Katas been exactly the same as in this book. My advice would to any beginner would be to join a club first, and then get your Sensei to advise whether a book like this is worth purchasing.

Title:	The Shotokan Handbook: Beginner to Black Belt
Author:	Gursharan Sahota
ISBN:
Date of Review:	3rd April 2007	Reviewer:	Simon Buck (8kyu)
Opinion:	This is an excellent book that covers virtually all the basics and Kata you will need to go from beginner to black belt. However, don't buy this thinking you can teach yourself Karate. You need to go to classes as well. I bought this as a complete beginner (at the age of 45) in 2005. The Kata photographs are good but some sometimes difficult to follow (even with directional arrows) because when Sahota is facing you and steps forward to punch with his right-hand you tend to want to punch with your left hand. The other problem is that whilst the number of Kata covered is very comprehensive, at neither of the two clubs I've belonged to have the Katas been exactly the same as in this book. My advice would to any beginner would be to join a club first, and then get your Sensei to advise whether a book like this is worth purchasing.

Date of Review:		Reviewer:
Opinion: