Book Review: Dueling with O-sensei: Grappling with the Myth of the Warrior Sage

Title: Dueling with O-sensei: Grappling with the Myth of the Warrior Sage, Revised and Expanded Edition

Author: Ellis Amdur

Publisher: Freelance Academy Press

Publication Date: August 15, 2016

Format: Paperback

Pages: 346 pages, 6 in x 9 in

Cover Price: $39.95

ISBN: 978-1937439248

Content

Sensei Ellis Amdur is a prominent trainer in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in verbal de-escalation of aggressive and mentally ill individuals. Sensei Amdur has studied classic Japanese combat arts for fifty years, spending thirteen of these years studying in Japan. He is a recognized expert in classical and modern Japanese martial traditions. I first encountered his work through his contribution to the latest edition of Sensei Patrick McCarthy’s Bubishi, previously reviewed here.

Dueling with O-sensei is a collection of essays that examine the author’s relationship to aikido, the martial arts, violence, and various aspects of his personality. It is a deeply personal work that I read after his two other martial arts volumes, Old School and Hidden in Plain Sight. I believe his other books gave me the background necessary to best appreciate Dueling with O-sensei.

Pros

As founder of Martial History Team, I am constantly searching for resources that would interest my readers. This book is probably not directly related to the research we conduct into martial arts history. However, I still enjoyed Dueling with O-sensei. It’s the sort of book that makes you question why one trains in the martial arts. It also prompts the reader to ask what he or she is doing with his or her life. It’s philosophical without being obtuse, and engaging without being pompous. 

Cons

This is a fairly serious book at times, or at least it deals with serious themes. I would not recommend it to anyone below teenage years, although I feel that the questions it raises are worth answering at some point in a reader’s life. 

Conclusion

I give this book 5 out of 5 ninja stars.

I greatly enjoyed reading Dueling with O-sensei. It’s probably the most thoughtful memoir I’ve read that relates to the martial arts. I originally sought out Sensei Amdur’s works for his research into the history of certain obscure Japanese arts. I stayed because he is a captivating writer with a powerful message for everyone.

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Richard Bejtlich

Richard took his first martial arts classes in judo, karate, boxing, and combatives as a cadet at the US Air Force Academy in 1990, and continued practicing several styles until 2001. He resumed training in 2016 by practicing within the Krav Maga Global system, earning Graduate 1 rank. Richard now studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Team Pedro Sauer. Richard is married and has two daughters, and as a cybersecurity professional he helps organizations find and remove computer hackers. Richard is co-author, with Anna Wonsley, of the book Reach Your Goal: Stretching and Mobility Exercises for Fitness, Personal Training, and Martial Arts.

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