Living the Martial Way by Major Forrest Morgan

A book review

Defensive Concepts

A quick confession before we get into this. When I first saw this in the bookstore I passed

it over. Curiosity got the better of me and I'm glad it did. I'd seen many books talking

about warrior this and that. When you read them they ended up being a bunch of new age

nonsense that had about as much to do with being a warrior as digging a ditch has to do

with quantum physics. Worse yet were the ones that talked about the "warrior (fill in the

blank). I had had my fill of such things and thought, at first, that this was merely more of

the same. Happily, I was wrong. 

    Living The Martial Way, quite simply, should be required reading and included in

every martial artist's library. The book is not a How-To on punching, kicking, throwing

or any of the other combative skills. Instead it takes a conceptual look at the overall

development of the warrior both internal and external.

    The book is divided into three sections. The way of training, the way of honor and the

way of living. Each section is subdivided into chapters dealing with topics such as

mindset, strategy, tactics, fitness, nutrition, revenge and mysticism.

    The first section, The Way of Training, deals primarily with training the mind and

spirit instead of the body. Major Morgan explains the differences between doctrine,

strategy and tactics. This was a welcome sight. Knowledge of these crucial elements is

lacking in most schools. Evaluating your assets and selecting a combative doctrine suited

to your needs and abilities is covered. He goes into some detail on developing a personal

strategy all with the goal of prevailing against a real attacker rather than winning a trophy

or belt. The section on physical training will be surprisingly brief to some. Remember,

though, at least 75% of combat is mental. The chapter on physical training includes a

section on shugyo a severe form of training practiced in many warrior cultures, not just

Asian systems. I can say this from experience, if you've never experienced 'austere

training' you have missed something. He also argues effectively for using a jutsu

approach to ones training for maximum effectiveness in the real world.

    The second section, The Way of Honor, explores just what honor is. It's components

and how to develop it. He also goes into revenge and ritual suicide as perversions of

honor. In a society that increasingly takes an ends justifying the means approach this

section is both needed and refreshing.

    Part three, The Way of Living is probably the most diverse section. It begins with a

chapter entitled Warrior Fitness. Major Morgan explains various body types and the

fitness requirements of a warrior. He also bursts the balloon that all you need is perfect

technique and the old myth of the 90 pound weakling taking a few karate lessons and then

stomping his tormentors. He then goes into religion and mysticism in the martial arts. He

correctly explains that the arts and methods were developed for fighting, not worship. He

skewers those out there that use the arts as a cover for cultish activities.

    I enjoyed the book, as you have probably guessed. I have minor disagreements with

Major Morgan on some points, nutrition being one. Overall, however, I am on the same

page as the Major when it comes to the importance of training, mindset and attitude.

    Major Morgan's viewpoint is that of a traditionalist. This may be a problem for those

of you that have walked away from your gi and obi because of what the arts have become

in many schools. Put your attitude aside and read the book. Likewise, non-Japanese

stylists may have some difficulty with Morgan's use of Japanese terms. Again, just read

the book and pick up on the concepts behind the words. There are many places where the

term martial arts is the start of a bad joke. The arts have become, for many, a series of

circus like stunts. The reason for this is that many have lost sight of what the arts are and

what they are for. This book is reminder of what they can be.

    Regardless of your viewpoint or style take the time to read this one. Then take Bruce

Lee's advice, take what is useful, discard what is useless