A Killing Art

By: Alex Gillis

Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Obscure documents, Korean-language books, and in-depth interviews with tae kwon do pioneers tell the tale of the origin of the most popular martial art. In 1938, tae kwon do began at the end of a poker game in a tiny village in a remote corner of what is now North Korea by Choi Hong-Hi, who began the martial art, and his nemesis, Kim Un-Yong, who developed the Olympic style and became one of the most powerful, controversial men in sports. The story follows Choi from the 1938 poker game where he fought for his life, through high-class geisha houses where the art was named, and into the Vietnam War where the martial art evolved into a killing art. The techniques cut across all realms – from the late 1960s when tae kwon do trained Korean CIA agents kidnapped people in the United States and Europe to the 1970s when Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and other Hollywood stars mastered the art’s new kicks. Tae kwon do is also a martial art for the 21st century, one of merciless techniques, indomitable men, and justice pumped on steroids.

©2011 Alex Gillis (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

An Ugly, Albeit honest, Look @ Taekwondo's history

I bought this book because I recently started training in Taekwondo. I love the art. It's a great workout, it helps me feel more confident, and I think it's a great mental practice. This book shows the ugly truth about the history of TKD, created by a dishonorable man who lacks the tenets of taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, indomitable spirit. Well, perhaps he persevered, but he did it in some really discourteous and horrible ways. Suffice it to say, I have little respect for the man. I guess this is a good book to read if you are starting out in the art, but know it for what it is--a history of a sinful man creating something far greater than himself.

The reader is really stiff, too.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

good story

I liked this book. was a very interesting story. I think it is a important reminder that all people are flawed regardless of what they have accomplished.

You have to know the past to understand the present.

New to TaeKwon Do, this is a great book to learn and understand the history behind this wonderful martial art.

Eye opener

Great book that takes you to the life and dreams of tkd grand masters. As a 14 year practitioner of ITF, there was a LOT of pieces of the history of the art that was missing. 10/10 would recommend to anyone interested in the martial art.

This book deserves a movie

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There's all kinds of myth about the founding of Tae Kwon Do and the effect that ITF and WTF have now. If you want the underbelly, with lots of documentation, this is your book. You'll be going to resources again and again to supply some historical background for the events described, and you will read it again and again.