A Book of Five Rings

The Strategy of Musashi

By: Miyamoto Musashi

Narrated by: Alec Sand

Length: 1 hr and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Legendary 17th century swordsman Miyamoto Musashi’s exposition of sword fighting, strategy and Zen philosophy. Required reading for any martial artist, business person or student of strategy. Includes the one hour Zen inspired soundtrack The Mysterious Sound of Wind in the Bamboo. Performed on authentic Japanese instruments.

©2009 trout lake media (P)2009 Trout Lake Media

What I expected

If you could sum up A Book of Five Rings in three words, what would they be?

Duty- Honor- Loyalty

What did you like best about this story?

I have read this before so knew what to expect. Listen/read with an open mind.

What about Alec Sand’s performance did you like?

He has the a good voice for narration

Zen and Swordmanship

Though expressed in terms of war, this is a deep guide to right mind in all things

A'ight

Really nothing insightful. You can in a way apply everything he talked about in one way or another but just too specific to swordsmanship. Even then he would admit that he can't really explain it properly in the book and that it had to be researched further then practiced. I think it would be something insightful if you were truly attempting to become a great swordsman. I guess I was hoping for something in how he became a great swordsman, was he taught these ideas or did he learn them on his own? I would have liked to hear his examples for what he talked about. For example, he talked about how a longsword has limited reach and that if you get close it is disadvantageous, but then moves on. An example of he would react in a real world scenario would have been insightful. Also, when telling the reader that we must further research an idea he touched upon would benefit greatly by telling us how to do so, how would he do so? How did he acquire that knowledge that he can't explain to us? I have no doubt this man was a great swordsman, but this was not an insightful book. Overall, I would not recommend this book.

Endless Metaphors on Life

The Book of Five Rings, Written by: Miyamoto Musashi, Narrated by: Alec Sand. Masashi is a 17th century master Japanese swordsman, and this book provides his teachings on sword fighting, in the first instance, combat in the second instance and dealing with the adversities of life in its ultimate communication.

One must be interested in learning how to see the competitive nature of life, contending therein and winning to find value in the memoir. If you see worth in such leaning then this is a study you can read and enjoy as it has much valued perceptions on combat and therein life.

This is akin in importance to The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli, or the Art of War., by Sun Tsu. You can read each and consider, and will undoubtedly return in a few years and reread and continue to learn more each visit. Its knowledge is endless.

You Must Think on This

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I was not as pleased with this book as I had inticipated. The platitudes are very brief and in an audio format it would take severl listens in avery controlled setting to see benefit from its contents.

What was most disappointing about Miyamoto Musashi’s story?

Personaly, that I do not have the time or focus to be a master of the sword as I can not devote the time he suggests.

What aspect of Alec Sand’s performance would you have changed?

His performance was decent, but a little dry.

Was A Book of Five Rings worth the listening time?

It was good to have listened so that I know what its' contents are.

Any additional comments?

I would probably prefer to get this book in printed format.

Calming, but not insightful

Listening to the narrator, and the flute interspersed throughout, is relaxing. The words however are not useful in modern day language as a business or self help text. At the same time, they are also not useful as a treatise on swordplay in medieval Japan. As I said though, listening was relaxing.

some concepts still apply today

other concepts have little or no meaning, it is a short good listen packed with culture

IDK

The reader or the narrative sounded tired, didn't seem too excited to read the book. I was looking foward to hear a good story but left with yawn 🥱... could have been done better. And many times had to raise the volume to hear it clearly.

A masterpiece

Exactly how a masterpiece should be written. No wasted words, straight to the facts.

Good Book, Poor Audio

The narrator sounds tired and his words are cut off from time to time. Disappointing, but for the price, still acceptable, I suppose.

The book itself is worthwhile.