List of Best Martial Arts Books

Here is our selection of the best martial arts books on Amazon. These are our favorite martial arts books and cover a wide range of techniques, styles and kata. They will help you to learn more about your existing martial arts style and discover new martial arts systems & techniques.

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• Advanced Brazilian Jiujitsu Techniques - This BJJ book discards "the techniques that didn't work on larger, stronger opponents. What you are left with is a highly effective and efficient system of grappling that works for and on everyone".
• The Art of War - The famous book on strategy and tactics from Sun Tzu (China's best known strategist).
• The Book of Five Rings - A legendary book on martial arts strategy and tactics by Japan's most famous swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi.
• Bruce Lee's Fighting Method - This book "explains how to survive attacks on the street, increase training awareness, and develop body movements".
• Complete Krav Maga - An book with detailed instructions and pictures for a huge range of Krav Maga techniques.
• The Fighter's Body: An Owner's Manual: Your Guide to Diet, Nutrition, Exercise and Excellence in the Martial Arts - Author Loren Christensen and personal trainer Wim Demeere "combine their knowledge of martial arts, weight training, nutrition, diet and exercise to answer your questions and put you on the road to becoming the best martial arts athlete you can be".
• Jiu-Jitsu University - 5 star book focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) techniques.
• Kodokan Judo: The Essential Guide to Judo by Its Founder Jigoro Kano - Covering everything from the fundamental techniques to prearranged formal exercises for both men and women, this book offers detailed explanations of how Judo techniques are combined in two types of practice: randori (free practice) and kata (the practice of forms).
• Living the Martial Way: A Manual for the Way a Modern Warrior Should Think - This book provides a "step-by-step approach to applying the Japanese warrior's mind set to martial training and daily life."
• The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program: The Complete Combat System - The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program "draws from the best martial arts techniques of boxing, jiu-jitsu, judo, sambo, krav maga, karate, aikido, escrima, arnis, hap ki do, karate, tae kwon do, kung fu, and kick boxing. Fighting techniques including: battle skill orientation; stance; posture; movement; weapons handling and function; striking; cutting; grappling; restraints and manipulations; and integration of weapons".
• Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era - This novel looks at the legendary Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. Musashi is also known for his use of two swords during battles (versus the typical one sword used by a samurai).
• Taekwondo: State of the Art - Excellent book focused on Taekwondo with illustrated instructions for WTF forms.
• The Tao of Jeet Kune Do - This book focuses on Jeet Kune Do, the martial arts style created by Bruce Lee. "The science and philosophy behind the fighting system Lee pioneered himself—jeet kune do—is explained in detail, depicted through hundreds of Lee’s own illustrations".
• 25 Shoto-Kan Kata - 5 star book that helps you to learn kata for Shotokan Karate. This book provides details for each kata movement including timing, rhythm, stances, foot placement, etc.
• Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts - Ultimate Flexibility "is a complete guide to stretching for martial arts, from the very basics of why you should stretch to detailed workout guidelines for every style and level of martial arts practice".
• Zen in the Martial Arts The author shows how the "daily application of Zen principles not only developed his physical expertise but gave him the mental discipline to control his personal problems-self-image, work pressure, competition".

Aikido Books

• Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques
• The Aikido Student Handbook: A Guide to the Philosophy, Spirit, Etiquette and Training Methods of Aikido
• Total Aikido: The Master Course
• Other Books on Aikido

BJJ Books

• Advanced Brazilian Jiujitsu Techniques
• BJJ Techniques to Defeat Bigger and Stronger Opponents
• Drill to Win: 12 Months to Better Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu
• Jiu-Jitsu University - 5 star book focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) techniques.
• Other Books on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Boxing Books

• Boxing Basics: The Techniques and Knowledge Needed to Excel in the Sport of Boxing
• Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense
• Workouts from Boxing's Greatest Champs: Get in Shape with Muhammad Ali, Fernando Vargas, Roy Jones Jr., and Other Legends

Bruce Lee Books

• Bruce Lee's Fighting Method
• The Tao of Jeet Kune Do - This book focuses on Bruce Lee's martial arts style known as Jeet Kune Do.
• The Warrior Within : The Philosophies of Bruce Lee

Diet & Nutrition Books for Martial Artists

• The Fighter's Body: An Owner's Manual: Your Guide to Diet, Nutrition, Exercise and Excellence in the Martial Arts
• Superfit: Royce Gracie's Ultimate Martial Arts Fitness and Nutrition Guide (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series)
• The Warrior Diet

Eskrima Books, Arnis Books, etc.

• Arnis Self-Defense: Stick, Blade, and Empty-Hand Combat Techniques of the Philippines
• Eskrima: Filipino Martial Art
• Mastering Eskrima Disarms
• The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima: A Martial Art of the Philippines

Judo Books

• American Combat Judo: 186 Photographs Illustrating Jiu Jitsu Wrestling, Foot-Fighting and Police Tactics
• Kodokan Judo: The Essential Guide to Judo by Its Founder Jigoro Kano
• Winning on the Ground: Training and Techniques for Judo and MMA Fighters
• Training for Competition: Judo: Coaching, Strategy and the Science for Success

Karate Books

• The Art of Hojo Undo: Power Training for Traditional Karate - Learn how traditional Karate experts increased their punching and kicking power.
• Best Karate, Vol.3: Kumite 1 - Learn Karate sparring techniques.
• Black Belt Karate: The Intensive Course
• Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text - 4.5 stars on Amazon.
• Karate-Do: My Way of Life
• Karate Fighting Techniques: The Complete Kumite
• Karate: The Complete Kata - Shotokan kata
• The Shotokan Karate Bible: Beginner to Black Belt
• 25 Shoto-Kan Kata - 5 star book that helps you to learn kata for Shotokan Karate. This book provides details for each kata movement including timing, rhythm, stances, foot placement, etc.
• Other Books on Karate
• Other Books on Shotokan Karate

Krav Maga Books

• Complete Krav Maga - An book with detailed instructions and pictures for Krav Maga techniques.
• Krav Maga: An Essential Guide to the Renowned Method--for Fitness and Self-Defense
• Krav Maga for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to the World's Easiest-to-Learn, Most-Effective Fitness and Fighting Program
• Other Books on Krav Maga

Kung Fu Books

• The Complete Book of Shaolin: Comprehensive Programme for Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Development
• The Healing Promise of Qi
• Instant Health: The Shaolin Qigong Workout For Longevity
• Ip Man - Portrait of a Kung Fu Master
• The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days to Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way

Military Martial Arts Books

• 100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative's Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture, and Surviving Any Dangerous Situation
• Get Tough! How to Win in Hand-to-Hand Fighting, as Taught to the British Commandos, and the U.S. Armed Forces
• U.S. Marine Close Combat Fighting Handbook
• U.S. Marine Combat Conditioning
• The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program: The Complete Combat System
• SAS and Elite Forces Guide Extreme Unarmed Combat: Hand-To-Hand Fighting Skills From The World's Elite Military Units - Martial arts techniques used by the British special forces and other elite military units.
• SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere
• Special Forces Fitness Training: Gym-Free Workouts to Build Muscle and Get in Elite Shape

Mixed Martial Arts Books

• Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge
• Training for Warriors: The Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts Workout
• The Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts Training Guide: Techniques for Fitness, Self Defense, and Competition

Muay Thai Books

• Muay Thai Basics: Introductory Thai Boxing Techniques
• Muay Thai Counter Techniques: Competitive Skills and Tactics for Success
• Muay Thai Training Exercises: The Ultimate Guide to Fitness, Strength, and Fight Preparation
• Muay Thai Unleashed: Learn Technique and Strategy from Thailand's Warrior Elite

Ninjutsu Books

• The Book of Ninja: The Bansenshukai - Japan's Premier Ninja Manual
• The Complete Ninja: The Secret World Revealed
• Essence of Ninjutsu

Physical Fitness Books

• Books on Martial Arts Strength & Conditioning

Stretching & Flexibility Books

• Beyond Kicking: A Complete Guide to Stretching and Kicking - This book states "Along with super stretching secrets, you'll learn how to use your flexibility to improve kicking techniques".
• Dynamic Stretching & Kicking - This stretching book is by the famous martial artist, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.
• Full-Body Flexibility - This book "blends the best of yoga, Pilates, martial arts, and sport training".
• The Martial Artist's Book of Yoga: Improve Flexibility, Balance and Strength for Higher Kicks, Faster Strikes, Smoother Throws, Safer Falls, and Stronger Stances - This books focuses on how yoga can improve your martial arts flexibility.
• Plyo-Flex: Plyometrics and Flexibility Training for Explosive Martial Arts Kicks and Performance Sports
• Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts - This stretching book is specifically targeted to martial artists.
• Other Books on Martial Arts Stretching & Flexibility

Taekwondo Books

• A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do
• Competitive Taekwondo - Taekwondo sparring techniques.
• Complete Taekwondo Poomsae: The Official Taegeuk, Palgwae and Black Belt Forms of Taekwondo
• The Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do Patterns
• This Is Taekwon-Do, Book + DVD-ROM, ITF Colourbelt Syllabus with First Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha - Book & DVD set focused on ITF Taekwondo.
• Taekwondo: A Path to Excellence
• Taekwondo: State of the Art - Excellent book focused on Taekwondo with illustrated instructions for WTF forms.
• Tae Kwon Do: The Indomitable Martial Art of Korea
• Other Books on Taekwondo

Tai Chi Books

• Tai Chi Chuan Classical Yang Style: the Complete Form and Qigong
• The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong and Tai Chi

Tang Soo Do Books

• Complete Tang Soo Do Manual, from White Belt to Black Belt, Vol. 1

Weapons - Books on Traditional Martial Arts Weapons

• The Fighting Staff - If you want to learn how to use a Bo, Jo or any other staff in a self-defense situation, you should buy this book.
• Stick Fighting: Techniques of Self-Defense

Wing Chun Books

• Wing Chun Kung Fu: Traditional Chinese Kung Fu for Self-Defense and Health

Books on Katas, Forms, Patterns, Chuan, etc.

• Aikido Katas
• Goju-Ryu Karate Katas
• ITF Taekwondo Pattern Books
• Judo Kata Books
• Karate Kata Books - These books will help to improve your Karate katas.
• Kung Fu Forms
• Palgwe Taekwondo Form & Poomse Books
• Shito-Ryu Karate Katas
• Shorin-Ryu Karate Katas
• Shotokan Kata Books - These books will help you with Shotokan katas.
• Taekwondo Forms & Patterns
• Tai Chi Ch'uan (Forms) Books
• Tang Soo Do Form Books
• Wado-Ryu Karate Kata Books
• WTF Taekwondo Form Books - These books will help you with your WTF Taekwondo forms.
• Also visit our Kata & Forms Store.

Books for Balance Training

• Balance Basics: For Yogis Who Want to Know How to Balance and Yoga Teachers Who Want to Teach It
• Balance Training: Stability Workouts for Core Strength and a Sculpted Body
• Stability Workouts on the Balance Board: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide to Toning, Strengthening and Rehabilitative Techniques
• Weights on the Bosu Balance Trainer: Strengthen and Tone All Your Muscles with Unstable Workouts

Books for Female Martial Artists

• Fight Back: A Woman's Guide to Self-Defense that Works
• Fight Like a Girl...and Win: Defense Decisions for Women
• Krav Maga for Women: Your Ultimate Program for Self Defense
• Visit our main Women's Martial Arts Books page for additional highly-rated books geared towards female martial artists.

Books - Martial Arts Books for Children

• The Five Ancestors - This martial arts fiction series is for pre-teens and focuses on a number of young Kung Fu monks.
• The Kids' Karate Workbook: A Take-Home Training Guide for Young Martial Artists
• The Martial Arts Book - This book will help children learn about a variety of different martial arts styles and systems.
• Taekwondo Kids: From White Belt to Yellow/Green Belt - A visitor favorite!
• Tai Chi for Kids: Move with the Animals - Tai Chi & colorful artwork.
• The Three Ninja Pigs - Very popular 5 star rated book for kids.
• Other great martial arts books for kids