In my more than 34 years as a martial artist, like most, I have tried to own, read, or look at every martial art book I could get my hands on. I got my hands on this book and I am not letting go. I recommend each of you do the same.
Michael E. Odell
Isshin-ryu Northwest Okinawa Karate Association


Martial Wisdom   November 3, 2003
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is not your usual book on the martial arts. The "lessons" referred to in the title concern not the how-to's of fighting technique, but rather insights, policies, ethics, and practical advice surrounding the martial arts. The lessons are divided up into roughly 113 concise aphorisms or brief biographical accounts that entertain as well as challenge and inspire the reader. The book is well-written and well-presented. It is a valuable resource for both students and instructors alike. I highly recommend this book to all practitioners of the martial arts.


Mojo at the Dojo   November 3, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

And here's what my wife Joan had to say: I've just got done reading Lessons From The Dojo Floor. While most books written by Westerners on Eastern practices are afflicted by cloying, faux-mystical prose, this book is clear, pragmatic, and thoughtful. The wisdom is kept compact and bite-size. Perfect for those days when you're tired and discouraged and you need something to grasp onto to take you through that next practice. Lessons from the Dojo Floor is a compass that's handy, practical, and inspiring. A down-to-earth book that focuses on the day-to-day struggles we who practice martial arts face when we lay down our book bag, backpack, pocketbook, or briefcase, after a long day and walk onto the dojo floor.


A great book of insights for all who train in Martial Arts   October 28, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Most books on Martial arts tend to be on technique (which most should learn from their teachers) but Wilder's book is a nice change. Gleaned from what obviously is years of training, he goes beyond the gross lessons of training and gives away some subtleties (of martial arts and life) that many never seem to figure out.

This is a great collection of insights, and I would recommend it to everyone who is interested in looking a little deeper in their training. Definitely should be on every martial artist's bookshelf.


Lessons from the dojo floor   October 27, 2003
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

If you have studied matial arts, or are in the least bit interested, this book will give you an outlook that you will not see from many of the writers out there. It provided me with an overview or outlook of the things that had been learned by a person who has studied may different styles of martial arts and who has also been very suggsessfull in his own proffessional carrer. His honesty concerning elements of martial arts that are not usually talked about were very informative and refreshing.