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The Book of Five Rings

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The Book of Five Rings

By: Miyamoto Musashi, William Scott Wilson - translator
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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About this listen

Setting down his thoughts on swordplay, on winning, and on spirituality, legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi intended this modest work as a guide for his immediate disciples and future generations of samurai. He had little idea he was penning a masterpiece that would be eagerly devoured by people in all walks of life centuries after his death.

Along with The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Book of Five Rings has long been regarded as an invaluable treatise on the strategy of winning. Musashi's timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant was addressed to readers of earlier times on the battlefield and now serves the modern listener in the battle of life.

In this new rendering by the translator of Hagakure and The Unfettered Mind, William Scott Wilson adheres rigorously to the 17th-century Japanese text and clarifies points of ambiguity in earlier translations. In addition, he offers an extensive introduction and a translation of Musashi's rarely published The Way of Walking Alone.

©2002 William Scott Wilson (P)2010 Tantor Career Success Combat Sports & Self-Defense Eastern Martial Arts Military Military science Philosophy Samurai Sports Inspiring Thought-Provoking Career Combat Sports Eastern Philosophy Japanese Philosophy Martial Arts Training

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Critic reviews

"On Wall Street, when Musashi talks, people listen." ( Time)
All stars
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It is inspiring to me to think about training and hear this over and over again. I do miss a good friend who moved away. He would have enjoyed practicing the true way with me.

A good way

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A great book if you want to learn more of the individual and how he thought of martial arts

Great Martial artist book

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This book undoubtedly contains deep ancient wisdom of approaches to combat and swordsmanship which can be difficult to follow at times, or to decipher what is being suggested. I came away thinking it would be far better to read the book in the traditional manner as I'm sure it would provide visual demonstrations of the concepts being discussed. One phrase I will undoubtedly take away from this book is "You should practice this thoroughly" as it is repeated to the extent of being a little irritating; to me at least.

Ancient wisdom

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Really enjoyed this book. The narration was good, especially considering its a translation, and the story is very interesting.

Interesting listen

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book is great although a physical copy is probably better the narration however I found quite monotone so hard to finish in one sitting

struggled with the narration very monotone

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This book resonates well with general themes of Eastern philosophy combined with martial arts in equal parts, some interesting philosophy concepts were discussed in ways to apply to martial arts which also can be broadly applied to any area of life by reframing the concepts of the book to the given scenario.

"once you know the way broadly, you can see it in all things" - Miyamoto Musashi

9.5/10, highly recommend.
pros:
easy reading, interesting throughout
easy to understand
thought provoking good philosophy concepts

cons:
highly specific on sword fighting in some parts (can you really blame him though)

philosophy through the lens of a master swordsman

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Especially because of how short and easy to digest this is, go for it.

I listened to it on runs and it definitely effected my performance, you must investigate this thoroughly.

An inner strength, from a different time

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really intresting listen, wise words for any combat athlete to consider, narration was ok, I would have preferred for a last samuria style narration.

5 star

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

Budo, budo & budo

What did you like best about this story?

If you are not a martial artist or have little interest in the martial arts this is not for you. However, every martial artist will find a mind set and pattern that should be all to familiar to them. The authors instruction is simple but direct without any subtle backgrounds that you have to try and fathom. Whilst the exact details focus very specifically on Musashi's own sword style the message being put across is applicable to all martial arts....

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favourite?

There is only one character

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

N/A

Any additional comments?

The initial introduction is a little long and drawn out in my opinion and seems to last longer than the actual book itself. I personally enjoyed the narrators voice as it added to the age of the book putting it in context to the time of it's writing

Classic book for martial artists

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The book is interesting and shows similarities between sun tzu and also reminds me of the havamal where odin speaks. they all have common themes and wisdoms. Worth a listen.

Interesting book. Worth a listen.

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