Everyone wants a hug, and so does prickly-pokey Cactus.He leaves the desert and looks for it up and down, far and wide.Problem is, he's not very hug-friendly.Ouch!Cactus is sad and about to give up when someone surprises him.A sweet, funny and gorgeously illustrated tale about going all out to find a friend.

Ninjutsu: The Secret Art of the Ninja covers all aspects of this remarkable martial art, including the hidden details within the Ninjutsu forms. It reveals the secrets of how to develop power through body movement, how to effectively remove an opponent's balance, and how to unify the mind, the body and technique. The author's objective is to improve both the reader's mental and physical skills and to promote harmony between mind and body. A wide-ranging introduction covers the history of N...

All the facts, legends and technique of the ninja are presented here y one of the foremost authorities on the subject.The Ninja, also known as Shinobi, inspired awe and terror in equal measure. Master of espionage and assassination, stealth and concealment, the ninja's ability to move swiftly and silently gave rise to popular legends of amazing exploits, invincibility and supernatural powers.In Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility, Donn Draeger draws ...

True Path of the Ninja is the first authoritative translation in English of the Shoninki—the famous 17th-century ninjutsu manual.Authors Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami worked closely with Dr. Nakashima Atsumi, author of the most comprehensive modern Japanese version of the Shoninki, thus making this English translation the closest to the original scrolls. The information and insights found in this translation are invaluable for understa...

Look past the legends and learn about the REAL ninjas of feudal Japan with this entertaining, illustrated ninjutsu guide.Ninjutsu, the least understood of the Japanese martial arts, is an ancient fighting style emphasizing natural movement, responsiveness to adversaries, and absolute practicality. In feudal Japan, ninja were feared for their skill in espionage and, particularly, assassination. Masters of weaponry, stealth, and martial techniques, ninja were credite...

The shinobi, or ninja, is one of the most widely recognized figures in the world of espionage—and also one of the most misrepresented. What do we really know about the historical shinobi, his tactics, and his role in medieval Japanese society? In Secret Traditions of the Shinobi, these questions—and many more—are answered. Translated into English for the very first time, this widely sought-after collection of historical documents brings to light the secret practices, techniques, p...

The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho) is a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts in general, written by the samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645. It is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, much like Sun Tzu's The Art of War and Chanakya's Arthashastra. There have been various translations made over the years, and it enjoys an audience considerably broader than only that of martial artists: for instance, some business leaders find its discussion of conflict and taking...

For the first time ever, a special enhanced edition of the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout with 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself.Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep o...

Get your aikido training off to a great start—from basic footwork and throws to training and demonstrations. This martial arts guide is a perfect introduction to aikido for beginners.Are you planning to learn Aikido, but don't know where to begin? Are you looking for a teacher? Are you taking a class but confused by the unfamiliar terms used to describe the techniques?This aikido book offers an easy, yet comprehensive introduction to everything you need to ...

The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do presents the teachings of legendary martial arts master Shoshin Nagamine, founder of the Matsubayashi school of Shorin-ryu karate-do.Used for generations as a practical and pictorial guide, it contains over 1,000 photographs to document eighteen classic karate kata (preset forms) and seven yakusoku kumite (prearranged partner exercises), as well as basic techniques. This book is a precise and easily acces...

Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere: An Illustrated Introduction provides a complete foundation in the practice of one of the most distinctive and effective Japanese martial arts.Aikido was created in Japan in the 1920's by Morihei Ueshiba, also known as Osensei. To possess the skills, techniques and attitude of the true practitioner of aikido, one must achieve a very high level of integration of the powers of mind and body, the harmonious combination of physica...

Master the techniques and theory of Japanese Karate with this easy-to-follow, illustrated martial arts guide.Karate: The Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting has inspired hundreds of thousands of karateka, and it remains one of the finest texts available on the technique, art, and spirit of karatedo.This definitive volume is a systematic presentation of the art of traditional Japanese karate. An easily accessible martial arts manual illustrated with more t...