This book is the best book on how to THINK about the martial arts that I have ever read (and I've read quite a few). Orlando takes on the tough subjects that most fear to touch, or worse, come up with weak or illogical arguments to support. This book is full of the history behind various techniques and traditions that fill the martial arts. Kata, tournaments, chambered fists, and chi are a few. In each case he makes an unbiased presentation of the benefits, then systematically explains the drawbacks for the self-defense motivated student.This book should be on every student's list.