Judo Book Library - Starting Suggestions
Just starting out in Judo? Or perhaps you've been around Judo for quite some time now, but have never started a 'reference library'? Here I'll make my recommendations for books you should consider. I have included only books that are currently in print, and can be easily obtained. The following list is organized in the order of importance.
- Kodokan Judo - Of course! Considered the 'Bible' of Judo, this is indispensable!
- Judo A to Z - This is the a great book! Give it a try!
- Judo Formal Techniques - Granted, it only covers Nage no Kata, and Katame no Kata; but it's superb.
- Judo Training Methods - Recently re-released, a goldmine of training information!
- Any Ippon Masterclass Book. Pick and choose, or get them all, they are all chock full of good information. You should at least get the ones that have your favorite techniques in them.
- Best Judo - A competitors 'bible', this gives you the edge in shiai!
- Modern Judo - Like 'Best Judo', this gives the competition side of Judo.
If you are an instructor, I would further recommend the following books. In my opinion, and the opinion of many Judoka, Geof Gleeson has been the most original thinker on Judo since Jigoro Kano and Kyuzo Mifune. Even if you don't care for Geof Gleeson's ideas on Judo, you should be familiar with them. All three of his books are out of print, but can sometimes be found via Bookfinder.
