Turning his back on the excesses of London in the credit boom, Edward Burke sets off on a year-long journey of self-discovery, to learn from some of the greatest masters of martial arts. His search for growth through the fighting arts will take him to the academy of Bruce Lee's most famous student, a traditional dojo in Japan, ancient Buddhist temples and a scorching capoeira roda in Brazil. But his greatest challenge will be as the live-in student of the legendary Chiba Sensei - Japanese swordsman, Zen monk and master of aikido. Far from the rarefied world of high finance, he soon finds himself scrubbing the floors of Chiba Sensei's dojo, bruised, scared and exhausted from long days of punishing training. But in the intensity of the training and the formidable presence of his fearsome, charismatic master there may just be something which will make this odd pilgrimage worthwhile. Told with a wry humor, woven with insights, and populated with colorful characters, this is the joyful tale of a year of pain, suffering and menial labor, undertaken for the love of movement and the privilege of learning from the masters.

In a world where six nations are constantly at war with each other, the Isle of Nations is a safe haven where members of all nations can live peacefully. Located on the Isle of Nations is the Swordmaster's Academy, where students from all over the world train in hopes of becoming the best swordfighters possible and gaining the honorable title of Swordmaster. So when Lynnex, an ambitious young man from Light Country, gets a chance to join the academy and pursue his dreams, he takes it. But becoming a Swordmaster will not be easy. He will have to fight against rivals, learn the ancient code of swordfighting, and figure out how to work as part of a team. Will Lynnex be able to overcome the various challenges facing him? And what will he think when some of his teammates start talking about a God who offers love to all nations?

The two martial arts masters in this book are the teachers featured in the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The first master, Chiang Shiao-ho, wrote and compiled the manual from which the hidden dragon learned martial arts. He and his sweetheart have to confront their conflicted feelings of love and the duty of revenge. The second master, Lee Mo-bai, struggles with his complicated feelings for Yu Ceo-lian. They are the older couple depicted in the movie. These two tragic love stories set in nineteenth-century China reflect the wishes of the Chinese people to eradicate two cruel traditions: an eye for eye vengeance and a living widow.

Enter Aramatir, a world of many kingdoms, where faith and magic war with one another. What happens in such a world when the Champion doubts? In the Kingdom of Septily, Clara has spent her entire life training to become a Sword Master. Still considered too young by many to receive a Sword of Power, and with it, the full title of Sword Master, Clara has passed her tests. The morning of her entrance into the Hall of Swords, she is kept waiting. A prophesy, long dormant, is bestowed upon her by Sword Master Dantor, her toughest teacher: she is to become the next Champion. But, to fulfill prophesy, she is kept out of the Hall of Swords and sent back to training. Sword Scout Stelia has discovered the dark secret of the King’s Shadow Guard; they are Drinaii, the mercenary army indebted to the Dark Sisterhood of Sorceresses from the Southern Continent. Stelia, once a Drinaii Captain, fears her words will not be heard by the Sword Masters’ Council. She was once their enemy. Will they heed her warning? In the nearby land of Aerland, the second prince of the realm, Adrian, has seen visions of the day he and his griffin partner Kryssander will save the next Champion. Are these visions true? And if they are, will be willing to pay the price expected for someone he doesn’t know? Champion in the Darkness is a Christian Sword and Sorcery Fantasy Adventure with faith elements. What readers are saying: "There was so much that I loved about “Champion in the Darkness” including its well-paced plot, inspiring stories of redemption, interesting characters, and fantastical creatures. But what I loved the most about this book is that it centers on Clara, a teen-aged girl who receives a calling to become her people's champion." - Ellen Jacobsen "'Champion in the Darkness' is YA fantasy/Christian fiction, and while the religious side was evident, it never overwhelmed the story. I appreciated how Martinson not only showed people displaying faith when times were easy, but how she explored loss of faith when times were hard, and how different people coped with doubt, anger, and fear." - A. McCall "The worldbuilding is incredible. I love the peeks at the history and the inner workings of the council. There are lovely details about the land and the people, and creatures that are beautiful and horrific. I'm a fan of the people of Aerland and their griffins. I would love to be chosen by griffin to become its partner!" - Christine Rains

Late Medieval and Early Modern Fight Books offers insights into the cultural and historical transmission and practices of martial arts, based on the corpus of the Fight Books (Fechtbücher) in 14th- to 17th-century Europe. The first part of the book deals with methodological and specific issues for the studies of this emerging interdisciplinary field of research. The second section offers an overview of the corpus based on geographical areas. The final part offers some relevant case studies. This is the first book proposing a comprehensive state of research and an overview of Historical European Martial Arts Studies. One of its major strengths lies in its association of interdisciplinary scholars with practitioners of martial arts. Contributors are Sydney Anglo, Matthias Johannes Bauer, Eric Burkart, Marco Cavina, Franck Cinato, John Clements, Timothy Dawson, Olivier Dupuis, Bert Gevaert, Dierk Hagedorn, Daniel Jaquet, Rachel E. Kellet, Jens Peter Kleinau, Ken Mondschein, Reinier van Noort, B. Ann Tlusty, Manuel Valle Ortiz, Karin Verelst, and Paul Wagner.

Colbey, last of the Renshai, has completed his duties in the mortal world. Now he must face the Seven Tasks of Wizardry and learn whether he is truly the next Western Wizard, the keeper of neutrality. But even as he endures these god- controlled challenges, he learns there is an eighth, far more dangerous task. Dangerous not only to himself but to the worlds of both humans and gods. And even if he survives it, there are those among the gods, wizards and mortals alike who will unite against him - and their actions could catalyse destruction on a scale never yet conceived. Each volume of The Last of the Renshai is a stand-alone adventure; they can also be read in sequence. Centred on the adventures of a lone hero, they form an engrossing sword-and-sorcery epic

George Thornburgh's 'Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason' is a comprehensive guide to the rituals and teachings of Freemasonry. Written in a clear and concise style, this book provides detailed explanations of the symbolism and symbolism found within each degree, making it an essential resource for both new and experienced members of the fraternity. Thornburgh's work is a valuable contribution to the study of Freemasonry, offering insights into the history and traditions of this ancient institution. The book is written in a scholarly yet accessible manner, making it suitable for both academic study and personal reflection. George Thornburgh, a respected authority on Freemasonry, draws upon his years of experience within the fraternity to shed light on its teachings and practices. His meticulous research and profound understanding of the subject make this book a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about Freemasonry. I highly recommend 'Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason' to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this enigmatic and fascinating organization.

Unlike most makers of modern or futuristic films, George Lucas turned away from the standard special operatives or secret agents when he created the heroes for his epic Star Wars saga. Part knight, part monk, the Jedi Knights were an order of swordsmen that helped rule the universe in accordance with law and lofty principles of justice and honor. Without the Jedi, there could be no Star Wars, and without the lightsaber sword, there could be no Jedi. This examination of the Jedi Knights, their adversaries the Sith and their lightsaber swordplay throughout all six episodes of the franchise evaluates the ways in which Lucas blended science fiction with the most ancient and epic tales of traditional samurai and Western swordsmen. It presents swordsmanship as a way to better understand the Jedi Knights, focusing on the human movement and activity surrounding the weapon and the ways in which traditional Japanese martial arts were adapted for use in the films. Topics of discussion include the powerful effects of the master-apprentice relationship; the technical choreography used in the lightsaber scenes of the Star Wars films; and the historical precedents for the Jedi order, including the Sohei fighting monks of Japan, the Janissaries and Mamelukes of Islam, and the knights of the Templar, Hospitaller and Teutonic orders.

"THE HERMETALEPTCON" A Mythological Journey, in the Epic Poetry Tradition, through the width and breadth, of world culture and Archaeological Proto-Civilization - Establishing, a connective narrative arc, to the Atlantean Flood Destruction Cycle, and the mysterious origins, of Mythological Antediluvian Legends, that have subsequently, come down to us, throughout the ages: In an often fascinating similarity, among disparate, geographically isolated societies, yet consistent in their oral and written traditions - Recounting these tales now, from that Universal Ontological Perspective, of the Surviving Tales, of the Biblical Flood - "The Hermetalepticon", is also complimented, with a compendium of Illustrations, making it a unique literary and artistic modern statement: Thus drawing upon the most ancient, collected Mythic Tales, ever recorded, at the dawn, of human history, at the tumultuous conception, of the earliest rise and inspired expression, of World Civilization -