Wisdom from the Dojo and Other Tales by Soke Larry Barr

Wisdom from the Dojo and Other Tales by Soke Larry Barr 10 Dan is an inspirational work of self-help using martial arts as a basis.

Filled with stories from the author’s experiences and lessons learned from Karate, it gives the reader something to reflect on in every chapter. From the story about the arrogant young karate student who learned that it’s the focus that matters and not necessarily his perception of his skills, to the one about our God-Given Potential, there is a new lesson to be learned on each page.

While the book is inspiring and contains many nuggets if wisdom, it would have a more personal feel if it contained more of the author’s thoughts on the story being told in the chapter. When he relays the lessons taught by Miyamoto Musashi, the reader comes away with a great lesson but it would be so much richer to hear the author’s thoughts on the moral of the story and how it affected his own life. This would in turn help readers integrate the lessons into their own lives.

That said, as the founder and grandmaster of Seido Ryu Karate who has trained 65 students to black belt, Soke Larry Barr gives the book immense authority, showing how these lessons have been put into practice in his life. Though it could use more of a personal touch, Wisdom from the Dojo transcends other books in the genre given the author’s own experiences, and will help readers reflect on their own weaknesses and potential for strength.