A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do Hardcover – October 31, 2008

A Killing Art is a fascinating and intriguing book about the Korean martial art called Tae Kwon Do based on scientific principles for the human body. This book tells the story of the founding of Tae Kwon Do, during the 1940s and 1950s, by two Korean martial artists, Hong-Hi Choi and Nam Tae-hi. As the author points out, although Tae Kwon Do is distinctly a Korean martial art, it was influenced by Karate, a martial art that originated in Japan. [It is important to point out that this book is not a tutorial on Tae Kwon Do with step-by-step photos].A Killing Art is also the story of protagonist Hong-Hi Choi’s personal struggles for justice and survival starting from early childhood; and, it is a metaphor for the struggles of Korea for dignity and survival while under the control, respectively, of Japan and (later) the communist Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). [The author states, “Choi loathed the Japanese, whose armies and governments had bullied Korea”]. In the process, the reader is immersed in Korean culture and politics (e.g., Confucian principles, Korean Geisha Houses, Korean CIA, et al), as well as the tumultuous history of Korean-Japanese relations. [Tae Kwan Do was actually named in a Korean Geisha House]. It is within this context that Hong-Hi Choi (and Nam Tae-hi) founded Tae Kwon Do, specifically, as a killing art. Gillis states, “Tae Kwon Do is an art of self-defence, but if you enter the closed rooms of its history, you realize that it is the art of killing and if practiced with care and intent, an art of empowerment.” Like pealing an onion, and within the context of General Choi’s (and Korea’s) story, the author introduces the reader to the five pillars of Tae Kwon Do: indomitable spirit, perseverance, self-control, courtesy, integrity: one full chapter is devoted to each pillar. [Gillis states, “…’confidence to defeat the enemy’ is embodied in two of the martial arts five tenets: Perseverance and Indomitable Spirit.”], Additionally, the author introduces the reader to the five virtues of Tae Kwan Do: Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Trust, and Humanity.Ultimately, this fascinating and intriguing book is about the (ongoing) history of the tumultuous battle between two contrasting perspectives and presentations of Tao Kwon Do: either as a sport, or as a killing (martial) art (consistent with its origin). However, Gillis, who is a Tao Kwon Do black belt, illustrates, in terms of his own life examples, why “In the end, Tae Kwon Do is not the art of killing, it is the art of not killing.” This highly interesting and informative book was originally recommended to me by a reliable source who, like Gillis, is a black-belt Dan. Although I, myself, do not have any personal experience with Korean Tae Kwon Do (or any other martial art), I found this book easy to understand, and a quick read. I recommend it.

Overall, this is a fascinating and informative book which reads more like a spy novel than a biography. It is well written and appears to be very well documented. I am making this mandatory reading for all of my black belts. I have been a Tae Kwon Do instructor (full time and part time) for over 30 years. I have been involved in schools affiliated with both ITF and WTF training. This book gave me a new understanding of and appreciation for the evolution of the major organizations and personalities which dominate the Korean martial art. One minor criticism of the book is that, I believe that the author ties the art itself to organizations and to the individuals at the top of the organizations. I believe that the organizations provide a structure and context for study of the art, but the art is not dependent on the organizations. The most important thing that attracts practitioners to the Asian martial arts, and which keeps them training for decades, is the underlying Asian philosophy associated with the art. These include discipline, control, respect, balance and perfection. That mental and somewhat spiritual aspect of the art was not developed in the 20th century. It was not created by a handful of individuals. Instead, it evolved over millennia and is present to a greater or lessor degree in every school. Whether or not there is competition, it is the pursuit of the philosophical aspects of the art which truly distinguishes the "art" from the "sport". I believe that pursuit of the philosophical aspects occurs primarily at a personal level. Therefore, the question of whether someone is practicing an art or sport depends on the individual, not on the organization. As the title of the book suggests, TKD is and should always be thought of as "A Killing Art." One difference between the "martial arts" and the "fine arts" is that the martial arts have a practical application. The fact that the martial arts are born of life and death struggle requiring physical and mental strength and agility help the practitioner to explore their limits and face down their demons. That terrestrial aspect grounds the ephemeral art and marries the training of mind and body. I believe that it is the desperate struggle for survival in battle that enables greatness, and marks the difference between martial arts and other physical and mental disciplines such as yoga. Unfortunately, I don't believe that the Author adequately addresses this aspect of TKD's history, origin and individual purpose.

.... and oh so much more painful! WOW is what I have to say after reading this book. After 30 years of studying Tae Kwon Do, along with dabbling in other martial arts, I have long had a healthy distrust of all of the national and international organizations involved. I developed the attitude that they should just leave us all alone. At the same time, I have appreciated that there is some sort of codification and qualification process.This book caught me by surprise, though. I was totally unprepared for just how insane, petty, and underhanded all sides of the founding members of this Art could be. Yet at the same time, they could be courageous, kind, and driven. The author did an outstanding job of researching the material,interviewing the leaders and founders to gain multiple perspectives. He also carefully avoids showing too much favoritism to one side or another, showing the warts where they lie on either side. It is this careful research that is what makes this book truely extraordinary.In addition,the author writes in a clean, flowing form that is easy and engaging. I had a hard time putting the book down at night. All of the pain it caused in revelations was balanced by how enjoyable it was to read. It has provided food for thought and stimulating conversations with my fellow students and masters.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in cutting through the BS, and understanding the origins and intent of Tae Kwon Do. Without understanding the intent, it is difficult to put the Art into practice.

I bought the book after meeting Alex, and was impressed by the depth of research that went into it. Definitely provides important insight into one of the critical pillars in the martial arts world, and why it is so weird in some cases. Although the political connections are somewhat unique for Tae Kwon Do, it is easy to see, based on this story, how so many martial arts are so fragmented and unable to experience the benefits of unifying into one global organization.

北朝鮮と韓国の独立から冷戦時代を経て近年に至るまで、戦争、政治工作、暗殺、拉致、クーデター、賄賂、八百長などにテコンドーは利用されてきた。その闇の歴史を韓国語の文書や実在人物へのインタビューなど豊富な情報源を用いて活写した力作。原文の英語版以外にも、是非日本語や多国語に翻訳する価値のある作品だと思う。

A well written, very informative history of General Choi Hong Hi and the creation of Taekwon-do. A must read for all practitioners of the art.

Très intéressant en ce qui concerne la sombre histoire du Taekwon-Do et de son fondateur, le Général Choi Hong Hi.

The book is a full on history lesson of Korean, Korean martial arts, and TaeKwonDo in the 20th Century.What I found most interesting is the dichotomy between the North Korean suppression of democracy under communism leading to many deaths of civilians, and the South Korean military democracy suppressing democracy leading to many civilian deaths, tacitly supported by Western governments. South Korea used TaeKwonDo trained kidnap squads around the world to round up their political opponents.At times the detail and individuals can be overwhelming.