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“My Karate Odyssey” – a six months journey across the America’s have now been released.
The author starts off with a background of how his spirit was developed under the harsh “Apartheid” regime in South Africa. This spirit gave rise to his quest to undertake a six month journey across North and Central America by road.
During this time period, in which he travelled a total of 48 000 miles (78 000km), he faced many adversities - a bus crash, travel pass declared invalid, visa hassles, language difficulties, the longing for home, different food, lack of finance, etc. Despite all this he persevered.
Throughout the book, he writes about the many places he had visited, the training at the many dojo and the impressions created. He managed to successfully compete in two events - a full contact, no pads challenge and a Taekwondo Hanmadang. The Journal includes profiles of about 70 of the instructors he had met and trained with as well as a technique section.
Review by Bruce E. Miller in the QUAN LI K'AN Martial Arts Newsletter
This is a review of an amazing book ... I started to glance at it ("to read it later") and couldn't put it down until I finished it ...
It is hard to describe exactly what this book is as it encompasses so much history (personal and political - in historical terms - not trying to convince anyone - in a well written detailed summary) and so much social interaction that it gives you a fascinating look at someone who has dedicated his life to improving not only himself but his martial arts .. and the people he has met on this journey. From someone who lives in the USA the observations were interesting to funny to downright insightful ... things that one never thinks about when you live in a place. Just for that alone this book is well worth the read.
The book is filled with positive quotes but unlike most people who just throw such quotes around you can tell Hoosain actually lives by and believes these points of philosophy ... I personally found the book fascinating to read the history, let alone the actual trip through America ... Hoosain should be very proud of this book!
If you need a present then put this book on your wish list!
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