Official Taekwondo Training Manual by Gaetane Ricke, Soon Man Lee (2005, Paperback)

“Official Taekwondo Training Manual” is personally endorsed by the President and Vice President of the WTF, also includes good information on the history, structure, and techniques of TKD, as well as written and pictorial depictions of poomse (forms). It includes the 8 Taegeuk and 8 Palgwe forms, and also several black–belt forms.

Of over a dozen books on TKD, and many others as well, this one will immediately take its place on the top shelf of my martial arts library. It has become my new “go to” text, as my studio is WTF.

While it may seem a little intimidating for a beginning student, it is expertly crafted and belongs in the collection of any serious Tae Kwon Do practitioner. Other TKD books have their place, and can be helpful, but this one stands above them all in it comprehensive coverage.

It provides the information you would need to study, or to teach, Tae Kwon Do, and will likely be found on the shelves of many TKD schools. This is simply the best reference book I have found on the subject. Very highly recommended!

The New Standard Comprehensive Text

I have at least 4 dozen books in my personal martial arts library, and about a third of them are Tae Kwon Do books. I am delighted with this book and it has become my new “master text” for TKD reference, since my school is affiliated with the World Taekwondo Federation.

Any student has needs that evolve with his knowledge level as he moves upward through his education. When a person comes to me expressing an interest in beginning Tae Kwon Do, I loan him “The Complete Idiots Guide to Tae Kwon Do” because this simple, non–intimidating work provides a great introduction and a reasonable “what to expect” scenario.

As I worked my way up through the ranks, I relied on “Tae Kwon Do” by Park/Gerrard and “Taekwondo” by Whang/Saltz for additional information on history, techniques, and forms (Taegeuk 1–8) when I wanted reading material outside of my classes. I would still recommend these, especially the latter, because they are very clear and easy to understand.

However, this modern, contemporary (1999/2005) book, endorsed by the President and Vice President of the WTF, also includes history, techniques, and forms, including Taegeuk, Palgwe, and 9 black–belt level forms. While it may be a bit more intimidating than the books listed above, it is extremely well–written and comprehensive. This truly is the new standard by which other books on Tae Kwon Do will be judged, and if you only own one, this should be it.

I would particularly recommend this book as a gift for a new black belt!

But remember – if you are serious about studying the art of Tae Kwon Do, or any other Martial Arts style, you must also enroll in a school and attend classes regularly. No martial arts book can serve as more than a reference source, not your primary instruction, which must come from a qualified instructor.