---
product_id: 31499387
title: "A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do, Updated and Revised"
brand: "alex gillis"
price: "¥6739"
currency: JPY
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/31499387-a-killing-art-the-untold-history-of-tae-kwon-do
store_origin: JP
region: Japan
---

# A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do, Updated and Revised

**Brand:** alex gillis
**Price:** ¥6739
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do, Updated and Revised by alex gillis
- **How much does it cost?** ¥6739 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/31499387-a-killing-art-the-untold-history-of-tae-kwon-do)

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- alex gillis enthusiasts

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## Description

A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do, Updated and Revised

## Images

![A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do, Updated and Revised - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81W-YY6Z6kL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Masterful, Bizarre History of Tae Kwon Do
  

*by Z***E on Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2017*

Tae Kwon Do always has been one of the most perplexing arts to me. It's rapid global adoption, the variability of its practitioners' skills, a professed history that runs nearly a millennium. Its schools range from hard-hitting knockdown academies to McDojo belt mills where people bounce up and down and play foot tag.Gillis thoroughly documents the art, becoming a heresiarch in the process as he debunks the martial myths and nonsense. To my interest, he also shows the splits that occurred in the art's formation that gave us Choi's hard-hitting schools and Kim's foot-tag Olympic variant.Gillis' book shows the evolution of TKD from a derivative of Japanese karate to something very distinct. We also gain perspective into the machinations of the Korean CIA, South Korea's nationalist dictatorships, the interplay of a powerful cult, and the viral growth of TKD into its modern status as a world art. Much of the book seems far-fetched to the point of nonsense -- it isn't. Matters accepted as articles of faith by practitioners have the human fallibilities and hubris of storied founders painstakingly documented and challenged. Gillis' sources include first-person interviews, articles, congressional hearings, and personal insights.Even if you're not a martial artist, the invented traditions would interest a cultural anthropologist or political science student as TKD became intertwined with Korean nationalism and identity. TKD gained more esteem in my mind, knowing it was so effective and applicable for state and nefarious purposes, as opposed to some mythic lineage to the Choson rulers and prior. I've studied various arts, including kung fu, which has manifold issues in nearly every offshoot's storied history and myths.Ultimately, every martial artist would benefit from this book to challenge undue reverence and belief and to move beyond martial nonsense and contrived demonstrations to focus on what works. Gillis shows instead of tells, and one walks away with the sense that those who focused on finely honed fundamentals prevailed in their execution of the art.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    richly spiced with historical incidents that sometimes read like a spy novel or a thriller or a script ...
  

*by D***N on Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2016*

The author is an ideal combination of investigative journalist and martial arts expert (5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do).  The book is an extremely well-researched history of Tae Kwon Do: 499 footnotes, 3 pages of listed interviews, and a 5-page bibliography.  In addition to the origins of Tae Kwon Do, its development and growth in the Korean War, and its spread throughout Asia and then the rest of the world after the Korean War,the book explores the history and psychology of the two men who would struggle for the growth and future of Tae Kwon Do.  Choi Hong Hi and Kim Un Yong dominate the book just as they struggled to control and dominate the future of Tae Kwon Do.  The book is an admirable combination of history and psychological studies, richly spiced with historical incidents that sometimes read like a spy novel or a thriller or a script for a Bruce Lee movie, occasionally peppered with a few of the author's own personal feelings and experiences.I had the great good fortune to have studied under GrandMaster Nam Tae Hi who “was also a founder.” (page 46)  I studied under him for seven years in Chicago, had dinner with him and his other black belts, spent time in his house, and my first wife was baby-sitter to his third son.  As well as I knew him, there were things I didn’t know until I read Alex Gillis’ book, which I highly recommend.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Great read!
  

*by F***T on Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2017*

I've been practicing Tae Kwon Do for 2 years now, and I have been very interested in learning about the history.  This book was affordable, and fairly highly rated, so I figured "why not?"  Overall, I found it to be a fascinating read!  Mr. Gillis walks you through General Choi Hong Hi's journey of creating the martial art.  Not much description is given to techniques, forms or the mechanical differences between the different styles.  This book focuses on the political and ethical turmoil the martial art suffered from the time of its inception, to present, with healthy doses of espionage, subterfuge and corruption.  I highly recommend the read to anyone who's interested in learning the history of Tae Kwon Do, and to those who may enjoy reading about military history, as WW2, Korea and Vietnam all had significant impacts on the development of Tae Kwon Do.

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*Product available on Desertcart Japan*
*Store origin: JP*
*Last updated: 2026-01-26*