7 New Taekwondo Books Reshaping Martial Arts in 2025

After decades immersed in the world of taekwondo, R. Shane Murray shares a deeply personal narrative that intertwines martial arts with family legacy and community spirit. You’ll explore how perseverance and tradition shape character, illustrated through the evolving relationship between father and son within their humble dojang turned vibrant hub. The book isn’t just about techniques or competition but about the values and connections that taekwondo fosters over a lifetime. If you seek insight into the cultural and emotional fabric behind martial arts practice, this story offers a meaningful perspective.

Grandmaster Yong Mok Lee, a 9th Degree black belt with decades of experience, crafted this student handbook to make Taekwondo accessible to beginners and colored belt students alike. You learn core Taegeuk forms from Il Jang to Pal Jang with detailed Korean terminology and etiquette, enhanced by QR codes that clarify challenging movements like the Tornado Kick. The book breaks down fundamental kicks and offers a warmup routine suitable for all ages, making it a solid guide for anyone navigating their early journey in Taekwondo. If you're starting out or progressing through colored belts, this handbook offers clear, structured instruction without overwhelming complexity.

This tailored Taekwondo book explores the latest breakthroughs and mindset shifts shaping the art in 2025. It covers emerging techniques, updated training approaches, and new competitive insights tailored to your background and goals. By focusing on your specific interests, it reveals cutting-edge concepts and evolving philosophies that are transforming Taekwondo today. The book guides you through fresh developments in forms, sparring tactics, mental conditioning, and biomechanical advances, fostering deeper understanding and practical application. Offering a personalized exploration, it matches your experience and desired areas of growth, making complex new knowledge accessible and relevant for your journey. This focused approach invites you to engage directly with the forefront of Taekwondo innovation while honoring its rich heritage.

Unlike most Taekwondo manuals that focus heavily on competition techniques or modern sport adaptations, this book digs into the art's original form as created by the founding Kwans. Marcos Starling explores the hidden meanings behind techniques that even many masters overlook, offering both a historical perspective and practical insights. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of Taekwondo as a martial art beyond sport, including its roots and traditional applications, which makes it ideal for instructors and serious practitioners aiming to deepen their knowledge. The book also touches on sustaining Taekwondo as a viable business, adding a unique dimension often absent in similar works.

When Yesamine Keifmanana wrote this guide, she aimed to bridge the gap between ancient Taekwondo traditions and the needs of today's beginners. You gain a layered understanding that goes beyond kicks and blocks, diving into mental strength and self-discipline alongside physical skills. Clear chapters cover fundamental techniques like powerful kicks and precise hand strikes, while also emphasizing the Five Tenets such as Courtesy and Perseverance, which shape your character as much as your technique. If you're starting Taekwondo and want a holistic approach that balances mind and body, this book offers a structured path without overwhelming you.

Master Joo H. Moon’s decades-long commitment to teaching Taekwondo to students of all abilities fundamentally shapes this manual. Rather than focusing solely on competition or elite techniques, the book emphasizes accessibility, offering clear instruction on core principles, stances, punches, kicks, and breathing exercises. Its inclusion of 30+ lessons tailored for at-home practice reflects a thoughtful approach to learners with diverse physical and mental capabilities. If you want to expand your understanding of Taekwondo beyond traditional boundaries and explore how martial arts can be empowering for everyone, this book will serve you well.

This tailored Taekwondo book explores the latest developments shaping the martial art in 2025, focusing on insights relevant to your specific interests and goals. It covers emerging techniques, innovative training methods, and evolving philosophies that keep you ahead in this dynamic discipline. By matching your background and skill level, the book provides a personalized journey through current research and discoveries, making advanced knowledge accessible and applicable. You'll engage with a curated exploration of cutting-edge Taekwondo trends, helping you refine your skills and adapt to future challenges with confidence. This personalized approach ensures the content resonates directly with your practice and aspirations, enriching your Taekwondo experience.

Doug Cook's decades of hands-on experience as a 6th Dan Black Belt and six-time gold medalist shaped this deep dive into traditional taekwondo, focusing on its original defensive philosophy rather than sport competition. You’ll explore over 3,200 distinct self-defense techniques, the historical evolution of taekwondo, and internal energy practices like Ki development and meditation. This book challenges the modern trend of prioritizing scoring techniques by returning to taekwondo’s roots, making it ideal for practitioners seeking authentic skills and a richer understanding of the art’s heritage. If you're focused on competitive sparring only, this might feel less relevant, but for those wanting a traditional, holistic approach, it opens valuable doors.

Drawing from decades as a senior referee with USA Taekwondo and extensive international experience, Gregory S. Kailian offers a detailed guide tailored for referees, coaches, competitors, and spectators alike. You'll explore the nuanced rules, officiating protocols, and the evolving standards that govern sport taekwondo competitions, with deep insights drawn from Kailian's time officiating at world championships and Olympic qualifiers. The book also provides practical context on decision-making under pressure, making it especially useful if you seek to understand or participate in the sport at a serious level. If you're involved in taekwondo's competitive scene or want to appreciate the referee's role more fully, this primer lays out the essentials with precision.