Customer Rating: 
Summary: STEADY TRAINING - FANTASTIC, FOCUSED & FUN
Comment: This is not only a MUST READ, it's a WILL READ AGAIN book!STEADY TRAINING chronicles and focuses on the author's 30-year experience as a Martial Arts student, teacher and devotee. It includes detailed stories about the world-famous instructors who have made their mark in his life and in the sport. The book is quite easy-to-read because it lacks the technical mumbo jumbo that other books on this subject are frequently bogged down with. Getting to know the author through his thoughts, reflections and experiences is an added bonus. Through experienced description and anecdote, the author shares comprehensive, practical information about his life and how he came to discover and love the martial arts. He freely shares what he has learned because of the sport, also. The book is rich in nuance and critical sensibility. In his own, personal way Antonio Bustillo effectively communicates what students often may have wanted to know, but have never read. Frequent humorous stories dot this thoroughly entertaining "can't-put-it-down" book which contribute to making the reading fun, educational and informative. "Steady Training" is one of the better books on the market about life, discipline, people and martial arts which also includes a peek into the author's past job as a City of Miami police officer. Antonio Bustillo is an incredibly gifted writer who no doubt, will not stop at this, his debut publication. Hats off to you, Kahuna. You done good!
Customer Rating:
Summary: From the heart
Comment: With its plain yellow jacket and simple title, "Steady Training" by Antonio Bustillo seemed that it would be a drowsy wandering through a long list of the author's techniques and teachers. My presumption was quickly negated by the third paragraph in the preface - this book is an exciting ride through the different emotions that can drive a man to dedicate his life to training in the martial arts and some of the resultant experiences. This book start out describing Antonio's early days of "blood and guts" training in Shotokan. The first few chapters are reminiscent of the "Empty Hand" books by Stan Schmidt. The autobiography takes an appealing turn as the author describes some of the dangers that can arise while venturing into a foreign school with the honest goal of joining. He and his brother were intending to train at a local karate school after moving to Venezuela. Antonio made the initial blunder of declaring and asserting his black belt rank at this new school, which incurred the wrath of this self-righteous group. Over his few weeks there, he fought through the different challenges. After an encounter which left one of the group's brown-belts with a broken knee, Antonio was wisely advised by an acquaintance to stop training there. This was a lesson that seemed to have stuck very well, and Antonio gives many examples of similar "new guy" scenarios.
Along similar lines, we are presented with quite a few stories of braggarts with extravagant claims. I felt a satisfying warmth in my belly as he describes how some of these charlatans have their lies exposed, mostly by being trounced. In the opening story Antonio describes a trumpeter he met before a seminar that he was running with a friend at a kung-fu school. The student did not know them by name and so they were treated to a condescending description of the "bad-ass" instructors who would be presenting that day. Additionally, he waxed vauntingly about his own top ranking in the class as well as his innate ability to intimidate people. His superior attitude continued on through the seminar and this student found himself on the receiving end of dojo justice.
Some might be quick to dismiss the author as a belligerent lug-head who is hell-bent on establishing his superiority in the realm of physical combat, but I would beg to differ. Antonio clearly describes that there are many ways of administering discipline within the realms of a martial arts school. In the chapters outlining his time as a police officer, he gives examples which testify to his sensitivity to matching different levels of violence accordingly - as opposed to meeting each affront with ruthless cruelty.
At times, I found myself empathetic towards our author. At others I felt embarrassed, as his stories caused me to look contemplatively at my own thoughts, feelings, and expressions. I feel this book has helped me think more clearly about why I choose to train in the martial arts. If you are a martial artist or are considering venturing down this path, you should read this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Comment: The thing I hated the most about reading this book is not
being able to put it down.It is that good, from the very first
chapter this book grabs you and doesn't let you go ,it really
feels like you are actualy there from antonios beginnings in karate to his real life confrontations on the streets as a miami police officer.great buy******
Customer Rating:
Summary: South Florida Alliance Gives Steady Training 5 Stars
Comment: This book by Bustillo Sensei is a must read by all Martial Artists from beginner to advanced levels. Bustillo Sensei writes of things we've all encountered along the path of Budo while seeking the way.On a personal note having seen Bustillo Sensei first hand test his students he can walk the walk and talk the talk. He is in incredible shape from "Steady Training" all these years.
My best to you and yours Sensei
Customer Rating:
Summary: A knockout!
Comment: Steady Training is an honest and entertaining account of one man's journey to find the truth through the martial arts. Mr. Bustillo is able to do something which is both very difficult and very rare; he has managed to combine the enthusiasm of a beginner with the experience of a seasoned and experienced martial artist; truely he exemplifies the virtue of Shoshin, or beginner's mind.
Buy this book, you won't regret it.
Harry Cook
