Martial Arts, which were introduced thousands of years ago, right from pre-historic days to the present modern day, has come a long a way with new modernized rules and regulations, which each generation had provided with.

Many wall paintings and sculptures trace the origins of these arts. Countries like China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and others are known to be the birth place for most of the ancient Martial Arts. Some of these arts such as Kung Fu, Karate, Judo, Akido, Jiu Jitsu, Hapkido, Boxing, Ninjutsu, Sumo, Kick Boxing, etc have gained world wide popularity and are played as a sport on international level.

Some of the practioners of these arts, who have put in years of learning and are now great black belt holders, have published books on the arts they specialize in. The books give full detailed information like the history, the origination, the techniques involved, the exercises used, the timing to make the right move, pointing the opponent's weakness, etc.

Some of the good books available are:

1. Karate-do Kyohan - The Master Text - (Author: Gichin Funakoshi, translated by Tsutomu Ohshima)
2. Karate-do Nyumon - (Author: Gichin Funakoshi, translated by John Teramoto)
3. Notes on Training - (Author: Tsutomu Ohshima)
4. Karate Jutsu: (Author: The Original Teachings of Gichin Funakoshi - Gichin Funakoshi, Tsutomu Ohshima, translated by John Teramoto)
5. The Heart of Karate-do - (Author: Shigeru Egami)
6. Living the Martial Way - (Author: Forrest E. Morgan)
7. Secrets of the Samurai - (Author: Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook)
8. The Sword of No-Sword - (Author: John Stevens)
9. Bushido: The Warrior's Code - (Author: Inazo Nitobe, Charles Lucas, Geraldine Simon)
10. Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts - (Author: Donn F. Draeger, Robert W. Smith)
11. Bruce Lee's Fighting Methods, Volumes: 1, 2, 3 and 4 - (Auhtor: Bruce Lee)
12. Capoeira 100: An Illustrated Guide to the Essential Movements and Techniques - (Author: Gerard Taylor)
13. Immortal Combat: Portrait of a True Warrior - (Author: Bruce Thomas)
14. Abundant Peace: The Biography of Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido - (Author: John Stevens)

These and many other books are available in the market which teach various self defense techniques, tips to survive attacks on the street, defenses against surprise attacks, etc. Some of the books like the 'Abundant Peace' give information about the founder, i.e. the biography of the founder and the history of the art.