#BlogTour Memoirs of a Karate Fighter by Ralph Robb

 

It's my turn on the BlogTour Memoirs of a Karate Fighter by Ralph Robb.

About the Author

Ralph Robb was born and raised in the industrial town of Wolverhampton, England and now lives in Ontario Canada with his wife, cat and dog. A proud father of four, Robb works as an engineering technician and loves rugby, martial arts and a good book. His world is balanced by quality TV, global events, great outdoors and of course his grand-daughter. 

Follow @RalphSRobb on Twitter, on Facebook, Visit ralphrobb.com,

About the book

Novelist and former karate champion Ralph Robb recounts his experiences at one of Europe’s toughest dojos and provides an insight into the philosophy and training methods of a club which produced national, European and world titleholders. In a hard-hitting story, Ralph tells of the fights on and off the mat; his experiences as one of a very few black residents in an area in which racist members of the National Front were very active; and the tragic descent into mental illness and premature death of the training partner who was also his best friend.

Review

It's a fascinating account of the heyday, as the author calls it, of the British karate sport. The author recounts his personal experiences in a way that keeps readers captivated - not at all like a dry memoir.

Although I think it was unintentional the author draws a comparison between what type of stance, attitude and thought process was attached to the sport of karate then and now. The winning streak not just born out of talented athletes, but also out of the connection to the original art or fighting skill of karate. The violence, the origins and how both of those fuelled what became a very regimented sport.

The question is whether there is a correlation between the way the skill and methodology has been watered down by Western attitudes over the decades and the winning during the 1970s.

It's very much a story of a common denominator bringing young men together and feeling connected, especially when the world seems so disconnected from what they need in life to succeed and thrive. With that in mind Robb doesn't delve into the systemic racism he must have dealt with on a daily basis, instead he just gives certain glimpses. Or rather he doesn't delve too deeply into the fear, anger and sense of disillusionment he must of felt at having to deal with racist organisations such as the National Front on a regular basis.

Being a part of a successful sport club must have been a respite at times in the sense that a brotherhood and friendships were born out of it. It's a really interesting read, regardless of whether you like sport or not.

Buy Memoirs of a Karate Fighter at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour More Than a Game by Ralph Robb

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour More Than a Game by Ralph Robb.  It's a contemporary read, a poignant read hidden within the world and love of footie.

About the Author
Ralph Robb was born and raised in the industrial town of Wolverhampton, England, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife, two cats and a dog. A proud father of four, Robb works as an engineering technician and loves rugby, martial arts and of course a good book. His world is balanced by his obsession with comic books, quality TV, global events and the great outdoors.

Follow @RalphSRobb on Twitter, on Facebook, Visit ralphrobb.com,

About the book

Sabina Park Rangers is the first team of black players to reach the final of the Watney’s Challenge Cup. But coach Horace McIntosh has more selection problems than most. The First Division champions want to sign one of his best players – and right up until the day of the match he is uncertain that he will have a team for the biggest game in the club’s history because of arrests, a scam and an atmosphere of impending violence.

Review
Personally I could have done with a glossary explaining the dialect and idioms of the culture Robb writes about. The gist, flavour and voice is clear, but often some of the phrases went right over my head.

When you read between the lines and look beyond the jovial humour and brusque descriptions, especially when the author ventured into the past, it's actually a brutally honest storyline. Robb draws comparisons between the day and age we live in, and the 70s and 80s. Sometimes he takes it back a wee bit further to the baseline and beginning of certain behaviour patterns.

He pulls no punches when it comes to describing the racism, discrimination and treatment of black people. Robb addresses the way society has evolved, become more diverse and more aware of white privilege, then in the same breath describes the way society is reverting back to those days once again. In a sense society and scaremongering white nationalists are laying a gunpowder trail which could end up being lit by the smallest of sparks.

There is a general lack of comprehension when it comes to white privilege, which is difficult to eradicate or even to educate people about. It can be taught with simple examples, which in turn would create a better understanding of racism and the oppression of black people and minorities. 

It's quite interesting how the author has infused such an entertaining and amusing read with such serious topics, and yet does it in such a non-confrontational way. It's a contemporary read, a poignant read hidden within the world and love of footie.

Buy More Than a Game (links to follow soon) or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.