Musashi’s Book of Five Rings: Explained in Plain English by Peyton Quinn

Peyton Quinn is a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame and is internationally recognized as an innovator in applied self-defense training methodologies. But it was his work as a "bouncer" and "cooler" in the mid-seventies in New Mexico that gave him a unique perspective on the difference between civilian "martial art" versus actual "combat."

Later in life he formed a software company that succeeded in getting the first software development contracts from IBM from an outside source. After selling his share of the firm just sixteen months after he started it, he purchased acreage in Colorado's Rocky Mountains and formed RMCAT (Rocky Mountain Combat Applications Training.) Black Belt Magazine wrote about RMCAT: 'Petyon has succeeded in creating the best short-term self-defense program existent.' 3/02

Peyton's book 'Real Fighting' Adrenal Stress Conditioning Through Scenario-Based Training explained why dealing with the adrenal stress reaction was the real challenge in actual self-defense and was more decisive in a real self-defense situation than a knowledge of martial arts techniques was. Peyton's book is considered one of the five most influential books ever written on the mindset of combat and self-defense. Two of the other books are Bruce Lee's The Tao of Jeet Kune Do and Musashi's Book of Five Rings.

Peyton brings an insightful understanding and a practical perspective to Musashi's classic. This is because the real truths about people, strategy and the way to victory have never changed. He argues convincingly that Musashi was so advanced in his logic and observation that he refers to him as a 'systems level thinker' centuries ahead of his time.

We don't carry razor sharp swords as did Musashi, but the author argues that our modern world is a very 'stress-filled' place too. The central theme of Musashi's work is about how to develop the mindset to handle great stress in a way that will not allow it to destroy you.

Musashi learned these truths in the absolute crucible of deadly sword duels. Yet once understood they are a very practical guide to dealing with stress and stressful people today.