Smiths writing and insight are tops as his past works have shown however. In this book it seems as if Mr. Smith was giving a blank check to write anything he felt about anyone whom he has had a disagreement with over the course of the past 50 years.The book starts off well enough with insights into how he got started in his training and some very colorfull stories of early Judo both in the United States and Japan. But, from mid way on Smith takes the opportunity to degrade many who deserve better. It also seems as if Mr. Smith has a fixation with Chinese Tai Chi players and anyone not in this camp is secondary at best. Yes, some of his observations are true but many others seem as if he is simply trying to settle old scores without any means of defense from those to whom his comments are directed.Over all it would have been a great read if it focused more on the history he experienced. Sadly enough though it dosen't. I give it a one star because of this.