Supreme Master Kim Bok-Man’s latest book, Taekwon-Do: Origins of the Art: Bok Man Kim’s Historic Photospective (1955-2015), was named as a Finalist in the 2015 USA Best Book Awards on November 12, 2015. This is Supreme Master Kim’s second book to be selected as a Finalist in the USA Best Book Awards program.
Taekwon-Do: Origins of the Art: Bok Man Kim’s Historic Photospective (1955-2015) is a historic photospective of Taekwon-Do through Grand Master Bok Man Kim’s personal photo collection spanning nearly 60 years. Inside are hundreds of historic photographs of Supreme Master Kim and many other Taekwon-Do pioneers — General Choi Hong-Hi, Grandmaster Nam Tae-Hi, Grandmaster Han Cha-Kyo, Master Woo Jae Lim, and Grandmaster Rhee Ki-Ha to name only a few — each carefully dated and captioned to bring the history of Taekwon-Do to life. Many of the photographs have never been published before. Taekwon-Do: Origins of the Art: Bok Man Kim’s Historic Photospective is printed in full color, although the earliest photographs are black-and-white, as expected.
Master Mike Swope, General Secretary of the World Chun Kuhn Taekwondo Federation and President of the Kansas Chun Kuhn Taekwondo Association, played a large role in making Supreme Master Kim’s photo history come alive. Master Swope edited the book and wrote the introduction, which catalogs Supreme Master Kim’s life in Taekwon-Do, often with personal asides borrowed from his many discussions with Supreme Master Kim. Master Swope’s brother, Grandmaster Stan Swope, Vice President of the World Chun Kuhn Taekwondo Federation, and Dr. George Vitale, a well-known historian of Taekwondo, provided additional support and assistance completing Supreme Master Kim’s book.
GM Kim has published three earlier books about martial arts: Practical Taekwon-Do: Defenses Against Weapons (1979); Chun Kuhn Do: The Complete Wellness Art (Vol 1) (2002); and Taekwondo: Defense Against Weapons (2012), which was selected as a Finalist in the 2012 USA Best Books Awards.
Congratulations to Supreme Master Kim Bok-Man and Master Mike Swope for their recent award for their efforts to preserve and share the history of Taekwon-Do.