Sr. Grandmaster of Kenpo Karate Ed Parker Sr.'s Volume IV of "Infinite Insights into Kenpo" is an adventure in the world of often taken for granted, and overlooked, mental and physical constituents. With an emphasis on the imperative need for a marriage of mind and body for success in combat, he discusses the need for physical skills to become conditioned responses. Mr. Parker expounds on numerous concepts ranging from mental attributes, breathing, target areas and zone theories, to how principles and concepts work chronologically. With an admonition by the Master to read each chapter carefully, he reminds students that it is the application of the total, tailored to the individual, that optimizes opportunity. This Volume is a must for the serious student of the Martial Arts. The almost mystic "Universal Pattern" is finally revealed some twenty-four years after it's initial publication. It resembles "God's blueprint for the Universe." Mr. Parker views it from unusual angles and differing dimensions. Preparing true disciples for further light and knowledge, Mr. Parker indicated that Volume V expounds in more detail on the principles and concepts contained in specifically selected, anatomically illustrated case studies of motion.

In reality, very few people really did know Elvis. Ed, often referred to by Elvis, as "my second daddy" was such a person. As the fierce-eyed, silver-streaked Kenpo combatant stepped forward in 1978, he resolved to tell his story. Ed was the man Elvis chose as his strong right arm, a true brother, friend, confidant, as well as Elvis' protective companion. Ed had enjoyed seventeen years of close, personal association with Elvis Presley. Frequently traveling together, Ed observed, listened, and understood as they shared their personal confidences and innermost feelings with one another. He had a wealth of insights and anecdotes about his close friend and was determined to share those insights in an incredible backstage look at one of the most famous men in the world--a man millions admired, thousands worshipped, but only a handful knew or understood. Still in a state of grief, he wrote of the loss of his "friend" Elvis; and shared insights into the King's on stage genius, his lifestyle, generosity, views on religion and life as well as his inner thoughts. He was deeply impressed by Elvis' character, charisma, loyalty, intellect, organizational skills and above all, his humility. Many years earlier, Elvis, had nicknamed Ed, "Kahuna" (a Hawaiian word meaning high priest). Now Elvis' "Kahuna" had an opportunity to write from the heart, capturing many of the Christ-like characteristics Elvis exhibited, through his simple faith and unselfish caring. As a result of this interesting, intimate, insightful work, Ed was invited on a book tour by the Elvis Presley Fan club to share his feelings in person. From that time forth, he began to develop strong ties and bonds of friendship with dedicated and sincere Elvis fans around the world. A warm relationship that remained strong and continued to develop up until Ed's untimely death in December 1990. This book was 5th on the best seller list in America and number 3 in the South.

The "Zen of Kenpo" is an insightful and interesting volume of analytical, tactical, and philosophical quotes from the teachings and writings of the Senior Grandmaster of American Kenpo, Ed Parker Sr. Having learned early in life the folly of not recording his thoughts on paper or audio tape. Whether at home, at a restaurant, in a hotel or traveling on an airplane, he continually recorded more and more of his thoughts and ideas. Mr. Parker's insights and ideas cover a broad range of subjects relating to the Martial Arts--Combat Wisdom, Patience, Philosophy and Zen. Intended to supplement his previous works, he hoped to give interested parties a deeper understanding of the intricacies of Kenpo--not only as an art, but also as a way of life. Mr. Parker observed and came to understand that like analogies and short stories, the imagery evoked through sayings, breathes life into technical descriptions and principles of KENPO. Feeling that this volume of his quotes would encourage open minded students to view technical descriptions and principles of Kenpo in the light of their own experiences, he felt his sayings would add to a person's overall depth of knowledge.

In 1960, Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr. first book, entitled, Kenpo Karate, Law of the Fist and the Empty Hand was completed and published. Mr. Parker introduced the reading public to the art of Kenpo Karate, a formidable system of logical and practical self-defense. He Believed that Kenpo could "do much to deter juvenile delinquency" steering young people away from stealing, street fighting and other vices. Through studying Kenpo young people could gain self-confidence, and self-respect, as well as developing humility and self-restraint. Kenpo was presented as a self-defense system to combat unethical fighting methods prevalent on the streets. Through a series of anatomical illustrations drawn by Mr. Parker himself, natural body weapons and targets that could be struck with a devastating effect were identified. Mr. Parker's reasoning for including an anatomical study was simply, "That knowledge of our own points of weakness, as well as those of our opponent, can determine our own victory or defeat." It was clear that with a thorough knowledge of the location of the major nerve centers and critical areas, Kenpoists would be able to defend their own vital areas as well as deliver blows to vital points on an opponent. Vital areas, pressure points sensitive to various methods of attack, along with individual natural weapons were all clearly presented and illustrated on simple to read charts. It is interesting to note, that many of the self-defense techniques presented in this pioneering publication, show embryonic movement patterns that would establish the foundation for subsequent techniques that would be prefixed, suffixed, altered, adjusted, expanded and refined by Sr. Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr. over time.

Completing the "Infinite Insights Into Kenpo" series, with Volume V published in June 1987 brought to an end Sr. Grandmaster of Kenpo Karate Ed Parker Sr.'s monumental masterpieces. The main purpose of this volume was to incorporate all of the basic theories, concepts, and principles discussed in the four earlier volumes together, to achieve a more complete understanding of how these mental and physical aspects relate, function, and apply. Acquiring this knowledge not only develops refined techniques, but also can result in success in combat. Mr. Parker states that "combat without preparation can prove disastrous," he believed that realistic preparations must be made to overcome environmental conditions, unpredictable events, or to curtail an opponent whose unorthodox actions and reactions can unexpectedly create variables that may cause defeat. Realizing that an attack can dictate and direct one's defense, Mr. Parker shared the need o learn combat in total. Mr. Parker concludes this capstone volume with the cornerstone and keystone firmly in place. The years he spent analyzing, scrutinizing, creating and developing his system of American Kenpo were now logically, practically, and sequentially set in place for future students to build on. Grounded, rooted, and established on a firm foundation, students could be secure in the knowledge that this foundation "Art and Science of Street fighting" could consistently be built upon employing existing correct principles.

With the accumulation of over thirty years of practical Martial Arts experience the Sr. Grandmaster of American Kenpo Karate Ed Parker Sr. decided to document and share his findings in a monumental series of books. Writing with the intent to expound upon the merits of his American KENPO Martial Arts system, he wrote of it's many facets as, "a discipline, a way of life, a philosophy, and an art and a science." With each book intended to offer a unique and exciting adventure into KENPO knowledge, he called the series of five volumes " Infinite Insights Into Kenpo." Early in 1982, Mr. Parker completed and published the first book in the "Infinite Insights Into Kenpo" series, titled "Mental Stimulation." He wrote, "I was sensitive to the need of innovations during my early years of training. Analyzing the methods of fighting in Hawaii, the place of my birth and early rearing, verified the unquestionable need for an updated approach to the Martial Arts." Mr. Parker broke the bonds of tradition and experimented with more logical and practical means of combating modern day methods of fighting. What emerged was, in his own words, "my own interpretation of the Art." It was this perspective that he introduced in this initial volume and developed and expanded upon through his subsequent works. Mr. Parker introduced an unparalleled number of combative predicaments, indicating the need for several viewpoints. Thee mystic "Universal Pattern," introduced to the public for the first time some twenty years earlier, was put into context. In an effort to develop and articulate definable qualities in the Martial Arts, he sought to set the backdrop for the unknown to become known, the intangible to become tangible and for the mysticism to disappear.

Ed Parker Sr. author of the most sold Martial Arts books worldwide. Father of American Kenpo Karate and founder of the International Kenpo Karate Association and the International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California. His famous quote is: "I come to you with only Karate, my empty hands. But should I be forced to defend myself, my principles, or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, right or wrong, then here are my weapons, Karate, my empty hands."

Sr. Grandmaster of American Kenpo Karate gives readers an opportunity to study, ponder and digest the two marvelous, insightful investigations into Kenpo, Mr. Parker's third volume was published two years later in July 1985. With the same direction and thrust as Volume II, he continued in "Physical Analyzation Part II" to categorize, classify and expound on the basic subdivisions of blocks, strikes and specialized moves and methods. Blocks, primarily defensive moves, are defined typed of blocks are exhaustively expanded upon, such as-striking, parrying, positioned, pinning and specialized blocks taught in Kenpo. In an excellent photographic series overlaid with directional diagrams, to show the moves step by step. Specialized blocks, such as, catching, trapping, jamming, lockout, ricocheting and sliding checks are put into perspective photographically through simple, selected self-defense sequences. A myriad of masterful methods of executing a multitude of strikes is set forth completely for the first time in this volume. Strikes are sequentially, logically and practically, charted out, demonstrated and arguably addressed better than any other Martial Arts text. Using comparative analysis expanding on the bounds of existing experience, Mr. Parker elaborates masterfully on the merits of major and minor moves. Mr. Parker reminds his students that a knowledge of how and what is not complete without an understanding of why. He teaches the tools of the Kenpo artist, along with an understanding of appropriate principles and applications. Leaving a formula for future combat success on the street, he stresses a need for the consistent use of correct principle.