Judo Unleashed, by Neil Ohlenkamp, is the highly recommended guide for serious students seeking advancement and success in Judo. Also available in a UK hardback edition Black Belt: Judo Skills and Techniques, a German edition called Meisterliches Judo, and a Dutch edition Handboek Judo.

Photos: Judo Unleashed includes hundreds of step-by-step color photos showing every technique of Kodokan Judo. An experienced book photographer creating his second Judo book, professional photographer Ryno Reyneke mastered the action shots needed to see full speed demonstrations in detail. Judoka demonstrating the techniques include Neil Ohlenkamp, 6th dan, Ian Geustyn, 5th dan, Jessica Butcher, 2nd dan, and Alistair Hill, Laura Schwormstedt, Madré Rinquest, and Denton Smith, 1st degree black belts.

Each technique is demonstrated under the supervision of the author with tori in a white judogi and uke in a blue judogi to create the contrast needed to see critical elements of each throw. Below is an example of one technique, Daki Wakare, so you can see the general quality of the demonstration, photography, and page layout. Of course the image quality is reduced for the web and the book shows much greater detail.

Here is an example of one of the choking techniques -- a variation of Okuri Eri Jime used as a counter to Seoinage.

Similar photos were used in an earlier book produced by the same publisher, photographer, and layout designer. The previous book, Judo: Essential Guide to Mastering the Art by Alex Butcher, is designed for beginning Judo students with less than one year of experience. Judo Unleashed is a much larger book with more techniques and a lot more detail, but with the same excellent technique demonstrations, layout, photography and design. Here is an example of an entire page showing a sample layout from the earlier book.

Illustrations: Judo Unleashed includes lots of step-by-step color diagrams and illustrations. For example, each throw is explained with drawings showing the stepping motion to enter. Below are three different entry methods for ogoshi. These diagrams are just early drafts, but the final version of all diagrams used in Judo Unleashed and the hardback edition, Black Belt: Judo Skills and Techniques, were professionally drawn by an illustrator.

Method one:

Method two:

Method three:

Contents: The text from Judo Unleashed is organized as shown in the Table of Contents.

                 CONTENTS
1 - LET'S BEGIN ......................................... 11
The many facets of judo; sport or martial art;
what does a black belt really mean?

Part One -- Judo Fundamentals	
	   
2 - HOW TO LEARN JUDO ................................... 23
Kata, randori and shiai; other forms of training;
tips for solo practice
 
3 - WHY JUDO WORKS ...................................... 31
Scientific basis; psychological principles;
maximum effect with minimum effort

4 - HOW JUDO DEVELOPS CHARACTER ......................... 35
Mental approach to training; character lessons

5 - CLASSIFICATION OF TECHNIQUES ........................ 39
Throwing (nage waza); grappling (katame waza);
striking (atemi waza)

Part Two -- Throwing Techniques

6 - PRINCIPLES OF THROWING .............................. 45
Gripping; posture; movement; unbalancing;
combination techniques; counter techniques

7 - HIP THROWS .......................................... 57
Using the hips to generate throwing power
 
8 - HAND THROWS ......................................... 69	 
A variety of throws that use the hands, arms and
shoulders
 
9 - LEG THROWS .......................................... 87
Throws that use the legs to reap, sweep,
hook or block an opponent's legs

10 - SACRIFICE THROWS .................................. 103	 
Learn how and when to fall to the ground in
order to throw your opponent

Part Three -- Grappling Techniques

11 - PINNING ........................................... 117
What is a pin! Principles of pinning; basic
ground positions

12 - STRANGULATION & CHOKING ........................... 129
Principles; tips for effective choking; safety;
examples of locks and chokes

13 - Joint LOCKS ....................................... 139
Principles of joint locks; safety issues; the bent
arm lock; the straight arm lock
 
APPENDICES ............................................. 147	   

ONLINE RESOURCES ....................................... 156	   

GLOSSARY ............................................... 157	   

INDEX .................................................. 158

Excerpts: The introduction from Judo Unleashed includes sections such as Progressing in Judo. The technical sections explain the importance of Judo principles such as this excerpt on Posture, or shisei.

The layout also includes boxes with specialized information such as this general section from the introduction:

The Many Facets of Judo

Judo is more about self-discovery than memorization of moves. Like a fine diamond, it has many facets reflecting the light of the world around it; each time you look at judo another reveals its brilliance. Judo can be applied without injuring an opponent, but has saved the lives of many students faced with real attacks. Judo has consistently proven its effectiveness in a wide range of tests from ancient jujutsu contests to modern mixed martial arts matches. Judo is included in military hand-to-hand combat training to efficiently apply force in a deadly manner. Judo competition is enjoyed by young children at local tournaments, and by elite male and female athletes who represent their countries at the Olympic Games, performing awesome feats of skill. Judo principles are studied in the best business schools around the world to help corporate leaders use power properly, utilize leverage and apply it in the right direction, as well as take advantage of competitors’ greater strength and size by using it against them. Verbal judo is taught in many law enforcement agencies to provide officers with methods to de-escalate and control dangerous situations without using force. Judo is based on sound principles that help students develop character and become experts at dealing with all kinds of conflicts in life.

How to Order: The paperback Judo Unleashed may be ordered from Amazon.com. The hardback edition Black Belt: Judo Skills and Techniques may be ordered from Amazon.co.uk. The German edition Meisterliches Judo may be ordered from Amazon.de.