John J. Donohue

This book uses the Ten Oxherding Pictures of Zen as a springboard to discuss the spiritual and ethical dimensions of martial arts training. By combining historical vignettes about some of Japan's greatest warriors with thought provoking analysis, it illuminates the relationship between Zen concepts and real-life experience in the martial arts. Written by a martial artist who is also a professional educator, 'Herding the Ox' takes the reader on an entertaining and enlightening journey into the search for a deeper meaning in the martial arts.

The Martial Arts as Moral Metaphor

Herding the Ox

This is an analysis of the martial arts as socio-cultural and symbolic phenomena. As Americans search for a sense of purpose, belonging, and structure in life, they have chosen an Asian cultural tradition and changed it to suit the needs of contemporary American society. A brief historical summary of the development of martial arts in Japan sets the scene for the reinterpretation of the role of these arts by American mass media. Donohue, an anthropologist with a black belt in karate, explores the important role that the martial arts play in the American psyche. As a means of developing personal power, self-defense systems are aesthetic and spiritual practices as well as statements of urban paranoia reacting against street violence and life-threatening situations. Martial arts organizations are seen as symbolic vehicles for enmeshing participants in constellations of actions and philosophies that create a sense of self and community.

The Martial Arts and the American Imagination

Warrior Dreams

Die Reihe Beiruter Texte und Studien (BTS) ist die Buchreihe des Orient-Instituts fur Grundlagenforschung des historischen und zeitgenossischen Mittleren Ostens. Sie stellt Studien bereit, die auf Primarquellen in Sprachen der Region basieren und bietet thematische sowie methodische Impulse. Dieser Band beinhaltet "From Baghdad to Beirut... - Arab and Islamic Studies in Honor of John J. Donohue s.j.". Die Reihe Beiruter Texte und Studien (BTS) ist die Buchreihe des Orient-Instituts fur Grundlagenforschung des historischen und zeitgenossischen Mittleren Ostens. Sie stellt Studien bereit, die auf Primarquellen in Sprachen der Region basieren und bietet thematische sowie methodische Impulse. Dieser Band beinhaltet "From Baghdad to Beirut... - Arab and Islamic Studies in Honor of John J. Donohue s.j.".

Arab and Islamic Studies in Honor of John J. Donohue S.j

From Baghdad to Beirut--

Steven D. Levitt

Donohue and Levitt (2001) present a number of analyses that suggest a causal link between legalized abortion and reductions in crime almost two decades later when the cohorts exposed to legalized abortion reach their peak crime years. Joyce (2003) challenges that finding. In this paper, we demonstrate that Joyce's failure to uncover a negative relationship between abortion and crime is a direct consequence of his decision to focus exclusively on the six-year period 1985-90 without including adequate controls for the crack epidemic. We provide empirical evidence that crack hit the high-abortion early legalizing states harder and earlier. We then demonstrate that using precisely the same treatment and control groups as Joyce, but extending the data analysis to encompass the lifetime criminal experiences (as opposed to an arbitrary six-year window), the evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that legalized abortion reduces crime. We also show that our original results are robust to focusing on only the cohorts born immediately before or after Roe v. Wade. The data suggest that ease of access to abortion, rather than simply de jure legalization, is a critical determinant of the extent of the crime reduction.

A Reply to Joyce

Further Evidence that Legalized Abortion Lowered Crime

Complete Kendo is a thorough introduction to the Japanese martial way of the sword and a guided tour of the principles and philosophy upon which the art is founded. This martial arts guide covers everything from the care and handling of hakama, the pleated trousers worn by kendoka (practitioners of kendo), all in an easy conversational dialogue that is a great pleasure to read. Structured to echo the organization of the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi, Complete Kendo is a modern version of the swordsman's primer by a martial artist skilled not only in the art of kendo but, like Musashi, in many traditional Japanese arts, and with a superb understanding of the martial tradition and culture of Japan. The author uses lessons learned from a long career of teaching martial arts and academic subjects to impart clearly and concisely the fundamentals of kendo and the martial way. With explanatory line drawings by Kathleen Sweeney illustrating significant points of discussion, a handy glossary of kendo terminology and related concepts, and an unusually helpful bibliography, Complete Kendo is an essential volume for every kendoka's personal library.

Complete Kendo

Helen C. Krumpf is retiring after forty-two years at R.J. Mrssk Co., Inc.. This would appear to be an event of towering insignificance, since an announcement of her departure and an observance thereof arouse no interest whatsoever among her coworkers. But events totally unrelated to her are conspiring to make her retirement dinner a truly memorable occasion. For their own very different reasons, almost a thousand R.J. Mrssk Co. employees (with the notable exception of the guest of honor) will find their way to the retirement dinner. The legendary head of the corporation, Rufe Clayton, will be there. Rufe has recently been stricken with Alzheimer’s disease (having just turned eighty-one, he’s entitled). He has come to anoint as his successor Winston Thornton (Zack) Russ III, currently vice-president, Eastern area. A snafu in the system Zack Russ uses to spy on corporate headquarters causes him to believe that Old Man Clayton is coming east to fire him. He prepares an appropriate welcome. Boom-boom DeFrancesco, assistant manager accounting department, will be there. So will Marla, Sandi, Miranda, and a new hire, a dark haired lovely young lady whose name Boom-Boom has not yet learned. Trying to allocate himself equitably among these and possibly a few other ladies has caused him to forget an assignment given him by his boss, Ralph Murphy. He was supposed to arrange to get the guest of honor to her retirement dinner. Two mutually hostile groups of employees will be there- the smokers and non-smokers of R. J. Mrssk Co., Inc.. And if you don’t think they’re hostile, just keep your eye on Frank Murratta. Brand new rookies (Amanda and Adam) and seasoned veterans (Tina and Sam), extra-marital players/ office affairs division will seize the opportunity presented by this company sanctioned night out to do their thing. The serenely beautiful fruitcake, Myrna Gulinski will be there with her adoring housemate/ husband to be, Ted Glump. And apprentice human being , Gwendolyn Glump, whom fate will unexpectedly tap for a starring role in the nights festivities. And not one, but two, major television networks will be on hand to cover the proceedings. This is because of a hot rumor that the retiring Helen C. Krumpf is the first (of fourteen) wives of television superstar, Jackie Mervin. And, the rumor goes on to say, they are getting back together. Television personalities Paula Cantwell and June Peterie will be on hand to cover this breaking story for their respective networks. Alas, Jackie Mervin will not be in attendance. There is no truth to the rumor regarding him and Helen C. Krumpf. In fact, even as the guests begin to arrive at the retirement dinner, Jackie is in a west side chapel marrying his latest (and truest) love, Hokie the Hack. But the evening will be anything but a wasted trip for the television personalities, their camera crews, and their nationwide audiences. There will be more than enough that is eminently newsworthy to justify their presence. And, in what will turn out to be of particular interest to June Peterie, Sam Chess, engineering department, R.J. Mrssk Co., Inc. will be there. Sam has long been obsessed with June Peterie, and he will take the opportunity presented to him tonight by fate to lay to rest certain concerns he has had regarding her. It is Friday evening, September 8th, and close to a thousand employees of the R. J. Mrssk Co., Inc. head to the Commodore Hotel. You might want to come along.

Our Own Helen C.

A modern-day ronin, or master-less samurai, is killing off martial-arts masters across the U.S., and Connor Burke, a part-time college teacher and martial-arts student, is brought into the investigation by his brother, a New York detective assigned to the case. Connor recruits his own teacher, master warrior Yamashita Sensei, for additional help. The trail of clues stretches across time and place, combining the exotic world of Japanese martial arts with the gritty nuts-and-bolts of a murder investigation.

John J. Donohue

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