Title:  General Choi’s Testament

Subtitle:  The Journey Continues

Author:   GM Peter Sanders  (Author)

Genre: Sports/Taekwondo/Teens

Format: Hardcover & paperback

363 Pages

Publisher: Independent

Publication Date:  October 2025

Synopsis: A story of friendship, resilience, and the legacy of Taekwon-DoImagine a young boy, scarred by loss and struggling with relentless bullying, finding his strength in an unexpected place: the martial art of Taekwon-Do. Sam’s life takes a dramatic turn when his grandfather introduces him to the art’s powerful principles,courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self,control, and indomitable spirit.
Joined by two unlikely friends, Joeri and Ellie, Sam embarks on an incredible journey of self,discovery, friendship, and resilience. From standing up to bullies to training with a Grandmaster, from honoring a legacy to visiting the birthplace of Taekwon-Do in Korea and eventually change the future of Taekwon-Do, this story weaves adventure, history, and the unshakable bonds of camaraderie. A story of overcoming challenges.

Of personal growth and unity.

Of courage that will inspire readers of all ages.

This is not just a tale of martial arts, it’s a celebration of character, friendship, and the power of never giving up. Will they rise to their challenges and achieve their dreams?

Sanders manages to weave the story of the founding of Taekwondo by General Choi, and the philosophical tenets of the Korean art form into a story of three young taekwondo practitioners that undergo a journey of training and self-exploration.   Along their path the characters, and the readers, are exposed to an almost encyclopedic look at the ITF style of Taekwondo.  The story includes the training, featuring a look at the Taekwondo patterns, sparring, board breaking, and belt testing.   The story exposes the readers to the history of the this art, founded in post World War II Korea.  As the story unfolds the characters grow in Taekwondo as they learn the philosophies behind this martial art, and the reader comes to appreciate the fact that Taekwondo is more than a sport, or tool of self-defense.

One of the strengths of the work is Grandmaster Sanders’s ability to tell a good and engaging story.   The characters are relatable, especially, to members of the martial arts community, and the messages about the art are woven into the tale in a way that never feels dry, or preachy.  The chapters are easily read, and the material easily digested.

The final portion of the book takes a surprising leap from a personal tale of training into an international adventure, of sorts.  This portion ties into, most directly, the title of the book.   It, too, is well crafted.

While I knew a bit about the history of the ITF style Taekwondo, most of my knowledge comes from being raised in Kukkiwon style, so it was interesting to get a first hand perspective of important elements of the growth of the world’s most practiced martial art.

General Choi’s Testament-The Journey Continues is a worthwhile read for martial artists and non-martial artists.   I highly recommend it.

 

–Master Marc Zirogiannis