Reviews

"Law has fashioned one of the year’s most entertaining sporting books, and the best one to be written about a martial art since Robert Twigger’s Angry White Pyjamas. It’s lively, it’s witty and, above all, so persuasively enthusiastic that by the end you’ll find yourself feeling an intense urge to try it for yourself."

James Delingpole, Mail on Sunday

"This is damn fine stuff, and will entertain and enlighten an audience far beyond the confines of the dojo."

The Daily Telegraph

Approaching his 50th birthday, Mark Law decides to take up judo and his initial interest becomes an obsession, then a book. The result is a fascinating journey in which he unravels this most opaque of sports with humour, verve and style. Part travelogue, part history, part chronicle of midlife discovery, The Pyjama Game is an illuminating exposition of an enigmatic and marginal sport.

James Corbett, The Observer

"…Countless surprising facts in The Pyjama Game, Mark Law’s excellent history of judo. The book combines theory, story-telling and first hand practice."

"He gets our respect from the outset, holding it with his tale of this strange Japanese version of wrestling."

"After reading Law’s account, a classic in its genre, I felt a strong urge to pop down to his dojo myself.”

Robert Twigger, author of Angry White Pyjamas

"My book of the moment is Mark Law’s brilliant exploration of judo, The Pyjama Game."

Matt D'Ancona, editor of The Spectator

“The literary genre “neophyte learns a martial art” is getting somewhat crowded, but Law’s likeable and stylish entry deserves a place on the mat.”

“He mixes kinetically precise explanations of throws and techniques with vivid narratives of classic fights and tributes to fearsome giants of the art.”

Steven Poole, The Guardian

“It is a fantastic read for all judokas, but unlike some sport books it is a mesmerising read for a wider audience.”

“Whatever your background or experience of the sport you will love this book.”

“A book judo will be proud of.”

Matside magazine

"Finally a book has arrived on the market that offers a real insight into what judo is really about - The Pyjama Game by Mark Law offers a beautifully written interpretation of judo that will appeal to judo and non-judo people alike."

MadAboutJudo.com

He illuminates the mystery and beauty of judo.

The First Post

"At last someone has written a book that examines every facet of the sport. The Pyjama Game is by turns hilarious, intriguing and even horrifying."