AMERICAN MARTIAL ARTS is an autobiographical account of the life of its author Master Percy Brown nicknamed "Twenty-Five." Master Percy Brown is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served as a machine gunner during the Vietnam era. His studies in Martial Arts began before entering the Marine Corps and continued after.

The book examines the difference between learning fighting techniques and Martial Arts. The author feels that his training under three Korean Grandmasters is a blessing because of the spiritual connection absent from his training in American schools. The author believes that an examination of the differences in the philosophies gives a better understanding of the meaning of Martial Arts.

The author's belief is that spiritual development and discipline were the focus of the Korean Grandmasters. When the author asked to join Grandmaster Shim's school, The Grandmaster asked him why he wanted to study Martial Arts. His answer was "I want to be a good fighter." "No since being a good fighter if you're not a good man." Was the Grandmaster's response.