Reddit reviews Jiu-Jitsu on the Brain

Like you, when I find something that interests me, I try and just soak up knowledge about it, which is how I ended up here actually. Anyway, on to the things I've found.

Youtube:

Ask a black belt:

It's what it sounds like. Guy asks various black belts questions, paired with some cool Jiu-jitsu footage. Episode 1 is where I became a Dave Camarillo fan. Also on this channel is one of my favorite highlight videos: Why I Train Jiu-Jitsu.

Roy Dean's Channel:

Roy Dean puts out some very artistic videos. If I'm ever trying to show someone what Jiu-Jitsu is, I'll probably pull up a Roy Dean video. Here are my favorites from the channel:

White to Black: Shift in Perspective

What Makes a Purple Belt

Spirals of Jiu-Jitsu

Dave Camarillo Black Belt Test

Roy Dean also films "demonstrations" done by his students who are advancing in belt rank. From what I understand, these demonstrations are optional, but most students go through with them. They're very much like a belt test you'd see in more traditional arts, but applied to Jiu-Jitsu. Here is the one done by the man himself. Cool to see Roy Harris roll in this one.

The Gracie Way:

The Gracie Way reminds of the travel channel, but with Jiu-Jitsu. I think there's like 15 episodes now. They're usually pretty entertaining if you're not put off by the Gracie Academie's marketing. I personally don't mind it too much, but they do lay it on a little thick at times.

Rolled Up:

I'm reminded of the travel channel again, but this a different flavor than the Gracie Way. The Gracie Way is more lifestyle focused, and Rolled Up is much more focused on Jiu-Jitsu. Basically, Budo Jake goes and trains with all kinds of coaches in the sport. It's a good way to get to know the celebrities of Jiu-Jitsu. You probably saw the recent Kurt Osiander episode, which in my opinion, is the best Rolled Up I've seen.

Stuart Cooper Films:

All these videos are great. Stuart Cooper is the man. Watch them all. As far as artistic BJJ videos, I have found no one better.

Also check out All Things BJJ, Want V.S Need, and Metamoris.

Books:

Don't Wear Your Gi to the Bar:

Get it free here. It'd be worth the money to pay for it though. It's a hilarious Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle book. Really embodies the culture of Jiu-Jitsu.

The Cauliflower Chronicles:

I admit, I haven't read this one yet. But Marshal D. Carper wrote some of Don't Wear Your Gi to the Bar and the writing in that book was top notch, and funny as well. I'm willing to bet that this book has the same kind of vibe to it, at least stylistically.

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Globetrotter:

Okay, I haven't read this one either, but I hear great things about it and it sounds awesome. I'll get around to it, but I have a backlog of books to read first. (Fucking George R.R. Martin)

Jiu-Jitsu on the Brain:

This one I have read. It's short, but sweet. Perfect for beginners. I say that because there's very little (if any) technical discussion. It's all about the broad concepts of Jiu-Jitsu, which, at this point, I find more helpful than techniques anyway. Mark Johnson is also an English teacher, which means he writes well, and like Marshal D. Carper, he's a funny guy who captures the spirit of the sport perfectly. Highly recommend this book.

Borrowing the Master's Bicycle:

This is Mark Johnson's second book. This one is slightly more technical than Jiu-Jitsu on the brain, but mainly, it delves deeper into Jiu-Jitsu philosophy. If you like Jiu-Jitsu on the Brain, and you want to see Mark delve deeper into some things he touches on in that book, pick this one up. Again, Mark writes well and he's got a great sense of humor. There's a chapter in this book where he talks about how badass Darth Vader would be at Jiu-Jitsu, which, for a Star Wars fan like me, was awesome.

Anyway, that's about all I've got. The other answers on here are good as well. Especially the Stephan Kesting recommendations. For technique videos, I watch his almost exclusively.

This is a good read for first timers humorous and informative
http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-Brain-Mark-Johnson-ebook/dp/B006V5AFYE/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Wheres slideyfoot?

I read "Jiu Jitsu on the Brain" by Mark Johnon before I started. It will give you great framing for the mindset you will need in the world of bjj. Its also a short read that you can surely finish over holiday (probably on the plane).

https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-Brain-Mark-Johnson-ebook/dp/B006V5AFYE

Read the book: Jiu-Jitsu on the Brain by Mark Johnson. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006V5AFYE.

I got my copy on kindle. Inexpensive and insightful. It explains a lot of what to expect when you start training, including some really good etiquette advice.