Michael DeMarco received a Master’s Degree in Asian Studies from Seton Hall University and studied at National Taiwan University’s Mandarin Training Center. Working in the People's Republic of China and in Taiwan emersed Mike in Chinese history and culture. For over twenty years, Mike published the peer-reviewed quarterly Journal of Asian Martial Arts and continues publishing and writing, including Martial Art Essays from Beijing, 1760. He has also consulted and appeared in television documentaries that were aired on the Discovery Channel, Arts and Entertainment, The History Channel, and The Learning Channel.

Along with Adele Westbrook, Oscar Ratti is the co-author of two classic illustrated books that have never been out of print since their initial publications, and that are currently available worldwide in multiple foreign-language editions: Secrets of the Samurai and Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere. They are also the translators of Tacuinum Sanitatis: The Medieval Health Handbook.