Product Description
This classic book by John Graden shows you step-by-step:
Trial vs. Non-Trial Enrollment Strategies;
How to Teach a Trial Lesson;
How to Set Tuition;
12 Income Streams;
What it Costs to Get One Student;
How to Make Cash Outs Work;
How to Improve Retention and Renewals;
How to Design Your Curriculum for High Retention and Quality, plus a 100 question test to determine if you have what it takes to create a rewarding martial arts career. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Too much self-advertising
I've enjoyed Graden's previous books much more. There is not much new information in this book, and the book contains too much advertising of his own companies and his former student's companies. It seems that the whole purpose of the book is to make you a customer of his company. Not worth buying.

Very good book!
If you have a martial arts school or just a club, this is a must have book! Go for it immediately!

The Truth sometimes hurts...
...and this time around it should at least ruffle your feathers!

John Graden, Martial Arts Master Teacher, has gone to the heart of what it takes to be an effective Martial Arts teacher today.Without completely disgarding the training ideas of the past, he instead shows how to build on these ideas, how to use what we know about the psychology of learning, the physics of motion and the economics of the 21st century to create a learning environment that firmly turns it's back on the "Dungeon Dojos" of the last century and creates a modern, safe atmosphere where serious, effective and (dare I say it?) FUN martial arts training can take place!

(Lest any naysayers regard the concept of "safety" and "fun" as somehow being contrary to "real" martial arts training, I refer them to the summary chapter entitled "A School Full of Pooh Bears"--it will open your eyes!)

There are lots of things to learn here, lots of great writing, too.If nothing else, I will always remember Mr. Graden refering to the war-like aspects of the Martial Arts and explaining that this doesn't mean that every class is devoted to destroying the enemy.He explains: "...that our foundation is one of peace through superior firepower."

I like that.Get the book.You'll like it, too.

John Graden does it right AGAIN!
John Graden has a unique way of showing you everything you need to successfully run a top martial art school in today's age.
He does it with the insight of someone who has obviously "been there and done that".
This new book can be used by any martial arts instructor, regardless of style, as a step-by-step blueprint for everything from how to negotiate a lease for your school up to how to train and compensate an employee/instructor.
No one else in the industry has his superb talents. The martial arts industry will forever owe a huge debt to this man for showing us how to be a professional success without selling out!

Just what I expected from John Graden - Excellence!
The content of this book accomplished two very important things for me, as a martial arts businessman - 1) it re-affirmed what I was already doing in my business and, most important, 2) it provided me with new concepts, methods and ideas that will help take my business to the next level. Awesome resource! ... Read more

Product Description
Strength and power are essential attributes for any martial artist, affecting everything from how hard you punch to how high you jump. Whether your goal is to defeat an opponent in the ring or on the street, the stronger you are, the better the odds of walking away as the victor.

Strength and Power Training For Martial Arts is a total approach to building your strength base. Learn how to use free weights, machines, body weight exercises and plyometrics to build your muscles while increasing speed and flexibility. Each muscle group is discussed in detail - how it's used in martial arts, how to develop it, which exercises are most effective, and most importantly, how to take advantage of anatomical strengths when striking, blocking, kicking and grappling.

Beyond muscular strength, this book looks at the concepts of cardiovascular strength endurance, the impact of flexibility on strength, mental approaches to training, and the anatomy, physics and biomechanics of power. Strength and Power Training For Martial Arts wraps up with training plans for karate, taekwondo, hapkido, judo, jujitsu, aikido, muay thai/kickboxing and mixed martial arts as well as advice on designing your own personalized strength training plan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Rudimentary at best, for beginner's only
While Martina Sprague has in a background in martial arts, she lacks in a knowledge of getting the maximum training benefits from weights and body weight exercises. The book is geared towards those who have limited physical fitness and have little to no experience in lifting or working out. Having said that, even then the program is lacking in multiple joint exercises, and exercises that involve more than one muscle group. While the cover lists suggest power training will be incorporated, there is NO Olympic lifts included anywhere in the book. The strength exercises listed in for each muscle group are very very basic and lacking the most beneficial movements for each group. Furthermore, the abdominal section was missing key elements in training the core, such as planks and/or bridges. Minimal conversation was given to cardiovascular conditioning, and is under the opinion that running is the best way to develop cardiovascular conditioning for martial arts, not high intensity circuits of lifting/body weight/dynamic movements. In conclusion, only beginners will find any benefit from this book. If your serious about your martial arts training, save the money. u

Good strength trainign book
This book does and will provide the information you need to plan your strength training.I found it to be very help in targetting the areas I needed help with.If you are training this book is a great refernce.

A Little Brief In Some Areas, But Overall Packed With Good Information!
Let me start off by saying that this book was literally packed with good solid information on resistance training for martial artists. Are there better books on resistance training? Yes, and there are also some that are a lot worse that are written by bodybuilders themselves, so that point is actually pretty mute at this point. Perhaps the better question would be, "Is there any better books on resistance training for martial artists?" I truly don't know as of the writing of this review, but suffice to say that if there is, then this book has got to be right up there with them.

The author begins the book by providing some really good background information before delving right into the "meat and potatoes" part of this book by covering a wide array of subjects such as; cardio, flexibility, resistance training, plyometrics, etc. Although the author goes into a fairly detailed explanation of a lot of the exercises, I felt that there were a few were the accompanying text was a bit brief. However, having said that, that is to be expected in a book with this type of format where the author is trying to give you a wide variety of techniques and exercises to perform.

Although there are a lot of other books out there that do cover the individual types of exercises to a much greater degree, this book is a very well done basic overview of the exercises that any person should do in order to improve not only their martial arts skill, but also their overall health and well-being.

Here are a couple of other books that I also recommend on the subject of resistance training.

Starting Strength (2nd edition)

Practical Programming for Strength Training

Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Awesome book for functional strength
I am not a martial artist but I am very well educated about health and fitness matters.I am also very fit.This book has taken my routines to a much more beneficial level in terms of having useful strength and power.

Not all that useful
If you already have even a minimal background in sports and fitness, I would not recommend spending the money to buy this book.While it is informative and well written, I found that I already knew most of the material even though I have no formal education in sports and fitness - I just got into weightlifting on my own and figured things out, sometimes by watching what other people in the gym were doing.However, if you are totally clueless when it comes to strength training, then this book would probably be useful for you. ... Read more

Product Description
The first book in English to reveal the principles and techniques of the Tibetan martial art of Sengueï Ngaro

• Written by the last holder of the Sengueï Ngaro to receive this teaching from its last surviving master

• Reveals the postures, rules, and teachings of this martial art rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition

Sengueï Ngaro, which means “the lion’s roar,” is a traditional martial art that was born in the Kham region of Tibet and was secretly handed down by its lineage of warrior monks from the fifteenth century until 1956, when Chinese soldiers destroyed the monastery and massacred all the monks. The superior of the monastery, Lama Bui, survived and fled to the West where he taught it to Lama Tra, the teacher of the author of this book. Today Yogi Tchouzar Pa is the keeper and guardian of this almost vanished tradition.

Sengueï Ngaro consists of a series of 86 movements and 10 techniques inspired by animal behavior. It offers both a formidable art of combat and, when combined with its advanced meditation on the ultimate nature of spirituality, a means of spiritual advancement. In The Last Lama Warrior, Yogi Tchouzar Pa provides for the first time in English a fully illustrated and detailed explanation of these postures and their purpose as well as the spiritual principles and traditions on which they are founded. As Yogi Tchouzar Pa explains, “it is only by practicing the physical forms that the depth of the spiritual principles can be understood.”

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Snow Lioness Roars Again +++
"The Last Lama Warrior" seems a fine rich introduction to Tibetan "Health-Defense" -- with great presentation of Outer, Inner and Heart levels of Senguei Ngaro [The Lion's Roar]. Included are legend, history and wisdom concerning this "Way of the Protectors". If Overviewed with reflection and connection -- the parts come together to make a Whole that is Total. Like other World "Health-Defense" Traditions -- "The Last Lama Warrior" concerns "protecting" Spirit-and-Matter -- as they are not separate from an Overview. In particular a Lion's Roar version of Dzogchen-Mahamudra-Atiyoga seems presented -- blended-in all this work in both detour and direct ways. The philosophy, meditation and application explanations are as good as any I have seen -- and great little hints applicable to "Health-Defense" are in these as well.

Likewise likely "Health-Defense" posture-flows are presented in detour and direct ways. If the posture-photos starting on page 147 are carefully looked-into and compared to their many animal and elemental linkages -- more learning is added-to the direct descriptions near the posture-photos. Another level of learning is via linking these photos via number into visual-flows -- which DO seem to link-up into a natural COUNTER-ROTATION FLOW -- even when checked against the photo-backgrounds. It is seen that such a FLOW includes counter-rotations of upper-and-lower -- square-and-across -- coiled-and-spread -- therefore IDEAL for great human-form health.

As for "protection" application -- there ARE NOT a very large total number of "protection" postures presented -- but these medium-small number DO seem to represent ALL main types of natural posture-flows to cover ALL main angles, ranges and levels of "protection" -- therefore allowing for IDEAL immediate streamlined adaptable "protection" -- using posture-flows to FIT-IN with opposition to DEFLECT it away, down and out -- via sweeps and tie-ups in particular -- spiced-up with blows, grips and pokes as necessary -- all as indicated by posture-flows.

This is all from a PERSONAL point-of-view of a reviewer with a strong informal interest in "Tibetan Boxing" -- and a follower of a modestly streamlined independant Kenpo Art influenced deeply by "Tibetan White Crane" and Old-to-New Western Combat Arts -- as well as more usual Hawaii Kenpo sources such as "Chinese White Crane", Kenpo, Karate, Judo, Aikido and Arnis +++

A fascinating, informed, and informative read
In the early 15th century, monks in the Kham region of Tibet created a martial art form they called Senguei Ngaro (the lion's roar), a body of martial arts techniques that have been passed down generation after generation until 1956 when the monastery was destroyed and the monks massacred by Chinese solders. The superior of the monastery, Lama Bui, was able to survive the holocaust and fled to the West where he taught Senguei Ngaro to Lama Tra, who in turn taught it to Yogi Tchouzar Pa, the author of "The Last Lama Warrior: The Secret Martial Art Of Tibet" and the last in a five hundred year lineage of Senguei Ngaro warrior monks. Part history, part instruction manual, part philosophical tome, "The Last Lama Warrior" is a fascinating, informed, and informative read which is strongly recommended for all dedicated studies of the martial arts in general, and Tibetan martial arts traditions and legacy in particular. ... Read more

Product Description
This book provides a history of Ba Gua--a rare, mysterious, and powerful form of kung fu--covering its nature and meaning, and the metaphysical and symbolic aspects of the discipline. 150 photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

BaGua, Charming Design and Text
This is a real book with beautiful design, computer editing, philosophical explanations, practical details, descriptions of private experience and traditional Chinese characters for which are my special thanks.

There are 140 pages a bit shorter then MacBook 13", almost the same width but thinner and easier to carry:)

People with a knife are extremely dangerous, and they never attack like it is shown on p.112, 6-24.So, if you have yet read to the part Unarmed Defender Against Knife Attack, ask yourself two questions: do you want nice show how to win the knife attack with a smile -- keep reading; do you want to see a description how the real knife attack looks like -- preferably go here: Put 'em Down, Take 'em Out!, Knife Fighting Techniques from Folsom Prison.

Tracking books on martial arts topic can be your lasting interest and you probably agree with me the language for description of martial arts philosophy has been a bit changed during last decades.This is a reason to study Chinese^^ which doesn't have many changes during last two millenniums. Joseph Needham noted that in principle Chinese language has up to 1648 available sounds, and, of course, this is a serious problem western scientists solve suggesting some kinds of romanization one better another.But the authors of a Classical Chinese textbook, for example, write traditional Chinese, and use Pinyin with tones (placing Simplified Chinese in the end of the book).Anyway, anybody interested in Chinese pronunciation will need to study a special transcription and search help of native speakers, and Pinyin will be the first thing they will see in the textbooks.
It looks a bit awkward, there is no master Sun Lutang's books in the Bibliography.

In general, this book leaves a nice impression by history of one branch of Ba Gua in mainland China and in the U.S., using traditional Chinese characters and suggests sincerely and full enough conversation about main topic.When we begin to feel we need more information we just go further and deeper, sometimes it is another book, sometimes it is our own heart and mind.

A Fantastic book by a FANTASTIC Teacher
I have had the privilege of studying under Sifu Bracy a number of times in the 1990s. The man is a storehouse of knowledge in BOTH Bagua AND Hsing-I. His Hebei Hsing-I IS as smooth and flawless as his Baguazhang.To those who have written snippy little comments about this fine man, and about his wonderful treatise on this fascinating subject, I say: Shame On YOU!

It is very safe to make snide comments about someone you have never laid eyes on in real life, and that shows the low level of attainment you have reached thusfar in life. The content of the manual is just a minor glimpse into the wider scope of things in the wide world of Baguazhang and internal martial arts.

One cannot hope to catch the entire sum of the teaching in a short tome such as this one; but one can gather the beginnings
of greatness, and can aspire to reach the level of mastery that John Bracy has achieved in his personal quest.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, novice or expert, as this book provides a nice amount of content for a small price.

I hope that Sifu Bracy will grace the reading public with a meatier volume in the near future, and I also hope that the next volume will prvide a deeper insight into the [ractice and application of his life's work.I sincerely thank him for his efforts thus far, and welcome the day that I hear he has produced another fine manual for all the martial arts world to enjoy.

Reduce internal friction, thats what everyone says.....
I have to agree with Victor K. Lin on this one.
I see people going 'oh yah' this is great, quite a few in fact.
Popularity is not an importance when it comes to real information.
I had the chance to read it at the book store, and it had information you could find anywhere. What people often dont tell you is that Bagua has many levels. If it is just elementary knowledge you seek, get this book.
Overview: I thought the book was really great at first, but then when I started skimming for the real information, or deeper information, I didnt find any. Basically the concept that was re-emphasised within the book was when moving or making transition reduce internal friction, or learn how to by practice.

I am sure glad I didn't waste money on it.

If you really want more information on pa kua chang, or bagua zhang, find a teacher or go to china.
Sometimes it is best to go to the roots of ba gua to learn more.
Bagua was created by Dong Hai-chuan and combined internal elements of taijiquan (tai chi), hsing-i, and taoist circle walking.

Do research on these:

...

Great history, superficial mechanics
I was mixed on this book.It presented a wonderful history and philosophical background for Hsing-Han Liu's Ba Gua, but the palms shown were the simplest levels (predominately qi gung), the applications were rudimentary (perhaps even watered down), and the mechanics simplistic.For a book that started to emphasize energy, proceeded to walking qi gung palms, a more appropriate finale would have been more sophisticated energy applications and/or development.Real insights from this incredibly experienced Ba Gua master would have been nice, and invaluable.

A well done introduction to the are of ba gua
Bracy and Liu's book is a great introduction to the art of ba gua. While I have studied tai chi, I have had very little experience with ba gua, and I found that this book answered many of my questions. It is not a training manual, but provides a taste of the flavor of the practices, drills, and martial techniques of the art. The text is well written and clear, and there are many pictures to illustrate the authors' points. Its discussion of the history of ba gua was especially interesting. My only complaint with the book is that the photos used to explain some of the two person techniques are hard to follow because they switch models at different points in the sequence of illustrations. ... Read more

Product Description
If you've priced commercial martial arts equipment lately, you know you could easily spend a small fortune amassing the gear you need for effective at-home training - and still not have exactly what you need. The good news is, you can make your own for a fraction of the cost. Author Michael Janich is an old hand at turning out homemade martial arts equipment. In this book he shares the best of his simple yet ingenious designs, providing step-by-step instructions for fashioning functional, durable gear from ordinary materials atnominal cost. The plans in this book cover a wide variety of home-built martial arts equipment, from heavy bags and speed bags to focus pads and air shields to sparring weapons, stretching machines and more.Whether you're on a tight budget or just enjoy the satisfaction of do-it-yourself projects, this book shows you that a little ingenuity and sweat equity can go a long way toward greatly enhancing your home training regimen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Very disappointing work from a good author
I have several Michael Janich books and DVD's, all except this one are great.This one is really crap.

In this book, there was no real depth.All of the items he shows how to build ANYONE with ANY imagination at all could build.There isn't any craftsmanship, or even clever ideas to the equipment shown in the book. An example: the heavy bag construction was buying an old army duffle bag, then putting old carpet padding in it, which would create a bag weighing roughly 10lbs with absolutely no firmness for striking.

None of the equipment would not hold up to the abuse of hard training and most wouldn't last through an 8 year old girls pillow fight.

WORSTHow-To-Book EVER WRITTEN!!!
The book is so thin it would make a lousey paperweight, many of the pages have huge black and white photographs which might have been some effort by the publisher to increase the size of "book."You'ld need little imagination to top this guys sorry gadgetry - used tires, plywood, pullies & rope. Had expected at least a minimal level craftsmanship for equipment someone would want to use everyday.Can't imagine how many people died trying not to bust out laughing at the author when he "proudly" displayed his "workmanship" to anyone.

The lesson is more valuable than the plans.
On your path to knowledge, mastery of your art, enlightenment or the furthering of any goal, let nothing be an obstacle, merely another challenge.


The most important thing about this book is the fact that it changes your mind-set and starts you towards thinking creatively. Where there is a will there is a way. A lack of funds is nothing but a lame excuse. Mas Oyama used no expensive equipment to become "God Hand". Mushashi slew opponents with a whittled down boat oar. I gave one star for this lesson alone.


For the equipment plans themselves, well...the designs presented are better than nothing. But you will, in some cases need specific skills to execute them. I, personally cannot sew and therefore am helpless before the daunting spectre of The Inner Tube Air Shield and The Heavy Bag.


I also thought The Heavy Bag design looked weak, not affording a solid enough surface or sufficient resistance. The dummy knives appear almost as big as clubs. I gave one star for The Stretching Machine. It delivers at a fraction of the commercial price, but still requires some above rudimentary skills and a cash outlay.


Other than that, there's really nothing earth-shattering here that you couldn't have formulated on your own. My best advice, learn to think creatively in your quest...or GET A JOB(!) so you can afford to buy the expensive stuff!

It's easy for this book to pay for itself
When I attended one of Janich's classes, we used some of his home-made training knives.I bought this book then.Since then I've built a few of the projects that he describes in the book.

Many pieces of martial arts training equipment cost $50, $100 or $250 if you buy them new. If you buy this book and build even a couple of the projects you WILL save money when compared to buying the pre-built training equipment.

Even if it does wear out faster than factory-made gear, most of the designs are so inexpensive, you'll save money by building them a couple of times than buying them once.

-Chuck

Don't waste your money
Don't waste your money on this book it didnt give me any useful information and half the stuff you build in this book would fall apart under heavy usage ... Read more

Product Description
Manga Martial Arts is the key to drawing action-packed manga characters and fight scenes. Packed with hundreds of dynamic illustrations and 50+ step-by-step lessons in pencil, colored pencil and markers, this book introduces readers to the genre of manga fighting like never before. From drawing basics like anatomy, shading and perspective to terms, traditions, fighting styles, and character types, this book has it all.

• Covers ten international fighting styles including Aikido, Karate, Kung Fu, Ninjitsu, Tae Kwon Do and others
• 50 simple projects offer fast results in pencil, colored pencil and markers

Product Description
Martial arts teach the basics of self defence, build self-confidence, and can improve concentration and co-ordination. This practical introduction uses step-by-step photography to show young enthusiasts how to make a confident start. Covering 15 of the most popular martial arts, from karate and judo to kung fu and taekwondo, the photographic sequences capture basic moves and progress to more advanced techniques. Prepared in collaboration with qualified instructors and the official organizations for all the martial arts featured, this guide gives authoritative information with special emphasis on safety and fitness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

great book for kids
My kids loved this book. It's really informative about Martial Arts and the pictures are awesome!!

From 8-year old Charlie
I checked this book out of the library three times and decided to buy it with my birthday money.I love the pictures and all the types of martial arts covered.

It's GREAT!

Sensei Kerner's Two Cents
I recommend this book to all young karate students who would like to explore their own and other types of martial arts. Is also good for thosewho are interrested in karate. I've read this book, and it's filled withfun facts and tips, and bright, colorful photographs. This book is great!

Welsh Academy of Martial Arts
I took part in the making of this book.My two students and my son Rhydian Tolcher-James are also part of the book.

I would rate this book as perfect for the beginner who is looking to join a reputable martial art and organisation.

David had the right idea when he wrote this very popular book.He needs congratulating.

I am trying to get in touch with the author David Mitchell to tell him of the response we have had. ... Read more

Product Description
In the last seven years, Teaching Martial Arts has become the classic text for martial arts instructors. Turtle Press is pleased to release this revised, updated and expanded second edition.

In a revolutionary approach, Sang H. Kim Ph.D has blended his extensive knowledge of martial art training with modern and classical teaching methodology to create a system of teaching martial arts for the 21st century. This book is filled with practical information to help you lead your students from white belt to black belt and beyond including detailed methods for:

* planning classes at every skill level * motivating students * organizing seminars * preparing for competitions * planning demonstrations * reducing dropouts

BONUS SECTION: The special report, Launching a Martial Arts School, a step by step guide to opening your own martial arts school is now included in this second edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A Great Book for Instructors
This is a great resource for martial arts instructors. It goes over everything from teaching methodology to curriculum development, and from student management to equipment. I thought that this book was very helpful when I was teaching martial arts. It is well organized and easy to read. It covers many business practices which apply to any business, not just teaching martial arts.

Overall, if you are just starting out as a martial arts instructor or are thinking about becoming an instructor, I think that you will find a lot of useful information in this book and that it will be an aid in starting your classes and staying organized. The start up worksheet alone would be very helpful to a new instructor. Even if you have been teaching martial arts for years, this book probably contains some helpful tips which you haven't thought of before. Check it out...it is a good resource!

Bohdi Sanders, author of Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

exellent refernce
I have been teaching Taekwon-Do for the last three years now to both children and adults,ranging from people just interrestet in the fitness aspect of the sport to people currently on the national team. This book covers all aspects of instruction and student managing that you will need. To me alot of the contens was not completly new, but even the things i already knew was put into a system that made it easy to relate to and i know for sure that buying this book has had a positive effect on my instructor and coaching skills, wich my students have benefitted from. It covers a lot of teaching methology and alsoe includes a chapter on the buisness aspects of opening a martial art school, with budgeting and practical things that you have to do in regards to ensurance, advertising and much more.

great for any system
Sang Kim has a very good knowledge on how to teach the martial arts. His ideas can be applied to all the major styles. This book teaches you how to teach and will make any skilled or amature teacher learning from the book. Many good things in this book.

A great place to start
I taught classes at my instructor's school for about a year before going out on my own. While I knew a good deal about teaching, I'd never really been taught how to teach in a systematized way. This book helped me organize my knowledge and fill in the gaps of what I'd missed out on learning "on the job" as a black belt. Wether you're a new instructor or you've been at it a while, this book is a great "road map" to solid teaching fundamentals.

Excellent introduction to teaching martial arts.
If you want to teach martial arts, this is a great introductory book.A quote from the author says it best: "If you flip through the ads for your local martial arts schools you might get the impression that being some kind of champion is a prerequisite for being an instructor.In reality, what you are is more important than what you have done in the past.To be a good instructor you have to do more than teach.You have to understand and relate to your students.You must have a sense of mission and motivation for what you are doing.You must have knowledge and experience as well as a sense of professionalism.Above all, you have to believe in what you are doing."

Absolutely true!In a well-managed Dojo, all students are actively engaged in instructor-led activities or self-directed practice at all times.Not only do they know what they are expected to do but teaching styles have been thoughtfully selected and communication techniques appropriately tailored such that they are generally successful at doing it.Students feel that they are making progress daily, learning something new, no matter how small, at each training session.There is little to no time wasted due to confusion or disruption.A work-oriented tone prevails, but within a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere.

Innate teaching methods are largely determined by an instructor's character, cultural-heritage, personality, and martial arts background.This means that there can be as many different teaching methods as there are teachers.Regardless, there are fundamental formulas that can be applied to anyone's teaching style to make it as effective as possible.Dr. Kim's book outlines many of these formulas, offering practical suggestions to improve anyone's teaching skills.While it's certainly not the end-all, be-all of instruction books, it is well worth the read. I found Sang Kim's work invaluable research for my own book, Martial Arts Instruction.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction ... Read more

Product Description
This book contains the learning's of a Martial Artist who was trained by some of today's greatest martial artists and it contains the twenty plus years of business experience of a leader within a Fortune 10 corporation. This book will give you an understanding of Martial Art principles and why Leaders find themselves drawn, again and again, to the secrets and wisdom of the Martial Art Masters from the Ages. This book is going to review the primitive motivations with the Arena of Business and identify approaches to prepare both you, and your team, for the business conflicts you will face. This book is going to teach you a number of Martial Art tactics and strategies that will assist you and your team in resolving the business conflicts that arise from Change. Fundamentally, at its most basic level, leadership is a relationship - a Human relationship. The Martial Art principles in this book are going to take you past the limitations that exist within traditional parasitic companies. They will enable you to build the highest form of a team and to become the highest form of a Leader: a Symbiotic leader leading a Symbiotic team. And because of that, Victory will be yours. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must Read
DavidWitt is adept at introducing timeless martial arts techniques to the often times ruthless world of unbounded greed and competition.His concrete examples borne of personal experience, both in the realm of martial arts and as a leader withina Fortune 10 company, make this book a compelling "must read" for all brave enough to heed the clarion call of leadership both on and off the mat of the business world.Asking his readers and all aspiring leaders to consider the welfare of their team members as the paramount concern, Witt unremittingly envisions a higher standard of conduct and ethics from all those in leadership positions in the business world. Moreover, Witt's genius is reflected by how seamlessly he weds the concepts of martial arts to real life applications to the business world experience.His laser focus on how the "company's bottom line" can be maximized through empowerment and inclusion of his team members to serve a larger purpose is astonishingly selfless and a long standing venerated instruction of a myriad schools of martial arts.

To reiterate, a must read for leaders desirous of soaring to new heights for the benefit of others. ... Read more

Product Description
Balletic homicide on the duelling field; stabbing and wrestling in tavern brawls; deceits and brutalities in street affrays; mounted encounters by armoured knights locked in desperate hand-to-hand combat - these were the martial arts of Renaissance Europe. In this book Sydney Anglo, a leading historian of the Renaissance and its symbolism, provides the first complete study of the martial arts from the late fifteenth to the late seventeenth centuries. The twentieth century has been captivated by oriental martial arts and their roots within Eastern societies. Yet the West too, as Anglo shows, developed its own styles of ritualised combat, similarly linked to contemporary social and scientific concerns. During the Renaissance physical exercise was regarded as central to the education of knights and gentlemen. Soldiers wielded a variety of weapons on the battlefield, and it was normal for civilians to carry swords and know how to use them. In schools across the continent, professional masters-of-arms were the artists who taught the lethal skills necessary to survive in a society where violence was endemic and life cheap.These ancient masters-of-arms, anxious to advertise their skills and record them for posterity, have left a wealth of evidence to reconstruct and illustrate their arts - much of it used here for the first time: detailed scholarly treatises, sketches by jobbing artists or magnificent images by D|rer and Cranach, descriptions of real combat, and an abundance of weapons and armour. With copious and precise illustration, Anglo explains the significance of martial arts in Renaissance education and everyday life. His book provides the fullest illustrated account of the social implications of one-to-one combat training. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The Mounted Joust
excellent product. Has many references and descriptions of tools used in the art of the tournament.

The Best Study of European Martial Skills Yet Published!
I was astounded to find this book. By far, it the best academic study of Western fighting arts I have found. The focus is on the role of martial training in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It was a violent and dangerous era, and people in all strata of society, be they soldiers or civilians, honest citizens or criminals, learned what skills they could to survive on the battlefield or in the streets. Not only is the text outstanding, but the book has been thoroughly illustrated with art from the time periods covered.

Some of the subjects covered within:
-Foot combat with swords: myth and reality
-Sword fighting: vocabulary and taxonomy
-Arms and armor
-Mounted combat

Interesting, though his conclusions are debatable
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (I skipped around alot, it is extremely dense), and I agree with the many others who have stated that this is a ground-breaking encyclopedic tour of the history of fencing. I also wholeheartedly agree that historical fencing should be viewed as a full-fledged martial art ("fencing" is not synonymous with "modern sport fencing").

I do have problems with many of his conclusions, which seem to lack a martial or fencing perspective. Mr. Anglo is certainly a serious researcher and historian, but he's clearly no fencer. He seems to miss a main point, namely, that such martial arts were never entirely taught via treatises, and the lack of treatises or the failure of specific types of notation within existing treatises does not at all imply that the art didn't exist, wasn't effective, or wasn't taught.

This is a very interesting book, with some great pictures, diagrams, and summaries of very important historical fencing sources. Just be wary of the author's conclusions, interpretations, and overall perspective.

3.5 / 5

Essential Reading
Anglo's groundbreaking work is definitely one of the most influential treatises on Renaissance combat ever written.Seldom does an author write so in depth and cover so much material.

Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe is fascinating from the first page; Anglo pens right toward the meat of the topic.Rather than reiterating what other authors have said and said again, Anglo only briefly mentions those sources widely available or quoted, instead preferring to bring light to those relatively unknown sources with which few are familiar, but which deserve much more acclaim.This book is not a light read by any standards; it should keep the most erudite of scholars busy for days.The further one reads into this book, the more one realizes he didn't know.

Anglo makes every effort to cram information into every page, but does so with the witty flair of a seasoned writer who knows how to keep his audience interested.He provides ample photographs, scans, copies, and illustrations to underscore his study of Renaissance fighting, but does not drown the reader in unnecessary artwork.He covers more facets of Renaissance martial arts than most other authors even mention, from the methods of instruction to the evolution of combat.Affording a separate chapter to each style of personal defense - swordsmanship, barefisted brawling, polearm use, and the like - Anglo opens up a door to history that has never been opened before, and many anxious scholars are graciously pouring through.

As he points out himself, the history of Renaissance martial arts is one that is very much neglected, both by historians and by martial artists.Historians generally shy away from warfare and fighting, and, apart from mentioning the outcome of a few major battles, barely acknowledge the existence of violence. Many martial artists tend to focus on technique, without much regard for history.Anglo has broken the barrier, and gave those scholars - both martial and historical - who crave to know a means through which to do it.

Overall, this book is excellent.It is a unique and thorough view of the Renaissance that has yet to be matched.Martial Arts of Renaissance Europebelongs in the library of martial artists of Western and Eastern heritages alike: required reading for any fan of martial history.

A must for serious European martial artists
One of the greatest problems facing modern enthusiasts of our European martial history is the availability (or lack there of) of scholarly study from the viewpoint of the period in which these arts were practiced.Too often they are approached from a standpoint of their applications in sport fencing or stage combat.Anglo has tried very hard to separate himself from these ties and look at the arts from their position in history, and while he occasionally falls shy, in most instances he succeeds remarkably well.
As a practitioner of medieval combat I was pleased to see many of the theories and postulations many of us have espoused borne out and explained in a scholarly text.The case Anglo makes for a systematic basis for training well before the Renaissance is well stated and helps to legitimize the work reenactors are performing today.As others have stated, this is not a "how to" manual, but is rather an indispensable tool to assist in researching masters and understanding the environment in which these skills were used.I have informed all my students and friends in the field that this book needs to be in their collection.I am certain I will reference it many times in the future. ... Read more

Product Description
For Every Day of Your Life—365 Elemental Ideas from the Martial Arts on How to Achieve Strength, Balance and Success
Bow to Life invites you to generate and tap into your own tremendous power to achieve unparalleled success in all areas of your life, from dealing with partners, family members, coworkers or other business associates, to managing emotional, health, and fitness issues. Longtime martial arts practitioner and authority Joseph Cardillo identifies 365 core ideas from all of the martial arts and shows how to apply them to your daily life. His distinctively nonviolent approach is based on the martial arts concepts of self-discovery, inner strength, and spiritual enlightenment.Bow to Life underscores how to create your own destiny from within, and seek your own path, rather than relying on pressure from society and other less genuine outside forces. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

What I expected... in a good way
I recently became interested in Martial arts and was searching for a book to teach me the ways in a simple form.This book was cheap, came in perfect condition and the description was perfect everything it said it contained is exactly what I got and more.I would rate this book and it's seller very highly, Thank you.

If I could only have one book
If I could only have one book, I would have to consider making this the one. I have bought copies for my martial arts friends, my A type, over stressed friends, my family and people struggling with great health issues. This is a gem of useful information. I read a page a day. Sometimes I just open a random page and use it like the I Ching. You don't have to be a Martial Artist to gain a great deal of knowledge and peace from these essays and daily exercises.

calming
i,m not one to review books as if i were an expert, so here it is---read it it's worth it.

Inspiring and philosophical advice
This is the kind of book that many martial artists will welcome because it gives very practical and valuable suggestions on how to live your life. It is the kind of book you can take your time reading, as each section gives a piece of advice and philosophical wisdom.I enjoyed reading this book and will come back to it often in the future. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in the philosophy of the martial arts.JJT

self motivation with a martial arts flavour
This is a fabulous book for the person striving to continue improving their life. Beautifully designed to take in one lesson a day, Bow to Life uses Karate training as a metaphor for life. No need to have ever entered a dojo to gain insights from this book, but if you have, you will undoubtably deepen your understandings. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

Customer Reviews (11)

Great Set!!!
Great dvd! Vicory Belt Delivers. All 8 Discs cover every aspect of the game. There are 8 discs in total 5 Silva discs and 3 Nogueira discs called Mixed Martial Arts the Ultimate Set plus 2 books one by Silva and one by Nogueira. Silva's last two discs will be released soon one in the next month (Muay Thai Clinch) the other a little later (Muay Thai Strikes) and then the Clinch book. Definitly worth it.

Lays the foundation for the mma guard
There're several books out there that cover the guard; but they're mainly for sport BJJ. The rubber guard has had success with guys like Shinya Akoi over in Japan; but until any fighter comes even close to having an actual battle contested guard like Nogueira's; this book should absloutely be your first one in your collection to build a foundation for the guard in mma. Note: I'm not necesserialy knocking the X-guard,rubber guard,The Other guard books;I own them all and they're very good.It's just that for street fighting or mma this should be in my opinion your first stop!

If this is your first book ...
if this is your first book that you own then it is 5 stars. but u r like the rest of us who hv been exposed to very many bjj/mma books in the market nowadays then only the only portion of the book is worthwhile - control within guards, the rest of the book is nothing new.

You NEED this book!!!
This is THE book that I have been looking for in terms of working from the guard. Not only does he show you three different view points for each and every step of a move, he also explains in great detail about each move that I do not think other books on jiu-jitsu have done. I find these details are what really make pulling off a technique a success or a failure. He covers sweeps, armbars, chokes, tranistions, combinations and mounts from three different positions from closed guard, three different positions from half guard and finally one position in downed guard, a total of 7 different guard positions to work from. If you either fight MMA or are just a jiu-jitsu player, you NEED this book as I feel it will fill in tons of gaps in anyone's guard game and jiu-jitsu game in general.

bloody good
This book encompasses all that BJJ is good in MMA. I really enjoyed this book and a highly usable book that gives a rock solid game plan for BJJ in MMA. I highly recommend to any BJJ, MMA or submission fighter. ... Read more

Product Description
Techniques in Chinese martialarts (Wushu) are multi-faceted. To use atechnique to gain an advantage in fighting is called Technical Fighting (Ji Jih). The techniques are usually simple andstraightforward. And yet they are richin contents and rationales. The study ofrationales behind the techniques (Xin Fa), methods of basic skills (Gong Fa),and methods of techniques (Ji Fa)are called the three Golden Methods (Bo Fa). Practice of basic skills (Gong Fa) is the foundation of Wushu learning. The techniques (Ji Fa) are derived from the basic skills. Xin Fa is the guiding principle for the design oftechniques. This book reveals to you howto use the three Golden Methods to study Wushu. Five classical schools of Wushu are studied in this book. They are Tai Ji Quan, Ba GuaZhang, Tong Bei Quan, Ba Ji Quan,and Qin Na. This book tells you how to start with the basic and how to reach theproficiency of a master. This book is a study manual for a beginner. This book is a review for an intermediate learner. This book elucidates all the wisdoms in Wushuin a format that is easy to understand and fun to read. This book is a must read for a master of anyWushu. Even if you have absolutely noidea about martial arts, you may still find this book informative and easy tocomprehend. This book will give you anidea what Wushu is all about. This is atreasure book of Chinese martial arts for everybody. ... Read more

Product Description

An unrivaled overview of the history and philosophy of martial arts.

Martial arts have become increasingly popular in North America over the past century. Yet few books for children present an overview of the history and philosophy of these ancient disciplines. The Martial Arts Book does just that.

Learn about the samurai who preferred to use strategy over violence and who were trained to pay attention to the sound of breathing or the movement of joints to tell if someone was asleep or just pretending. Meet the female ninjas known as Deadly Flowers, and the last ninja, Seiko Fujita (1899-1966), who stuck needles in his skin and ate rat poison, lizards, and even a brick to learn to withstand pain and poison. A concluding chapter will help in choosing the right style and school of martial arts for you.

Key Features:

• unique book on a popular subject
• a comprehensive overview of the martial arts from their origin and philosophy to the evolution of styles, the use of weapons, and martial arts today
• sidebars with interesting anecdotes
• color illustrations
• foreign names and terminology are followed by the phonetic pronunciation in parentheses

Customer Reviews (4)

Good Introduction with Beautiful Illustrations!
For aspiring martial arts students, parents, children and anyone who is curious about martial arts, this book provides a simple overview of the martial world. This book has beautiful illustrations that compliment the discussions perfectly and the text is quick, easy and fun to read! Beginning with the (legendary) origins of Asian martial arts, this book follows the spread of martial arts since their alleged origin and describes how geographical, cultural and practical factors caused the martial arts to diverge into the multitude of styles that we know today. Also included in this book:

Philosophies, origins and general intentions of some of the more common martial arts such as aikido, judo, karate, kendo, kung fu, tae kwon do and tai chi.

The roles of philosophies such as Buddhism, Taoism and Zen in the origins and subsequent divergence of various martial arts styles.

How various groups such as Shaolin monks, Samurai and Ninja used and contributed to our martial arts legacy and how modern expectations are transforming the way we practice and perceive martial arts.

What to expect when enrolling in a martial arts program.

A glossary of some introductory martial arts vocabulary.

While this book does provide an overview of the previously stated, I do think that it could have gone into more detail about the differences between the martial arts and what makes each one unique and distinctive. However, most arts get one or two pages, which is actually not very much considering the somewhat large font size and large (but beautiful) illustrations. I was somewhat disappointed that, as an aikido practitioner, while the statements about aikido's intentions are accurate, the description of the actual martial art is incredibly vague and every other martial art is treated in much the same way. It basically just states that one martial art has more empty handed striking techniques, one martial art has more improvised weapons and one martial art focuses on diverting an opponent's energy. Also, although this book does a pretty good job of explaining why these differences exist, I think that someone who lacks a basis for comparison will still be left scratching their head wondernig how some of the arts mentioned are different IN PRACTICE.

Another thing that bothered me was that it doesn't make much of an effort to satisfy any reader skepticism of its historical accuracy. While many of the stories told are indeed great stories, no sources are cited and there is virtually no distinction made between martial arts legend and martial arts history. I only took off one star though, because I understand that this is primarily a children's book and going into too much detail might alienate the younger audience.

I think a great book to read after this one is The Peaceful Way: A Children's Guide to the Traditions of the Martial Arts, which has fewer illustrations, more text and is geared toward slightly older kids. It does reiterate some of the martial arts legends from this book, but its main focus is what to expect as a beginning martial artist and how practice, dedication and responsibility can help you to grow, not just as a martial artist, but as a person.

If you want to learn more about the different kinds of martial arts and how to choose the "right" martial art for you, but without having to buy a separate book for each style, my recommendation is The Complete Idiot's Guide to Martial Arts.

Perfect Survey of the Martial Arts
This book is the best children's book on martial arts that I have seen, (and I work in a library and study martial arts, so I look at a lot of martial arts books!). The Martial Arts Book surveys the major styles of martial arts and their history, covering a lot of ground in a very short, but wonderful volume. The subject matter is so well treated that you get all the important facts about the major styles of martial arts in a very quick read.

Frequently martial arts books (especially those for children) have little information, are too sugar-coated, are too commercial, or are clearly biased towards one art over another. This book, however, presents all the different styles of martial arts in a fair and equal manner. The maps, pictures, and asides do an excellent job of untangling the often confusing history of martial arts. The authors do not make light of martial arts myths, either - they realize that martial arts history is as much legend as fact and that to ignore the legends is to ignore a rich history. The legends told in the book are some of the classic tales of martial arts.

Kids interested in martial arts will eat this book up. They will love seeing how how ninjas, monks, samurai, pirates and farmers gave rise to the martial arts of today. They will also love the colorful pictures and engaging layout. Parents will appreciate the emphasis on peace, compassion, and on growing internally as well as externally. Teachers will appreciate the accuracy of the information, the historical context it will give to their students, and the frank treatment of the "westernization" of martial arts.

I, personally, am impressed with how much information was packed into such a short volume in such an engaging manner.

The Martial Arts Inspiration!
The best thing about this book is that it doesn't talk down to children.The author is careful to point out when she is telling a popular story and when she is telling history, and for this reason I feel her writing simultainiously gives children an acurate and traditional understanding of the roots of the major Asian martial arts traditions.
Younger children will get much from the illistrations and will love to have it read to them.I teach Northern Shaolin (Kungfu)and this is the first book I've seen that makes the important connections between fighting, performing, Chinese Opera, and the Movies.It is sad that so many other books think they have to tell children that martial arts isn't about fighting. As if children would believe that anyway.Teaching children the true roots of Asian martial arts leaves plenty of room to communicate all the other important values we cherish, like appreciating great art, and reading good books.

Really, really good!
I bought this book because I have students who love Kung Fu and other martial arts.Little did I know how much I'd learn from the book and how excited I would be to share it with my students.Beautifully and respectully written. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A Wonderful Compilation
Being a children's martial arts author myself and great collector of all genres of martial arts literature, I purchased this delightful little book to further swell my bursting book shelves and to check out the competition, of course!

So often these days the emphasis of many karate/martial arts instructors is the acquisition of medals, international athletes and glory for club, association and self. The "way's" ethos of physical, mental and spritual gain for all; through hard work, probable heart-breaking failure, and more, even harder work, with the ultimate aim of improving the human condition, has been eroded over recent decades in the quest for glory.

Susan L. Peterson has compiled a beautiful collection of short stories portraying the wonderful tales of legendary martial artists of old and, quite uniquely, of more recent times. These wonderfully descriptive tales outline and emphasise the power of a strong human spirit, built through martial arts, to conquer fears and adversity no matter size, gender or age.

Whether or not you or your children are or potentially are martial artists, these beautifully descriptive stories will brighten your day and inspire your soul to strive hard for whatever it is you want from life. If they don't; well at least you've had an extremely enjoyable reading experience.

A very good basic guide for new or beginning students of the martial arts.
I did not realize this book was aimed at young adults when I purchased it from Amazon.However, I think anyone interested in martial art legends and myths will enjoy this book.Being a lifetime student of the martial arts (more than 45 years as a student and teacher)I was familiar with almost all of these stories.Nevertheless, I still found them interesting to read again from this particular writer's point of view.The author has the ability to make each story easy to read and follow.There are twenty one short stories about various martial art masters.Some of these include legends about Kano, Funakoshi, Ueshiba, Oyama and Yamagushi. In conclusion, this little book is an excellent resource of anyone involved in the martial arts and desires to learn about the ancient masters.Rating: 4 Stars.Joseph J. Truncale (Author:Martial Art Myths, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Samurai Aerobics, Wakizashi-Jutsu, Tanto-Jutsu, Season of the Warrior, Never Trust a Politician).

Legends Of The Martial Arts Masters- Review
I love the book "Legends of the Martial Arts Masters" by Susan Lynn Peterson. The book was very entertaining because with the stories it helped me understand that martial arts it's not about violence. Martial art is an art using your mind, body, and spirit.Furthermore, my favorite story in this book was "Great Power, Great Control." I really liked it because it showed that without control, you have no power and you will loose many challenges. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes martial arts. In addition, I would mostly recommend this book to children and teenagers because they think martial arts is about fighting, but it's more than that.

The best book ever!
Legends of the Martial Arts Masters by Susan Lynn Peterson is a very inspiring book. I thought that this story was very entertaining because there are many adventures in it. This story talks alot about how to become a better person. The lessons in this book will make you the best martial artist. My favorite story is The General Fights the Bull. It is about a general who is ordered to kill a bull. He doesn't want to kill an animal but finds another way. He learns that killing is not the answer. I would recommend this book to young teens who like to read adventures."

The best book ever!
Legends of the Martial Arts Masters by Susan Lynn Peterson is a very inspiring book. I thought that this story was very entertaining because there are many adventures in it. This story talks alot about how to become a better person. The lessons in this book will make you the best martial artist. My favorite story is The General Fights the Bull. It is about a general who is ordered to kill a bull. He doesn't want to kill an animal but finds another way. He learns that killing is not the answer. I would recommend this book to young teens who like to read adventures." ... Read more

Product Description
The lessons of influential 15th-century fencing master Sigmund Ringeck are brought to life once again by David Lindholm and Peter Svärd, the duo behind Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art of the Longsword. This lavishly illustrated companion to Longsword examines Ringeck's instruction on fighting with the sword and buckler, fighting in armor with longsword and spear, and wrestling. These disciplines and more are fully explained both by Ringeck's text (offered in the original old German as well as the authors' English translation) and detailed captions for the step-by-step illustrations. The timeless works of Ringeck, who is best known for his interpretations of the teachings of grand master Johannes Liechtenauer, offer a rare opportunity to experience a firsthand account of this important period in the development of the Western martial arts. This book will be treasured by aficionados of the medieval arts of combat for generations to come. Foreword by John Clements. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

eine gute Arbeit

Hier, für dieses Buch, trifft im Grunde die gleiche Bewertung zu, die ich für das andere Werk (Longsword) von Lindholm und Svard geschrieben habe. Da ich mich an dieser Stelle nicht gern wiederholen möchte, verweise ich den Leser auf jene frühere Rezension. Danke.

Sigmund Ringneck's Knightly Arts of Combat
David Lindholm and Peter Svärd have done a fine job of putting this book together.I rank this right up there with Tobler and Wagner.Well done.

A very nice training manual.
A very text book approach to sword play. Couple this with some excellent, though unrelated, videos on you tube and it is a great training reference.

Good Book
I give this book a 5 out of 5 because it is a well illustrated, well writtencomprehensive description of a martial tradition of Medieval Germany.
they even had the original descriptions by Sigmund Ringeck in german.
the only thing i wouldve like more is if it had more sword and buckler;
but i am content with this book
awesome read for any martial artist or re-enactor. or just for fun.

Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat: Sword and Buckler Fighting, Wrestling, and Fighting in Armor
I found this book is very useful for this student of fighting arts.
its very easy to understand and I learned new ways to to
apply my skills with weapons when fighting in armor
very well done ... Read more

Product Description
Are you new to the martial arts? Or are you a veteran student who is looking for that extra edge or curious about other styles and new techniques? No matter where you train, at what level or in which style, the Ultimate Martial Arts Encyclopedia offers in-depth insight into the most critical aspects of your martial arts experience.Inside, you'll find dozens of chapters covering an impressive array of topics, from histories and traditions to techniques and more. Every chapter is written by an expert, and photographs throughout the book ensure that you'll learn the techniques properly and be able to integrate them into your practice. Topics include:

• An introduction to all the major martial arts styles, from aikido to wing chun
• Advice and instruction on getting the most out of every block, strike, and kick you execute
• Clear, illustrated explanations of highly effective techniques from lesser-known arts
• Insight into developing a fighting strategy, conquering fear and pain, and improving your mental game for strong practice in the classroom and in competition

Customer Reviews (7)

Very interesting
A good, well-rounded look at a lot of different martial arts.There is the usual "my art is the only good one," but if you look past that this is a fairly good overview of a lot of the better-known martial arts.

Ok book
Was a bit disappointed because I thought it would go into the different types of martial arts than it does.My son is in Tae Kwon Do, so I think it will still be interesting to him.

Martial Arts Encyclopedia
Very comprehensive reference for a MArtial Artist to be to attempt to figure out what they would like to pursue.Very good book and simple to follow.As an experienced karateka I would have liked a little more detail on basic moves, philosophies, and contacts for further information on each discipline.

slow delivery
The order process was easy, the book is great like I expected, but the delivery took for ever.I ordered several items on the same day from other companies, all came just in time except the book from this company, they should change their delivery customs to speed it up
Regina

Devin Willis'sHumble Thougts
Ultimate Martial Arts Encyclopedia

For some time, the martial arts students and instructors has waited a well documented book that would catalogue and detail different aspects of martial arts, as Don Draeger and Robert Smith's Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) managed to do for the Asian martial arts.

The book Asian Fighting Arts was groundbreaking in both its scope and its depth of coverage of Asian martial traditions.

This book reflected more of the eclectic interest in Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia and I am proud to have bought both.

Both books shouldbe required reading for anyone serious about pursuing the martial arts. If you have questions concerning a particular style, where it started, etc. these books would be helpful in finding those questions.

... Read more

Product Description
Drawing on the vast body of styles practiced around the world, including ancient and obscure styles from every continent on the planet, The Way of the Warrior is an indispensable, one-stop reference work for anyone interested in the martial-arts canon. Now in paperback! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Amazing
It's a purchase you can say: Perfect!
It's a very well done book, beautiful very professional photos, and it contains some martial arts many people never heard of.
Simply perfect!
[...]

Martial Arts
This book kind of sucks. A lot of it is professional reworded Wikipedia articles. Especially the less known martial arts. The photos aren't even taken for the book. A lot of them were bought for used or asked for permission to use for the book.

great gift at a great price!=]
The book was in perfect condition, I bought it for a gift and they absolutely loved it.I highly recommend buying from this seller =]

Beautiful Pix; Historically Inaccurate
The photos that are included in this book may well worth the purchase. They are stunning and dramatic. Beautiful.

If you simply are looking at the book from this visual perspective, it is worth the purchase. However, there are so many inaccuracies noted that it would take another book to point them out or correct them. This is very disappointing since it really detracts from what could be a landmark book. It seems as it the author had the magnificent photos and simply did a quick cut & phase of historical information, disregarding the source and the seemingly countless inaccuracies. The author would have better served the public if he had a group of people who knew how to do research fill in the details of each art, checking for historical accuracy.

I wish these were corrected because it has the potential for a 5 star book.

Amazing book!
I was stunned at how comprehensive this book is. Virtually every martial art in the world is profiled here. Great photography and thorough research make it a great read. Sure, some of the systems listed here are a bit suspect(especially in the North America section), but the vast majority of the material is very good! Just buy it, you won't be disappointed! ... Read more