5 comments about The Book of Five Rings.

1. This really is a great book. It contains a philosophical outlook on dealing with people and sword fighting/combat from hundreds of years ago, but it really translates very well into today's modern business world. Everyone could learn something from this old samurai who lived in 18th century. I highly recommend this book and the book Understanding: Train of Thought to everyone.



2. The Book of Five Rings is similar to Sun Tzu Art of War in that is discusses strategy, fighting, and competition from a combat perspective. The book is small in size and easy for reading while traveling. While references can found that comment this is as a book for management, it is still very much a book about combat and the samurai warrior. Interesting nontheless.



3. Haven't read it yet, but looking forward to reading both of the books within the text as it is. Thanks



4. 
   The book written by the samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645 is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, and it enjoys an audience considerably broader than only that of martial artists: for instance, some business leaders find its discussion of conflict and taking the advantage to be relevant to their work.
   
   The term "Ichi School", which is referred to in the book, Go Rin No Sho, when referring to such books, refers to "Niten No Ichi Ryu", or "Ni Ten Ichi Ryu", which literally translated, means "Two Swords, one heaven".
   
   Throughout the book it is clear: what is primary for Musashi is The Goal, while the means of achieving the goal are secondary. He wrote "According to this Ichi school, you can win with a long weapon, and yet you can also win with a short weapon. In short, the Way of the Ichi school is the spirit of winning, whatever the weapon and whatever its size."
   
   The same is in business: the leaders who are attracted by the goal rather than by embellishments are the true leaders. For example, the dot-com bubble of 2000 was caused by the managers who forgot about the primary goal of the business: net income. Those who were obsessed by their stock prices regarding of massive losses and the lack of revenue became bankrupt. They put attention to the fancy office buildings and furniture rather than to the assets that generate earning. Musashi wrote about it: "Just as a horse must have endurance and no defects, so it is with weapons. Horses should walk strongly, and swords and companion swords should cut strongly. Spears and halberds must stand up to heavy use: bows and guns must be sturdy. Weapons should be hardy rather than decorative".
   
   Musashi also encourages to maintain a balance of your skills throughout your life. This balance could be thought of as Yin and Yang. The balance is to be neither over-familiar with something nor under-familiar. The over-familiarity or over-use of one weapon is not recommended by Musashi, as it would be seen to reveal your spirituality to your enemy, and thus your boisterousness, or over-calm. The over-familiarity makes you stick to a conviction. This is a very important for the business. Take, for example, mr. Warren Buffet.
   
   A quality standing out about Mr. Buffett is his ability to morph. If you read his materials from the 1960s, he said very different things than in the 1970s and early-1980s. Early on he was buying dirt-cheap stocks by simple statistical standards and typically smaller stocks (smallcap), later he bought "franchises", then he entered a period of buying great managements of big companies and being a long-term holder, then, amazingly, he was buying smaller things dirt cheap again just as value came back into play as the twenty-first century began. He tactically morphed steadily over the decades. Trying to freeze his tactics from any decade and replicate them in the next few would never have led you to his actual actions. Musashi wrote about that this way: "You should not have a favourite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well. You should not copy others, but use weapons which you can handle properly. It is bad for commanders and troops to have likes and dislikes."



5. Musashi, like every great warrior, knew that strategy was as important as tactics and techniques in combat. This book will teach you things that were learned in combat and will enhance your survival potential on the battlefield, street and life.
   
   It is not the easiest book to interpret and understand, but that hardly matters, as for the information in this book is worth your time and effort. One good book is worth a hundred crummy ones, and this book is one outstanding book. This book is divided into various distinct sections, and the serious and professional warrior should extract as much information as possible from each section. Every time I pick this book up I learn something new. This is the warrior's bible.
   
   I highly recommend this book to all readers.

No comments about Training the Samurai Mind: A Bushido Sourcebook.

5 comments about Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge.

1. At last, a textbook of mixed martial arts from the renowned fighter and coach PJ Penn! In this volume he presents a great number of techniques that he finds effective for himself and will work for most fighters. It is particularly strong in ground techniques, due no doubt to his grappling-based approach to the sport generally. The book is not intended to be the "last word" in MMA, or that the particular techniques drawn primarily from BJJ, Wrestling and Muay Thai presented in it are the be all and end all of the sport in its totality. However, they are those that he himself has used and tested. His game plan is to take the combat to the ground and win it there. Thus, he presents only cursory wrestling and striking techniques from the standing position, as the standing phase is not his preoccupation. His volume nicely complements Couture's wrestling-based strategy guide, with its throws. A kind of Muay-Thai for MMA volume might round off a "holy trinity" of textbooks in this genre.
   Awesome book! Handy for all fans and participants in the sport!



2. This book touches on all of the major points in MMA sport fighting in an easy to understand format that is coherent and makes learning MMA easier. I've got many expensive dvd sets but I find that this one book is what I work with the most. I met BJ and had him sign my copy.



3. This book was certainly worth the price! It's over 300+ pgs of some of the best MMA advice out there. It starts off with a mini biograhpy of B.J. Penn then goes right into the good stuff. Penn goes thru everything from striking basics to brazilian jiujitsu wizardry in well sorted and easy to follow chapters. The pictures that he uses to illustrate the moves are also great. Most come with several angles of the moves he is demonstrating and are very easy to follow with his great insight on each and everyone! I recommend this book to any who wants to get that edge in their MMA training whether it's for competition or simply to stay one step ahead of their training partners in the gym.



4. I should preface this review by clarifying that I don't train much MMA - I'm much more of a straight BJJ/submission grappling athlete. With that said, this book is an excellent perspective into BJ Penn's MMA repertoire and the basic theory behind his fighting style. For fighters who come from a striking background, the book may not be quite as applicable. Only a few basic punches are covered, and they are treated primarily as a means to set up a clinch or takedown, with the eventual goal of passing to a dominant position and winning by submission. As mentioned by a previous reviewer, no kicks or leglocks are covered. The book is not designed to be an encyclopedia of every fighting technique one could possibly use (indeed, Penn specifically disavows this purpose in the book itself), but it is a great introduction for grapplers who are curious to know what kind of strategies and techniques could work for them in an MMA context. I use the book primarily as a reference to explore different approaches to situations that I often find myself in just in BJJ/submission grappling, and have found it to be very useful. For example, BJ has an excellent description of how to tighten up the technique on your sprawl and use it to transition naturally to back control. He also has useful tutorials on an alternative technique for the double-leg takedown (as opposed to the standard wrestling shoot where you come over the knee of your lead leg and cut to the inside from a crouched position) that is helpful to know regardless of whether you actually do MMA. Whether you are a pure grappler looking for some insight into the techniques used by one of the best or someone looking to transition into MMA, this book has something for you.



5. If you do martial arts and don't know how to fight - what are you doing? This is an essential compliment to whatever martial art you're studying, as it will flesh out your studies and get you to rethink a few things.

5 comments about Complete Krav Maga: The Ultimate Guide to Over 200 Self-Defense and Combative Techniques.

1. Excellent book. Lots of great pictures. Shows the curriculum for every level up to brown. Even covers ground fighting for the street. A great introduction into what Krav Maga is.



2. I really enjoyed the book. The progression of the book is done really well. It takes the reader from the basics to advanced moves very easily. Although it helps if the reader has had some fighting expreience, I have been practicing Martial Arts for over 20 years, the moves are simple and effective. I picked the system right up but someone with no Martial Arts experience may have some difficulty. Actually nearly all the techniques I had already been taught in my Jeet Kune Do studies, ther are many similarities between the two arts. The moves chosen are very effective and practical. The rifle and shotgun disarms are something not may systems incorperate.
   If you are looking for an effective and practical system, Krav definately delivers.



3. This is written for those who are just getting interested in Krav Maga and it does its job perfectly. I was contemplating joining a local KM class but wanted to see what techniques the training would entail.
   
   This book goes through Levels 1 - 5 of the Krav Maga 'system' and throughly explains the moves. Each explanation has pictures to show the reader what's going on.
   
   In short, it's a great book and covers a lot of material.



4. Self defense (SD) covers a number of attributes: awareness, avoidance, deescalation, strategy, tactics, techniques, witness building, speaking to law enforcement and the legal system, torts, ad nauseum. This book on Krav Maga doesn't attempt to cover all of that, which is a shame, because they are necessary components of self defense. It does you little good to defend yourself only to be prosecuted and imprisoned later. That is what keeps a good, solid book about self defense from being great.
   
   Based upon the information is does present, I find the book to be excellent. The SD material presented (techniques) aren't flashy nor need the coordination of a nineteen year old Olympian. These are solid techniques that are practical, simple and can be retained in an adrenal event (when adrenaline hits, conscious thought can go out the window. Think of people who freeze at public speaking. Now magnify that fear by about a million). The KISS method is always preferable. Save the fancy stuff for the next Matrix movie.
   
   To sum up-
   The good:
   The techniques are solid, real-world techniques that are functional and appropriate. They are not useless chop and flop. Pictures are well-done and easy to see. The techniques are well-explained.
   
   The bad:
   No mention of appropriate use of force. No mention of legal strategies or that there are such things as laws regarding self defense. Little discussion on awareness and avoidance (the primary SD tools).
   
   Bottom line:
   If you have a good grasp on the other important parts of SD and just need a book on technique or maybe some more techniques to throw into your toolbox, this is a good book. A newbie wanting solid information of the totality of what it means to defend yourself can do better.



5. As a police officer and former Marine, I know your life may depend on your CQC skills and this book does not do Krav Maga justice. This book is a poor overreach at explaining what I have seen to be an extremely effective fighting system. From sport ground fighting (not street combat), ineffective combative movements, to sloppy weapons defenses this is a poor rendition of Krav Maga training. A few examples of the bad techniques:
   On pages 41-42, the other cover hand is left down, exposing your face and prohibiting a second strike with it. On page 126, this defense will not work if someone pulls back with force--which is likely. A simple turn and counterstrike will work against any type of rear pulling attack. On page 248, without stepping off the line of attack, this defense can get you stabbed.
   On page 250, this defense does not move to the deadside and will get you killed as the attacker falls back from your punches and retains control of the handgun. The handgun is designed for him to hold--not you. If he falls to the ground you are in danger. To preform the defense properly you must move to the deadside while delivering strong, simultaneous counterattacks while controling the barrel.
   On page 253, again, this defense does not move to the deadside and will get you killed as the attacker falls back from your punches and retains control of the handgun.
   If you know Krav Maga, you'll know this book has too many mistakes to be an effective guide to anything, much less Krav Maga.

5 comments about Fit to Fight: An Insanely Effective Strength and Conditioning Program for the Ultimate MMAWarrior.

1. Fit to Fight is essential reading for anyone who wants to learn the latest training secrets that will turn you into a complete, fighting machine. Ferruggia sticks to his no-holds-barred, straight talk. He does an excellent job submitting the outdated, dogmatic training methods that many fighters have followed over the decades.
   
   Most training books consist of methods that build one fitness quality at the expense of another - not this book. Ferruggia lays out a system that will simultaneously develop brute strength, powerful endurance and plenty of mobility. This book represents a new frontier in training for fighters and fitness enthusiasts.
   
   Buy this book, read it, and put the information to use right away. It contains tips, tricks and principles that are applicable to anyone, not just fighters. And I can assure you the book is worth 10x the price. I've implemented many of Ferruggia's principles with my fighters and the results have been outstanding.



2. "Fit to Fight" has it all. You not only get cutting edge strength and conditioning routines for the MMA athlete, but you get Jason's unique ability to bring it all home in a manner that both the expert and the neophyte alike can benefit from.
   
   Jason breaks new ground with some of the exercises in here -- likely ones you've never seen before, along with describing textbook-perfect form on exercises you may have been doing for years and explaining why they're useful for combat training. Not only do you get detailed descriptions on the latest strength training methods and dieting guidelines, but you'll also get 'Tips from the Cage' that answer some of the important questions you might have regarding training, diet, etc.
   
   So, Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a weekend warrior, a UFC contender or the average Joe looking to get big, strong, and shredded training the way the top fighters in the world do, do yourself a favor a pick up a copy of Fit to Fight.



3. Jason Ferruggia has outdone himself again! This book is applicable to anyone looking to get into great shape, not just MMA Warriors. Jay provides a plethora of information, including assessing flexibility/mobility and strength, prehab, conditioning and strongman training. Jay presents this information in a very easy to read manner, in which he relates everything back to his own in the trenches experience. This is definitely a must read for anyone trying to take their conditioning or strengh levels to new heights.



4. Jason has certainly outdone himself. I have found this book to be very detailed and very well laid out. For a beginner like myself, its an easy but precise read and I was able to follow the various chapters. I totally recommend this book to anyone young or old... seasoned or beginner levels.. what Jason has done is really clear - he wrote a book that is for everyone. - Darren :)



5. More myth-busting warrrior workouts from a real world expert. Jason Feruggia is straight-ahead with good advice and just the right amount of supporting anecdotes.
   Enjoyed the book and would purchase it again.

5 comments about Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

1. 
   Excellent study guide into the mind of Master Bruce Lee! This book is for the true Martial Artist........Tao of Jeet Kune Do



2. this item was excellent, a good buy. it was exactly what i was looking for.



3. I came into this world many years later since Lee had closed his eyes upon it. I can only imagine the loss it must have been to the world to Martial Arts. But, he never left in spirit. An essence of his philosophy and his approach to martial arts still lives through his followers and this book. I learnt Aikido for 5 years, but found it not very handy when it came to tackling an opponent in the street. That's when someone recommended Lee to me. JKD is much faster and more practical (make no mistake, I still worship Aikido from bottom of my heart...JKD is only a natural next step in the route I took for my education in Martial Arts) when it comes to handling a situation in the street. But this book is not a step-by-step guide to beat someone black and blue. It's Lee's philosophy, his approach to martial arts (which is called Jeet Kun Do) - a way of life, from Lee's perspective.
   
   I am only qualified to speak so much, but definitely recommend this book for everyone who wishes to understand Lee's apparoach to Martial Arts and, in turn, benifit from it to develop his or her own perspective.



4. I love Bruce Lee, but I couldnt get into this book! I cant honestly tell you to read it or not, because I havent! I bought it here at Amazon and gave it away a month later! Watch "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story", thats a classic!



5. It is a must have if you participate in any martial arts! This book not only helps with improving as a martial artist but also brings awareness in understanding oneself better.

5 comments about Training for Warriors: The Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts Workout.

1. I must say that Training For Warriors is a fantastic book. The photography is great and the exercise program is simple to follow since it maps back to the book. The nutritional section really helped out and made adjustments to my diet. I started the workouts and the hurricane is challenging, but a great change from what I have done in the gym.



2. Martin Rooney's "Training for Warriors, The Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts Workout" is just that! Only those who truly understand training can lay it out in such a simplistic fashion. From the ease of the read, to the cornucopia of pictures, it is legible for all to understand, apply, and then reap the benefits from. I strongly encourage anyone interested in the arts or those who just desire to "train like warriors" to invest in the purchase. I promise, you will not be disappointed!
   Tom Myslinski, MS, CSCS
   Head S&C Coach
   The Cleveland Browns Football Club



3. Martin Rooney has once again demonstrated that he is the leading expert in the field when it comes to the training of combat athletes. His book, "Training For Warriors", is the most complete and thorough book ever written on the training of MMA athletes. I highly recomend it to any athlete who aspires to be a "Warrior" and consider it a must read for all professionals in the field of Strength and Conditioning.
   
   Ben Hilgart
   Head Coach- Sports Performance
   Arizona State University



4. I personally want to thank Martin Rooney for putting together such an outstanding and phenomenal book. The attention to detail for this type of training is long overdue and Martin went above and beyond the call of duty in that aspect. This book can be used for Warriors of all types and skill sets which is what sets it apart from the pretenders out there. The training program and content will not only challenge you physically but also mentally. Thanks again to Martin for creating such an awesome tool.



5. This book is primarily a compliation of exercises (some not shown in great detail) organized by body segment/function. The good news is that I've never seen some of the exercises, which is great. That bad news is that I found this book lacking in terms of training science, methodology and planning. A good book, but certainly not what I was expecting.

No comments about Eagle (The Five Ancestors, Book 5).

5 comments about On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace.

1. Absolutely one of the finest works on current human history both past and present. Mostly read by Cops and Military persons but a great read for everyone interested in the human race period!



2. This book was recommended to me after an incident that required me to pull my weapon on a couple of people. I had a physical reaction that surprised me, and more to the point scared me. I ordered a copy of On Combat ASAP and began to read it. Frankly, it has helped me quite a bit.
   
   Combat isn't something that most of us engage in on a daily basis. For those of us who are not in the military (or like me, not anymore) or in law enforcement, the odds of us getting into an altercation like this is rare. However, it does happen. There are a great many things that happen that are natural physical reactions that can cause distress to someone. Understanding these reactions, in particular the how and why they happen, can eliminate that particular stressor at a time when you don't need to worry about anything else.
   
   Not only that, but On Combat tells how to deal with the aftermath of a fight, something that is all to often overlooked. This is something that happened naturally ages ago, but now is often overlooked completely. Understanding this has helped me develope a plan should I ever be involved in another incident. Most people will blame themselves for whatever happened, and having a plan in place will help a lot.
   
   The only downside I saw to the book was Grossman's dogmatic feelings about children and video games, but this is really something that can be overlooked. It's not that I necessarily disagree with his take on video games contributing to kids becomeing desensitized to killing, it's just that I think parenting is much more important to prevent things like this.
   
   In short, this book should be required reading by anyone who may find themselves in a fight. You need to know these things beforehand, so order this now and read it before you need the information contained within. It'll help. Trust me.



3. This is a must read for anyone in law enforcement. It will inspire you to continue on in your chosen proffession. It explains the psychological and physiological impact of stress that is encountered throughout law enforcement. It provides ways to train which can increase your performance under the most extreme stress. Amazing and enlightening. It also includes how media influences children and is leading to an increase in violence in society. The media is not the only reason youth violence is increasing but it is probably the most controllable.



4. Order was quick and very painless. It was at my door step as promised. great service



5. Grossman takes you deep into the many fears, hesitations and simply the unknowns that are faced by many that serve within the military and law enforcement. His studies are simply to understand and the many examples make the read hit home that much better. I would consider this a must read for anyone already serving or intending on serving in either the military or law enforcement field.

5 comments about ChiRunning.

1. I haven't completely implemented Chi Running but am headed in the right direction. Book is well written and easy to follow. I am really enjoying the book and it's goal of making running easier.



2. After reading the many positive reviews and endorsements for this book, I anticipated something more thorough and more polished. The book is highly repetitive (the same amount of material might easily have been covered in 40 pages), it lacks organization, the author invents words which have no meaning ("instate" as a verb, anyone?), and the typeset is HORRIBLE.
   
   The author has some good ideas. Let's hear them.....coherently.



3. One reviewer wrote, "There is a lot of 'fluff' in this book to make it as long as it is," I totally agree, the book could be half as long, and still provide the great information on how to run pain free.
   
   I've had knee pain for the past five years playing volleyball and running to stay in shape. I purchased this book per the reviews, followed the authors suggestions and WOW, I'm know pain free 95% of the time when I run or during moving activities. Your body tells you everything!



4. No need for a long review here. It's just a great book written by an ultramarathoner that will teach you running techniques that will prevent (or heal) your injuries. An easy to understand, step-by-step program don't be afraid to get it if you've been running 20 years or 20 days! Runners with plantar fasciitis might also be interested in The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution.



5. The book is very informational. At the very least it helps you "connect" more with the sport, at the best it makes it easier to do and easier on your body.