2 comments about Self Defense: The Womanly Art of Self-Care Intuition and Choice.

1. This book is still the best coverage of women's self-defense that I have seen. Many self-defense books perpetrate such myths as that most assaults are by strangers and talk about only the poke-em-in-the-eye level of defense. This book gives good context, realistic information, and practical ways to practice. While nothing can replace in-person training for learning the physical skills, this book provides excellent photos that are a good start. I teach self-defense to women, and recommend this book highly to my students. If you buy only one self-defense book, it should be this one.



2. Debbie Leung is among the earliest teachers of women's self-defense in our generation. She was a founder of FIST (Feminists in Self-Defense Training) in 1979, and trained in martial arts for decades.
   
   What makes this book the best, even 15 years after it's publication, is it's recognition of the real risks facing women, along with the simple and effective choices we have. Chapters on prevention, intuition, awareness and self-care are beautifully and clearly written. The section on physical skills is likewise clear and well-illustrated. These are techniques adaptable for all women! Unlike most other self-defense books written for women, the models look like people we may know (and identify with), rather than youthful long-limbed athletes. The photos' quality is exceptionally clear. This book, unlike most others, concludes with a chapter on caring for yourself (and for others) after an assault; this is critical since one's experience of post-traumatic stress disorder more often hinges on one's treatment by others after an assault than on what happened during the assault.
   
   I've been teaching self-defense for over a decade, and always recommend this book above all others. I've re-read it several times, and constantly find new insights after each reading. It's as fresh today as it was 15 years ago, and should be read by anyone concerned with women's safety.

No comments about Chinese Grappling: T'ien Shan P'ai CHIN-NA, the Grappling Art of Self-Defense, Vol.2.

2 comments about Pak Mei - A Dedication.

1. This book has no pictures and doesn't really give you any useful info on the Pak Mei. It just gives general common sense info that anyone who has gone to two or more martial arts classess would pick up anyway. Save your money and buy gas or something useful you can use.



2. As the title implies the author is clearly dedicated to his art and shares his in-depth knowledge gained over years of experience and meticulous research. In a very digestible 104 pages he explains how Pak Mei, one of the lesser known (in the West at least) Chinese martial arts, has retained as its core powerful and highly effective fighting techniques which have been lost or diminished in other martial arts styles that have become popularized as sports throughout the world. The descriptions of the Pak Mei teaching syllabus, main principles and techniques, and steps necessary to achieving mastery are thorough, clear and concise. The chapter outlining the historical background of Pak Mei and the development of martial arts in China and from there throughout the world deepened my understanding of martial arts and put it all into context. The book includes advice for the prospective student on how to identify a qualified Pak Mei instructor and find the right path, as well as the importance of developing the right mental attitude and training habits in order to achieve a high standard. While Pak Mei may not be for everyone, this book is an inspiring and useful read for any serious student of martial arts as they will benefit from the wealth of sound practical advice that is applicable to any style.

5 comments about Shootfighting: The Ultimate Fighting System.

1. The book is basically a description/definition of Mr. Vale's method called Shootfighting. Initially, when I ordered the book, I was expecting more of an in-depth analysis and/or an array of techniques which would distinguish Shootfighting from other systems since I have read about Shootfighting in some MA magazines. It was not the case.

   The book has been divided to 3 chapters.

   What is Shootfighting?

   The good: I found the author's stories about his fights in Japan amusing. Pictures are dark but visible.

   The bad: No in-depth description of what Shootfighting is really all about. Everything I've read in the MA magazines is basically compiled here in the book.

   Conditioning

   The good: The book contains wrestling-hold streches

   The bad: the exercises are too basic. Although it covers stretching, cardio and strength, there are just too few exercises here in my opinion i.e. one exercise for cardio, one for plyometrics.

   Techniques

   The good: The book covers stand-up and ground fighting. PLUS, there's a wrestling-counter wrestling topic which is the transition from stand-up to ground fighting. This part is nice.

   The bad: This only shows the basic stuff i.e. punch, kick, elbos, knee, takedowns, locks etc.

   The topics and techniques are too basic for martial artists who already practice stand-up, ground fighting, and/or wrestling. But the book is a nice start for beginners (who don't know the value of being well rounded in most aspects of martial arts like stand-up, ground fighting, submissions etc.) in terms of techniques.




2. It's ture, shoot fighting is great. I've used it both in and out of the ring. This book has some good stuff. money



3. Bart Vale was the "bad guy" in a lot of professional wrestling organizations in Japan. They sell the matches as real, but they are as real as Hulk Hogan and the NWO. They are called "stiff" or "shoot" matches. Vale can teach you to be a great "stiff" pro wrestler but as a martial artist his skills are questionable. A lot of these techniques only work on a non resisting opponent, others are brute strength. Best part of the book is the old pictures if you are into the Japan thing, but as an instructional book, get a wrestling book or Renzo Gracie's great book



4. Considering that there is very little on shootfighting in the way of books out there this was a good start.I'm sure they could have added a lot more material but maybe Mr.Vale has a contract to do a series of books.A short book doesn't always mean that it is a bad book (an example would be one of the greatest grappling books there is-"My study of Judo" by Gunji Koizumi.Short but comparable if not better than anything currently availabe.I'd say if you have a martial arts library,grab "Shootfighting".If you're looking for advanced techniques or enough to try to incorporate it into your fighting repretoire,you might want to wait and see if a second volume that is more advanced comes out.



5. Bart Vale's book has some good basic information and covers a lot of topic material. If you're looking for indepth technique, you won't get it here. It is, however, a good overall read and interesting...

5 comments about Five Ancestor Fist Kung Fu: The Way of Ngo Cho Kun.

1. I was given this book by my stepdad, a grandmaster in the Five Ancestor Fist system. It very clearly gives the history, principles and a good idea of what is involved in the art. For such an obscure art to the western world (though so popular in malaysia, and Fukien) this book provides an excellent introduction to the art. Though, of course, no substitute for finding an instructor.



2. The book is well written, and contains some interesting historical information regarding the relationship between this unusual system and some of the karates. It is no substitution for an instructor, but it is informative and a good intro to this particular variant of wuzuchuan.



3. From my perspective, the book offers an intro to the Five- Ancestors kung fu system of Fujian province, southern China, and not what you would prefer a training guide for the reader. Because of this fact, I would say the book is satisfactory.

   As a synthesis of the five systems of White Crane, Taizu (First Emperor kung fu), Lohan, Monkey, and Damo (Bodhidharma kung fu, in honour of the first patriarch of Shaolin kung fu), the system places more emphasis on the hand techniques of the crane, and the footwork of Lohan. Because many Japanese masters fled to Fujian province to further their training, Wuzu kung fu has greatly influenced Japanese karate.

   Of the 44 sets that comprise the syllabus of the system, only 2 are displayed in the book, the movements, themes, etc., the San Zhan (Three Battles) set, the core form, and the Entwining Kick fist set (in tit tat). The authors have not done a great deal to express the kicking techniques and footwork in the system.

   I chose to select this book because it's the only book on this rare system of martial arts hailing from Fujian province.




4. This book provides a good overview of the Ngo Cho style, and is generally well-written. My only real complaint is in the author's insistence on, and the number of pages he devotes to, the idea that Ngo Cho is "believed to be the root of the Goju-ryu and Uechi-ryu Okinawan karate systems." The only ones claiming this belief are certain Ngo Cho practitioners. While Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu have their origins in the Chinese martial arts, and in fact originate in the same part of China as Ngo Cho did, it only takes a brief glance at the accepted histories of these styles to realize that the timelines don't match up. The histories of Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu can be traced back to the same time period as when Ngo Cho was being created (mid-1800s), and there is no mention of anything related to Ngo Cho's history or of any Ngo Cho teachers in those histories. Plus in China there are currently practioners who trace their lineage back to the Chinese teacher who taught Kanbun Uechi, and they do not refer to their style as Ngo Cho but merely call it "tiger fist". Finally, you cannot draw much from the fact that Ngo Cho, Goju Ryu, and Uechi Ryu all have a form of the Sam Chien/Sanchin kata because many different styles in southern China practised various forms of Sam Chien in the 1800s. What seems far more likely is all three of these styles had similar origins and influences, rather than one being the "parent style" of the other two.



5. As far as I know, this is the first book on Five Ancestor Fist kung-fu to be published in English, and I think many of those who practice Okinawan karate, particularly Uechi-ryu and Goju-ryu, will find it of great interest. Even a cursory glance will establish many points in common with Okinawan karate: the sam chien/sanchin stances and forms, the technique known as "holding the shield" in Ngo Cho and as "tiger mouth' or tora guchi/mawashi uke in karate, and the use of the weapon known as the sang te pi in Ngo Cho and the sai in Okinawa, to give just a few examples.
   
   Mr. Co tells us that the art of Ngo Cho kun is a "Shaolin" martial art from Fukien province on Chinafs east coast, and we know many famous Okinawan masters traveled to Fukien to study Chinese martial arts, among them Higashionna Kanryo, and later his pupil Miyagi Chojun (who later founded Goju-ryu ), as well as Uechi Kanei of the Uechi-ryu. The author states that Miyagi probably settled in the central or southern region of China, where he studied Ngo Cho kun. As far as I know, Miyagi Chojun never actually lived in China, although he did make several trips. His teacher, Higashionna Kanryo, did spend many years in Fukien. Perhaps Mr Co has confused the two.
   Miyagi Sensei is believed to have visited Fukien in an unsuccessful attempt to make contact with Higashionna's teacher, and also to have visited the Tsing Wu Athletic Association in Shanghai, which was founded by the legendary Huo Yuan-chia. I, too, have heard the story that Miyagi Sensei was exposed to Pa Kua (aka Ba Gua - Eight Trigrams Boxing), and like Mr. Co, I tend to discount it. Mr. Patrick McCarthy, in his recently published Bubishi, states that he believes that Higashionna's teacher, Ryuru Ko, was a shoemaker named Xie Zhongxlang and the founder of Whooping Crane gongfu.
   
   I have also heard it suggested that Ryuru Ko practiced Tai Cho (Grand Ancestor Boxing), and an elderly Chinese practitioner of Tai Cho interviewed in Penang, Malaysia in 1979 by the International Hoplology Society's field research team gave a genealogy which seemed to confirm this. I personally believe that there was probably a fair amount of overlap involved, in that the same person may well have practised several styles, either consecutively or simultaneously. Cross- training is nothing new, and styles from a certain area may well have shared many characteristics in common, as the result of local customs and culture, not to mention the physical environment itself.
   
   According to Mr. Co, Ngo Cho Kun is derived from five different styles (including White Crane and Grand Ancestor/Emperor boxing) and consists of 44 empty~hand forms, 12 weapons, strength and conditioning training, prearranged fighting drills, and free-sparring practices. Later he explains that the forms are divided into two categories; either chien (tension) or kun (fist) forms. (A similar division exists in Goju-ryu karate, between sanchin and tensho on the one hand, and the other traditional forms).
   
   The book shows a representative form from each category. On the technical side, the most interesting thing that I noted was the use of a waist twisting movement in the sam chien form, presumably done so as to lend more power to the subsequent strike. I have not encountered this movement in my practice of Gojuryu, nor have I observed it in Uechiryu, though since my knowledge of Uechi-ryu is limited, I suppose I could have missed it. But this is, I think, a point of technical difference. My whole image of Goju-ryu and Uechi-ryu is of styles which keep the upper body facing toward the opponent. I'd be interested to learn more about the rationale involved here.
   
   As for the weight training exercises, the iron or stone weights known as chio so seem to be the exact equivalentof the Okinawan sashi. A list of the weapons used in ngo cho kun is given, and there are photographs of some of the weapons. The sailsang te pi is shown, as are a variety of staff weapons, the straight sword, and the plum spear, as well as a weapon with the intriguing name of the "horse cutting knife", which seems to be the equivalent of the Japanese nagamaki.
   
   To sum up, this book would probably be of most interest to those practising Okinawan karate or perhaps a related Fukien province fighting art such as White Crane. It certainly helps fill a gap in our knowledge of the fighting arts which originated in Fukien, among which we can clearly count Uechi-ryu and Goju-ryu.

1 comments about The Advanced Shotokan Kata Manual.

1. Osu,
   
   We hope you enjoy this manual! Frank has been training for many years and his wish was to produce a 'no nonesense' manual for karateka to follow!
   
   Lots of bunkai throughout the book! Great stories of Historical relevance! Most important about loyalty!
   Watch this space for follow up titles - covering the rest of the Shotokan Kata in the system!
   
   He is passionate about his message and teaches in excess of 25 classes per week and is amongst one of the few Karateka today who has a passion for the art!
   Yours in Karate-Do
   Actikarate Team

2 comments about Living Qigong: The Chinese Way to Good Health and Long Life.

1. I am typically leery of books on the subject, but this is one book I highly recommend. Alton's treatment is comprehensive and surprisingly frank and impartial. Rather than deride Western science and praise the virtues of Chinese medicine, he takes an honest, open-minded view of both and applies cold logic to arrive at conclusions. In other words, he does not insult the reader's intelligence. The stress of the book is more on the exposition of the theory, rather than a how-to manual. Persons interested in taichi and qigong will find this book very informative, while practitioners will find it inspiring and enriching.



2. Unlike other books on Qigong, this one does not strive to provide scientific validation for Qigong, nor is it filled with scholarly references and parallelisms with other systems of excercise a/o health and healing. Neither is it a vast array of different Qigong practices presented as a catalog for the reader to pick and choose from.

   Rather, this book chronicles Alton's experinces during the two-year period he spent in China learning Qigong from his teacher. Loosely chronological, Alton's story is freely interspersed with theoretical information on both Qigong and Chinese Medicine, presented the way a good teacher would present it to the student as he/she progresses in his/her learning. There are a couple of details which I've never heard any of my teachers mention, yet they make sense, both in theory and in practice. His Qigong set is presented at the end of the book, and although the author repeatedly emphasizes the need to learn from a good teacher, the set is simple enough to try it out yourself. It is one of the best Qigong routines I've ever practiced!

   There are no extensive discussions on the hows and whys, yet all the main tenets and principles of Qigong practice are presented in this book, in a comprehensive, down-to-earth manner. This book, simple, slim, and full of wisdom, is also one of the deepest and most heartfelt discussions I've read on Qigong.

5 comments about War Machine: How to Transform Yourself Into a Vicious and Deadly Street Fighter (Book).

1. This book has it all! I was hoping for some good information on weight training and exercising, but it delivered way beyond that. This book contains so much information on every aspect of what you need in order to transform yourself into a vicious and deadly street fighter! Packed with tons of tips and other helpful hints, War Machine delivers everything that it promises! Great buy!



2. Mr. Franco covers every aspect of reality based self defense in this book. If you are serious about self defense then WAR MACHINE should be in your book collection.



3. This book is a complete mind and body conditioning program for anyone that wants to become a fighter. Technique is important, but so is physical and mental toughness. This is the book that will show step by step what it takes to achieve a level of conditioning necessary for you to destroy a violent attacker. In this book Mr. Franco covers everything from mental and physical conditioning to armed and unarmed combatives. This is the most complete street fighting program you will be able to find on the market.



4. Admittedly, I've got the book and not the audiobook but that doesn't matter because this is information you need. Hundreds of workouts promise you that you'll lose weight and become healthier but what they won't give you is the hard-line, brick-wall of a body that this workout will. You're not just getting a beach body with this workout...you're getting so much more. Grab this and War Machine II Today...you need them both!



5. This book is very useful in that it covers everything you need to know to transform youself from an average chump into a tough street figher! Not only does it teach you what to do physically, but it covers the emotional, mental and spiritual components as well. This book also talks about knife fighting and defense, stick fighting and defense and shooting techniques. This is an all around incredible book that will transform the way you think about fighting again.

1 comments about Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do, Vol. 2.

1. not bad part of a collection , a must for the advanced patterns. Easy to follow .

5 comments about Understanding Jeet Kune Do.

1. This book is the most comprehensive volume on Jeet Kune Do ever published. It details the entire basis for rational self defense and includes the entire RATIONAL Jeet Kune Do "skeleton". The author writes in a manner clearly, and hierarchically logical and covers the material from the first, most important step through. If you are not immediately motivated by the section on attribute development and training, CHECK YOUR PULSE! You may be dead already. :) Do NOT check your brain at the door!
   
   Rusty Starkey - amapjkd1@charter.net



2. 
   Full disclosure: I am a student of the author.
   
   Understanding Jeet Kune Do is a definitive book about martial arts and Jeet Kune Do.
   
   Jason Korol is the Head Instructor at Downtown Martial Arts in Greenville, SC.
   
   This book is not about technique. The "book, ... , is about why Jeet Kune Do is the science of self-defense." (page 5).
   
   In the tradition of Bruce Lee, Sifu Jason asks fundamental questions about the purpose of martial arts and Jeet Kune Do in particular. The answers to those questions create a set of criteria that Sifu Jason uses to evaluate martial art techniques for inclusion into Jeet Kune Do. Do the techniques further the purpose of Jeet Kune Do enhancing Jeet Kune Do's effectiveness? The criterion also allows Sifu Jason to discover new techniques to incorporate into Jeet Kune Do.
   
   Two questions asked by "Understanding Jeet Kune Do" are 1) What is the purpose of a martial art, 2) How does the martial art achieve those goals? While other martial arts can have various purposes, Jeet Kune Do's objective is real self-defense. "Real" is meant literally; not in a sporting sense but in the context of street fighting. Given the purpose of self-defense how does Jeet Kune Do provide a human being, who has two legs, two arms, ten fingers, two feet and a set of teeth, the means to defend him or herself against other human beings in deadly circumstances.
   
   In asking these questions about Jeet Kune Do and martial arts, Sifu Jason gives the reader a way to evaluate any martial art. Whether or not the reader wants to learn Jeet Kune Do, the book gives them strong criteria to understand and a critical look at any martial art.
   
   A few quotes from the Introduction will illustrate my points.
   
   "My goal with this book is to show that Jeet Kune Do is not purely a matter of personal interpretation but an exacting and logical science of self-defense whose teaching must include certain techniques, training principles and strategies in order to truly be Jeet Kune Do." (page 7).
   
   "... Jeet Kune Do is the science of self-defense, ..." (page 8).
   
   "The goal of self-defense is to annihilate or neutralize a threat while putting yourself in the least amount of danger possible. There are many ways to conduct your affairs in combat but only one way is the best way in any given context. The true goal of a Jeet Kune Do practitioner is to discover the best and most integrated way [of combat]... " (page 8).
   
   "Jeet Kune Do techniques and principles, unlike many others [martial arts] are integrated to meet the demands of reality [real streetfighting]." (page 9)
   
   "There is a counter to every technique and a counter to that too, but none to superior positioning." (page 9)
   
   "I have also included a rather comprehensive definition of the philosophy of self-defense as well as the ethical guidelines that every person must consider. This is necessary because self-defense and violence are serious subjects." (page 11)
   
   I strongly recommend the book for anyone with interest in martial arts.



3. At long last, someone has written a book that focuses on the structure and philosophy of JKD. There are already many good technique-oriented books on the market (such as those by Burton Richardson, Chris Kent, and Larry Hartsell), and Sifu Korol does not try to retread this ground. Instead he offers an in-depth, critical analysis of the fundamental principles of scientific self-defense. This is a book that should be taken seriously by any student of the martial arts who aims to train realistically. As an instructor of Jeet Kune Do and jujitsu, I can heartily recommend this work.



4. I will say understanding jkd by Jason p Korol is one of the best books out on Brucelee art jkd Jason gives the best explation of jkd and all its princaples I really love an learned a lot from what you said in the book I hope you do another book on jkd you are the best keep up the good work Charles Smith out.



5. I ordered this book in anticipation of getting a new JKD book for my library. I have been teaching JKD for some time and was anxious to get a different perspective on Bruce Lee's system. I found the book to be a bit preachy. Although I do not know Mr. Korol he seems very opinionated on a great many things; which is ok if one says that they are opinion. However many of the passages are written as a matter of fact which I found a bit distasteful. There were also many portions that went off tangent from what I thought was the main topic "Jeet Kune Do". I also noticed a consistent "JKD Concepts" bashing which didn't help. For those that do not know about this there seems to be various interpretations of JKD and the "Concepts" school obvious differs from Mr. Korol's view; again not a problem per se if it was just stated as opinion and not fact. I wish the book had been written from a more neutral perspective. For the record I've tried embracing all things JKD without falling into one camp of the other; so as a matter of consequence I have no dog in the JKD fight. There were some helpful sections in the book so there is some merit to the work. Also, Mr. Korol seems to be very well spoken utilizing very precise language which I enjoyed. Overall the work could be beneficial taken within the context expressed in this review.