Reviews (5)

The Executive Protection Professional's Manual
This is an informative work. Philip Holder's knowledge and experience shines in this manual.

Great Book for the Library of both Professional and Layman
The Executive Protection Professional's Manual is an excellent read both for those involved in the profession and those of us who have been on the periferal of such work. Dr. Holder's unique perspective may stem from his extensive martial arts training, his considerable life experience, or analysis of human behavior. EPP from the worlds best!
After viewing Grandmaster Holder's martial arts videos I had to get this book. I highly suggest this book to anyone with an interest in EPP. Understanding EPP from one of the worlds greatest martial artist and seeing it from his point of view really opened my eyes to a new approach in my own EPP training. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Executives    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Industrial Health & Safety    5. Industrial Security    6. Industries    7. Industries - General    8. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    9. Prevention    10. Private Security    11. Protection    12. Security measures    13. Sociology    14. Technology    15. Terrorism    16. Business & Economics / Industries    17. Police & security services    18. Reference works    19. Security services   

Reviews (15)

Great Book, with Great Instructors in it.
This book is very good for someone who wants to learn submission wrestling, or someone who wants to add to the submission game.In my case I compete in gi, and have never fought in no gi, so getting this book, really helped me take what I learned with the gi, and make changes for when I don't have the gi.Very good instruction.Plus the instructors in it are unbelievable.I fight for Royler Gracie and David Adiv, but David Adiv is the one who trains me since he lives in the US, and he alone is Roylers best black belt, David Adiv puts out the best Fighters, and him and Royler together are great to learn from.Very good book.Highly suggest it to any fighter.

One of the Best in the Series!
Another in what has become a rapidly growing series (mostly co-written by Kid Pelligro) from Invisible Cities Press, backed by the same UAE Shiek who holds the ADCC Submission Grappling Championships (now every two years), ADCC legend Royler Gracie (son of Helio) returns to share techniques expressly designed for no-Gi/Kimono Submission Grappling.
From One of the Best..... Ever
We all know about Helio Gracie's sons. They have their champions in each arena and Royler's game seems to be submission wrestling. He is a perennial competitor at the ADCC championships and has come away with his share of medals.
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Subjects:  1. Brazil    2. Jiu-jitsu    3. Judo    4. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    5. Self-defense    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Wrestling    9. Oriental martial arts    10. Sports & Recreation / Wrestling   

Reviews (25)

Trying to get the whole story..
Slow controlled movement while tensing, (not only the muscles that are causing the movement, but also the opposing muscles, which has a braking effect), is an effective way to exercise.It is similar to the static tension of isometrics, but avoids the pitfall of only working a specific angle. It is limited: Unless you are supremely motivated you will need to include a weight workout every few sessions. The only tool to measure your effort in this system is your own sense of how hard you are working, and that simply can't be trusted every time.Weightswill monitor your progress with an inarguable constant; iron doesn't lie. If you do these workouts to avoid the difficulty of lifting weights, you will also miss the benefits. Not only must you work just as hard as with any other style, but you have only yourself to judge the effort, which actually makes a proper workout even more difficult. Most people simply can't do it, and would make better progress with weights to motivate them.

THIS IS FOR EVERYONE!!!
WHETHER YOUR YOUNG OR OLD THIS BOOK IS GREAT FOR EVERYONE.I USED IT WHEN I FIRST STARTED MARTIAL ARTS AND I BELIEVE IT HELP ME AVOID MAJOR INJURIES SUCH AS KNEE INJURIES, WHICH ISA BIG PROBLEM IN MARTIAL ARTS.WHETHER MARTIAL ARTS OR JUST WALKING ON THE STREET YOU NEED THIS BOOK.I'M 42 YEARS YOUNG & I'M GOING TO READ ITAGAIN AND AGAIN.THINKING ABOUT GETTING INTO MARTIAL ARTS AGAIN.

NO WEIGHTS NEEDED!!!!
I have been doing John Peterson's Miracle 7 workout and loving it! Harry Wong's book is wonderful in the same way. Different exercises than the M7, so they are nice additions to my workout. The book is good to read and gives great advice. Every workout is well explained. The pictures can be followed easily. Who needs expensive exercise equipment when everyone is their own gym! I recommend Harry Wong's book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Oriental martial arts   

Reviews (1)

Musashi vs Yagyus: Duels In Writing
MUSASHI is no doubt the legendary Samurai hero dramatized into a number of plays and novels most famous of which is by Yoshikawa Eiji. Thomas Cleary not only translated this classic by Musashi's own writing into English, but he also introduced Musashi's archrival bushido school by Yagyus' chief Munenori's "The Book of Family Traditions of Book of War". Such coupling should cause much uproars from pure bushido followers which take sides of either ideas of the way of sword.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Military Science    3. Philosophy    4. Combat sports & self-defence    5. Philosophy / Eastern   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (1)

Clear and practical guide to Fencing.
Brian Pitmans book is an excellent, down to earth guide to Fencing, he cover the three weapons Foil, Epee and Saber that are used in Olympic style of fencing.Read more

Subjects:  1. Combat Sports    2. Essays    3. Fencing    4. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Reviews (24)

My Personal Experience May Be of Some Small Interest
God knows I wouldn't claim my experience to be either exhaustive or authoritative, but of the two times I've knocked someone out, one was with a pressure point.I didn't know it at the time.I just knew that I had barely touched the guy with my kick, just inflicting a very light, barely noticeable on my end, "thump."But the location I hit him at was pretty clear, and imagine my surprise years later to learn that there is a knock-out point at that location. (The other time I knocked someone out was with a pugil stick during Marine Corps bayonet training.)
Seeing is believing
The reviewer below is an uninformed moron. I have attended several of Mr. Dillman's seminars and have had many of the knockouts described in the book performed on me personally. I am a trained scientist and biologist who is not fooled by hocus-pocus mystical nonsense. Anyone who is a doubter need only attend one of Mr. Dillman's seminars. NO ONE goes home an unbeliever. The methods outlined in this book DO work. This book is THE book to get on pressure point karate!! I have gone back to it so many times my copy is almost worn out.

Junk Fu
This stuff doesn't work. Only the willing will it work on. The rest of us will be pounding your head in. Dillman is a charlatan and so are his cronies.
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Subjects:  1. Karate    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Martial Arts - Karate    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Training    7. Oriental martial arts   

Reviews (11)

I like Takuan's Zen...
...I'd like to meet him.But not in a duel.The title of the book is appropriate.Do not park your mind.Zen is a no-parking zone.It is alright to park your tail on a cushion, though.To understand this book, you need to be a bit of a martial artist, and a bit of a zennist to begin with.Not for beginners, or for those who like their gruel thin.

the unfettered pickle
i know this is completely unhelpful and i'm going to be berated for this review, but i think it's funny. in japan there's a kind of pickle named after takuan.
Neither zen nor sword
I got interested in the book because of its references to swordsmanship and Buddhism, two seemingly incompatible subjects. I knew for a fact that the Japanese used Buddhism as a vehicle for training the warrior class, and learning that the book consisted of letters from a Zen monk to a swordsman, expected the book to contain reasons why Buddhism and swordsmanship were compatible.Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Correspondence    3. Doctrines    4. General    5. Japan    6. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    7. Martial arts    8. Philosophy    9. Priests, Zen    10. Religious aspects    11. Sports    12. Sports & Recreation    13. Takuan Soho,    14. Zen Buddhism    15. Oriental & Indian philosophy    16. Oriental martial arts   

Reviews (22)

Awesome Reference Material
I brought this book by accident when I first started practicing Tai Chi (Wu Dang Style) around seven years ago. I knew nothing of the philosophy behind Tai Chi or Taoism, And although at first I thought this book was a bit airy and seemed badly translated I now find it invaluable as a reference tool whilst practicing Tai Chi and Qi Qong.
Don't get this as your first book on Tai Chi
Master Jou had a large and fanatical following, so I am well aware that I'll get flamed for offering any criticism of his work.Oh well.
I'm still reading it.
I purchased this book a couple of years ago when I was training in Portland, Oregon (Incidentally John S. Atherton recommended it to me). Since that time I've continued my study of taiji and moved two Taiwan. I train here with an excellent teacher who's really open about the purpose of our training, what he can and cannot do himself and so on.
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Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. General    3. Literary Criticism    4. Martial Arts - Taichi    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. New Age / Parapsychology    7. Tai chi    8. Oriental martial arts    9. TÊ»ai chi chÊ»üan   

Reviews (9)

good value and well written
This is really three books in one, and is quite lengthy and packed with a lot of information at 368 pages. The book is good for intermediate students in the internal martial arts of Xingyi, Baguazhang and Tai chi, who have been practicing one of these styles for a number of years, are now in the phase of "finding the hidden treasures" in their art, and who would like some exposure to the other neijia styles. The book is not a "how to" and assumes that the reader has some understanding of internal power, whole body movement, and chi flow. The first third of the book is a survey of the history and lineage of the three major styles of internal gongfu, plus a brief outline of tongbei quan and baji quan. Nothing new or controversial here, but fairly comprehensive and a good reference on lineages. The second third of the book is a survey of basic techniques, palms, moves, and steps from the various styles.It can't be comprehensive, given that the authors are discussing five different styles, but it points out the main techniques, how they overlap from style to style, and is intended as sort of a basic tool kit for internal gongfu.In that sense I think the authors succeeded quite well and a close reading will provideone or three good insights for nearly all neijia practitioners. The final third of the book is dedicated to a form developed by Lu Shengli that borrows from these major neijia styles with a discussion of the applications of all of the moves in the form. Now the standard disclaimer with martial arts books is that you can't learn a form from a book;however, given that the book is attempting a synthesis of the major styles, and the form is the ultimate demonstration of that synthesis, the presentation of the form is a bit disappointing here. As discussed by other reviewers, the third section of the book regarding the form is the weakest section of the book.The description of the movements is well done, however the form itself is very poorly illustrated which is a shame.The photos are taken outside so there are no reference points to use in the background, the footwork is not well documented or described, Master Shengli is dressed in a traditional large robe such that his palms are hidden many times, and the pictures are small and difficult to view clearly.If all of the pictures were sized like those on page 271, it would be different but in most cases the pictures are just too small and unclear even with a hand lens. However the written descriptions are better than average, and the applications are shown....... so you can reverse engineer the form with patience and practice, and of course use your own style and principles to develop a parallel series of forms along the line of the form presented.
Loaded with useful information,....
L.A. Kane's summary of the contents is pretty complete.
One of the few...
This is one of the few books on neijia I would recommend on arts that are difficult at best to learn live. The detail on basic training is excellent, something that many western "experts" talk about but seldom "eat the bitter".
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Subjects:  1. Martial Arts    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Psychological aspects    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Tai chi    7. Oriental martial arts    8. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Reviews (26)

aikido exercises for teaching and training
Book was interesting and informative. Book covered some items that I haven't seen addressed anywhere else. I would recommend this book especially for people new to Aikido.

Full of useful tips and tricks
I'd sincerely recommend this book to very beginners and... yes, to sensei.
Great Learning And Teaching Resource
Lots and lots of exercises and other really helpful information related to Aikido not only on the mat but also for daily life. This book is a great resource, not only now but also for future reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aikido    2. Martial Arts    3. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    4. Martial Arts - Aikido    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Oriental martial arts   

Reviews (8)

This is my textbook.
This book has become my text book for iaido.It saves note taking and helps memory from class to class.While it is not exhaustive, if I had to choose only one book, this would be the one.

Good Reference Book ...
It's a nice book. I highly recommend it to every Muso Shinden practicioner, not only because it's maybe the only book that dares to show how the MS ryu katas are performed, but also because it feels it was made with great disposition and love for Iaido.
Close to Home
As a student of Dr. Babin's iaido instructor, Harry Dach sensei, this book is close to home for me. It covers the techniques of the kamimoto-ha of muso shinden ryu iaido just as I'm learning them, in great detail concerning not only the mechanics of the technics, but the mindset behind them, and their martial roots. The photographs are clear, and the flow clean and concise.
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Subjects:  1. Fencing    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Reviews (21)

Helped my half-guard game
This is probably my favorite instructional jiu-jitsu book.The sweeps and transition options in his half-guard section has done wonders for my half-guard game.I also really like his rubber-guard section, though I'm not quite flexible enough to pull off some of the crazier submissions.
Is Gi vs. No-Gi Really an Issue?
In one jiu-jitsu book I have, the author argues that you need to train in a gi to be good at fighting without a gi. In this book Mr. Bravo argues that if you want to be good at fighting without a gi, you must train without a gi (i.e, training with a gi as well, adds little to no incremental value).
This book changed my whole game
The chapters on Half Guard and the Rubber Guard are the best.I now have tons of new things to try when I train ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Jiu-jitsu    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Reference    6. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Editorial Review

In 1982, Salzman flew off to teach English in Changsha, China. He writes of bureaucrats, students and Cultural Revolution survivors, stripping none of their complexity and humanity.He's gentle with their idiocies, saving his sharpest barbs for himself (it's his pants that split from zipper to waist whilst demonstrating martial arts in Canton).Though dribs of history and drabs of classical lore seep through, this is mostly a personal tale, noted by the Los Angeles Times for "the charmingly unpretentious manner in which it penetrates a China inaccessible to other foreigners." ... Read more

Reviews (86)

How many times will I read this book?
You know I play the "bumbling mute illiterate" card when I write about China. Salzman doesn't. But, he's not a hard core journalist or political commentator like Ian Johnson. Salzman's love of martial arts brought him to China. Like me, he loved David Carradine in Kung Fu. But, unlike me, he speaks fluent Chinese. He's also quite gifted at writing in English. Get this one.
Poignant accounts
For a couple of years the early 1980s, Mark Salzman was an English teacher and a martial arts master who went to a poor city in China to teach English. Salzman recalls his many episodes and adventures there with vignettes in his book Iron and Silk. He reveals much about the contrast of the Chinese culture from western culture.
China through the eyes of a teacher
I spent several years living in Asia and this movie recaptured many of those memories.While the movie is fairly honest it respectfully portrays Chinese culture from an American viewpoint.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Bibles    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. China    5. Description and travel    6. Educators    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. General    9. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    10. Martial arts    11. Salzman, Mark    12. Travel    13. Travel - General    14. Biography & Autobiography / General    15. Journeys    16. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (5)

Rich in biographical surveys and cultural insight
Relatively little has been written covering Samurai sword fighting techniques: here ninja grandmaster provides both a history of the art of Japanese swordplay, rich in biographical surveys and cultural insight, and a survey of classical techniques used in two-sword fighting. Vintage and modern black and white photos and illustrations pack an account that blends step-by-step how-to photos with calligraphy, description, biographies, and background history. A 'must' for any serious not just about Japanese sword fighting, but Japanese culture and history as a whole.
A truly "must-have" manual for Japanese swordsmanship enthusiasts
Informatively written by renowned Budo and Ninja grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi and ably translated into English by Bruce Appleby and Doug Wilson, Japanese Sword Fighting: Secrets Of The Samurai is an in-depth manual about the skill and art of traditional Japanese sword fighting. Black-and-white photographs by Minoru Hirata and Kyuzo Akashi copiously illustrate methods of drawing and resheathing swords, and sword strikes and cuts, while the skillfully translated text delves into the philosophical and spiritual aspects of swordsmanship as surely as the martial arts and physical aspects. Illustrations of traditional samurai dress and full armor, and an appendix of the original Japanese text round out Masaaki Hatsumi's Japanese Sword Fighting, a truly "must-have" manual for Japanese swordsmanship enthusiasts.
A GREAT BOOK!
I have been waiting days for this book, and it finally came today. Honestly, I expected it to have your standard sword exercises and cuts, but it contains stances and techniques that I have never even heard of, while some are familiar to me. Thanks to having a hardwood bokuto (which I also purchased off of this website), I can now incorporate new exercises into my practice. Even though Hatsumi-Sensei is a ninja, he is well-versed in the culture of the samurai and the sword as well. I recommend it to all aspiring swordsmen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fencing    2. Martial Arts    3. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Combat sports & self-defence    7. Japan   

Reviews (7)

Simple and REAL
This book covers fighting in the real world of combat in an easy to understand and reality based format. I have been involved in combat as a participant and as an instructor throughout the hotspots of the world and thanks to my involvement with Greg Thompson and his ability to instruct in a no BS manner I'm here to type this. People can find more complicated books on actual combat fighting tactics but they wont find a more thought out,researched, and most importantly effective manual Than H2H.
The Most Complete Martial Art Book Out There
A grappler is a transitional expert.Try to take a weapon away from them or even trying to take a grappler to the ground is an extremely hard task.This book covers 50% grappling and 50% stand-up.I like the fact of how it shows you that different part of clothing can be use as a weapon for example, being able to chock someone with a t-shirt.It goes into anatomy.This is something that you don't see in most grappling or striking books.It also gives you fitness tips.Greg Thompson, I know that you just came out with this book.When can we expect the next book?

NOT "Combatives"!
I agree with the previous reveiwer "John". This book is about 90% BJJ, 5% traditional disarms and self-defense, and only about 5% solid usable material. While some of this material is unfortunately what the military is resorting to for training, it doesn't reflect reality-based training or "combatives" as it should be. The fact remains that due to an emphasis of modern weapons technology and good old firearms, soldiers are less likely to engage enemies in hand-to-hand combat than the average citizen or police officer. Based on this fact, the book is filled with way too many techniques and tactics, most being impractical and too complex for in-your-face chaotic combat.
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Subjects:  1. Combat Sports    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Combat sports & self-defence    6. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Reviews (23)

Outstanding
This is one book that should be in every martial arts collection. The book it made "pre-ninja" craze in the USA, and is showing some very decent variations of Kukishin ryu techniques. The details that accompany the photographs are decent, but leave something to be desired (but isn't that true of any "do-it-yourself" manual?) Easy to read at any level, well worth owning.

The critics have it all wrong
Although most reviewers rated this book highly, a few panned it. With one or two of those reviews, I wonder if they're even talking about the same book. Crazy ninjas? Martial fetishism? I just don't see that here.
easy to follow
Lots of pictures, awsome moves, easy to understand and follow. Very complete ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    2. Self-defense    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Stick fighting    5. Oriental martial arts   

Reviews (3)

Good guide, the rest is up to you....
Very good, short, easy to read book. Mc Evoy shows you the techniques for throwing a knife accurately. Reading this book will point you in the right direction. Afterwards practice, and lots of it is what is going to make yougood at it. The only reason i deducted one star is because since the bookwas written in 1973 I believe, some of the info on Knife throwingaffiliations, etc.. is outdated. Nonetheless, good, concise, andinformative book.

Practice!Practice!Practice!
Not only does this book explain the snap , you must have to actually stick a knife and show all the fundamentals and learning secrets, but it also goes in depth for the intermediate thrower on trick throws and moreadvanced techniques and illustrates professionals and what they use andwhat they inspire. A great book for any stage of the fascinating art ofknife throwing!

Excellent
Mr. McEvoy teaches traditional knife throwing in this book as well as outlines tomahawk throwing.If you wish a more in-depth look at tomahawk throwing, I suggest you read Mr. McEvoy's other book on the subject.Theauthor describes in detail the traditional technique as well as ways tofigure out the distance at which you can throw the knife and"stick" it.He also has tales of past professionals in the sportand their own particular styles of throwing. He also talks of usingthrowing knives as huntsmens' tools and building a suitable outdoor target. He also shows you how to select (a) suitable knives (knife).If you wishto get the fundamentals of knife throwing down, this is the book for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hunting - General    2. Knife throwing    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Oriental martial arts   

Reviews (13)

If Musashi were alive today, THIS would be the biography HE would recommend.
In a rare blend of historical authenticity and superior storytelling, William Scott Wilson has condensed a plethora of information into a very exciting biography about one of the most unique and extraordinary warriors in history.The author has an uncanny ability to sift through his sources and distill them into an intoxicating brew of riveting narrative and full-bodied characters in a book that is impossible to put down.

Understanding Musashi
I first read the Musashi novel (by Eiji Yoshikawa) 15 years ago and up to now I have read it three times. When I first came accross this book, I was quite interested to read it as it would be good companion book to learn more about Musashi's life. I was sort of expecting that this book would provide more information about Musashi. And it did. The book is very well written and very clear. A lot of aspects instantly clicked to the stages described in the novel.
Life of a Samurai
This book gave me an insightful view of the life of a typical Samurai Swordsman.My interest in Martial Arts has given me another valuable perspective on my own life, other than the important lessons and values that my parents have taught me.I realize the key to success in one's life is honor and discipline, and knowing that it takes hard work and dedication to "master" any endeavor.In my opinion, Miyamoto Musashi could be looked upon as a "role model" to anyone studying the Martial Arts today.
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Subjects:  1. 1584-1645    2. Asia - General    3. Asia - Japan    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Historical - General    9. Japan    10. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    11. Miyamoto, Musashi,    12. Swordsmen    13. Biography: general    14. China    15. Oriental martial arts    16. Warfare & Defence   

Subjects:  1. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Combat sports & self-defence    5. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Reviews (19)

never really gets to the heart of the matter.
As someone interested in japanese history and culture, rather than in learning martial arts. From previous comments and the authors pedigree, I figured that this book provide me more illumination on the historical ninja. Unfortunately, by the end of the book I still didn't feel that I had a very good grasp of who the ninja were and where they fit into japanese society. One problem with the book is that Masaaki Hasumi's writing tends to jump around quite a bit (perhaps better translationa and editing would have helped). Lots of interesting background information.
As a relative newcomer tot Ninjutsu I wanted te read more about the history of Ninjutsu and its roots in Japanese feudal society.
An exceptional view of Ninjutsu
Massaki Hatsumi gives an exceptional view of Ninjutsu that is practically unparelled to the rest. One such interesting notion is that ninjas are not cold-blooded murderers. Hatsumi states that hundreds of years ago Togakure ninjas avoided killing anyone in the enemy's camp and only did it when there was no other choice. This I would say is a perfect example of the difference between a ninja and an assassin.
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Subjects:  1. Fencing    2. History    3. Martial Arts    4. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    5. Ninjutsu    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Oriental martial arts    9. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense