Book Description
In this book, world-class self-defense and tactical trainer Andy Stanford covers a wide spectrum of high- and low-tech approaches to prevailing in any high-risk, reduced-light scenario. Stanford cuts through the myths and misconceptions about night-fighting hardware and shows you how to employ it effectively in low-light combat.
Customer Reviews:
IF Andy Stanford writes it buy it........2005-06-05
I am completely impressed with Stanford's work. Every book I have read written by him is excellent. If you want to learn about low light tactics, this book covers it all, and you must learn about low light tactics if you are serious about self-defense. Easy to read and understand. Well written. Buy this book.
Good basics on low-light operations.......2003-06-18
As this book is written by Andy Stanford, I had high expectations towards it. Partially the book was on par with my expectations, but partially I was a little bit disappointed with it. I was pleased with the way Stanford presents the issues he handles in the book, but disappointed with the fact that the book didn't dig deep enough on many issues.
The book starts with "human factors" (explanation how the eye works, how it adapts to darkness and so on), then there is a chapter about various night vision equipment, and another about less exotic aiming devices. The fourht chapter discusses flashlights and spotlights. There is very good advise on selecting a flashlight, and Standford also gives some recommendations on what specific flashlights to buy. The author seems to be in love with Surefire lights; admittedly they are very good, but there are many other quality flashlights around Stanford barely mentions in the book. Next, Stanford presents eight different handgun shooting techniques with flashlight. There is also chapters on "additional tools" (clothing, perimeter defence, edged weapons and so on), self defense with fashlight, low-light tactics, and training for low-light encounters.
In conclusion, I would say that Fight at night is a very good book, if you don't know much about self defense in low-light conditions. But if you have some previous training or knowledge about the subject, it doesn't have that much to offer. There are all of the basic tactics there, but not much of the advanced stuff. You could say that the book doesn't hold any surpises, either good or bad. Still, with it's flaws, it is the best book dedicated to low-light operations I have read.
Never fear the night.......2003-03-15
Some names stand out and speak for themselves, Gunsite, Gerber, Colt Andy Stanford, etc. Mr Stanford has done it again. Fight at Night is one of the best texts written on the subject of night fighting. It's very detailed and comprehensive. Not only are the topics of Firearms covered, but also how to use knives, flashlights, and your body as a weapon in the dark.
After a late night "can't put it down" reading of this book, I have to say that if you aren't using the dark to your advantage, you are seriously handicapping yourself! With a little knowledge, practice and preparation, you need never fear the dark again, in fact, you will become one of those things that goes "Bump in the night".
A solid foundation for the novice and mid level shooter.......2002-03-08
The book does a solid job of laying a foundation of fighting with various tools in the hours of darkness. This foundation would serve best the novice to mid-level shooter and armed citizen. However, the book covers areas already well known to an excellent and/or highly knowledgeable shooter and can become a bit boring at the occasional point. As a LE firearms instructor, I found it to be a good addition to my library.
Latest self-defense equipment and tactics at night revealed........2001-12-28
Fight at Night by Andy Stanford is a technical and extremely useful book. It should be considered as a resource book to consult and hold onto. Topics include how the eye works, a history of Night Vision/Infra-Red equipment (NV/IR). Even military equipment is detailed. Stanford explains the pros and cons of lasers and various sights, flashlights and light mounts. The knowledgable author even tells the truth about night time/low-light clothing and accessories. Stanford reviews quality edged weapons, suppressors & muzzle flash (at night) information. Also, Stanford gives useful nights tactics and nightime hand-to-hand info with references. "Fight at Night" allows you to just that! The detailed book includes an excellent appendices including terminology, company contact information of NVEquipment and accesories in the Resource Guide at the end of the book. The information gained from "Fight at Night" is definitely worth the money.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent primer.......2006-02-10
Gaugler's book on the Science of Fencing is an excellent primer for fencing students and coaches, and is a superb work on basic fencing actions and helps to illustrate to newer fencers good fencing technique. For coaches, this reinforces what should be taught and what the coach should keep an eye on when working with fencers. Which is very helpful in teaching the basics as well as simply reinforcing good technique.
The book is primarily broken into 3 different sections, one for each of the three different weapons. Each section of the book covers basic technique for each of the weapons, talking about target area and basic lines of attack as well as the parries. Even the basics of holding the weapon are covered, to ensure that a proper grip is reinforced for the fencer. Each section also has several prictures (of Gaugler and his students) to demonstrate some of the fencing actions. This helps to understand some of the more complicated actions, as well as blade positions.
Overall, this ensures that the technique that Gaugler is discussing is adequately explained and that the reader can get what is going on here. As a coach, I've found the text to be invaluable for drills, whether it be for beginning fencers or more experienced fencers. Reading the text gives a coach or advanced fencers some areas to explore by using the drills presented as a jumping off point for other drills.
Some of the critics have found one of the following faults with the book:
Firstly, it is too focused on the Italian school. Gaugler makes no excuse for this, and himself mentions that the focus of the book is training in the Italian school; afterall, that's what he says he was trained in. So, you know what you are getting into from the beginning. And, speaking as someone who has read Vass, learning about the Italian school and gaining an understanding of that system is not a bad thing.
Secondly, it is too basic in nature. This is not meant to be an exhaustive text on fencing and tactics. In fact, I would be wary of any book that promises that, as fencing tactics is a difficult subject to cover (and strongly biased depending on your focus). Instead, it reinforces the basics and technique that all fencers should be well grounded in. Even as an advanced fencer, I find myself more focused on practicing the basics and reinforcing good fencing technique first; then reflecting on tactics later on.
Thirdly, the book is too dated. Gaugler is admitedly a historical fencer. As such his book is not geared towards competitive fencing. He does not decry competitive fencing (as some do), just that is not his focus. That being said, even competitive fencers should be able to learn something from his books. Certainly it will not focus on the what is applicable on the piste in a close bout, but it gives enough good technique that competitive fencers should come back to this for their drills and continuing development.
Overall, I've found the book to be an excellent resource and one that I recommend to fencers interested in learning more. The book can be a tough read though, and if you are not familiar with the Italian school it is also difficult to translate the lessons into something that may be more readily grasped (most fencing in the US is based on the French school, and there are big gaps between the Italian and French schools). But, if you can make the jump, then this book is an invaluable guide that can be used by fencers and coaches.
Strong medicine for American fencers' chronic impotence.......2003-04-25
Trained by self-made "coaches" contemptuous of formal teacher training, it should come as no surprise that American fencers have seen no Olympic Gold in an entire century. Ask them what thrusts or feints are to be used in blade seizure, how to oppose an action in countertime, or which counterattacks can be executed with priority and you'll get a blank stare. Their "coaches" will defiantly insist, "That's old-fashioned, we don't do that any more." Well, perhaps they don't, but it's clear that American fencers' eminently successful European adversaries, prepared with a strong foundation in classical fencing theory and technique, know better. In the United States the one resource that holds the key to success is Dr. William M. Gaugler's "The Science of Fencing." Based upon the works of Parise, Pessina and Pignotti, its importance is not overlooked by the Germans, Austrians, and Swiss who now use the German edition. In Italy the Italian edition is widely employed, while Gaugler's "Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology" and "The History of Fencing" are required reading for all candidates who hope to become fencing masters. For those fencing either solely for recreation or with serious Olympic aspirations, this book is indisensable.
Not for modern fencing.......2003-04-25
This book has little useful information relating to the modern sport. Absolutely NO attention is paid to the rules, concepts of right-of-way, or direction. The book spends all its time on the mechanics of movements with no attention paid to tactics. Furthermore, figures are sparse, and few illustrations are present to detail the evolution of the movements. The book uses the Italian hand positions rather than the easier to understand and more prevalent (in my experience) French numbering. Too much attention is paid to relaxed, exhibitionist movements rather than the overall goal: to score touches and win. Finally, the preference for all things Italian is excessive and unhelpful with insufficient translation.
This is an excellent book for those not serious about or have no interest in competition. Do not buy this book otherwise as it is useless to you.
Centuries worth of fencing knowledge.......2003-04-21
This is an amazingly complete work on Italian fencing actions and theory written for both student and instructor. It is clear Maestro Gaugler has done exhaustive work collecting and translating works from the last three to four centuries in order to write this compilation. The actions and theory presented here are still being taught in Italy and the U.S. For foil, sabre, and epee, information provided in this book includes: the classical guard and lunge, simple attacks, parry and riposting actions, compound and circular attacks, cut-overs, actions on the blade, counteroffensive actions, actions in time, and fencing tactics.
Any serious fencer should be anchored to the foundations of fencing by exploring classical styles. This book may seem wordy, but it is necessary to describe the actions correctly so that one can effectively practice what ultimately must be felt "in hand" on the strip. A number of the advanced actions revealed by Maestro Gaugler are particularly effective against sport fencers who have never been taught or exposed to this breadth of work. If you aren't a fencing instructor, you don't necessarily need to pour over the synoptic tables, but they do reveal how a fencing phrase can progress with your opponent from the given offensive action. For teachers, the tables and sample lessons provide a wealth of offensive, defensive, and counteroffensive actions that can be used to develop your own lessons.
zero relevace to the modern sport.......2002-11-27
I bought all this author's books... zip on the useful info.
Product Description
Sun Tsu's Art of War is perhaps the best-known and most highly regarded treatise on military strategy yet written. Compiled well over 200 years ago, its principles are as applicable to the boardroom as they are to the battlefield.
Unlike many contemporary translations that have focused too heavily on applying this military classic to corporate conflicts, this definitive interpretation maintains the impact of the original. Free of academic commentary and ambiguous metaphors, Kaufman's translation uses straightforward prose to explain Sun Tzu's message. Like the original, this new interpretation is divided into thirteen sections, each presenting vital information on military strategy ranging from assessing opposing armies and the proper treatment of troops to the use of spies. Other chapters include: considerations for war, preparations for war, the nature of attacks, how to think during war, the reality of war, controling territory, managing campaigns, and fierceness in combat.
Customer Reviews:
work blindness?.......2001-08-31
I expected more; I exepect a "this the Sun-Tzu paragraph; this is how and why is applied to martial arts".
It has good content, and reflects the Sun Tzu work and martial arts.. in a dissasociated way. I found the book like the author says: I read the book of Sun-Tzu, lets take the subject of each of the 13 books, and let me develop it from a martial view.
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Esperaba ms. Esperaba un "este es la frase de Sun-Tzu; esto es como y por q se aplica a las artes marciales".
Tine buen contenido, y si relaciona el trabajo de Sun Tzu con las artes marciales.. en forma disasociada. Encontr el libro como si el autor hubiese dicho: Le' el libro de Sun-Tzu, ahora tomemos cada uno de los temas de cada libro, y desarrollemoslo cada uno desde el punto de vista marcial.
THE ART OF WAR.......2001-08-21
This is an excellent text on military strategy and use of tactics to control people. It is over 2500 years old and is still relevant today. It is a book studied world wide by most military forces and some police agencies. As a police officer survival skills instructor I teach many of Sun Tzu's techniques and tacics for dealing with crowd control and riots. It is also serves some purpose as a practical guide for use in self-defense training. Author has done a simple and effective job translating and presenting the ideas and concepts of Sun Tzu.
Leader of the Species.......2001-04-22
Stephen F. Kaufman does an excellent job explaining the brutal and merciless strategies of war. Like any warlord, Kaufman refrains from the usage of unnecessary metaphors and allegories, and makes a deliberate attempt to explain Sun Tzu's classic as bluntly as possible. Definitely a guide for any warrior attempting to achieve and maintain an alpha male/female ranking in society.
"Very basic," is an accomplishment. - a military reader........1998-08-25
Thank you [Mr. Kaufman] for eliminating the fluff and presenting a usable guide to the military/warlike mind.
Very basic, no background of Sun Tzu........1998-07-22
The book is very easy to read but is missing some very important background information about Sun Tzu. This is not for the military book reader.
Product Description
Sword in Two Hands is a full-color modern training guide based on the 14th & 15th century Italian swordmaster, Fiore dei Liberi. In the sumptuous volume, Brian R. Price, Principale and co-founder of the Schola Saint George, presents a detailed curriculem designed to guide novice and intermediate combatants through the efficient and powerful swordsmanship based on Fiore's three surviving books. Translations of the Fior di Battaglia are included for the sections covered alongside transcriptions of the original text and neverbefore seen color images from the Getty edition of the Fior. Hundreds of full-color photographs accompany Mr. Price's interpretation of Fiore's work in what is sure to become a classic of the field. This book is a perfect guide for anyone interested in one of Europe's pinnacle systems of swordsmanship.
Average customer rating:
- Great for students at all levels
- A Good Place to Start
- A Good Place to Start
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Tai Chi Ch'uan & Qigong: Techniques & Training
Wolfgang Metzger ,
Peifang Zhou , and
Manfred Grosser
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Tai Chi & Qi Gong
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Martial Arts
| Individual Sports
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Taichi
| Martial Arts
| Individual Sports
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Accessories:
-
Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
ASIN: 0806959576 |
Book Description
The world's oldest relaxation methods-the stretching movements of Tai Chi Ch'uan, and the breathing exercises of Qigong. All the techniques needed are shown in illustrations from the Beijing University of Physical Education. The Tai Chi Ch'uan stretching workouts, based on martial arts movements, are offered in several combinations that focus on particular stress areas such as upper and lower back, neck, shoulders, and feet. 144 pages (all in 2-color), 600 illus., 6 1/2 x 8 5/8.
Customer Reviews:
Great for students at all levels.......2006-10-26
After 10 years, this book holds up well. Great overall, recommended foundation to beginners, good reminder to advanced practioners. Very helpful for tai chi and Qigong teachers. Recommended.
A Good Place to Start.......2004-04-05
I recommend this book to a true beginner. The book presents an easy to follow text. Very well presented pictures. An excellent book covering the Beijing Short Form (24 Forms). I have personally used this book for years as a reference source. Good foundation book.
A Good Place to Start.......2004-04-05
I recommend this book to a true beginner. The book presents an easy to follow text. Very well presented pictures. An excellent book covering the Beijing Short Form (24 Forms). I have personally used this book for years as a reference source. Good foundation book.
Book Description
Expanded Third Edition with Marine Martial Art Update.
In a top-secret U.S. military experiment, Richard Heckler was invited to teach Eastern awareness disciplines ranging from Aikido to meditation to a group of 25 Green Berets. This account chronicles his experiences in the training program and his attempts to revive traditional warriorship in a technological society. His book provides insight into the nature of war, the meaning of masculinity, and the need for moral values in the military. This new edition includes Heckler's response to 9/11, his connections to the Pentagon and U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and his reflections on the movie Black Hawk Down, which depicts the deaths of two of his trainees. "The new Marine Corps martial art...is focused as much on the soul as it is on soldiering..."
—The Wall Street Journal
Customer Reviews:
A weak story of a wasteful government project.......2007-04-03
This is a lame book by a New Age nobody who wasted his time with a bunch of Green Berets (a group of guys who think they alone possess initiative and free-thinking skills).
Excellent book...........2006-12-17
There appears to be something about this edition that invites reviewers to disclose their background, so I'll follow suit. My background is as a behavioral health practitioner (i.e., "shrink"). In addition to my clinical practice, I work with leaders of all stripes. Been practicing Aikido for 17 years. No military experience (but certainly have wondered what it would be like).
I find this book very fascinating and re-read it every few years or so. I've recommended it to many clients, both military and non-military. Every client I've given the book to has found it very helpful. The book has much to say about violence/non-violence, men's issues, life in the military, consulting in organizations, and other facets of life. The thing I most appreciate about this book is the author's willingness to disclose so much about his personal experience.
DISCLOSURE: I've never had the priviledge of meeting the author (hope to change that some day), but he graciously agreed to write a foreword to a new interpretation of the Tao Te Ching that I'm writing (The book is scheduled for release in 2007). I'm not writing a favorable review because he wrote a foreword for me ... I asked him to write a foreword because I have so much respect for his work.
It's like the old proverb says...............2006-05-15
There's an old saying "For those who understand, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation will suffice." This book and my experience with people's reaction to this book prove the old saying true. I have practiced Aikido since 1990 and left military service as a major in the Air Force (having come from a largely military family on both sides). I remember shortly after starting aikido going to a seminar taught by Saotome Sensei in Phoenix at which the author had been brought for ukemi (attacker for the demonstration) and someone pointing him out as the author of a new book about aikido and the military. I have read the book several times since as I have matured in aikido and grown as a person, and each time I think I get something new and different out of it. I now teach a small dojo in San Marcos TX and my class is roughly half current or ex-military and half college students. I find it amusing how little the two groups sometimes understand each other, and I often recommend this book to my students, especially the military ones. I have not yet heard a less than glowing review. Military service and aikido are both preoccupied with the question of "acceptible levels of violence" "necessary evils" as well as the simple concept of self improvement with training. This is the best discussion of these issues in an aikido framework I have seen, and aside from Terry Dobson "Giving in to Get your way" and Westbrook/Ratti's "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere", the only coherent ones I have read. I highly recommend it. My personal preference ...I liked the earlier edition, but perhaps that's sentimentality because it affected me early and I liked it the way it was (the telling of a simple story). Adding more didn't really make it better, in my opinion, although I completely agree with Mr Strozzi-Heckler's analyses.
A trendy term authentically defined: The Warrior paradox.......2006-02-13
When I serendipitously discovered this book at a local book store, I knew it was going to have an impact. When I began reading the first few pages I was immediately thrilled and deeply moved by how this book grappled with some of the same core issues of spirituality and the practical realities of the world that I have dealt with all my life. (I'm 48 years old.) I eagerly looked forward to reading this book every night for the next couple of weeks, both for the fascinating information it provides, the dilemmas it explores, and because it put me in a profound and thoughtful space, feeling my own warrior energy and intentions.
I read the Amazon reviews before starting this book so I was watching for examples of some of their critical points--which are nonexistant. I wanted to write a rave review of this book right away, but felt as a matter of integrity I should read the whole thing first, and having done so to the very end, I am even more puzzled by the erroneous statements some "reviewers" made (which have been addressed by other customer comments). It's too bad that "reviews" by a couple of deadbeats with an obvious chip on their shoulder has brought down the customer average for this book, which rightfully should be AT LEAST in the four-and-a-half star range.
Anyone who actually reads this book knows that the Trojan Warrior Project (the subject of this book) was a complete success on all accounts. The author is honest all along about his own fears and doubts--and failures--giving the book an inspiring authenticity and making the successes all the more impressive. Strozzi-Heckler is quite forthright near the end of the book in stating (from the after-project report and evaluations) that one-third of the participants did not find the program valuable. Anecdotal evidence over the next several years seems to counterbalance this partial "failure" with many of the participants later appreciating the long-term benefits of the program to all aspects of their lives. And of course the fact that a version of this program has now (as of 2000) been incorporated into an ONGOING aspect of Marine training is the ultimate proof of its success.
I could quible about some of the little things that keep this book from being a perfect masterpiece (epics always seem to be judged more harshly by film critics than little movies). The author's character descriptions are sometimes corny in reaching for either colorful metaphor or character by analogy to movie cliches. The epilogue section goes on too long: Although the follow-up information is certainly valuable and fascinating, Strozzi-Heckler could have used a more assertive editor (for both editions). The lengthy afterword section wanders a bit and keeps the book from closing on a tight note. The biggest problem from a literary POV is that it's hard to keep all the characters straight, which makes it difficult to get a cumulative sense of the different participants (i.e., on the Special Forces teams), so it was hard for me as a reader to share the author's developing relationships with these men. But these are quibbles.
"In Search of the Warrior Spirit" is one of the most thought-provoking and enjoyable books I have ever read. Strozzi-Heckler's skill as a writer lets him get away with writing in a daily journal style that could easily have come off as contrived. Here, the reader is engaged with both the events and the idealogical information and struggles that are presented. About half way through reading this book I got on-line, looked up the nearest Aikido center in my town, and started taking lessons the next day. And still am.
I've subsequently ordered about fifteen other books on Aikido and on warrior virtues. Like the nature of Aikido moves, this book has propelled my life in a direction it was already going, more than I realized. I'm charged. And grateful.
Should not be read by those with double digit IQs.......2005-03-28
I read the orginal edition of this book. I enjoyed it so much that today, about 12 years after I read it the first time, I began a search for a copy to replace the copy I've lost. I was excited to see that there is a new edition. I was not excited to read the low reviews of the educationally-handicapped.
It is very obvious that the "reviewer" We spent TAX MONEY on this airhead jerk off drill?, August 30, 2004 Reviewer: John H. Jennings (Bedford, Texas USA), is either too unintelligent to understand the book, or is a liar who has never read it.
Speaking of liars, the writer of "Oh why the Marines" probably never met a Marine who had any of this training, as is obvious from the Marine's review who does know these Marines.
Then there's the "reviewer" Too self absorbed, May 3, 2003
Reviewer: A reader, who didn't even have the courage to use their name as the reviewer. Why is it so hard to understand that a book about a person's experience is about the person? How is that self-absorbed? Hello, there, is anyone home?
I believe that with the number of people involved in the martial arts since this book was written, there will be more people who understand the meaning and purpose of what the experiment was aimed at in this program. Of course, there will be detractors among those in the martial arts, and I know some; however, everyone studying a martial art is not necessarily of the highest "martial spirit"; for many there involvement is just a hobby, for exercise, or maybe self-defense, or even to be the "tough guy on the block". Many of those types wold not understand higher-order thinking, as is attempted in this program.
I just ordered the new edition. I will read it and edit my comments with an in-depth review. I just wrote this to encourage people who read these reviews to follow the advice and recommendations of the highest reviews. These are people who have honestly read and understand what is being said. Never mind the naysayers, people like that could never understand true martial artists, and certainly could never understand those who are so superior to them as those in the Green Berets.
Book Description
This book includes discussions of such topics as skills training, strength development, flexibility, speed training, tournament strategy, motivation, nutrition, restoration and so on. A must for all serious martial artists, regardless of style.
Customer Reviews:
Good book, but misleading........2005-07-05
There may well be a science to martial arts training, but this isn't it. Rather, this is a sensible, thorough, and seemingly well-researched formulation of an overall fitness program for athletes. A few important points are touched upon that don't get enough discussion in most fitness and martial arts books -- like dynamic stretching and powerlifting. Reference to specific arts, though, is scarcely to be found. Nor is there much discussion of the different requirements of different fighting arts (grapplers, for instance, won't need as much kicking/punching power as tae kwon do practitioners, let alone the leg flexibility).
The book divides the science of martial arts into several parts, including (I'm going by memory) physical conditioning, the skill with which techniques are performed, psychological readiness, and the tactics chosen. Yet physical conditioning is the main focus of the book: actual techniques, psychological training, and tactics are neglected.
If you're a martial artist or athlete, you might benefit from this book -- it will certainly help you design a good fitness program. But it's no better than any other good and up-to-date book, and it's not terribly specific to the martial arts either.
Pros and Cons.......2004-04-08
The other reviews of this book are fair. It is not anything new, or very original. I found it interesting though. I think that there are a lot of Martial Artists out there that have no backgroun in athletics or sports science, and as such don't know much about Physical training outside of "do more" . For the less than gifted, this is a sure path to a major plateau in performance, and an eventual boredom w/ martial arts. This book covers periodization, recovery and alternative stretching techniques better than any other book "for martial artists". Who was the greatest Martial Artist ever? Most would say Bruce, and he is best known for his physique and his use of weight training and other non traditional training methods. TO ANY MARTIAL ARTIST JUST GETTING STARTED IN REALLY TRAINING- this book will save you countless hours of confusion and frustration, and will giude you to further learning if that's what you seek. The bibliography of this book changed my life! Check it out. If you were a jock in highschool or especially College, you don't need this book. Get more advanced stuff. But otherwise, GET THIS BOOK!!!
Excellent introduction to modern training ideas.......2003-08-12
As a forty year old man who has lifted weights and trained for sports since high school, I thought that I knew how to design my own training program. This book showed me that I had been wasting my time and achieving sub-optimal results all those years. I took up karate at 37, and quickly realized that I needed to improve my conditioning to be able to safely practice the martial arts. I picked this up two years ago and found it to be a valuable resource. I am as strong or stronger today than I have ever been (including my time on a college varsity team), and feel like it as improved my ability to effectively and safely study and practice the martial arts.
The negative reviewers have a point, this book does have an emphasis on strength training. That is mostly because it is the easiest thing for most people to improve, and makes the biggest difference in your performance. If you understand the principles of modern strength training, you will get less out of this book than I did. However, most weight lifting books that I have seen are focused on the bodybuilding community, and will not teach you how to train to improve your strenth while maintaining your fighting weight, or how to train to improve your speed, the way this book will. (Some of the weight training books that are focused on training for athletic performance are referenced in the book.) The discussions of endurance training, stretching, and nutrition are shorter, but were still very useful to me, and provide a good basis for designing a training program to improve your performance in your martial art.
This book is definitely designed for someone who wants to be a more competitive athlete, not a body builder. I use the ideas from this book to guide my conditioning training, I use my sensei to guide my karate-specific training, and I have been very happy with my results.
Not very interesting..........2001-10-25
Like the reader from Walnut Creek says, this book is essentially a weight training book, and frankly, not a very interesting, thorough, or original one. I was sorely disappointed. There was really no information that hasn't already been published a hundred times before in a hundred other similar books and magazines. Nothing cutting edge or inspiring or anything that makes you stop and think, wow, now that's a good idea, I can't wait to try that. I've enjoyed some of Staley's writings in the magazines and on his website, but this was just a real let down.
Every Karate School Should Study This Book.......2001-08-04
I wish I had this book when I started karate. I wouldn't have been injured so much from improper training. This book covers exactly what is lacking in most martial arts schools. It covers the science of the physical training needed to be your best and achieve it safely and efficiently.
It won't teach you specific stances or blocks, but that's what schools and sites like combastics are for. I don't know of any other book that provides such a complete physical training regiment (not just weight training) tailored specifically for martial artists to develop strength, speed, and flexibility.
Some people might find the detailed explanations of physiology too technical and above their heads as I did at first. But, I think it's better to have the information available than to not. They weren't kidding when they put "Science" in the title.
If you should be wary of anything, then beware of taking fitness advice from well-meaning karate instructors not certified in personal fitness or training on your own uneducated.
Book Description
Based on the experiences of an Englishman who served as an instructor at Japan's leading military colleges, this volume provides a rare insider's view of the making of the Japanese warrior. Starting with an introduction to Japanese military history, Norman reviews the education of the nation's military and naval officers during the late 19th century.
Customer Reviews:
Fascinating Historical Perspective.......2006-06-05
This book is a reprint of a 1905 book by British Army officer F. J. Norman. It provides a fascinating historical and includes 32 rare photographs and illustrations. Modern works provide a lot more in-depth historical information about these martial arts as well as comprehensive "how to" perform kendo, sumo, and jujutsu, etc. but this is one of the very first Western books about the subjects. Contents include Japanese military history, education of Japanese military and naval officers, kenjutsu (fencing), sumo and jujutsu (wrestling). A mere 96 pages it's a quick and easy read. Neat stuff; fascinating historical perspective.
Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction
Average customer rating:
- Loads of "filler". . .
- Save your money
- WHAT A WASTE
- Excellent design, poor in contents
- All knife fighters must read this book!
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Modern Knife Combat: The Training Of A Knife Fighter
Greg Walker
Manufacturer: Paladin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
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ASIN: 0873648498 |
Book Description
Greg Walker has studied serious knife fighting under many of the modern masters of the art, and here he relates to you the most effective lessons to maximize your knife self-defense plan. Learn the four essentials of knife defense; the fine points of grip, mobility, range, and targets; the top knives; the best training books, videos and seminars; and more.
Customer Reviews:
Loads of "filler". . ........2006-09-20
In response to the two reviewers who only gave this book one star, I have to ask . . . did you actually READ it? I can understand feeling "ripped off" after purchasing an oversized hardcover, then finding it chock full of photos which have nothing to do with knifefighting (the author posing with other instructors, pictures of various knives, etc.) -- but intraspersed amongst all the "filler" is quite a bit of excellent advice . . . unfortunately, said advice could be reduced to about 5 pages.
Like I said, good advice from a well-respected authority on the subject, but an uniformed purchaser might be disappointed. A collector, however, will consider this text essential.
Save your money.......2002-05-10
Don't be fooled by the title of this book or even the description under "Editorial Reviews" above. There's no knife fighting instruction to be found on its pages; instead, you get to see countless pictures of the author with well-known teachers of the bladed arts (as in "look how well-connected I am"). A better buy would be Michael Janich's "Knife Fighting: A Practical Course", or Hochheim's "Knife Fighting Encyclopedia".
WHAT A WASTE.......2001-12-26
this book stinks, it had absolutely no point to it what so ever. the plot just rambled on forever. the main character never had any growth throughout the book. he never mentioned any other characters, except for maybe "fig. A & B". the author never changed the plot or changed the direction of the characters purpose. my four-year old sister could have written a more entertaining novel than this. although it was extremely dull and boring, dry in all aspects of humor and adventure, it did have a great tutorial in modern knife combat. if your looking for a great scientific novel, don't get this book.
Excellent design, poor in contents.......1999-06-28
This book has a lot of interesting photos, but lacks in real techiniques or traning hints (the traning target construction apart). The author explains only few basis and some philosophy of the knife fighter. By the way i suggest this book to whom are really beginner in knife fighting.
All knife fighters must read this book!.......1998-09-13
In this book, Mr. Walker,editor of Fighting Knives magazine, shows different teaching methods of knife fighting of grandmasters in Kung Fu, Kali and other martial arts, and military training of U.S.Army, Navy (SEALs) and Marines in knife fighting.
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