General Books - Page 5

Step-By-Step Tai Chi

Master Lam Kam-Chuen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

TONE YOUR BODY, RELAX YOUR MIND

Whatever your level of fitness, Step-by-Step Tai Chi offers a simple but effective program of exercise and stress reduction, based on the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi. In addition to learning the fundamentals of Tai Chi through his carefully designed four-level program, Master Lam Kam Chuen will introduce you to Small Circle Form Tai Chi, an original method he has developed -- based on classical Tai Chi styles -- requiring a minimum of time and space.

Step-by-Step Tai Chi features:

* Detailed and easy-to-follow instruction for the basic movements of Tai Chi, plus Small Circle Form, complete with color illustrations that will guide you through every movement

* Specially selected exercises to help you build up strength, flexibility, and stamina in the muscles and joints of your upper and lower body

* Simple routines that you can perform in half an hour or less, with no previous experience, special clothing, or equipment required

* An ideal foundation if you wish to study advanced forms of Tai Chi

Whether you are looking for a way to reduce stress or a new way to exercise, Step-by-Step Tai Chi will keep you fit -- inside and out.

Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition

Eddie Bravo, Erich Krauss, Glen Cordoza

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 44 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Only Way to Go If You Want in on Bravo's Stuff 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Most people in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu know who Eddie Bravo is. There's a pretty obvious "love him or hate him" feel around. I'm happy to note, though that I'm one of the less boisterous people who fall into neither category. I just like anyone who can explain a concept to me so that I pick it up. And Eddie does that for me in this book.

A quick word, firstly, on Eddie's first book - 'Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed'. I was going to give it a separate review until I received 'Mastering the Rubber Guard'. 'Jiu Jitsu Unleashed' was a reasonable book until the new one came along. 'Jiu Jitsu Unleashed' is a collection of techniques that Bravo uses in his game. It's got a good collection of anecdotes and shows Eddie's game and how it has come to be quite well. That said, the overlap with 'Mastering the Rubber Guard' is too much to warrant buying both - if you were wondering about that.

In fact, I felt quite disappointed in myself when 'Mastering' turned up. Why? Because I'd paid good money for 'Unleashed' just a couple of months before and this was so much better. Ultimately, though, I got a book that was twice as good, anyway. The exception is tht 'Unleashed' takes a bigger look at the Twister and Eddie's top game. Hold on, though. Victory Belt (the publishers) have 'Mastering the Twister' on the horizon.

Like 'Unleashed', 'Mastering' covers the main areas of Bravo's game. There are sections on the half guard and, obviously, the rubber guard. This time, however,we get sections on the butterfly guard, recovering the guard, Bravo's "Spider Web" control and a section on stretching.

Kudos to Bravo for realising not everyone has his flexibility and that they need to develop that attribute to make all the techniques work. Putting my S&C coach hat on (especially with my knees), I shake my head in disapproval of some of the stretches. Still, it's what Bravo does and they are all applicable to his game and the book. Just exercise some critical thinking. If you're in the group the stretches are likely to injure - don't do them.

I'm not going to get into details of the moves. What I am going to say is that they work for Bravo and his guys. They work for a lot of others, too. They might even work for you. The technique names have always been a bone of contention for some, too. Bravo is quick to explain that the names are devloped for coaching in competitions, so the opponent doesn't understand advice being given. I do the same thing with my guys to a large extent.

The book flows well, with a strategy for each position and a series of ideas to help achieve the techniques. For example, the "Whip Up" has been a bit of a boon for my half guard, depite it not being a technique, per se.

The book also contains a flow chart to help guide you through the Rubber Guard game. I've beeen flow charting for a couple of years now and can attest to the improvement and insights it gives you. Eddie gives you his own, personal flowchart.

I'm never going to use Eddie's whole game. I'm 6'7" and weigh the best part of 300 inflexible pounds. I bought the book to help my students and training partners. I've been pleasantly surprised to take some techniques and insights away, along with a better understanding of the 10th Planet system.

Insofar as production, it's good. It's colourful with good quality stock. Photographs are clear and plentiful. Since I'm a bit anal, I picked up some spelling and grammar errors and I hope they'll be picked up with better editing in future Victory Belt productions. But, ultimately, it's content I care about and this book has plenty of it.

Victory Belt's 'Mastering the Rubber Guard' Page

After giving this review to a couple of friends to look over for me, one pointed out the obvious philosophical differences between Eddie and myself and expressed surprise I'd give such a flattering review. Especially due to the drug references.

Let me say this..... Some of the language in the anecdotes is foreign to me and I find some analogies a little trite. I have never taken any illicit drug, including marijuana and am strictly anti-drug.

If you can't put these things behind you and they stand in the way of you buying the book, then too bad. You'll miss out on some quality instruction.

Editorial Review:

In Mastering the Rubber Guard, Eddie Bravo, the only American to submit a member of the legendary Gracie family in jiu-jitsu competition, reveals the techniques and strategy of the Rubber Guard, a revolutionary system of grappling designed specifically for the street and mixed martial arts competition.

Through descriptive narrative and nearly a thousand color photographs, Bravo teaches dozens of unique moves and submissions. Widely regarded as not only the most offensive, but also the most defensive, guard game in existence, the Rubber Guard will change the way you view and play jiu-jitsu.

Training the Samurai Mind: A Bushido Sourcebook

Thomas Cleary

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Through the ages, the samurai have been associated with honor, fearlessness, calm, decisive action, strategic thinking, and martial prowess. Their ethos is known as bushido, the Way of the Warrior-Knight.

Here, premier translator Thomas Cleary presents a rich collection of writings on bushido by warriors, scholars, political advisors, and educators from the fifteenth century through the nineteenth century that provide a comprehensive, historically rich view of samurai life and philosophy. Training the Samurai Mind gives an insider's view of the samurai world: the moral and psychological development of the warrior, the ethical standards they were meant to uphold, their training in both martial arts and strategy, and the enormous role that the traditions of Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism had in influencing samurai ideals.

The writings deal with a broad range of subjects—from military strategy and political science, to personal discipline and character development. Cleary introduces each piece, putting it into historical context, and presents biographical information about the authors. This is an essential read for anyone interested in military history and samurai history, and for martial artists who want to understand strategy.  

Solo Training: The Martial Artist's Guide to Training Alone

Loren W. Christensen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Loren Christensen shows you over 300 ways you can add variety to your daily martial arts training routine. Whether you are a student looking for fun new solo drills to spice up your home training or an instructor in search of new ways to pump up your classes, you won't be disappointed. This incredible collection of drills, techniques and exercises will take your workouts to the next level. Learn to: Organise your solo workouts to the get maximum results from even the shortest training session; Improve your speed and power with dozens of inside tips and tricks; Beat boredom and get excited about your solo training sessions; Become a well rounded fighter by adding essential skills that your instructor may not be teaching you; Safely experiment with new techniques to find your ideal personal style of training; Get an edge on your opponents with training methods that will make you unstoppable in the ring or on the street. Not only will you learn enough new training strategies and methods to keep you busy for years, but Loren Cristensen's no-nonsense writing style will get you up and moving even on the days you rather skip your solo workout. Packed with solid advice and kick-butt motivation, this book will become your favourite training partner.

The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice

Georg Feuerstein

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Reads like a college textbook 4 out of 5 stars.
20 of 27 people found this review helpful.

This book reads like a college textbook. It is full of essay-like information, but it is not so engaging. The author, writer of Yoga for Dummies, is a yoga adept in a buddhist tradition, has a phd in Indian theology and sanskrit, he even translates some ancient texts into English for the first time in his books including this one.

The book is seperated into a dozen chapters, each focusing on an aspect of ancient yoga culture, from the teacher-student relationship or one of the last chapter focusing on the rise of tantric yoga from which hatha is spawned. What you won't find here is instruction for yoga practice.

I would say the information book is indispensable for persons with professional reasons.. yoga teacher, or other pedagogic purposes. But it is mostly dry... It is not an inspiring book.. Those just getting started in the history of yoga might benefit from lighter reading elsewhere.

Editorial Review:

From the foremost living authority on yoga comes a work of impeccable scholarship. The Yoga Tradition is a complete overview of the great traditions of raja, hatha, jnana, bhakti, karma, tantra, kundalini, mantra, and other, lesser-known yoga forms. It covers all aspects of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain yoga, including their history, philosophy, literature, psychology, and practice. The book includes translations of more than twenty famous yoga treatises, such as the Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali, as well as a first-time translation of the ancient hatha yoga text known as the Goraksha Paddhati. It is an essential resource for all students and scholars of yoga.

Fit to Fight: An Insanely Effective Strength and Conditioning Program for the Ultimate MMAWarrior

Jason Ferruggia

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The ultimate strength and conditioning book for ultimate fighters.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is America's fastest-growing combat sport, with millions signing up for MMA classes and many more tuning in to "pay-per-view" to watch events with names like "Cage Rage" and "No Limit." MMA is not for wimps, and participants take a real pounding-they must be ready for anything. However, there is one way to predict a winner in any bout: conditioning. When facing an opponent with equal technical skill, the better-conditioned athlete will win- every match, every round, every time.

Now, with amateur fight leagues springing up across the country, top conditioning coach Jason Ferruggia reveals the ultimate conditioning program for the ultimate fighter. By gaining overall strength, stamina, speed, and flexibility, athletes can substantially reduce their risk of injury in this intense contact sport.

The key to Ferruggia's system is his emphasis on matspecific conditioning techniques. Too many would-be fighters use training programs borrowed from football or bodybuilding-methods that are all wrong for MMA. Included are:

- A first-rate warm-up guaranteed to make a fighter more explosive and to reduce injuries
- Off-the-charts strength-building secrets
- Dozens of exercises to develop crushing grip strength - Top speed-building methods, including Olympic lifts, plyometrics, and throws
- Incredibly effective exercises for building a thick, powerful neck that could be the difference between victory and serious injury

Each exercise is accompanied by black-and-white photos illustrating proper technique and form, and "Inside the Cage" tips share the secrets to success from top professional fighters.

The Way of the Warrior: Martial Arts and Fighting Styles from Around the World

Chris Crudelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

An Excellent View of Martial Arts Around the world 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book about other martial arts around the world the author does an excellent job displaying almost every fighting style known to man a must for any serious martal artist

Good but not so very good, not my dream book!! 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a good book even when all the information there is found in Homepages like [...] I wish someday i can read a book about the roots, old styles of Martial Arts and how they was found and the culture, history, philosophy, culture and legends of the art or the Masters of these very old arts! Many of these old arts are not mentioned in this book! So still i had not a favorite book in English because still not one had done my wish yet! I recommend this book to libraries but for reading home, i rather recommend that you read all that information found in this book and even more in homepages like the one i said before or wikipedia etc! Lets just hope this book and books like this start to make people interesting in writing more about the old styles of martial arts yes the roots, of many of the modern Martial Arts today! So many modern Martial arts today are almost not different at all of the Martial Art that it came from and that Martial Art it came from a root, Chinese or Japanese or other country so please lets not waste time reading all that hundreds or maybe even thousands martial arts styles pout there, lets just look at the old roots that is a better idea i belive!!!!

Editorial Review:

Drawing on the vast body of styles practiced around the world, including ancient and obscure styles from every continent on the planet, The Way of the Warrior is an indispensable, one-stop reference work for anyone interested in the martial-arts canon. The Way of the Warrior is divided into seven sections, with each section focusing on the indigenous and imported styles synonymous with a particular geographical region. Styles are listed chronologically by the date of their founding or first documented evidence, and feature signature moves, biographies of founders and famous exponents, guiding principles, and spiritual influences.

Attack Proof: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Protection

John Perkins, Al Ridenhour, Matt Kovsky

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 42 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Book was a gift 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I am very pleased with this purchase in that the price was reasonable and the delivery was quick.

Editorial Review:

Real self-defense is not a movie, game, or sport. While martial arts may teach disciplined thoughts and movements, most come up short when it comes to self-defense and survival in brutal, real-world attacks. Patterned, choreographed techniques are often useless amid the chaos and random dynamics that characterize life-and-death fights.

Attack Proof presents a proven personal protection system for anticipating and fending off even the most brutal assaults. It’s based on the insights, real-world experiences, and forensic research of a New York cop who is a teacher of hand-to-hand combat instructors in the military and police forces and who survived over 100 violent armed and unarmed encounters. Attack Proof trains you to become a martial "realist" by abandoning all forms and techniques in favor of principles that teach "guided chaos". Attack Proof is the next best thing to having your own personal bodyguard.

Thank God I Had a Gun: True Accounts of Self-Defense

Chris Bird

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Total reviews: 37 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Very interesting read. Very educational. Highly recommend. 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I was very pleased that I learned so much from this book. I am an advocate of personal responsibility and self defense is a part of that. I try to think of ways to keep myself from ever having a confrontation and ways to remove myself from one if it were to happen. This book gives accurate descriptions of how people behaved in these times of stress, and while reading them I automatically inserted myself into the situation and noted how I "think" I would behaved differently were it me. At the conclusion of each story, I was able to compare what actually happened to what may have happened had it been me and I found some of my decisions to be in error. Hopefully I'll never have to be in one of those stories, but if I am, hopefully I'll be able to apply the knowledge gained from this book.

Editorial Review:

This collection of true stories examines incidents involving the use of firearms by ordinary citizens for personal protection against criminals. Three basic types of events are discussed: armed defense at home, at work, and in a public place. Each episode is explored in detail, with a look at the citizen involved as well as how their defensive actions aided them or could be improved. From convenience-store robberies to police arrests gone awry, these stories provide memorable reminders of firearm self-defense dos and don'ts.

Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault

Imi Sde-Or, Eyal Yanilov

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Total reviews: 48 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Thorough explaination of Krav Maga 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book gives a very detailed explaination of the Krav Maga martial Arts. However the reader MUST understand that reading this book will NOT make you a Krav Maga expert... you need to participate in sanctioned Krav Maga instruction.

Interesting, even to beginners 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I found 20% of the book to be helpful as a review of what I was learning in class. The book was worthwhile for that alone.

The other 80% represents a range from a preview of what I will be learning to stuff that is and will always be well beyond my competence. However, it is 100% interesting.

The photos are clear and helpful. The consistent dress of the attacker and defender make it easier to understand. This makes it a great review and practice tool.

My sense is that many of the reviewers are looking for the same perfection they strive for in martial arts in a book. Unless written by the master under whom they study there will always be conflicts and inconsistencies. Perhaps some of these reviewers only find perfection in the bathroom mirror. But this alone does not make the book flawed.


Will the book take you out of your off the couch and prepare you for deadly combat in 10 days - no. Will it help you absorb and improve what you are learning and have learned in class? YES. Will it help you to understand and appreciate what is possible? YES

Highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

Krav Maga is today's cutting edge self-defense and hand to hand combat system. Initially developed by Grandmaster Imi Sde-Or (Lichtenfeld) for the Israel Defense Forces and other national security services, Krav Maga has been thoroughly adapted to meet civilan needs. The method was designed so that ordinary citizens, young and old, men and women alike, can successfully use it, regardless of their physical strength. This is the first and only authorized comprehensive manual on the Krav Maga discipline, written by its founder, Imi Sde-Or, and his senior disciple and follower, Eyal Yanilove. This volume especially focuses on the various facets of dealing with an assailant armed with a sharp-edged weapon, a blunt object, or a firearm.