Fighting Books

All the information police, soldiers and other warriors have been missing for over fifty years is right here in this solid volume.

Lt Col Grossman and Loren Christensen put it all together. They've created terms we did not know we needed, for things we didn't even know occurred. Grossman has a cute but very apt description of the function of the midbrain, fulfilled by 'the puppy,' as he calls it. He calls fear of human violence the 'universal phobia,' and tells you why it's universal. He gives a brief overview of what happens to your body when 'fight-or-flight' kicks in, then delves deeply into sensory distortions experienced in life-or-death situations. This is only the beginning.

The authors divulge the training a person needs to enter the 'toxic, corrosive realm of combat,' and why we need those who are willing to do so. Stress and fear innoculation, dealing with killing, being wounded, and cultural issues are dealt with in section three.

Sometimes the aftermath is far more traumatic to a person than the 5 minute episode of all hell breaking loose. The authors use almost 100 pages to discuss what happens after the smoke clears: PTSD, debriefings, a full explanation of tactical breathing, guilt, and communicating with those who've been 'there.' Along with the guilt issue, the author also addresses the conflicts that can develop from within because of a person's religious beliefs after killing.

I believe this book to be of immense value to all emergency responders, police, and military personnel. After borrowing it and reading it, I've ordered it and recommended it to just about everyone I know in those communities.

I would have a hard time recommending this book to anyone on the outside, which is part of why I rated it a four. There is a large amount of insider jargon, and a cultural bias, in the warrior community. This will not translate well for those Lt Col Grossman refers to as 'the herd.'

The second reason I gave it a four is the physical quality of the book. The binding seperated from the spine almost immediately, and I can see the cover coming off within a few readings.

David Grossman continues his analysis of the warrior mind and consciousness, and provides valuable insights and advice to those
on the front lines of war abroad and police work at home.
However, the strength of the book is serious diluted by largely unedited inclusions of Grossman's training presentations. The excessively colloquial and informal language of oral presentations to "insider audiences" of police officers and soldiers does not make for an effective
book. Much is lost in the transition, which Grossman does not handle in a professional manner. On Combat needed a good, honest editor whose strong hand on the keyboard would have vastly improved the tone and style.

I first read this book over a decade after my own combat experiences during the first gulf war, and it was a great help to me.

Now I gift a copy of this book to my buddies as they prepare for their own deployment.

A must read for a citizen-soldier.

While the book is interesting (lots of storys and actual accounts) It is poorly written and orgainized. It does not go in to the psychology as much as you would hope. The book feels like something that would be given to soliders in attempts to brainwash them in to the military's ways of thinking.

If you are a police officer or military you will enjoy the book. If your background is in psychology you will be slightly dissapointed.

This book is a goldmine on combat and killing psychology . A must read for everybody interested in physical and mental mechanism involved in the process.

This book is a great book for anyone interested in MMA. It shows detailed pictures and everything is explained very well. I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone from beginners to experts to learn everything from basic to advanced moves.

I watch a mma event on dvd everyday and let me tell you; this book covers pretty much all you need to know to compete.Don't get me wrong,there is always more to learn; but this book covers all the basics at the least for sure! Like I said about Randy Couture' book; these guys are the best mma fighters in the world,charge hundreds of dollars an hour and this book in particular gives you about four months of training for only $35.00 dollars!

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

This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of mixed martial arts. Its easy to understand and the most complete of its kind out there. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning this sport.

When I recently read Victory Belt's publication 'Mastering the Rubber Guard' with Eddie Bravo, I was impressed. It made considerable strides in improving over his last book 'Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed' and gave a detailed insight into one of the most misunderstood positions in today's Jiu-Jitsu world. Well, as far as I'm concerned, Victory Belt has done it again with BJ Penn's 'Mixed Martial Arts - The Book of Knowledge'.

Giving a book a title like that one is a fairly bold move. Those words suggest that this is more a tome - or even "bible" - than a book. And at first glance, it looks like it might be the goods. The black and grey reminded me of later editions of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding' - a book with a similarly anticipative title. At 308 pages, it also fits the bill size-wise, as well.

Opening up at the contents pages, you'll soon see that the book is very comprehensive. After the introduction, you see that the book is divided into two parts - 'The Standing Game' and 'The Ground Game'. Each of these parts is then subdivided into positions and then further into techniques. One of the things I most enjoyed about the book is the introduction. Most newer martial art books open with a discussion from the authors, but Victory Belt's introductions seem to speak to me a little more.

In this case, the introduction gives you about ten pages of BJ's philosophy and how he arrived where he is. From his early days boxing with "old, ratty gloves" through his eventful MMA career, he gives a little insight into his life. He talks about the sport and how he trains for it. He discusses his philosophy for both technical and physical training and gives some broad ideas the reader can take on board.

I won't get into too much detail about what you'll find in the two fighting parts of the book. I will say this, though. While it looks like a "technique catalogue", it's not really. The book shows BJ working many techniques and combinations against opponent's from his gym. However, each technique fits into his particular fighting structure. What you see here is a collection of the techniques BJ Penn actually uses in a fight and how he strings them together.

If you want to see what BJ would do if he finds himself on his back against a skilled ground 'n' pound guy, the answer's here. So is how to use your striking to set up a takedown (a subject not discussed often enough) and vice versa. Another thing I like is that we see what BJ does from a defensive perspective. We see a lot of defensive postures and escapes, which suits me fine as I'm often the one getting hit. Too often, books like this ignore that part of the strategy and just assume your awesome technique will win out.

As I'm not much of a standup fighter, nowadays, I can especially see myself making use of the simple strategies in the section 'Striking for the Takedown'. That is pretty much my weak point. Honestly, though, there's something here for everyone. You'll see how the various open guard positions play out in MMA. You'll see how to minimise your exposure if you're weak in one area with the more defensive oriented techniques. You'll also learn how Penn counters some very common and tough positions.

From a quality perspective, I didn't notice any grievous spelling or grammatical errors (a small problem I had with 'Mastering the Rubber Guard'). All pictures are colour and are clear and easy to interpret. The descriptions are also quite clear to me, another bugbear I've often had. Although the entire field is getting a lot better in that area.

All up, I really like this book. From this point on, I consider this essential reading for anyone considering a foray into Mixed Martial Arts. However, it's probably more important for coaches and athletes who need to move their game to a multi-dimensional approach. That's something Penn himself has done and done well. I think this makes my "Best of the Best" category.

John Elmore shares shocking and interesting facts, and personal war stories about our legal system. "Fighting for Your Life" provides 150 pages worth tools--from advice that can be a virtual "get-out-of-jail-free card,"--to knowledge that can SAVE YOUR LIFE. I recommend this book for everyone. As a law student getting ready to practice, I found this book to be an easy read, but not easy to forget.

This book is a must have/must read for anyone interested in studying, or participating in, the legal system. John Elmore's experience and insight are delivered in an easy to read way that makes the book an incredible resource for students or practitioners.

Fighting for your life is a resource guide for anyone and everyone no matter what their relationship to the law! Law Students, Practicing Attorneys, Criminal Defendants, or family members and loved ones of somebody who is either in jail, has been arrested, or is facing criminal prosecution can all benefit from owning this book. John V. Elmore offers each of us a practical, hands on, "If I'm in trouble, this is the book I need to read" guide to understanding your rights and making sure that they are not violated. Most importantly, the author has experience and knowledge of the law from every angle; He was a criminal defense attorney, former state trooper, and former prosecutor. In his book, he tells you exactly what to do and how to do it so that when you find yourself in a position where you are fighting for your life, with his book you have a fighting chance to win.

As a African-American prosecutor, I am often frustrated by the number of young African-American defendants who come into the courtroom completely unprepared and unaware of how the criminal justice system operates. John Elmore's book is a must read for anyone facing criminal charges.

Fighting For Your Life: The African America Criminal Survival Guide told by John V. Elmore, Esq. and Foreword by a friend of the literary community, Mr. Tony Rose is the most responsible book on the planet.There is something that rang a familiar air of discord as I glimpsed at the chained arms on the cover of Fighting For Your Life: The African America Criminal Survival Guide told by John V. Elmore, Esq. and Foreword by a friend of the literary community, Mr. Tony Rose.

I knew immediately that if I was not interested in fighting for my life, I would not open the book, and no matter how mysterious the picture on the cover with two fingerprints that look the same, but if you look carefully, do not match at all. My very own hands longed to free the cuffs of another black man whose time did not fit the crime, and by no means do I condone crime. I am speaking for my brother, father, sister, mother, grandparents and friends who lost love ones who wound up behind bars thanks to the unfair practices of the judicial system while their white counterparts got slaps on the wrists, but this is another story.

The truth is, as I read each page of one of the most "Think Before You Act" books ever written to help Black Americans stay safe in situations, or even avoid crime, the focus became clear that this book matches its title, and is indeed the first African American Justice Survival Guide ever to approach the answers to the questions Black African Americans have asked about avoiding the fatal flaws of the criminal justice system. It leaves out subjective opinions or views that could cause even the most innocent man to wind up dead. It happens everyday, and rather than for folks to remain ignorant of the fact that like criminals the criminal justice system does not discriminate between which blacks should suffer the injustices in situations, Fighting For Your Life: The African America Criminal Survival Guide is a wake up call for everyone.

It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, what you are wearing, how much money you have, or how well you are adored by the community you live in. YOU too can be a victim of the criminal justice system, and not to take away anything from the hard working police officers who protect the community and sincerely care about the communities they protect and serve. We are talking about a universal code of conduct that once this book becomes a part of university law study curriculums, criminal justice undergraduate classes, required by youth in detention centers and those subject to light time in prison, and. or as a gift to perhaps your young son or child, the world will begin to play it safe when it comes to doing the job of being a civilian or an officer of the law.

Fear breeds in those who serve the justice system due to unpredictable deaths and murders of peers in the force that cause underlying tension, and retaliation. Racism still runs amuck. Ignorance still breeds within our own communities when we respond to situations with pride. I say, read Fighting For Your Life: The African America Criminal Survival Guide to WAKE UP and understand that nothing is more important than saving your life, and even if it means you have to fight for it. You will discover Defense Attorney, John V. Elmore's complete tour of the criminal justice system from the point where those who stand accused or violated can acquire a public defender or attorney for hire, the client's rights and crime report to what to do if you are a victim of brutality, wrongly accused, or required to attend preliminary hearings.

Readers will also, be given pointers on attire in court, making bail, and if not...the grand jury process and some top lawyers who can be contacted and will help the accused fight for one's rights. It doesn't get any better than this.

On a lighter note, I have to discard all reviews of books about the criminal justice system after reading this book which really presents the facts. I encourage all urban writers to read this book before attempting to write a single line about crime and outcomes in novels. If you need facts, this is a great tool for the urban writer as well.

As a reviewer, Fighting For Your Life: The African -American Criminal Justice Survival Guide is certainly on the top of my list for fact checking and research. IT is a thorough and accurate guide that is intelligent, sensible, and can be the cure-all of calling a truce between the criminal justice system and those accused. Yes, if you are guilty, there are penalties, but this book wants you to only do the time if it if fits the crime, and keep you living, because even the criminal has a family.

This is about humanity and cutting down the abuse and brutality of youth who are the product of the environments in which they live. The story is not finished, and we still owe another book to the survivors. I would have liked to read more about Hurricane Carter, Alfred Houston, Angela Davis, and even Mr. Tony Rose. This book will definitely welcome the trend of survivor stories. Def Jam's Bruce George is dedicating an anthology to The Bandana Republic, and Neshee Publication is acquiring stories for Fight To The Finish Line. All of these books are in demand

by our youth, young adults, local gang members, those serving time, those of the criminal justice who want to better understand their role as officers of the community, parents and people who care about the state of America on crime, and of course...address what we all need to know to survive. A new genre is born. All praise goes our to John Elmore, Esq., a criminal defense attorney, former state trooper, father of four boys, teacher and attorney general.

I would recommend this book to any serious martial artist, regardless of their style. I have read plenty of books that discuss interpreting kata moves, and at first glance this would appear to be "just another kata book." However, this book goes a step further and discusses determining the strategy of a particular style, and concentrating on finding kata interpretations that fit that strategy.

The only reason I did not give it a 5-star rating comes from some of the "optimized" versions of kata interpretations contained in one of the later chapters of the book. Most of them are quite good, but I was disappointed to see a "2-hand press block" being used to deflect an incoming punch. As one of my old teachers put it, "If you need two hands to block one punch, you're in the wrong fight!"

Perhaps the best book on the martial arts I have read. The authors help remind us that forms are not a dance, they are deadly techniques in a transmittable form. The book helps you achieve the right mindset for analyzing kata of any style (though the authors are based in Goju-Ryu) to uncover the practical, dangerous moves that have been hidden. A wonderful tool for those looking to develop fighting skill from their chosen art.

Rather than presenting a book worth of random applications or cool looking sequences, the authors go much deeper and present you with a methodology for actually understanding kata application.

I have found this book to be very valuable, i've owned it for something like two years and I still open it up regularly, it is defnitely a book that you will use frequently.

This is a must have for any Martial Artist. Having trained in Martial Arts for 20 years I feal that this book will help any student in any style look more deeply at the style they are studying. This is not a beginners book. This is for people who have trained for 3 or 4 years or Brown belt level and up.

Lawrence Kane lives and trains on a different continent to me, and although his style is much the same as the one that I train in, I would have expected to see differences in small particulars of dojo ettiquette, training conventions, kata interpretations and the like.

In reading his book, I felt that he had been watching our school for years and almost every fine nuance in ethos, discipline, terminology and so many other aspects reflected in his book could have been taken from where I learn.

Kane seems to have retained the traditional aspects of Goju training in a world where professional dojo's easily lose the essence of their roots in order to be more commercially acceptable and/or sport orientated. On almost every page I smiled with a mixture of incredulity (is that a word?) and satisfaction as he managed to both confirm the direction of my teachers, and at the same time, offer so much further insight that has given me material for my class planning and personal growth.

I recommend this book without hesitation.

Remarkably unflinching - Kimberly Dozier's narrative voice in "Breathing the Fire" describes her road to recovery after being seriously injured on Memorial Day 2006 by a horrific car bombing in Iraq which killed four others, including the CBS cameraman and soundman she worked alongside. In meticulous detail, Dozier dissects the details of the bombing and day-to-day decisions around her medical care and rehabilitation, and punctuates them with her observations and feelings, allowing a rare peek into the mind of someone who has survived an extremely traumatic experience. Even after she learns how to walk again and returns to the newsroom - the author learns that there is no textbook for adjusting to a "new normal" and how to respond to people as they react to seeing a walking miracle. The book sheds light on the experiences of many struggling to recover from the wounds of war. You also learn what drew her to journalism and led her to be a foreign correspondent in a war zone. Readers are introduced to a wealth of supportive people who played pivotal roles in her recovery - from Iowa National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Jeremy Coke who tied the tourniquet on her leg after the bombing that saved her life, to her friends at CBS, innumberable medical and rehab personnel, her parents, and her boyfriend, Pete. Destined to become one of the critical memoirs chronicling the Iraq War.

I started reading this book and could not put it down. It is an inspiring work. Ms. Dozier has given the reader an honest appraisal of her experience to heal herself and heal the many others broken by the ravages of this war. Her story is told in a bipartisan manner, not at all political and should be read by all soldiers and all who care about our soldiers.

We all know war is not pretty and people get injured and killed. This book really brings home the reality of how those catastrophic injuries affect the lives of the injured. It also shows the incredible courage of Kimberly and her family as she recovers from her injuries and made me think we are not doing enough for our injured vets.

I would not have read this book had my husband not seen an interview on TV and bought it for me. What a loss that would have been. Kimberly puts you in Iraq, in the hospitals and therapy plus shares exactly what it was like for her both mentally and emotionally. I am definitely passing this book along to friends.

I could not put this book down. Anyone who wants to understand what it means when they hear or read about bombs going off killing or wounding civilians or soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan should read this book. Even weeks after reading this book, I am not able to get it out of my mind.

Also. the reader gains insight into what reporting from a war zone really means.

This book is awesome! I had breast cancer over 3 years ago. Several friends tried unsuccessfully to find "good reads" to help me along my road. I found this book recently and loved it! It is an actual experience with truth, humor, and insight. I have gone to Amazon to find as many copies as I can. I want to be ready to hand someone a copy if the need arises. Be prepared to shake your head in agreement, laugh outloud, heavy sigh, and cry.

This is an incredible book. Laura Jensen Walker has beautifully and sometimes humorously, written about her breast cancer journey. I read this book in the hospital following my breast cancer surgery (3/01) and have been very inspired by Laura's writing. This is the first book I loan out to others when they are first diagnosed. I highly recommend "Thanks For The Mammogram" !!
Karen Lange, Asst. Mgr., FriendsInTouch.net (an online breast cancer support site)

"Almost everyone - whether it's your friend, neighbor, coworker, wife, mother, or sister has been touched by breast cancer. The cancer survivors I've talked to over the years say that what helped them through their ordeal was faith and often humor." ~Laura Jensen Walker

What is more healing than laughter when you are faced with a situation you can't control? Even science has shown the healing power of laughter. Cancer isn't funny, but somehow the author finds a way to heal through her own vibrant wit. Many of the chapters are rather serious until the end when she gives the punch line.

This is a book about courage, hope and humor. Laura Jensen Walker demonstrates her ability to face the challenge of cancer and fight it with faith, hope and "mild/laid back" humor.

I learned a lot about reconstruction, chemo and was amazed at how Laura's husband stood by her through the entire process.

"How to Lose Thirty Pounds in Thirty Days: The Chemo Diet Way. The original Slim-Fast liquid diet. (But not one I'd recommend.)" was an interesting chapter to be sure. This spells it all out, tells you what chemo is all about and it isn't fun especially if your nurse forgets to give you "zofran." Yes somehow Laura finds a way to appreciate the effects of rapid weight loss even when it is the result of chemo.

If you want to understand what a cancer survivor goes through, this is the book. I recently read "Knowing Stephanie" which I can also recommend for the detailed information and pictures.

The last chapter on what really matters was also quite inspirational.

You may also enjoy:

Mental-pause
Through the Rocky Road and into the Rainbow Sherbet: Hope & Laughter for Life's Hard Licks

~The Rebecca Review

I have never been diagnosed with breast cancer, but I am certain anyone facing this disease would want a copy of Laura Walker's "Thanks for the Mammogram." Mrs. Walker remarks that this book was the hardest thing she ever had to write. Like any good memoir, it takes in the uncomfortable, even embarrassing moments as well as the lighter and uplifting ones.

Walker includes a lot of detail, from procedures like reconstruction, chemotherapy right down to the day-to-day patient care and how she felt emotionally. But this is not a gruesome story--instead it is intended to help anyone else along the road to recovery. The best chapter "Where do I go from here" gives eight important points (such as taking charge of your treatment, talking to your family, dropping the Wonder Woman cape for women who do it all) and also useful addresses and a list of books.

This book is interesting reading for any woman, but if you have a loved one facing this challenge or if you are a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you should get this book. Nothing I have read comes close to this book for frankness and assistance.

Breast cancer is a big deal. Serious stuff. Many women die from it. Other women endure masectomies. Why make light of such a heavy topic? Simple: humor is healing.

Laura Jensen Walker has something to say about breast cancer. She's a survivor. She has faced this beast, and now is able to articulately help readers smile in the midst of a tough time.

In "Thanks for the Mammogram!" Jensen tells her story. Most of the book details a narrative of her diagnosis, treatment and how she survived. However, in reflecting through the most difficult of moments, she draws us in ala Erma Bombeck into candid silliness. It is as practical as it is funny.

Boldly bringing humor into a discussion of cancer marks this book as a standout among its peers. Having lost my mother to lung cancer and flipping through too many solemn tomes of pop-psychology, I read through Jensen's book refreshed. I wished my mom could've read this book. At a certain point, cancer is cancer, and anyone with any cancer would enjoy "Thanks for the Mammogram!"

Each page is a different view of her situation. For example, she spends a delightful chapter on the end of her chemo, and how she and her husband (a 'Disnoid') celebrated this landmark at Disneyland. We read of her struggle to find a decent book to read (unless Mickey Mouse's various adventures appealed to an adult woman, that is).

The chapters are in very chewable chunks--none too long.

With chapters like, "To Baldly Go Where I've Never Gone Before" (a consideration of Capt. Jean Paul-Luc Picard, Michael Jordan and other sexy baldies, she looks for the upside of a hairless head), you, like me, might find a new way of seeing what so many people go through.

She admits her fears, but pushes also the benefits of having a realistic, yet positive view of dealing with breast cancer. Jensen explains her husband's point of view in the whole matter (even letting him write a chapter, "Her Body, His Pain"). She walks the reader through the process, citing how she related to people who had or didn't have cancer.

I fully recommend "Thanks for the Mammogram!" by Laura Jensen Walker. It is a very worthy gift for those whom you love who have cancer, or know someone who does.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

This book details the life of Suenaka Sensei and his martial accomplishments
including his relations to some of the greatest martial arts teachers of this century, most importantly his relations with Morihei Ueshiba and Hohan Soken, I don't think there is anyone else out there that has the martial knowledge and lineage similar to that of Suenaka Sensei. This is a excellent book and should be read by anyone who has interest in Aikido.

As a person who recently started training in Aikido, this book was suggested for me as a handy reference. As a beginner I didn't care much about the martial history or the various political factions - I simply wanted to learn Aikido - so I skipped right to the second half.

Of course the book will never replace actual hands-on instruction but as a supplement to training I've found the second half of the book to be extremely valuable. Using it to learn the various Japanese terms, the order of the Taiso, and to see the written descriptions of things I had learned in class, allowed me to retain what I had learned faster, and to begin to see the overall pattern evident in the art.

While this DOES NOT contain an exhaustive collection of Wadokai techniques, it DOES contain a large collection of pieces that the reader can use to discover new techniques on your own. Close study allows the reader to notice the similarities between various techniques, and to apply those principles in techniques not included (except in pieces) in the book. If the reader approaches the book as less of an encyclopedia of possible techniques, and more of a dictionary of individual linked components, he/she will not be disappointed.

After a couple of months, I decided to read the first half of the book. I found it well written and highly entertaining. Despite my initial disinterest in the topic, I ended up reading the first half in less than a day due to these qualities. A good read for anyone who has trained for a while and is interested to learn more about the history of the art.

Complete Aikido? No, of course not. Such a book would be 10 times as long, cost $200, and still omit various combinations and special waza. As a reference for people new to the art, or for people who have been training for years, it still has a lot to offer. Especially if you are creative!

This is another great work. Sensei Roy Suenaka gives a no-nonsense narrative of his history with aikido as well as basic technique and training tips. There is also reference to Seunaka's friendship with one of the founders of the Shorin Ryu style of karate and Suenaka's experiences with Sensei Saotome. Great history, Great technique advice and overall entertaining reading.

Having been involved in Aikido, Judo and Karate for more than 20 years. I am glad that Suenaka Sensei gave his insight into what really happened between Doshu and Tohei Sensei. After practicing with the Federation for sometime I always wondered what happened that caused the split between the Doshu and Tohei. Suenaka Sensei's account has brought all the missing pieces together for me and has answered all the questions I had about one of the most monumental events in Aikido post O'Sensei's passing.

I also found Suenaka Senseis credential very impressive and wish that he had a school in Canada as I would love to have the opportunity to train with someone that has studied with all of the masters he has.

It seem that Suenaka Sensei's Technical part of the book is much more real life oriented than the Aikido that I am used to practicing and teaching. I was amazed to see him actually using a kick in one of his techniques. I have never seen anyone at Hombu do that and I will start to combine my use of kicks as atemi in my own techniques as it really makes sense. Also the use of punches seems to be used in every technique that Suenaka Sensei does which has really made me think about having to combine atemi with everything I do if I want my Aikido to work in the street.

I especially liked all the stories, and I agree that aikido can be very useful in real life self-defense situations, if you learn and apply it in certain ways. Unfortunately aikido as it's mostly taught today, has lost some of it's practicality. But the potential of aikido is great. Just decide what you want out of it. I also recommend The Robert Koga DVDs (Practical Aiki-do) or his biography, for those in doubt whether aikido can "work" on the streets. Also David Dye's DVDs have that approach (Aikido Self Defense for the Modern Warrior). Both of these senseis are ex police officers and have tried and tested their techniques in the world outside of the dojo.

If you are at the very beginning of your training and have never done sports before in your life then this is a good book for you. If your looking for more of a stratigical more informational book then dont bother. It does give te reader a little insite on the MMA life style and mentality. It is also chock full of quotes form famous people and photos. It takes up alot of the books volume actually is photos and quotes. But mostly about what muscles to target and many ways build them. Has a chapter on nutrition, endurence and a small incomplete chapter about enjuries and mentality. If your looking for something more indept, try something else.

This book contains everything you need to know when it comes to fitness for mixed martial arts and combat sports. Almost every single exercise that has existed in the history of the world for every single part of the human body is in this book. There are many combat sport-specific drills, but there are also your typical gym fitness routines. Even if you're not a mixed martial artist and don't have any plans to be one, this book will still serve your needs as a fitness enthuasist. There is a chapter for every muscle group, which contain about 15-30 different exercises each. There are also sections on diet and nutrition, cutting weight, and flexibility, there is the beginning section explaining the philosophy behind being a warrior and why hardwork and preserverance is important. When I say this book has everything, I'm not kidding. Once you have this book, all you'll need to get in shape from this point on is hard work and disipline, such as getting off your butt to go to the gym and staying away from pizzas and bacon cheeseburgers. There are too many exercises in this book, you can't do all of them. Just pick out 5 exercises and let that be your fitness routine for the next three weeks and pick another 5 exercises for the three weeks after that, changing up the routine every three weeks, you should get results in a few months because of muscular confusion(your body constantly changing to adapt to different physical activities).

This book has a TON of great exercises. Yo may not have access to al the machines and tools to do all of them but you can still utilize plenty if these exercises. A great tool for MMA fighters as well as average Joe's trying to get in better shape.

Few trainers or coaches have the education to train someone when it comes to MMA, BJJ, or martial arts in general. This book will serve as a complete guide to exercise as a "warrior" ready for battle as opposed to a body builder or weekend warrior. Although you do need "fancy equiptment or tons of space for a few of the exercises; the majority of the exercises can be completed at home or at a local track. The nutrition section is easy to use as well on the section on how to porperly go food shoping. This is a must have for anyone willing to kick butt on the ring or mats.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Martin Rooney has effectively given us the conditioning road map. The book is of the highest quality, the photographs are excellent, the editorial succint and clear. For anyone who want the conditioning edge, this is the book.

Fighter or not TFW provides a broad range of excercises and drills. The book follows a logical path giving an overview of MMA and then gets into Warrior Anatomy covering warm-ups, training by bodypart (don't confuse this with traditional body split training) and then goes on to cover specific programs, nutrition and injuries. You can follwo the programs or mix it up and simply focus on the areas that you need to work.

As for the weight training aspect, I'm a RKC Kettlebell instructor and consequently the Kettlebell is my tool of choice. I simpy us kettlebell drill and lifts to replace the conventional weighted drills.

The most valuable aspect of TFW is the way it translates many conventional drills into a MA context.

Most important, once you've read the text, looked at the pics...Go Train!

The world owes a great debt of gratitude to Gary W. Gallagher for his efforts in producing this book. Even though I would consider myself a "Private" in the ranks of civil war buffs, I have read dozens of memoirs by Civil War era men and women. None of them moved me the way this book has. At heart, I am a "Union girl", but when I finished reading this book and had to close it, I truly felt like I had lost a friend. E. Porter Alexander was a gifted, candid, and witty writer. His reminiscences are like sitting down with your favorite uncle for an evening of story telling by the fire. This book is a treasure, and is definitely worthy of more than one read.

Although Alexander's memoirs weren't written as memoirs as such they provide a good insight into the war as fought by the Army of Northern Virginia. General Alexander held an important position in the Confederate Army and was in a position to see much which was otherwise missed by historians or left out of the memoirs of more senior officers who had reputations to protect after the Civil War was over. A fascinating book!

This is a wonderfully engaging memoir, written by E. Porter Alexander, engineer, staff officer, and, as most recall him, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's First Corps artillery guru. What sets this book apart is its honest, candid view of events from Alexander's perspective. Not the usual glorification of the cause and its leaders as with many other actors from the Civil War. This book stayed hidden from sight for many years after it was completed; it is a blessing to those who study the Civil War that it came to see the light of day with publication. The Introduction concludes by stating that (page xxiii): "'Fighting for the Confederacy' is a book to be savored, one of those wonderful volumes that is both instructive and pleasurable to read."

One line that exemplifies this, focusing on Lieutenant General Leonidas Pope, a corps commander in the Western Theater's Army of Tennessee, is enchanting. Polk was a bishop in his church and, for some unfathomable reason, had the confidence of President Jefferson Davis and General Braxton Bragg. When Alexander and the troops of General James Longstreet's First Corps joined Bragg's army at Chickamauga, he observed that (page 289): "So all our pious people with one consent & with secret conviction that the Lord would surely favor a bishop turned in & made him a lieut. Gen., which the Lord had not." A sly way of saying that Polk was a disaster as a general (and, indeed, Alexander was accurate in his assessment).

A couple passages that make this volume--and Alexander's method--so refreshing. At the close of his discussion of the battle of Chancellorsville, Alexander notes that Union Commanding General Joseph Hooker lost his courage and will--as did his top commanders. Alexander observes that the Union Army was intact, outnumbered the Confederate force and could have won the battle with better leadership. Then, in a passage extraordinary for a Confederate officer, he says (page 217) "Had it been Grant in command, he would not have dreamed of giving up the fight." This suggests a perspective on the war that many partisans--whether Union or Confederate--never had. Indeed, had the Union Army listened to Generals Meade and Reynolds who were arguing strenuously to counterattack the Confederate forces, the end result might have been a significant Union victory. We'll never know, of course, but Alexander does suggest an alternative history.

Then, Gettysburg. . . . Here is the poignant scene, told from Alexander's perspective, where Longstreet must order Pickett's forces (and others) to advance. But Longstreet fears a disaster, and obviously is in a state of inner turmoil (see pages 254 and following). At one point, it is almost as if he were giving Alexander the task of deciding whether or not the charge takes place. At a later time, Longstreet expresses openly his fear (page 261): "I don't want to make this attack--I believe it will fail--I do not see how it can succeed--I would not make it even now, but that Gen. Lee has ordered & expects it."

So, in the end, this is a wonderful first person description of the war, one of the finest of Civil War memoirs.

I have read many books of self accounts of the civil war. This book tops all others in the details and extra touch of personal feelings that where experenced by this brave man and all his fellow soldiers that fought this conflict. If you enjoy accounts of the civil war this book is a must read!!!!!

While there may be debate what is the best Civil War memoir overall (many would likely pick Grant's), E.P. Alexander's memoir is easily the best written by a Confederate. The book is candid (he was writing it for his family) and pulls no punches about what it was like to serve for the Confederacy. Alexander also led an interesting career, seeing service in both the Eastern and Western Theaters so that makes the book all the more interesting. I could write pages about how good this book is, how well it is written, and what a page turner it is, but several other reviewers have done that so I'll just say--Go read this book. You won't be disappointed.

Dan Sheehy has crafted an eminently readable, thoroughly researched, and informative book that describes the serious harm massive illegal immigration is causing in America, the government's unwillingness to control it, and most significantly, the hidden agenda behind our open borders. But Mr. Sheehy also warmly portrays some of the many brave and patriotic Americans who have committed themselves, at their own expense and risk, to do the job the government refuses to do: defending our borders, supporting protective legislation, and alerting others to the dangers of the alien invasion.

If millions of Americans would read this book, they would understand the powerful forces driving this invasion but also understand that the greater power lies in the American people. They will know that we can stop this tragedy if enough of us learn the facts and commit to restoring our nation to the beacon of freedom and liberty it once was.

A government "by the people and for the people" has brought forth patriots to again defeat the Mexicans. It is only a matter of time before a permanent solution is legally enacted: guest workers must be solely for cheap contracted seasonal agricultural labor; all other labor is to be reserved for citizens, and meritorious legal immigrants. By popular demand, these millions of ILLEGAL ALIENS, are to be deported and permanently kept out. Predictably, patriophobes and racist-baiters will attack Sheehy ideologically.

Fighting Immigration Anarchy is a must read for anyone who wants to learn about the impact of the illegal invasion into America and the people who are doing something about it. The book will enlighten you as to who is behind this growing problem and why they are encouraging America's ultimate demise through the enormous onslaught of unwanted masses.

Useful review of various political actions related to illegal immigration. The author uses sketches of some politically active people as an organizing devise to tell of various campaigns, such as Proposition 200 in 2004 in Arizona. The writing is brisk. The opinions are blunt. For the scholarly, there are footnotes galore.

Someone new to the topic will find it a respectable overview of many major aspects of illegal immigration. For the more seasoned reader, there's interesting background of several major players. Joe Guzzardi, Roy Beck, Tom Tancredo -- they're all here. A well written book that pulls no punches. Five stars.

This book is both a warning and a tonic for those who have watched in helpless frustration and rage, wondering how to confront and reverse the process of Mexifornication extending from California and the other border states to the rest of the union. In IMMIGRATION ANARCHY, Dan Sheehy has presented the stories of several ordinary, decent Americans who realized the threat and -- earlier than the great bulk of their countrymen -- decided to get busy. These pioneers in the immigration reform movement had no special assets to bring to the struggle. They were not wealthy or powerful, and absent this threat most would probably have lived their lives in modest anonymity. Basically all they had were their patriotism, energy, and personal commitment. They are an inspiration to the rest of us, many of whom are just now waking up from our long slumber of habit, sloth, creature comfort, and multicultural indoctrination imbibed from the education establishment and mainstream media. Today, they and a few others like them have at last forced the issue to the top of our national consciousness, and they are making a profound impact on the national debate.

Sheehy's book also suggests answers for those of us who have been baffled, then impatient, and finally outraged and alienated by an administration in Washington that calls on Americans to shed their blood defending borders in Afghanistan and Korea, and attempting to establish national sovereignty in Iraq (whatever the justification for those efforts), while brazenly ignoring its Constitutional obligation to protect us from invasion at home. Sheehy, like other commentators such as Phyllis Schlafly and Jerome Corsi, points to the so-called Security and Prosperity Partnership (see SPP.gov) as a likely explanation for the Bush administration's foot-dragging on securing our borders.

As envisioned in the SPP, a unified North America -- essentially a practical expression of NAFTA -- would subsume the (currently) sovereign nations of Canada, Mexico, and the US into a single entity with no internal borders and a common perimeter. The union, also frequently described as the "North American Community," would nominally be economic, permitting the free movement of capital, goods, and people among the three countries. Labor would essentially be treated as just-in-time inventory throughout the three erstwhile "nations." But patriotic, commonsensical Americans like Sheehy, who treasure our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, believe economic union would soon morph into political union. If the Bush administration manages to drag its feet long enough on enforcing our immigration laws, the massive invasion of illegals will result in a de facto union. Regional, supranational government has long been the dream of elite leftists and global corporatists, for whom the nation-state is an archaic remnant of the 18th century.

Naturally none of the SPP agenda has been debated in Congress, and the mainstream media have, with one or two exceptions, ignored it. Sheehy's book will help force the nation to address it. Buy it, learn what the corporate media won't report, get inspired by the stories of what your fellow Americans have done, and join the battle. Time is running out.