Fighting Books

While Don't Tread On Me by H.W. Crocker is certainly a concise summary of American Military History, it is nothing new or noteworthy. Instead of giving a different perspective or providing recent discoveries vis-à-vis Keegan's New Military History treatment, Crocker stumbles down the same old top down approach. Little is discussed on the experience of soldiers and no new evidence or conclusions are revealed. Crocker's pedantic analysis serves only to sum up major events and rehash ancient and sometimes forgone arguments. Crocker fails to adequately present the formation or even the ethos of the American way of war. If you are writing a history of America at war you should at least explain the basis tenants of American military doctrine and how it evolved. Furthermore nothing serves to fuse America's various wars together. Instead, they are presented as just a series of events with major characters and battles included. The most disappointing component, however, is Crocker's blatant and embarrassing disregard of factual analysis of the Iraq War. Instead of dispassionately evaluating the Iraq conflict with both its successes and failures, Crocker takes a position straight out of the Bush administration's talking points. His vulgar disparagement of the Clinton administration was both bewildering and unnecessary. Even though Crocker clearly summarizes America's various wars, his hackneyed approach and political bias make this book a miserable disappointment.

If you have never served in the military READ THIS BOOK. It will truly give you a sincere appreciation for all of our veterans past and present. If you are a veteran or military member it is a must read for PME. This is the reason that we are the strongest country on the globe. It is not economic or political influence. It is not Planes, Tanks, and Ships. It is the American military member. God bless all of our veterans!

DZ

if you had to pick one book, conservatively written (i.e. right wing) that was both a review of early American history and a history of our military fighting from infancy to today this is the book.

by the time I got to the end of the book i was ready to reenlist, 'semper fi'

I was helping a friend's kid with preparing a school assignment. It was about the Aztecs, the teacher rejected the paper because it contained a few references to human sacrifice. The prescribed school history book only tells about a great and noble civilization destroyed by greedy, fanatic and intolerant Europeans. Not one word of the Tlaxcalans role in the downfall of the Aztecs or of the unsavory side of Aztec culture, like human sacrifice.

History is the story of man, hence it will contain the moments of great glory where the brilliance and ingenuity of man shines and other times when the depraved side of man comes through. There is no country of culture or civilization which does not have its uplifting moments or its depressing failures. Re-telling history to suit a political agenda is a great de-service to mankind, because it does not let one learn from history.

This book is very interesting because the author chose not to go through the politically correct route. He tries to tell history as it actually happened. This book is refreshingly different from most other books because of this. While the author for most part has done a very good job, there are times when his pro-southern, ultra right bias does come through; like for example, his justifying the South's cause.

Any history buff reading this book will probably learn something new. While I think the author has done an honest job, researching and presenting his facts, I do disagree with the author on a few of his interpretation of history. But then, this is how history is to be told; Give the honest facts...both the good and the bad, and let the next generation make up their minds about the deeds of their ancestors.

My title says it all. Often politically incorrect, well written. I don't agree with every single thought in it, but I am smarter now than before I read the book. Highly recommended for fresh thinking, challenging ideas.

Overall, this book is exactly what it says it is and shows the techniques of Brazilian Jujitsu that are best used in MMA and Self Defense.

There are the normal forwards and introductions that set the stage for the reader. The Forward done by a military special operations MSG who endorses the use of BJJ in general for hand to hand combat (most military personel have adopted the practice of BJJ) and talks a bit about how they use Simco's products.

Simco then gives an introduction as to how to use the book and his philosophy of training and organization, explaining that its basically better to learn 20 moves at 100% than 100 at 20%. He explains the overall philosophy of Jiu-jitsu and how this is a book of how BJJ techniques fit into a Street or MMA situation, not a book about how to change BJJ into something its not. He stays pretty true to BJJ throughout the book and doesn't add anything that isn't Jujitsu for the sake of making it more `street', instead shows how Jujitsu can solve all the Self Defense problems the reader might have. He explains how the practice of MMA is great for self defense because it is the closest you can get to reality without hurting your partner or yourself. His philosophy of training in general is to be better than the opponent both technically and morally otherwise, "we are no better than those who attack us". `Jiu-jitsu' does mean `Gentle Art'.

Before he gets into the techniques, he gives a history, which was pretty interesting, then follows with the philosophy of positions and the scientific side of physical attributes.

The Techniques:

Before he gets into anything technique-wise, he does something I appreciated as a martial artist by explaining the differences between a real fight and mixed martial arts competition. There are differences and Simco both identifies and acknowledges them.

Unlike many other books, Simco's are very well organized by position and within position, sequencing the techniques so that they link together. This makes them easy to learn, easy to reference and better yet, it makes them work.

He starts from the standing position and talks a bit about striking and how to learn the basics of it so that you understand exactly what is being thrown at you.

He then discusses how to achieve the clinch position in a street fight and some self defense tips. The pictures are clear and go over the details of several takedowns for street and MMA step by step with pretty good instructions. He shows a few variations of moves and the differences of how they might be applied differently with clothing and in MMA with shorts, like the "biana" takedown (basically the brazilian double leg), which he shows a couple of times, addressing how to do it with a penetration step (taking a knee), then without for a hard surface, then a variation, making use of the pants.

The book follows a step by step photo and description approach through all the BJJ positions for the bulk of the book, covering guard passing, the use of the guard, top attacks and escapes, and back mount attacks. All pretty much linked together.

The other nice reference feature is that small thumbnail pictures are displayed down the left side of each page so that after reading the book through (once you've go the basic idea) you can flip through and get a quick refresher or visually find the technique you are looking for. This is especially great for the beginner who isn't familiar with all the jargon and terminology, its easier to look at the picture of what you want to work on.

The last part explains briefly a bit more about simplifying BJJ techniques for self defense even further in his Self Defense Made Easy dvds and works as an introduction to the DVD that comes with the book. After reading the book and checking out the dvd, I purchased the full No Rules set, which was even better than the book and more expansive being that it is a four dvd package. I also purchased the Self Defense dvds and found it to be a useful guide to what I should show my wife whom I want to know some self defense but won't come to class.

For the Beginner, this book adjusts the basics and shows how they can be performed in a non-sportive fight.

For a Martial Artist from another style who wants to add BJJ without going through the belt ranks again, this book is probably the best out there. It's just what you need to know without all the filler and fluff.

For the Intermediate BJJ student, this book will show you how to adjust positions for better self defense or act as a great reference guide if you are training for mixed martial arts competition.

I am a martial arts instructor who is wanting to incorporate some basic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into my curriculum for self-defense purposes. After reading all of the glowing reviews about this book and DVD being "straight and to the point" and how Simco just shows the street-effective techniques I thought this would be the right resource to utilize.

I was wrong.

I am very disappointed in the skimpy material in this book, all of which is designed for use by a very strong fighter in an MMA competition, not a normal sized individual on the street. Also, the DVD is nothing more than an advertisement for his other DVD sets. Seriously, there are only 3 techniques on the DVD (about 10 minutes worth) and the rest is previews without instruction for his other products.

The techniques he does show are good if you are an MMA fighter, though there are not a lot of them. If you are looking for a self-defense book, I suggest buying something else.

Much has already been said about this book, so I'll keep it simple and add my $.02.

Many people practicing BJJ these days do so only for sport and some think that they know what it takes to defend themselves. Maybe they can against someone with no skills, but not against a trained fighter. This book is very with the times as it fills in the gap for people who train mostly with the gi and would like to know how to adjust their moves for a no rules or less rules situation. For someone who isn't interested in 'pajama-grappling' as I like to call it, this book teaches you the BJJ that you really need to know without all the silly flexible monkey moves that'll probably get you killed anyway. The DVD that came with it makes it a real bargain too!

It's a good book. It gives coverage to basic and practical techniques. For the motivated beginner, it will give as much information they can hope to obtain outside of sparing and practice. I think the DVD could have been more informative and less a sales vehicle for a set of DVDs by the author. I couldn't give this product 5 stars, because I had hoped to see more photos with descriptive narrative on the reason for changing levels and what counters to avoid if one attempts any technique. But these shortcoming are overcome by prctical advice throughout.

This is THE book for self defense and street fighting basics. Simco tells it like it is, focusing on techniques that work not "religion and theory". Simco has a gift for explaining the techniques he uses in an easy to follow manner. I'm looking forward to purchasing more material from this author.

Markus Zusak's first book is a brilliant tale of the Wolfe family. Narrator Cameron and his older brother Ruben take up boxing in an underground racket, and while Cameron is not a great boxer, he has heart. By the conclusion of the novel, Cameron has proven to everyone that he is just as much a Wolfe as his undefeated brother. And Ruben has discovered that there's something to fighting more than just winning.

This book is the most realistic tale of brotherhood I have ever read. Zusak shows what it truly means to be family, to be wolves, to be brothers.

My first introduction to MZ and I devoured everything after. FRW is still his best work. I picked it up and didn't put it down until I was done. Can't say that with his other stuff. ( except GTG )Colorful characters,unique voice, realistic plot and high emotion makes this an unforgettable keeper.

Action, suspense, and a little conflict, what every book needs. In Fighting Ruben Wolfe, by Markus Zusak, they have all of that and more. This is truly on of the best books I have ever read; I just couldn't put it down. There weren't any parts I didn't like and overall, I didn't really have any favorite parts. The characters are Ruben and Cameron Wolfe, two brothers and Cameron being the younger one narrating the story, and other side characters like their mom and dad. After getting into a fight at school, a guy named Perry Cole scouts them into an illegal boxing scam. But after Ruben keeps winning his fights and Cameron keeps losing, it leads to an unfortunate ending for the season. Read Fighting Ruben Wolfe by Markus Zusak, I think it will be the best book you have ever read too.

Do you like suspense? Do you like illegal fighting? If you said yes to both of those questions then you are in for the book of your lifetime. It's called Fighting Ruben Wolfe by Markus Zusak.
This book is about two guys who nobody notices. They are not rich and have problems at home. Their dad lost his job. The bills aren't being paid. One day, this guy named Perry comes to see Rube and Cameron. He had heard about the fight Rube had and came to see if he would be a fighter. Then he said Cam could stand up when he gets knocked down. So they start a game of one-punch witch is when you have one glove and you fight. Then they sign up to be a fighter. Once they begin, Perry said they wound never fight each other but on one day they will have an anguish of a fight. Who will come to be victorious? You will have to read this book to find out.



Book Review by
Nick A.

What a pleasure it was to finally get to read Zusak's first novel, the prequel to GETTING THE GIRL.

The Wolfe family is just barely making it. Dad's trying to recover from an accident at work and needs to find work or he'll have to go on the dole (welfare). Mom's working hard and doing the best she can. Rumors are flooding the school that their sister Sarah has been "getting around." Ruben and Cameron have done nothing but lose at the dog races. When Dad starts going door to door to beg for work, the boys resolve to do something, anything to redeem their pride and hide their embarrassment.

Ruben gets in a fight at school, and just like that an underground boxing league agent asks both of the boys if they want in -- $50 for a win, tips for a loss. Before long, the money isn't an issue anymore. It's about pride. Dignity. Self-worth. It's about fighting for something instead of rolling over and letting life kick you again while you're down. It's about getting up. Again. Again. Again. Because at some point you have to own up to what and who you are.

And it's about brothers. Because if there's one thing they'll always be, it's that.

-- Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens

I cannot begin to explain how important this book is to read. Although it is fairly old, the statistics are still relevant and the topics need to be looked at and discussed. Rape is still a some what "hush hush" problem because it's a difficult topic to discuss. Aquaintance rape is misunderstood, or not understood at all which is why I loved this book. It explains all the many different types of aquaintance rape from that one date guy who rapes the girl to the case of a husband who rapes his wife. Just because a woman (or man) is dating someone, it does not give the significant other the right to rape them. Just because the victim knew their attacker doesn't make it less of a rape. I HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERYONE. Men and women alike, as well as rape victims/survivors. It has a section on how loved ones can help someone who has been raped as well as people who have just been raped. I really like this report/book and it is a short read so there really is no excuse not to pick it up and read it.

Having looked at numberous books on the subject of rape and how to react if you or a loved one is raped, I have determined this to be the best book. When I went to the library, the other books there talked about the aftermath of rape, especially discussing long-term affects.
This book discusses important, timely issues. It shows you that you are not alone and that you are not to blame.
I wish this book was required reading. It taught me, and would teach others, many important things we need to know.

I Never Called it Rape is a classic book integrating research and womens survivor stories that really helps women to understand about how rape occurs, what it really means, and how to go about recovering for it. Based on the most comprensive study about rape to date, done in the 1980s, Warshaw weaves in the stories of survivors in a poetic an poignant way throught this masterpiece. My only criticism is that the statistics are now 20 years old and it is clearly time for a new edition, or similar book like it, to be written.

This is a book that should be read by everyone who is in college, teaches at a college, is a college administrator, and parents of college students. It is incredibly informative and is a real eye-opener. Please, remember that this book was written over 10 years ago. It is somewhat dated, but still pertains to the problem to acquaintance rape today. Read this and take the information in. People need to realize the prevalence of rape on campuses and between acquaintances. Should be read by everyone so that myths can be abolished and people can truly see acquaintance rape for what it is-- RAPE and, subsequently, a crime punishable by prison.

This book deals with an important, sensitive message, but it is too narrowed. Sadly, a victimizer today can be anyone. I was raped in my second year of college by an upper classmate--another woman.

We were both drunk and I had passed out. Incidentally I am neither gay nor bi. I thought we were just friends. When I awoke, I found her on top of me, my blouce and pants undone and her holding me down. I had awoken to her penetrating me with her fingers and at first had no idea of what was happening, or if I was even dreaming. When it became obvious to me what was happening, she held me down and tried to muffle my protests with her hand and began to vigorously and violently thrust in and out of me hushing me and whispering that I should just relax and would like it and what "good things" she could show me if I let her.

I began to cry and scream and that was when she finally let go of me. Even while I was dressing, trembling, she seemed genuinely confused as to why I was so upset.

That day forever changed my life and I am still dealing with the after effects of that trauma. What is most upsetting to me is some people think that women do not rape, or that this wasn't rape, or even question "how" another woman can rape.

Rape is simply a violation of another person's physical, psychological, and emotional being. It doesn't matter who does it or if a penis is used. I *was* raped.

I have heard many similar stories by other women since, especially of sororities, which truly sexually abuse new pledges. As far as I know there is no real recognition of this phenomena, which only seems to fuel a sick girl-on-girl sexual fantasy in society.

Robin Warshaw, sadly, only sees rapes as when a man does it to only a woman and only in the context of penile-vaginal intercourse. Rape is a much more broader phenomena.

It is important for young people to be on guard and aware of the dangers of rape and also no that the moment they engage in sex with anyone without their consent or then not knowing it--in any shape or form--they themselves are committing rape, regardless of gender or the means of sexual stimulation.

This was a great book with an interesting concept. I can't wait to read future books. After my husband finishes the book, we're going to pass it to our children (11 and 12) to read.

In this alternate reality Slider-like adventure, once again the underdog finds that he isn't a total loser after all. This is a fantasy that teen and junior high boys can enjoy as well as girls, filled with themes that appeal to Young Adult readers. Just about everyone can identify with the characters, even though Tonya comes from a world where magic is a commonplace commodity and they study it in school. Simon, an orphan who knows nothing of his mother, is a really sad case who is seriously bullied by some nasty classmates. It seems like he is always running away from them. Then Tonya suddenly pops in and blows the bullies away with her magic skills. Unfotunately, she also demolishes some buildings and cars in the process. Somehow Tonya had gotten separated from her classmates, who were going on their first field trip. Everything she does makes matters worse until they finally manage to get into the jet stream, if you will, the superhighway between alternative worlds. But Butch, the worst of the bullies plaguing Simon, manages to get in with them and even steal the paratransmitter that is used to pass from one world to another. They end up in a world neither knows anything about, Simon nearly dying in the process.

From that point, everything is foreign to Simon, and Tonya finds herself frustrated by things she is no longer able to do. They are taken in by a family and go to school, where Tonya is embarrassed because the younger Simon is faring better than she is. She hates the world they are stuck on.

I will say that they eventually leave this world of Pudo, but there are some major changes in both characters before that happens. In the meanwhile there are some spies, assassins, traitors, rulers of various worlds, and Tonya's parents that enter into the story. More than once demons are summoned by the bad guys. These guys are a lot meaner than I expected at the beginning, and it was soon obvious that no one was safe from their evil deeds and murders. Simon and Tonya are pulled into the intrigues in some unsuspecting ways, leading to a rather tense and exciting tale.

Matthew Peterson has a sense of humor that teen and pre-teen guys will really appreciate. I like the detail that Tonya's hair changes color depending on her mood. Some scenes are a bit reminiscent of Harry Potter, like the car that flies (by magic) up the side of a high building when they are escaping the police on earth. A lot of the dialog between Tonya, Simon, and their Pudan friend Thornapple is full of kid sarcasm.

This book is quite moral, built on high values and a definite God-view of the universe. The magic is not of 'real' magic, but has to do with electro-magical waves that are in the air. God is constantly brought into the story, quite naturally, although not everyone believes or gives him control of their lives.

I definitely recommend this as a good read for Young Adults, both girls and boys. Full of action, humor, moral values, suspense, and some mystery.

After reading Paraworld Zero, by Matthew Peterson, I am impressed. Matthew Peterson resides in Arizona with his wife and five sons. He has a degree in Business Management, an Eagle Scout award, and a second degree black belt in karate. Paraworld Zero is his first title.
Simon Kent thought he was just an ordinary twelve year old. He may be a bit of a weakling, have asthma, chased by bullies, and live in a foster home- but he does have his video games. That is, until he stumbles upon Tonya, a girl who can perform magic and whose hair can change colors with her passing moods. Somehow he is swept into a futuristic world where nothing is as he knows it. Together, with Tonya, they unravel an ancient mystery, brawl with mystical creatures, and attempt to save the universe from impending doom.
On the cover of this book it has this listed as Book One in Parallel Worlds. I am not entirely sure if this implies this is a series, or if there will be more, but Matthew Peterson sure leaves it open to do so.
Now, if I'm being perfectly honest, the sci-fi genre is completely out of my element and I have very little to compare this to. Typically I find myself bored with this genre. I found a few grammatical errors with commas, but there were very few and it was not distracting nor did it deter me from reading.
After saying that, I found this to be an original, creative, and engaging story. This young-adult sci-fi book is filled with demonic dumpsters, cat-like women, hideous villains, magic, wild chases, dragons, gigantic spiders and worms, ravenous creature devouring trees, giants, dwarves... you name it! It packs you with one adventure after another. This is a cross between Harry Potter and Star Trek, with characters right out of Lord of the Rings! I am utterly amazed at how engrossed I was by this book. The characters, from the Puds, to the royalty, to Marmasuelian, to Simon and Tonya are believable and endearing. It made me want to jump to a parallel dimension, too! This book makes you feel the magic and imagination of childhood all over again. Something I think we all lose after we grow up, and what a shame. To experience the prospect that anything is possible again was a real delight, even if only cover to cover. I would very much like to see this adapted on screen. Matthew Peterson will be edging his way through the writing community with this one, no doubt about that! I hope to see more from these characters in the future.

Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer

The chases - gripping; the characters - well developed; the plot - compelling and seamless with the action; the cliffhanger - first rate! What else could you ask for? There is even a first kiss! Oh, and did I mention the humor? This book was FUNNY!

It wasn't a flawless book (it was a little heavy handed sometimes and maybe could have used a better editor), but I was really surprised at how much the author was able to bring me into this world (or should I say "paraworld"). When I finished the book, all I could think of is, "I don't want to wait until the next one comes out... I want to read it now!"

Wonderful read. Sci Fi and Harry Potter all in one. Great book that held my interest from beginning to end. Waiting for book two. Love the characters, including HAR. Great reading for any age....Thanks for such a surprize.

Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is Bruce Lee's and M. Uyehara's, "Bruce Lee's Fighting Method; Volume 4: Advanced Techniques." This book is a direct continuation of the previous volume and will continue where that one left off.

As is stated in the introduction to this and the other three volumes in the series, Bruce Lee never intended for these books to be published. However, since his untimely passing, his wife Linda decided that she would allow them to be published. Something we should all be thankful for.

What I will attempt to do in this review is to give you a well-rounded grasp of what Bruce has written and demonstrated for you in this series of books. Although nothing can replace the value of a qualified and competent instructor, a well written book can still provide you with a wealth of knowledge if you know how to realize it and obtain it.

12. Hand Techniques for Offense; Part One:

a. Set-up your primary attacks first.
b. Your primary attacks should be indirect attacks rather than direct attacks.
c. Basic principles involved in utilizing hand techniques effectively.
d. You should always be studying your opponent.
e. How to effectively utilize the Leading Finger Jab.
f. How to effectively utilize the Leading Straight Right.
g. How to effectively utilize the Leading Punch to the Body.
h. How to effectively utilize the Leading Straight Left Punch.

13. Hand Techniques for Offense; Part Two:

a. How to effectively utilize the Straight Left to the Body.
b. How to effectively utilize the Lead Jab.
c. How to effectively utilize the Backfist.
d. How to effectively utilize the Hook Punch.
e. How to effectively utilize the Uppercut.

14. Attacks with Kicks:

a. How to effectively utilize the Side Kick to the lead shin and/or knee.
b. How to effectively utilize the Leading Side Kick.
c. How to effectively utilize the Roundhouse (Hook) Kick.
d. How to effectively utilize the Turning Back (Spin) Kick.
e. How to effectively utilize the Turning Wheel or Hook (Sweep) Kick.

15. Defense and Counter:

a. How to effectively counterattack utilizing the Lead Finger Jab.
b. How to effectively counterattack utilizing the Leading Side Kick to the shin or knee.
c. How to effectively counterattack utilizing the Roundhouse (Hook) Kick.
d. How to effectively counterattack utilizing the Turning Back (Spin) Kick.
e. How to effectively counterattack utilizing the Leading Right.

16. Attributes and Tactics:

a. Discusses the importance of speed, attitude and tactics.

Like any well written book, as much as you can learn from this book by reading it, you can learn just as much if not more by reading between the lines. I particularly enjoyed the simplicity of what Bruce was trying to relay throughout this and pretty much all of his books. What may work well for one person, may not work at all for another. Therefore, you as an individual needs to research the techniques that are out there and find those that work best for you and use them. Remember, there are no superior martial arts, only superior martial artists.

If you like martial arts , than it's a great book and you can better unerstand Bruce Lee.

This is not a cure all book of splendor that will make your street sojourns safe as can be. What it happens to be is a terse condensing of terms and applications. However, this can be a blessing in disguise if you've ever really fought someone for whatever petty reasons. But as is usual, petty fights can't be won by might alone. Moreover, a brief self-defense type situation not asked for nor expected in the least, will never ever count on you being able to muster Earnie Shavers-esque punches via hours and hours of your prior chopping of wood and winding up and hitting a hanging truck tire with sledge hammer in hand. But such is the world of Archie Moore. Anywho, Bruce Lee's Vol. 4 "Advanced Techniques" will give you insights into not so much what works, but what will keep you in the fight for the long haul. Pointers I took to liking and appreciating were:
Side kick from a distance. Hook kicks aimed roughly a foot in front of an advancing target for maximum impact (a late straight or hook kick results in you being taken down or knocked stiff; watch muay thai to appreciate). Straight kicks to the groin when in close (the power comes from the bending and straightening of the knee as when kicking a soccerball). For punching, what I found illustrative were comments on when to throw body punches and how to punch in disengagements. Many fights end after an attacker relaxes to early, stays too close, and then abruptly tastes a big hook or wild uppercut when flatfooted. Hook when countering, uppercut when the hook gets suffocated, throw high, low, high, low and so on when putting together combinations. Be careful though when body punching a big strong opponent - you open your face all to easily to both compact and loose hooks. Lastly, if you are facing someone who is in the reverse stance (opposite lead hand forward), be very cautious of straight punching both upstairs and down. Of course, if your opponent doesn't do this, you should be able to no problem as it is your first and best option (you beat a lefty by evading the straight left, but to do so, you'll have to square up on occassion and unleash your own straight right). Lastly, speed and defensive measure can be vastly overrated - you might quickly escape backward only to be launched further (watch UFC competitors who smell knockouts! it isn't one punch, two punch, three........it is a literal assault coming straight at you with a fierceness you'll have to somehow disrupt). Use your speed only for direct attack or blocking, however, try not to feint hyperactively as this will leave you wide open eventually! Learn to block, roll the punch, sharply turn, and lastly, if you can, duck and parry a straight punch and follow naturally with a leaning blow to the opponents already commited waistline.
The book is lacking in elbow and knee offensives. Knees are really only good from the clinch, while elbows are good against someone who comes in uppercutting or letting loose lowline hooks with both hands. It also does not teach you any grappling, takedowns, shoots, or chokeholds. Learn those elsewhere - I prefer Ken Shamrock's 'Beyond the Lions Den' with its emphasis on submission wrestling and manuevers that translate to the street if need be.
Other aspects covered that should be paid attention to are: keeping initial combinations (opponent not dazed nor hurt) to 2 to 3 blows; keeping hands projected further outward when feeling stuck (rear hand can almost touch lead shoulder to make for new angles and lessening of muscle tension); lead jab thrown with knuckles in the verticle and rear heal almost leap frogging toward lead heal to make a power-V for torque in rotation); also relying less on bobbing and weaving against a stronger opponent (as is thought to be so fruitful) and looking more to the stop-hit and cover-counter-cover-counter approach (bob and weaving works somewhat at a distance, and can help to avoid becoming frozen in action). Lastly, I'll give a few hints from my own minor scrapes, mostly on what to avoid from the opponent:
1) Learn to stop or get away from rear shots. These include overhands, straights, thrusts, etc. Either jump straight back (chin down hands high), move to a side (again hands high), or jump forward at an angle (duck!). It is very easy to get overconfident with straight punches. The good news is, you opponent begins to open himself to his own weapon of choice - the rear straight! Once you start countering straight for straight, be preparred to duck and then uppercut in anticipation of the opponents tendancy to start trading straights. If you can collapse the gap, short hooks and body punching can become overwhelming to a once strident attacker.
2) Do not lunge in to far, called reaching, to land a straight body punch or blow to the head because if your opponent is well seasoned, you will get tagged repeatedly by hooks arriving in all directions. Thus, if your opponent starts getting desperate and throws long overhands, either step right in with two rapid one-two uppercuts; or, step back and let the attackers momentum shift them right into range for your wild hooks. One or two of these is plenty, but a third and forth can be sprung on them if they are stunned or cover excessively.
3) Long hooks and sharp, in-close body punching can be the only way to open up a stubborn defensive fighter. No matter the situation, if you do 3 daily exercises, your strength for self-defense becomes two-fold within a month or two - pushups, situps, and squats. And if you wish, shoulder presses and pullups.
Bruce Lee was a master. In a real boxing match, he may not have been big enough to tackle the heavyweight devision, crowned champ. But when there are no rules out on the street, and if your initial move or instictive reaction fails (groin kick, knee kick, side kick to sternum, carotid strike, eye jab) then it becomes imperative to have a reserve of strong boxing/kickboxing know-how. Thank goodness for people who devoted their lives to helping innocents withstand perilous circumstance. Maybe not as beautiful as Euclid's Elements Book 13, enlightening just the same.

Review of Bruce Lee's Fighting Method, Volume 4, Advanced Techniques

This Volume has Chapters XII thru XVI

The main idea for this volume is that 4 elements that make for a good attack include strategy, deception, timing, speed. The inconsistent or fragmentary structure of Bruce Lee's writing almost mutes the main idea stead of supporting it.

Being able to adapt to change quickly is an important strategic quality. Bruce Lee expressed it in other words in his writings. He recommends that the fighter should vary his attacks and defenses ostensibly to prevent the opponent from anticipating what comes next and to be able to fight with fighters from other styles.

Bruce Lee recommends a number of ways to deceive the opponent such as using feints, drawing the opponent's attack by using footwork or leaving a target open to the opponent, using circular and semi circular parries and strikes: hooks and uppercuts that come from out side the field of the opponent's visual field, and broken attack rhythms.

Timing and speed are more important with use of more advanced techniques: good counter strikes, trapping, evasion techniques to allow the fighter to counter strike with more than one blow without blocking or parrying, and being able to sense and harmonize with the opponent' moves and the rhythm of his moves to strike him the moment he makes an opening in his guard are all advanced skills in timing and require the ability to move quickly to seize a moment and make use of it.

Some techniques have the potential illusion of speed built into them simply because the hand or food used might be closer to a target on the opponent. Eliminating moves that reveal your intent to the opponent also creates the illusion of speed by reducing or elimination of warnings.

In Chapter XIII, Bruce Lee mentions that too many fighters emphasize too much on speed and blame their failure to make contact on the opponent with their strikes on the lack of speed instead of not using the correct strike for the moment. This statement would have been better placed on the first page of the volume because it helps to preserve the main idea of this volume as you read about all the tactics and striking and kicking techniques that follow.

This volume covers each of the various basic striking and kicking techniques. The body mechanics of performing each strike, the practical uses of each technique, and quality of each type of strike is covered. So, in this volume, strikes are written about in such a way that a punch is not just a punch. A kick is not just a kick. But, each strike's characteristics makes it suitable at a particular instant, a particular type of scenario in fight. In a fight each striking technique becomes a tool for an instant, for the right moment: lead jabs to intercept and keep the opponent busy or at a distance, hooks and upper cuts to follow straight punches to catch an opponent off guard in close fighting, reverse punch or rear counter for a powerful, damaging strike when the opponents guard is open.

I think that these 4 volumes were originally intended to be published as one book; not in volumes. Each of the volumes has different range of chapter numbers. Sometimes while reading some topic, something will make more sense if you had read the previous volume or a related topic in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

If you like this series of books and the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, you might also like Paul Vunak's "street Fight" series of videos or former kickboxing and karate tournament champion, Hector Echavarria's 3 video series on Kickboxing. Many of the principles Hector Echavarria talks about and demonstrates are the same or very similar as those in this series of volumes on Bruce Lee's Fighting Method.

Street Safe I by Paul Vunak

Street Safe II by Paul Vunak

Street Safe III by Paul Vunak

R.A.T. Fighting System by Paul Vunak

Jeet Kune Do: Its Concepts and Philosophies (Jeet Kune Do) by Paul Vunak

Anatomy of a Street Fight by Paul Vunak

IN MEMORY OF MARIO PONTILLO
Since the late 1970's, I have studied Mr. Lee's "Way of the Intercepting fist."
This book will walk you through the physical aspect of his methods. It is the last in a volume of 4 books. I recommend you get all the volumes from this series. You will need to start from the beginning; and you do that by emptying your cup so Bruce may fill it.

My favorite quote: "Knowing is not enough, you must apply; willing is not enough, you must do." -Bruce Lee

Please do not hesitate to check out my Poetry book that I published while in the U.S. Navy in 2003; "Under the Rose: Poetry of Tragedy, Essence, and Romance"

This is a very impressive book -- well researched, profusely illustrated, and easy to understand. I was especially impressed with the amount of highly detailed information regarding attacks to the throat! Wow: page after page of everything you ever wanted to know about striking the carotid sinus or crushing the airway. From risk factors to Dim Mak points to technique variations to cutaway illustrations to a photo of the author holding a trachea (with larynx & hyoid bone attached).

If you are currently studying Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Chin Na, Pankration, Systema, Krav Maga, or even collegiate wrestling this wealth of data will be simple to comprehend and easy to work into your own style. Invaluable for law enforcement, corrections, security, doormen, and medical orderlies who need to restrain subjects without inflicting undue harm. This book primarily covers pain compliance holds, locks, and chokeouts -- and may well be the definitive work on the subject.

My only complaint is that the author assumes the reader will be able to pull off these techniques flawlessly and incapacitate his adversary without the need for gouging or biting. The topic of eye gouging is barely addressed at all ("move your head to avoid getting poked and use a 2 finger strike to attack St-1") and biting is not mentioned. Maiming techniques are glossed over as well. For a counterpoint which addresses those particular distasteful topics in detail, I recommend "Floorfighting" by Marc MacYoung.

All in all, a great lesson in submission holds, anatomy, and pressure points from a politically correct and morally defensible standpoint by a gifted and knowledgable instructor.

This massive, 360-page tome is cram-packed with valuable information, covering everything that serious martial artists need to know about ground-fighting submission and control techniques. It begins by describing the essential underlying principles and theories that make the techniques work successfully against real-life adversaries and then delves deeply into the fighting applications themselves. Without understanding these subtleties practitioners could struggle for years to pull off the techniques effectively. Like all YMAA publications it really goes in-depth. In addition to the outstanding text and enlightening illustrations, there is a comprehensive index and even a medical glossary at the end. The authors' research, knowledge, and practical experience shines through.

Contents includes general history and principles, the science of technique, pressure points and meridians, body tools and vulnerable points, arm controls (e.g., arm locks, arm bars), leg controls (e.g., ankle locks, knee locks, combinations), head/neck, and body controls, and fighting sequences. The amount of material covered is truly extraordinary. For example, chapters 3 (pressure points of the fourteen meridians) and 4 (body tools and vulnerable points) cover essentially the same kinds of information that Rick Clark described in his ground-breaking book Pressure Point Fighting. The difference is that Arsenault and Faulise make this complex subject much more easily understandable for the average practitioner through a series of comprehensive diagrams and illustrations, while Clark's book relies on words alone. While their knowledge levels are likely the same, Arsenault and Faulise are better writers too.

So, who is this Arsenault guy anyway and why should you listen to him? He is not only a highly skilled martial artist with more than 30 years experience, but also a veteran police officer who uses this stuff for matters of life and death as he patrols the streets of Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). His approach is style agnostic, refreshingly practical and very realistic. His co-author Faulise is a world-class judoka who has been teaching martial arts full time since 1985. Their book is well written and extraordinarily well illustrated, with hundreds of annotated photos and drawings that bring the essential points home. I heartily recommend it to all serious martial artists regardless of the style they practice.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults and Martial Arts Instruction; co-author of The Way to Black Belt and The Way of Kata

It provides a good basic history on groundfighting and basic techniques that can be mastered with some practice. Very honest and real.

Un montón de información sobre controles y puntos de presión útiles en la lucha en el suelo.

Muy elaborado y con buenas fotos e ilustraciones.

Buen trabajo.

Chin Na in Ground Fighting is a refreshing approach to self-defense when a battle goes to the sidewalk. It's refreshing in that it's not about "ground and pound," as it's called in mixed martial arts (MMA) circles, a rather unfortunate term that implies an adversary be taken down and, well, pounded.

Now, ground fighting is a hot topic in the martial arts, mostly as a result of early televised MMA bouts that exposed this glaring weakness in many fighting systems. In the last few years there has been a glut of books and DVDs on the topic, most of which are written or filmed by competitors or trainers in MMA. This is fine as long as the readers and viewers keep in mind that MMA is a sport. I'm not saying the techniques aren't applicable to real fighting, because most of them are. In fact, some are so effective that they will likely get the defender promptly thrown into jail. Yes, the defender.

When you take that attacker to the ground and, instead of restraining him, running off, or calling 9-1-1, you go down with him and begin to pound, you're likely to be charged with a crime. If it can be determined by the police and by the courts that you could have fled or you could have restrained the attacker, but instead you commenced to pound his head, a head supported by hard cement so that all the energy of your blows goes into his skull, you're going to the slammer.

Of course there are situations in which pounding is called for. But too many books and DVDs teach hitting as an automatic response, no matter what the situation.

Chin Na in Ground Fighting is written by two experts in the art. You're not going to see pounding and stomping but rather polished techniques that are effective and applicable to sport and the street.

The authors provide an intelligent look at why techniques work, why they hurt, why they control and why they restrain. There are lots of clear pictures for the reader who just wants to learn the steps and there is lots of explanation for those who want to know more about the intricacies of the techniques.

The book brings class, dignity and the art back to ground fighting. The authors are even dressed in traditional uniforms. They don't have spiked and dyed hair, they don't strut and brag, they don't snarl at the camera and they don't speak in incoherent sentences. Instead they teach you a ton of techniques using good photography, and well-written text.

And never once pound each other in the face.

Loren W. Christensen, author of Defensive Tactics: Modern Arrest and Control Techniques For Today's Police Warrior and a bunch of others.

My edition claims to have "new battle maps", referring to the large bird's-eye views of some important battles. These views give a general idea of the battlefield, but the representation of troop types and movements is crude at best. It is instructive to compare, for example, the siege of Alesia as shown here with the suspiciously similar view in Goldsworthy's earlier The Roman Army at War. Goldsworthy labels key features, whereas Fighting Techniques just provides a few points about the campaign in numbered callouts that are scattered more or less randomly around the page. The actual information conveyed by the image could have been given in a quarter-page line drawing rather than a two-page spread.

This is a decent survey, but not to be preferred to Goldsworthy's book, to the equally useful Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry, or to Peter Connolly's Greece and Rome at War.

This book is very well put together. It has a lot if information that I think is accurate. The information is put together in a logical manner and the illustrations are very helpful and actually do their job. This is a history book, so if that is what you're looking for I would highly recommend it.

Laconic, lucid descriptions enhanced by excellent, relevant illustrations, diagrams and battle maps. The style is reminiscent of modern military training manuals - always brief and to the point. The reasons for success or failure are examined dispassionately and changes in the balance of power over time are effectively explained. A vast amount of well researched information presented in a book that is a pleasure to read.

This book served my purposes well in the writing of "Maccabee." Significant detail is given, citing ancient sources such as Livy and Plutarch, in relating what occurred in historic battles and the weaponry that was used. Minute details are given, such as the way a pilum was built so the iron shaft would bend once thrust into an enemy shield so it could not be extracted, thus rendering the shield useless. This book demonstrates that though the weaponry was nothing so sophisticated as the weapons of today, much thought went into how best to wage war. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in ancient warfare.

This is perhaps the second or third best book based on ancient warfare I have ever seen (behind Adrian Goldsworthy's "The Complete Roman Army"). Great details and pictures, you will be lucky to get your hands on this one. Intriguing all the way through, and great for reference.

After reading this book I wondered how such a brilliant man could possibly be unable to spell potato. There is something terribly wrong here. It made me think of the saying of a great American, I can't right now remember which one, but the saying is, "What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is." Oh, that's right, it was our man Dan.

The only question I have is, who is Quayle's ghost writer? Seriously, this is the man who barely passed college, who couldn't spell the word "potato" in a grammar school spelling bee, and who misspelled the word "council" on the stationary for his Vice Presidential Council on Competitiveness. Are we really supposed to believe that this is the voice of Dan Quayle coming out of this book? Yeah, right. This book is just another example of the right-wing hash that spews forth from the moneyed puppeteers who pull the strings of our modern-day politicians. Dan Quayle's contribution to this book? His cover photo. Nice, isn't it.

I met DQ at a promise keepers planning session at the Terre Haute Best Western last year. Not only was I captivated by his vision and stage presence, but he is also extremely handsome as a man. I went up to the dais at the end of his speech and thanked old DQ for the inspiration he has brought to my life--he invited me back to his suite to read an advance copy of "Worth Fighting For" (at that time the working title was Log Cabin: Not Just For Pancakes Anymore). I can't really go into the details of the rest of the time I spent with Dan in a non-hypnotic state, but suffice it to say, it's a night I'll remember for the rest of my life. Naturally, this book changed my life.

This book is not as substantial as Dan Quayle's excellent vice-presidential memoir, "Standing Firm,"-but then it was never meant to be that sort of book. Instead Quayle wrote "Worth Fighting For" to expound his views to the US electorate in a bid to enhance his prospects for the Republican presidential nomination for 2000. As it transpired DQ dropped out of the race on 27 September 1999, after the Iowa straw poll. However, the man who has consistently been a values-driven politician has produced a coherent set of principles that epitomises the values of middle-America.It remains to be seen what his political future is but I would submit that this GOP stalwart is far from finished-and may well be a contender in 2004 (if Gore wins), or 2008 if Bush is successful next week. Quayle's book is divided into 6 parts with multiple chapters in four of the categories-The Cultural Divide,Freedom and the Middle-Class family, America and the Global Economy and Security Abroad. DQ always analyses issues on whether it benefits the American family-and this has been a consistent theme in his political life- he has, as Richard Nixon once said, 'the right instincts.' Perhaps that is why he has been so vilified by those whose agenda is so very different from the traditional values that have made the US, and western society in general, so great. As Barbara Whitehead noted, in her important article, 'Dan Quayle Was Right' ( "The Atlantic Monthly," April 1993). He still is, not only on family policy, but on a whole raft of issues, including privacy, equal treatment,tax relief, the value of faith and his opposition to activist judges ( he effectively chronicles some of the tragic consequences caused by these judicial meddlers). My main disagreement with DQ is over gun-control, something he doesn't favour but I do.This is a cultural difference as the country I live-in has not had a gun-culture. Quayle's book is not a must-read but it is a book that should be read by thinking Americans, particularly by swinging voters, conservatives and GOP voters. Hopefully if a Bush administration is formed in Washington, the former Veep will gain a cabinet post or alternatively try for a governorship. His courage, decency and family values should not be wasted. For standing firm and articulating policies worth fighting for, Dan Quayle is someone worth having, and, worth voting for.

Never has a candidate for President issued such a detailed, issue-oriented book during a campaign.

"Worth Fighting For" is packed with facts, figures, and solid arguments for each of the policy positions Quayle espouses. The book is divided into 6 parts, each with a series of short chapters which give the reader a cogent treatment of an issue our country faces today. From the cultural divide, to the middle-class family, the global economy, to security abroad, the former VP shows us why America's future -- its ideals, truths, and children -- are worth fighting for.

The book's chapters on school choice, tax cuts, restoring justice through the proper appointment of judges, and China are especially compelling.

Quayle finishes with 10 detailed campaign promises. At the end of this book, you will know exactly where the former VP stands, and why.

This book is extremely well-written. Quayle grounds his positions in history, both his public service in the legislative and executive branches as well as world history. I challenge anyone to find a more comprehensive, issue-oriented monograph by a political candidate.

"Worth Fighting For" embodies a man who has staked out his position as the heir to Ronald Reagan. While the campaign has moved away from him now, as he says on p. 220: "The difficulty of the challenge is usually proportionate ot the reward."

In a recent article for The Daily Mirror Tony Parson's wrote that "not all the Chinese have a stake in the country's new found prosperity but every single one of them has a stake in the Beijing Olympics". A cursory glance in the year-view mirror reminds us that, up until these last few post-empire decades, the Chinese, viewed through these now dimming lens of colonialism, were rendered a nation of waiters, laundry workers and villains; so it's hardly surprising that this global scale event should be embraced so passionately with a view of saying to the world "Look how far we've come." But the true genesis of this particular brand of pan-cultural re-calibration had already taken place back in 1971 with a movie called Tang Shan Da Xiong (The Big Boss) and an actor called Bruce Lee.

To describe Lee as a cultural phenomenon is an understatement and inevitably legends are built on myths which grow more fantastic with every telling. His four completed works defined martial arts movies for all time and his unfinished opus Game of Death is basically the template for computer gaming which now, of course, informs much of modern action movie making; add `visionary innovator' to Lee's curriculum vitae.

This oft maligned icon has suffered much in death but has been redeemed somewhat by the sober and highly respectful biography `Fighting Spirit' from Bruce Thomas who is perhaps better known as the geeky and underrated bass player with Elvis Costello's Attractions. Thomas, as it turns out, is also a disciple of Lee's own fluid style of Kung Fu known as Jeet Kun Do (Way of the Intercepting fist) - clearly not a geek to be messed with.
Thomas' Fighting Spirit is the story of Siu Lung (Little Dragon) and his metamorphosis from child actor to teenage hoodlum; from martial artist to international superstar and media martyrdom at thirty two. It deals extensively with Lee's personal philosophy and the constant evolution of his art - and on reading Fighting Spirit you do come to appreciate that beyond the `chop socky' conventions of the movies which defines the form - Kung Fu is indeed an art.
Chapters examining Lee's philosophy inevitably verge into `ah Grasshopper' territory; "Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend." But much of Lee's impish humour comes through with the no less insightful "A punch in the mouth is a punch in the mouth."

As much as that now iconic image back in `89 of a lone student hindering the progress of a tank in Tinneman Square, the mise-en-scene that we most associate with China is Bruce Lee streaked with blood in a hall of mirrors from Enter the Dragon. As the political sturm und drang of the Tibetan conflict threaten to engulf the event, Parson's assertion that Olympiad 2008 is a demonstration of national pride and a chance to say to the world "You can't look down on us anymore" - the fact of the matter is - the world hasn't looked down on China since Bruce Lee.

A good biography that tells the story of Bruce Lee and the development of his martial art Jeet Kune Do. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 due to the excessive number of grammatical errors in the book.

This book tries to convey a more human Bruce Lee. It includes his triumphs and his mistakes and allows the reader to judge what kind of man Bruce Lee was. While not everything in this book can be verified as truth Bruce Lee's life is portrayed in a respectful but in my opinion honest manner. I must point out again that the so called facts in this book have not been verified but it what is told here seems to correlate well with what I have been told by meeting and training with people who knew and trained with Bruce. My only complaint is the authors obvious bias for chinese martial arts. He claims to be a Wing Chun Gung Fu student and in certain parts of the book it becomes clear that he feels that this method is superior to others. However this is still a good read and the author is not obnoxious with his opinions

A good book and a plesant reading by a good writer. There's not so much new information in this book, but it puts facts in perspective a gives a good general body of information for those wishing to begin to learn about Bruce Lee's life. And what a life...

Like Bon Scott of AC/DC, for example, Bruce died when he was starting to reach his full potential in movies. It was a shame.

This is far from an official biography. It has not the endorsement of Linda Lee, and it also lacks interviews with some key member of Bruce's life. Also, the excuse given for the total lack of photos was not convincing at all.

But you will soon forgive the author for these minor flaws, because once you begin to read this book you will not stop it. Bruce Thomas, a bass player with Elvis Costello's band, writes with passion, but without bias. He tries to be objective all the times, including the "conspiracy theories" surrounding Bruce's death.

This book has a serius side effect: after reading it, you will not watch ever again the movie DRAGON (1993). Although Jason Scott Lee gave a great performance, it is clear that the movie was a total absurd, it's amazing how Linda Lee gave her support to it.