Entries Tagged 'Books' ↓

The Way of Sanchin Kata(Book)
By: Kris Wilder
Skill Level: All
Available From: YMAA Publications
Length: 181 pages

Summary:

This book is one of the most detailed works on a specific Kata I have ever seen. Proving that Sanchin is simple if viewed from the outside and yet extraordinarily complex once you try to grasp all of the subtle elements of the form. The author does a great job breaking the Kata down into its most basic parts. Leading you through each step and giving you test materials to help examine your progress and understanding. The book covers everything from the root mechanics of the Kata to the mind set and breathing involved in its application.

The only problem with any book is not being able to see things in motion and get the feel for how they fit together. The author has some great illustrations but has apparently thought about that and has a separate DVD that goes into those details. These two works separately are great. Together and probably the next best thing to having Kris Wilder in your living room. Watch for the review of the the Sanchin DVD too.

Details:

This book is a step by step in depth study of the Sanchin Kata. The book is packed with information that goes into more detail than I have received from some instructors. It is amazing, Mr. Wilder does a very thorough analysis of the Sanchin Kata and its key stance, Sanchin Dachi. Having felt the power Mr. Wilder can wield I for one am eager to master the material.

Chapters:

1. The History of Sanchin Kata
2. Learning by Emulation and Repetition
3. The Mechanics of Being in the Moment
4. Measurement, Personal and Unique
5. The Roots of a Strong Tree, the Feet
6. Thighs
7. Hips
8. The Trunk of a Strong Tree
9. Movement Not Seen
10. Crescent Step
11. The Spine
12. Shoulders
13. Arms
14. The Fist
15. Knuckles
16. The Striking Arm
17. The Back
18. The Energetic and Mechanical Structure
19. The Iron Shirt
20. Rooting
21. The Mind
22. Ten-Minute Sanchin Kata
23. Implements for Sanchin Kata Training
24. Breathing
25. Turning
26. The Kata

Highlights:

There are two sections that stood out to me in this book. The first was the Chapter 21 on The Mind. The author gives us some really good information on the basic functions of the mind and how to apply them in practice as in combat. It is obvious that the author did a fair amount of research to get the material in the book just right. I for one really appreciate that diligence.

The second section that stands out to me was Chapter 22, Ten-Minute Sanchin Kata. I have seen this kind of training in the past but never was able to get a good explanation of the goal of the training. Some of the explanations I got were out right wrong and unrealistic. Things like conditioning the muscles to be tougher, etc… This section really made the ten minute Kata make a lot more sense.

Another thing that stood out to me in this book was that the material was well illustrated. The figures made the things mentioned in text very clear to me. There is still no substitute for seeing things in motion but they did help. Which leads me to concerns.

Lastly, I really liked how the author included suggestions for how to test each part of the mechanics of the Kata. When told some details about the spine he always added at least one way to test the point he he made. It provides needed feedback to the material to really learn it. This is a model I hope to carry forward into my work and one I rarely see in many martial arts books.

Concerns:

The biggest concern with this book as with any media. It is imperative to have an instructor or someone that can give you some feedback. Things like this can be learned without an instructor but I think it will take much longer. If you at least have a partner to work with they can give you feedback and guidance when or if you get stuck or when you get to the test it sections of the book. However, an instructor would sure be good thing to have handy. Having worked with the author in a couple of seminars there is no comparison between a book and the real thing. I will continue to work on this material until I feel comfortable enough to go back to him and have him pick it apart.

The book obviously cannot show you some of the subtle nuances to actual movement and timing. This can only really be done with something in motion. The author has obviously thought about that and has created a companion DVD that goes into the material in a visually in depth manner. Look for it, that will be the topic of my next review.

Respectfully submitted,

Nicholas Guinn
5th Degree Black Belt – Aikijutsu
4th Degree Black Belt – Shotokan Karate
December 6th, 2010
Owasso, Oklahoma, USA
Copyright 2010 by Nicholas Guinn

The Way to Black Belt (Book)
Lawrence Kane, Kris Wilder

Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate
Available from: YMAA Publication Center, ymaa.com

The Way to Black Belt answers many questions that have taken me years to know to even ask. It also does a great job answering a few questions people have before they ever get started in the martial arts. For example, there is a chapter that outlines how to find a good instructor. The authors do a great job of outlining a process everyone can use to do exactly that, find a good instructor.

The tag line on the front of the book says “A Comprehensive Guide to Rapid, Rock-Solid Results” and they mean it. I would not call this an advertising slogan but instead a clear explanation of the kind of quality information that we can gain from each chapter. In addition to the great writing by these authors they also have some commentary and insights by some of the best martial artists alive today.

For people just starting to look for a good instructor the authors have outlined a great chapter on what to look for in a school. For those of us that have been in the martial arts a while they have a chapter called, “Understand the Strategy to Master the Tactics.” It goes in depth on some of the most important lessons on self defense like Hick’s Law and Boyd’s Law. As well as outline one of the most classic of questions, what is the difference between “Jutsu” and “Do”. Another great chapter even outlines goal setting and how to use it to assist you in the journey to black belt.

The book is absolutely worth the cost for almost any martial artist but will be particularly useful to students that are only now getting started. If you are already a student and feel like there is something missing. Read this book it may be able to point you in a direction that will be more productive in the long run. It is a great read and is very informative. Between chapters the authors have provided pictures to reinforce the message of the chapters. It has been a great read and a book I will be referring back to for a long time.

At $24.95 from ymaa.com. No matter what style of martial arts you intend to study this book will be a valuable asset in the journey to black belt.

Respectfully submitted,

Nicholas Guinn
3rd Degree Black Belt ? Shotokan Karate
5th Degree Black Belt – Aikijutsu
March 24th, 2009
Owasso, Oklahoma, USA
Copyright 2009 by Nicholas Guinn

Sunrise Tai Chi (Book)

By Ramel Rones
Skill level: Beginner

Available from: YMAA Publication Center, ymaa.com

Sunrise Tai Chi is a great book for people interested in investigating Tai Chi as it applies to health. The text is simple and easy to understand. The use of pictures and text are combined well together. The one thing I would like to see are arrows showing the direction of motion in the photographs. This technique was used in some of the other YMAA books and it clarified a lot about how to move. The form, stretches, and Chi Kung are all very complete and understandable.

The book is well organized beginning with a very brief introduction and history. The book then moves through Chi exercises, in-motion skill building, and a basic understanding of the techniques in the form. The book ends with the chapter on learning the Sunrise Tai Chi short form. Again a great way to start to investigate Tai Chi for the first time. The only real issues I had with this book are, first, there are no martial applications. This isn’t needed if you are just looking into Tai Chi from a health perspective but Tai Chi is a martial style so my preference is to have some applications. The only other issue I have is that the material is far to simple to be useful to anyone other than a beginner. If you have any Martial experience, especially with Tai Chi, this is not the book for you.

All-in-all it is a great book for people just getting started on Tai Chi for health. It does focus a great deal on Chi development which is not normally something I spend a lot of time on in my training but is still written in a clear concise manner.

The book retail price is listed as $16.95 and is worth a look if you want more information on Tai Chi for health.

Respectfully submitted,

Nicholas Guinn

3rd Degree Black Belt ? Shotokan Karate
5th Degree Black Belt – Aikijutsu
March 26th, 2009
Owasso, Oklahoma, USA
Copyright 2009 by Nicholas Guinn

The Way of Kata (Book)
By: Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder

Skill Level: Intermediate through Advanced
Available From: YMAA Publications Inc.
Length: 238 pages

Summary:

The Way of Kata does a tremendous job of combining the work of many other books into one complete study guide on kata. In the past, I have had to refer to several books to get what I believed to be the most complete picture of how kata should be analyzed. This book does a great job of clearing up the need for so many different references. The book begins with the history of kata and moves through the framework of how it all fits together, and it ends with a process and examples of how to make these things work for each of us in our own study.

The Way of Kata is so good that it is going to be required reading in my school. Between the wisdom and knowledge this book imparts to its readers no self-respecting Karateka would miss reading it. Modern and sport Karate has its place but has not done a very good job of ensuring Karate maintains it authenticity or effectiveness and this book does a great job of bringing those concepts back. For that matter, if you study any style of martial art where the use of kata is a focus this book is a must read. I am looking forward to reading more by these authors. I have yet to be disappointed by any of their work.

Details
What you get:

The book does a great job of stepping you through the strong understanding of kata. It begins with the history, takes you through the reasoning behind kata creation, the process and examples of how all the material comes together, and finally ends with a conclusion for each of us as readers to bring all that we have learned back together again. Each section within the book follows a very basic rule of “say what you are going to say, say it, and repeat what you have said.” Plus at the beginning of each section the the authors have included a quote relevant to the section. Each quote does a great job of establishing a mindset for that section as well. The book also includes several line drawings, showing two fighters in various techniques. These drawings are great as they do a good job of getting the point across without the authors having to spend a lot of time in a studio taking pictures. Also too often in photos there are no lines showing the angles of force and Mr. Wilder has done a good job of showing the direction of each turn and punch etc…

Chapters:

1. Background Fundamentals – history of kata and Karate as an art and practice
2. Strategy and Tactics – the plan of action and all it supporting structures
3. Principles – the framework on which the kata stand. Without there we cannot understand kata as a practice
4. Rules – if the principles are the framework or bones of the kata study then the principles are the muscles and sinew. They make the framework move.
5. Physics, Physiology, and Other Considerations – this chapter discusses some of the why it all works. What happens to the body, why force is generated, and much more…
6. Process – demonstrates the process one might go through to analyze and more appropriately work on understanding the most optimal movements in kata.
7. Kata Examples – demonstrates the application of all materials on applications of several moves in Goju Ryu kata.
8. Conclusion – discusses the book and talks about how to move forward from here.

Highlights:

Of the entire contents of the book I have found two sections to be worth more than any other. The “Rules” and the “Principles” are the two best chapters in the book in my opinion. They do a great job of giving you the framework of how it all fits together and then gives you a description of each section applies to kata as a whole. The material in these sections are so fundamental as to be applicable far beyond Karate Kata alone. The material is very sound indeed.

Concerns:

There are some sections such as “Physics, Physiology, and Other Considerations” that are a little dry and perhaps a slow read. However, these sections have some very needed and are still full of valuable information. My only other concern is that the books material likely needs to be read by someone with a good foundation in Karate. Something more than a couple of years of training perhaps. It can certainly be read by beginners but will need to be referred back to again and again until internalized. This stands to make the study of Karate very complex and lengthy. So my concern is that once you read this book and cursory study of Modern Karate is not going to be enough and one might find themselves overwhelmed with the volume of what they have yet to learn to really master Karate.

Respectfully submitted,

Nicholas Guinn
5th Degree Black Belt – Aikijutsu
3rd Degree Black Belt – Shotokan Karate

March 26th, 2009
Owasso, Oklahoma, USA
Copyright 2009 by Nicholas Guinn

Baguazhang (Book)

Master Liang, Shou-Yu, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Skill level: Beginner to Advanced

Available from: YMAA Publication Center, ymaa.com

This is a extraordinarily detailed work on Baguazhang. The authors have assembled a book that can take a martial artist from the very beginning to the more advanced Bagua skills. From a more practical martial arts standpoint there are a many valuable martial skills and concepts. If you are more interested in developing Qi(chi) skills this book is very complete. For the more practical martial artist it would be nearly impossible to separate the internal from the external in this style but is still worth the read. The authors also provide a great background through the history of the style and an excellent section explaining how Bagua fits into the continuum of Chinese martial arts.

In almost all martial arts it is usually necessary or preferable at least to have an instructor. I know some personalities that just cannot learn from a book or just from video. Bagua, or at least good Bagua instructors are difficult to find where I live. That being the case the only substitute is to learn from this book and/or a video. This books depth at explaining the art is a little dauting at first, however, it was very worth while. The pictures also do a great job to show the postures and movement that might be difficult to understand by text alone. I make one recommendation for anyone interested in Bagua. Buy this book, you will want it in your library to look back on it for reference. Also, buy the Bagua video associated with this art from the same publisher ymaa.com. The book does a great job of giving you the lecture on the art but in order to see it modeled really well get the video to go with the book. This will allow you to attack the material from a couple of different angles allowing for a much better level of understanding.

Finally, the authors do a very good job of showing the applications for self defense to the movements in Bagua. Very practical and real world. I never doubted that Bagua is a wonderful art but have always wondered about it efficacy. This text put all of those concerns to rest. Reading this text has me hooked and I will be working on Bagua for some time. That said studying Bagua is definitely a long term program.

At $35.96 from ymaa.com, this single book is more detailed then most I have seen on nearly any art. Whether you know Bugua or want to study it and cannot get to an instructor this book is worth while.

Respectfully submitted,

Nicholas Guinn

3rd Degree Black Belt ? Shotokan Karate

5th Degree Black Belt – Aikijutsu

February 9th, 2009

Owasso, Oklahoma, USA

Copyright 2009 by Nicholas Guinn and Guinn Martial Arts

Meditations on Violence, by Sergeant Rory Miller. (Book)

The vast majority of citizens have little or no experience with firsthand violence, which colors their perception of it. From stylized Hollywood blockbusters to Black Belt ‘factory’ martial arts schools, violent conflict is presented as a neatly packaged event. As a handful of wise men like Sergeant Rory Miller knows, this is not the truth of conflict.

Sgt. Miller has an overabundance of firsthand experience, but he does not claim to have discovered some kind of Holy Grail where violent conflicts are concerned. He is aware that his experience, while extensive and edifying, is not comprehensive. Thus, his observations take on all the more importance – Sgt Miller is, in effect, attempting to serve up the deep lessons he has learned while cautioning the reader that they will not cover every situation.

That said, Meditations on Violence is a fascinating look at a world rarely seen by those who live behind the veil of protection maintained by Sgt. Miller and those like him. One might assume this was a text which would only be of use to Law Enforcement professionals or Kung-Fu masters, but this is not so. It is also a deep and philosophical refection on violence itself – why it happens, who it happens to, why predators behave as they do, why violence is so psychologically damaging, and so on. Each of these topics could easily fill its own volume, and Sgt. Miller is generous with his sources, filling his text with a library of useful sources which delve deeper into certain subjects. Each chapter contains hard-won wisdom which challenges basic assumptions about such vital matters as ‘what will I do in a fight’, ‘should I get self-defense training’, or ‘my Black Belt will save me.’

The most engaging aspect of Sgt. Miller’s book is the glimpses of his personal philosophy – a suggestion of what it must be like to live in the mind of a man who charges into tiny rooms after violent criminals as his day job. The text is filled with personal stories linking the philosophy of combat with actual use in a street environment, followed by observations on what went right, what went wrong, and what was sheer luck.

Meditations on Violence should be required reading for Law Enforcement, Martial Artists, and anyone else who thinks they know what combat is actually like – for it is far better to have your assumptions challenged by Sgt. Miller’s book than in a more dangerous arena.

January 16th, 2009
Dustin Ballard
Copyright 2009

Bunkai-Jutsu (Book)
Author: Iain Abernethy
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Available from: Summersdale Publishing

My initial thoughts:

This is the first book that I have ever read that exposed me to the concepts of real Bunkai (analysis) of the applications found within kata. Since then I have read other books that outline various reverse engineering methods but this book is the measuring stick by which all others are judged. No matter where you decide to get your information on Karate applications I would strongly recommend this book be added to every library. I have owned this book for a couple of years now and I have referred back to it many times. It serves as a excellent filter to see what is real and functional in Karate and self defense.

Continue reading →

Meditations on Violence (Book)
A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence
Author: Sgt. Rory Miller
Skill level: Advanced
Available from: YMAA Publication Center (www.ymaa.com)

My initial thoughts:
Meditations on Violence should be required reading for anyone planning on teaching self defense or martial arts as a form of self defense. There is a gap between the dojo and real world violence and Miller’s work does a great job of bridging that gap. Cliche as it may be this literature is a true “wake up call”. There is some fairly graphic imagery written into the text of this work and it is gritty and “in your face” but is needed to demonstrate that understanding violence can be a more complex issue then we think. This book is very informative and does a great job of explaining the dark side to humanity and the material is addressed in a way that should change your world view.

Continue reading →

The Clinch: No Holds Barred Fighting (Book)
Mark Hatmaker

Empty Hand Sport Fighting
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Available from: www.startupsports.com (most bookstores can order it)

My initial thoughts:

I bought this book out of curiosity. After all, who wouldn?t want to know more about fighting in the clinch? As I train without much regard for competition rules, I found myself analyzing how these techniques might play out in the street. I?ll try not to let that overly impact my review of this book, since it is written with sport in mind. I think Mark Hatmaker has done an excellent job in his presentation. The book has 224 pages and about 770 black and white photos to detail about 100 techniques and variations for fighting from the clinch in No Holds Barred fighting and/or submission wrestling. A few of the pictures are a little blurred, but that does not impair one?s ability to understand the techniques presented. All the picture sequences are correct and the pictures are of adequate size to understand the techniques. Again, the presentation is excellent.

What you get:

No Holds Barred Fighting: The Clinch begins with Hatmaker explaining that this book is one in a series of books designed to teach various aspects of the No Holds Barred fighting and/or submission wrestling games. He readily admits that the books augment each other and that maximum benefit will be gained in using each in conjunction with the others. If it were not a good book, I might consider that a marketing ploy, but the information is as focused as possible in a sport where many aspects overlap. Hatmaker also explains that this book will only scratch the surface for folks who train in wrestling styles that exclusively use the clinch, but for those in NHB or submission wrestling he presents about 100 techniques or variations that have been proven to be the high percentage techniques used in actual competition.

The Clinch has only two pages of introductory comments before getting on with the show. The book is divided into 9 chapters based on various aspects of clinch fighting, three of which are subdivided. Here is an overview of what you?ll find in these chapters.

Chapter 1: Clinch Varieties
Hatmaker presents three clinches that are common to the two sports in view in this book. He acknowledges that many more exist, but presents these three for us. In each description, he explains how to apply the clinch, how to keep yourself relatively safe in the clinch, and which works better in each of the two sports. The clinches covered are the head clinch (a.k.a., the Muay Thai clinch or the plum blossom clinch), the collar and elbow clinch, and the over-under clinch.

Chapter 2: Clinch Conditioning
Proper conditioning is key to any physical sport, and different aspects of each sport require different conditioning exercises. Hatmaker recommends clinch practice as the best conditioning activity for clinch fighting. However, there are times when one doesn?t have a training partner present. For these times, Hatmaker recommends two exercises that he believe best mimic the physical demands of clinch fighting and which can be used to condition for clinch fighting. So as not to undercut the author, I?ll not name them. Nonetheless, he explains them well.

Chapter 3: It?s OK to Disagree
This is a short page or two addressing submission wrestling?s tendency to start in a neutral clinch. Hatmaker believes you should make your opponent work for his position and that you should attempt to establish your own superior position rather than agreeing to start in a neutral position. Certainly you should shake hands to be respectful, but from there on out it is a contest of skill all the way.

Chapter 4: Circling
This is a short page or two on the why?s and how?s of circling in the clinch. It is straightforward and sound advice.

Chapter 5: Pummeling
Pummeling is the fine art of jockeying for superior position in the clinch. The same pummeling skills are used both offensively and defensively. Hatmaker explains the use of snaking and applies it in head clinch pummeling, collar and elbow pummeling, and over-under pummeling. This chapter also includes advice on the training needed for pummeling ? the goal is to build clinch stamina. Hatmaker observes, ??the clinch happens because two opponents navigate past open strikes and can?t quite secure a takedown. You are clinching because you haven?t KO?d him or you haven?t been able to take him down. You clinch by strategic and tactical default (p. 30).? Pummeling skills are vital for success in these two sports and Hatmaker gives solid training advice regarding this aspect of the game.

Chapter 6: Striking within the Clinch (Offense and Defense)
This is a hefty chapter that covers striking offensively in all three clinches and defenses against the strikes in the head clinch and the over-under clinch. The collar-elbow clinch is a more neutral clinch and it is difficult to use many strikes from this clinch without opening oneself to strikes as well. What the reader will find here is clear teaching on the use of knees, low-line kicks and stomps, elbows and shoulders, hook punches, and the like, as well as drills and defenses. I like this chapter a lot, as I believe it has solid ideas that would also be street effective. This chapter raised my interest in the companion volume in this series on ?savage strikes.?

Chapter 7: Clinch Takedowns
?Striking is most effective outside the clinch, and takedowns are most effective inside the clinch (p. 82).? Hatmaker gives us X takedowns for the three clinches and also discusses follow-up for several of them. The reader will see very good photographic depictions of these takedowns coupled with good written explanations. As an example, the closed leg dive is explained with three bullet points and a paragraph that accompany 8 photos. To further explain freezing the leg, you get 4 more photos and half a page of text and bullet points. He follows this with two 5 photo sequences of what to avoid when freezing the leg. This clearly explains the takedown and its execution. You get about 25 takedowns with several variations and details of what makes the takedown succeed or fail. This is a very good presentation of the most common takedowns of NHB/submission wrestling.

Chapter 8: Countering Clinch Takedowns
This chapter takes a look at basic counters used to prevent being taken down and also some basic counter throws. While all of the techniques are important to the two sports covered by this book, I found the counter throws of more interest. You get 8 counters to thwart various takedowns and two counterthrows against being rear body-locked for a throw. These are practical moves that are not overly complex.

Chapter 9: The Backcast ? The Money Move
This chapter gave me a new respect for wrestlers/grapplers. The worst that can happen when facing a grappler is not being thrown to the ground over a hip or having an arm bar applied. I would rather face a rear naked choke than be on the receiving end of a pure backcast. If this technique were used on pavement it would likely kill someone, or at least cause some serious brain damage. While I?ll probably never use this technique, it raised my awareness. And, Hatmaker not only explains and demonstrates the technique properly, he offers six steps of training to develop the strength and skill to actually master this technique. If you?re interested in the backcast, this chapter will probably be worth the price of the book for you. He shows the technique in a rear, a front and a side variation, as well as showing entries into the move. He rounds out the chapter with counters to backcast attempts.

The book concludes with a section on resources for the No Holds Barred fighter or submission wrestler and an index.

My concerns:

There is some pretty dangerous content to the techniques offered in this book. Any training with this material should be done with great care. And, if at all possible, train with a competent instructor and a throwing dummy.

There are a few times that Hatmaker used terms I was not familiar with. It may be that these are defined in other volumes in this series. Some were defined in this book. Nonetheless, the pictures are detailed enough that one can follow what Hatmaker wants to communicate.

On a personal level, these techniques are still sport oriented. They can be modified for street use. However, if one clinches with an opponent who has not trained with rules that prohibit eye shots he may not be thinking of such attacks as he plans for a takedown or throw. As sport material, this is great material. However, the reader must acknowledge the intent of the techniques and learn them within their proper context. That being said, anyone training for self-defense needs to see the backcast and keep it in mind when planning to counter a rear bear hug.

Overall:

Hatmaker has given the sporting community a very good book to learn common techniques for NHB and submission wrestling. The material is presented very well ? perhaps the best combination of photos and explanations that I have seen yet. It would help for the reader to have some background, at least a basic level, in wrestling or a similar art to gain maximum benefit from this book. And, some of the material reaches the advanced levels of training. If one mastered the material herein he or she would be formidable in clinch situations. Hatmaker does note that this is one aspect of the sports mentioned and the other books in the series cover other aspects. If they are on the same level as this book, they would be worth having if you plan to participate in NHB or submission wrestling competitions. And, this book gives one an idea of the types of techniques possible when facing a wrestler/grappler in the street.

In the $10-15 range, this book is a great resource.

Respectfully submitted,

Stan Meador
3rd Degree Black Belt ? Shotokan Karate
1st Degree Black Belt – Aikijitsu
March 19, 2008
Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Copyright 2008 by Donald Stanley Meador

Flashlight Fighting (Book)

Phil Elmore

Skill level: Beginner to Advanced

Available from: Paladin Press (most bookstores can order it)

My initial thoughts:

This book is definitely for the niche market, but everyone can benefit from reading it. That sounds very general, but it is true of this book. Flashlight Fighting is about self-defense, it is not about any given style of martial arts. It is no-nonsense advice for personal self-protection. The book was published in 2006 and has just 80 pages. There are 53 b&w photos used to help explain principles in the text. That may not seem like many, but they are well used and are understandable. Add all that together and add a little bit of humor and Flashlight Fighting will help you see that a good flashlight is a formidable weapon, even in the hands of someone without years of martial arts training.

What you get:

Chapter 1: Why the Flashlight?

A flashlight is a very practical and handy tool. It has many uses. It can be used to investigate suspicious noises around your house at night. It can also be used for self-defense should the suspicious noise be an intruder. And, the flashlight is not legislated as a weapon (at least, it wasn?t when the book was written). In this chapter, the pros and cons of two types of flashlights are discussed.

Chapter 2: Considering Lights

This chapter briefly discusses the types of flashlights available at the time of writing. The author?s opinion is that the only real issue in choosing a flashlight is the on/off switch ? he prefers the tailcap switch with a temporary on feature for self-defense. And, he explains the wisdom in this configuration. He then discusses principles for using the flashlight. Larger, heavier flashlights are like clubs; smaller, lighter flashlights are like palm sticks. He also states his opinion of dedicated weapon lights.

Chapter 3: Walk with Confidence

The key concept here is that the flashlight is a force multiplier. The author gives use three ways the flashlight can be used to multiply force. He discusses options for carrying and deploying the flashlight.

Chapter 4: Awareness and Body Mechanics

It should go without saying that one should be aware of one?s surroundings, paying attention to potential dangers. Our author does not assume the reader knows this, which is beneficial to readers who have not been trained in self-protection. His advice on awareness is well presented. This is followed by a discussion of body mechanics. Flashlight fighting is about self-protection ? protecting your personal space, which he defines. The section on body mechanics focuses primarily on what your hands are doing. From initial assessment, to attempted de-escalation, to fighting the author describes the transitions in body mechanics. The author stresses the desire to avoid fighting. He also points out the fact that one must have a legally justifiable reason to introduce a weapon into a fight.

Chapter 5: Attack, Attack, Attack

Here we are introduced to some basic strikes using the flashlight for self defense. As the chapter titles suggests, the author advocates aggressive, overwhelming striking attacks with the flashlight when there is no option to avoid a serious fight. Following the discussion of striking, the author gives us some information about preferable targets. The targeting information is both general and specific enough to give most readers the information they need should they have to fight with a flashlight. And, one must find a way to safely practice using the flashlight. The author gives us 6 scenarios in which one could find oneself. This chapter ends with the fact that learning how to fight with a flashlight does not equip one for all self defense situations. The author advocates learning to fight with both empty hands and weapons in addition to the flashlight so that one can be better prepared to face dangerous confrontations.

Chapter 6: Lights, the Future, and You

Here the author shares what he believes will occur in the legal realm concerning flashlights. His discussion leans a little toward the ?survivalist? camp, but is pretty realistic. He also states that he hopes his readers never have a fair fight, preferring that they find a way to stack the odds in their favor ? even if it means turning a flashlight into a weapon.

Appendix A: Cord-Wrapping a Flashlight

Here the author explains how to wrap a flashlight with cord so you can slide your hand inside a cord loop.

Appendix B: Larger Lights

Here the author explains how to use a larger light as a club. His explanation is simple and the ideas he gives us appear effective. He also discusses using vehicle mountable/detachable spotlights in certain self defense situation. The story closing out the book is very funny.

Throughout the book, the author reminds the reader of the legal ramifications of using a flashlight as a weapon. He reminds the reader, ?If you cannot justify your actions in a court of law, you?re going to pay for them (p. 42).?

My concerns:

This book is mainly about principles for fighting with a flashlight. I have no major concerns with anything in this book. The content seems very solid. Some readers may want to know that there are about 4 uses of profanity in the book, though they are not strong and are used in context.

Overall:

I really like this book. The information is very good and is well written. It is not about specific techniques, but about principles for using a flashlight for self defense. Many aspects of self-protection are covered in this book. I plan to have a copy of this book on hand to give my daughter when she goes off to college ? the advice is that good and practical.

At $10 or less, this book could easily be in the library of just about everyone. No martial artist has an excuse to be without this book.

Respectfully submitted,

Stan Meador

2^nd Degree Black Belt ? Shotokan Karate

1^st Degree Black Belt – Aikijitsu

October 25, 2007

Bloomfield, Kentucky, USA

Copyright 2007 by Donald Stanley Meador