The Art of Throwing: Principles and Techniques [Hardcover]

Tedeschi has grouped the techniqes into six major categories: shoulder Throws (12 techniques), hip throws (14 techniques), Leg throws (12 techniques), Hand Throws (26 techniques), Sacrefice Throws (10 techniques)Kick-counter throws (16). Also a set of 20 combinations (throw to lock), and a vital section on Defenses against throws (24 defenses shown). You might also be wondering whether the techniques shown in this book are too specific to Hapkido to be of any use to you if you practice say, judo or another martial art. The nice thing about Tedeschi's books is that he has studied a variety of grappling arts--and come to the same realization the rest of us have over the years. An inside shoulder throw is still an inside shoulder throw--whether you call it that in Japanese, Korean, Chinese, or English. Tedeschi's 4-volume series makes no distinction as to language or culture--every technique in this book is referred to by it's English name.

I should add that I am pleased with the quality of the volumes put out by the publisher, Weatherhill. Clear photographs are printed on slick acid-resistant paper, and the boards of these volumes are covered with a laminated paper that will resist picking up sweat (or any other of those wonderful things we get on our books while taking them on the mat or discussing techniques after practice). Tedeschi has gone the extra mile in making ALL of his books as specific as possible. Most of the techniques shown include extra photographs and diagrams of bones, muscles, and pressure points as they apply to the specific technique. This is the first technical martial arts book by any author where I've seen this sort of exacting detail on virtually every technique. And to think, he doesn't call himself Grandmaster or wear anything but a plain black belt.

As one would suspect, the book also covers breakfalls, footwork, stances, grips (including pressure point targets for gripping) and the throws themselves, broken down into the sub-categories of: shoulder throws, hip throws, hand throws, sacrifice throws, kick-counter throws combinations of throws and defence against throws. In all, over eighty throws are demonstrated. When you have this number of techniques, there is a bit of, "Well, that would difficult to execute" or "Why not do such and such - it's less complicated" but these are minor points. The fact of matter is that the vast majority of techniques appear quite practical. As a Judo practitioner and policeman I have successfully used many similar moves myself in competition and on the job. For all of you Judoka out there: if you want to learn to make your throws more street-lethal (e.g. in a justifiable self-defence situation), you'll be very interested in the Hapkido method of throwing as many techniques incorporate a strike or lock in their execution (much like jui-jitsu).Is the book worth the money? Unequivocally, yes. To use a cliché, I believe this book has a place of every martial artist's bookshelf. With so much garbage out there on the market, it is refreshing to see a book of this quality being produced. Mr. Tedeschi is on a roll, I hope he continues to write.