This volume traces the evolution of the fighting arts from the 'old worlds' through to contemporary societies. The first part of the book explores ancient classical fighting arts and the cultural influences that helped to shape them. The second part focuses on the assimilation of these ancient arts into modern western societies. The role that martial arts play in modern society is given prominent attention, particularly from the point of view of a perceived greater threat from terrorism.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Where do I start? This is the only book I have read that made me angry - not because there was an arguement I did not agree with, but simply because it was such a poor book. I really wanted to enjoy it but had to force myself to read it all the way through.
The cover is very promising but the book does not describe the evolution from secret societies to modern times... no mention at all of secret societies, how they formed, their history and traditions and HOW they have changed in the modern era.
The book is badly edited with many spelling and gramatical errors and if it is supposed to be academic - which I think it tries to be - there is a completely inconsistent approach to referencing (in some sections, there is a reference for almost every sentence!), no thread of an arguement, poor writing style and when it does start to get interesting... it moves onto another issue. The only good section of the book is the bibliography which I have used extensively.
A message to the author - please be more focussed in future and decide exactly what you want to write about. Be more detailed instead of eclective. You chose a huge subject and had some very interesting headings and sub-headings that showed much promise but consistently failed to deliver my expectations.
A message to the publishers and editor - do a better job of editing please. It is your job to ensure a good read, correct spelling and gramatical mistakes, ensure proper and appropriate referencing is used and that the book has direction.
Overall an extremely disapointing book - I wish I had not forced myself to read it.
The cover is very promising but the book does not describe the evolution from secret societies to modern times... no mention at all of secret societies, how they formed, their history and traditions and HOW they have changed in the modern era.
The book is badly edited with many spelling and gramatical errors and if it is supposed to be academic - which I think it tries to be - there is a completely inconsistent approach to referencing (in some sections, there is a reference for almost every sentence!), no thread of an arguement, poor writing style and when it does start to get interesting... it moves onto another issue. The only good section of the book is the bibliography which I have used extensively.
A message to the author - please be more focussed in future and decide exactly what you want to write about. Be more detailed instead of eclective. You chose a huge subject and had some very interesting headings and sub-headings that showed much promise but consistently failed to deliver my expectations.
A message to the publishers and editor - do a better job of editing please. It is your job to ensure a good read, correct spelling and gramatical mistakes, ensure proper and appropriate referencing is used and that the book has direction.
Overall an extremely disapointing book - I wish I had not forced myself to read it.
By "orloffdb"
Format:Paperback
This book is not a starters book. To enjoy it you must realise that this is no starters guide, nor a book on how to beat people up while shouting YOW! I approached it with the formers ideals, and was dissapointed on that account. This may not be any of the above, but it is a definitive look into the history and the evolution of the ancient martial arts. It also comments on how the martial arts are often misintereperated as a wholey Eastern tradition, but in fact they were well spread around the world, but at this later date there is a lack of published material on the subject, so not many people are aware of it. But it is a good book if you are into the pyschoogical side of the arts, and if you are interested in history. It takes a good look at how changing culture reflects the change in self defense methods, and how the martial arts are constantly evolving.There are lots of snippets of zen and tao wisdom and the comments on primal rage and how it can be channeled are useful and inspiring. It also, at the end, gives the authors views and solutions to the modern day threats of terrorism, fire arms and the modern views on violence. Anyway, a good light relief book for martial artists.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.8 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Ugh
13 Jan 2003
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Imagine reading a freshman English 101 paper on the "fighting arts". Only it's 100 pages long (about [...] per page of main text). That's "The Fighting Arts". Utterly devoid of interesting insights, grasp of history or even enthusiasm for its subject, it reads like the contractually required 5th book in a 5 book deal. Would it interest you to know that Western knightly martial arts included systems of hand-to-hand combat and knowledge of a variety of joint locks? Me too. And now you know just about all this book has to say on the topic, because that's the level of detail offered. Are you vaguely aware that different cultures affect each other over time? If so, you may be over-qualified for this book already. Go to a Borders store, stand in the Martial Arts section and read any 15 page introduction to just about any martial arts book. You'll learn just about all this book has to say.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth the read
25 Feb 2003
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Rosenbaum's approach is far from a how to or how to do martial arts..Instead he explains in a very easy to understand manner just how the fighting arts evolved due to our cultural moors and traditions, not just Asian but other counties as well. From thisfoundation he then clear points out the differences between oldworld battlefield martial arts and their evolution and our modern quasi martial arts that consist of many things most not of a martial nature. It is well sourced and historically correct. He uses various systems and styles as examples of to explain his points, from Tae Kwon Do to JKD, UFC and others well known today. His views are at times blunt in their ascessments of todays fighting arts especially when compared to those practiced 100-200 years ago. All in all I really enjoyed it, found it refreshing,educational and even at times challenging compared to what I have been led to believe about the marital arts.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of a kind
25 Nov 2002
By tom
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
First off this is the only martial arts book that I've ever seen that has it's forward written by a pulitzer nominee. The approach the author takes is very unique in that he focuses on the development of the fighting arts from cultural perspectives, religon, ethics,warfare, geography, etc and points out how these played key roles in the development of martial arts both of Asian and European heritage. He breaks the book down into two major areas, classical systems and modern ones and then compares the two. If you think that your a fighter on par with the knights of old or the ancient samurai this book will bust your bubble and fast. Likewise if you think that just because you do karate you hold the same mindset as the military elites, Seals, Green Berets, Rangers you will also be in store for some shocks. The book is well sourced, over 100 footenotes and it covers not only civilian fighting arts but those of our modern day military as well giving insights into the differences between them and how they are used. The chapter on Terrorism and its relationship to martial arts was well put and his view of how the fighting arts fit into todays modern world is one well worth considering. At the price you can't beat it. No matter who you are or what you pracitce this book will stir your thoughts. But beware if you think Hollywood has the greatest martial artists that have ever lived, Bruce Lee included, then this book will be a cold slap in the face for you.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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