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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant book, lack of depth, 11 Jan 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts: Tae Kwondo, Karate, Aikido, Ju-jitsu, Judo, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Kendo and Taido (Hardcover)
I was happy to see this big glossy book in a shop as there aren't many general martial arts books available. I was impressed by the book, it is the best I've seen however it doesn't go into any real depth in the martial arts it looks at. It does give a good brief history and philosophy of each martial art. It also shows how to perform a selection of techniques both basic and advanced. It also shows different warm up routines in the different arts. I was also disappointed that there were some martial arts missing such as Ninjutsu, Sumo, Shorinji Kempo and Tang Soo Do to name a few. I have seen more martial arts described in an earlier book 'The big book of martial arts'. I think that this book should be expanded into a build up series of magazines and binders. The book should be purchased by anyone either studying martial arts or interested in learning more. Very worth buying.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Good introduction, 28 Feb 2010
This review is from: The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts: Tae Kwondo, Karate, Aikido, Ju-jitsu, Judo, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Kendo and Taido (Hardcover)
To be honest you won't actually learn martial arts to any effective degree by reading this book. If you are an existing practitioner then I gives good insight into the differences between styles.
However, this book gives a good introduction to the various martial arts and will be invaluable in helping you select what style you wish to pursue.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dangerous book - surprised at Fay Goodman!, 8 Jan 2005
By A Customer
This review is from: The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts: Tae Kwondo, Karate, Aikido, Ju-jitsu, Judo, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Kendo and Taido (Hardcover)
This book covers many different martial arts, explaining a little about their history, etiquette, and progression structures. Fay Goodman is a recognised and respected martial artist, and she has enlisted many other top-rated artists to "sponsor" the chapters in this book. Covering the mainstream "pure" arts, ignoring mixed martial arts, but adding a nice chapter on Shinto Ryu, the book presents a basis for deciding which art you might like to follow. However, and most shockingly, many different routines are described and photographed, with warnings about not making contact, etc - but nowhere in the book does it show you how to fall! One of the first lessons you will receive in any martial art is how to hit the floor safely, and this book encourages readers to try out arts such as judo and jujitsu with no explanation of how to breakfall. For that alone, this book should be left alone as an instruction manual! Other than that, this book has some of the clearest pictures, most easy to follow diagrams, and plainest text I have come across in some time. Such a shame that the safety aspect has been ignored!
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