Sports Books

The book covers a number of moves you can do to defend yourself from an attacker while you are in a number of positions; seated, standing, in your car, at a bus or train stop or after being knocked to the floor.

The author does not artifically elongate the book with unnecessary chatter... he simply tells you exactly how to defend yourself. He describes where and how to strike any would be attacker in such a way to STOP them from harming you.

Some of the defensive moves described can cause severe injury or be lethal. Everyone who reads this book has to decide for themselves at what point they need to use lethal or near lethal force to defend themselves.

Unlike most martial arts books, there are not so many moves described here that you will forget most of them. It is a fast and easy read that goes right to the point. I feel confident that my wife and I are perhaps 10 times more able to defend ourselves from personal attack now than we were before buying and reading and then re-reading this book.

This book contains hard core techniques aimed at winning a street fights and defend in all assaults. As the disclaimer of the book says, all these 12 techniques are considered as "Deadly Force" by the law, so you must use them only when your life is seriously threatened.
Having said that, they are brutal, effective, easy to learn and to practice.
Practicing them will not grant you a trophy in a karate competition, but will give you a tremendous advantage in case you are attacked on the streets.

Very useful.

If I knew absolutely nothing about fighting and martial arts this would be the very first book I would buy. These are fundamental simple easy-to-use techniques. With sufficient training these techniques can be used under extreme duress and could certainly save your life. Many martial artists scoff at these techniques because they are so simple, but simple is good when you have to remember what to do while in a life-threatening situation. I've trained martial arts all my life (Greco- Roman wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), My father was US Army Special Forces in Vietnam for 7 years and my step-father is a Special Forces colonel and a TKD black belt currently serving in Iraq and we all would attest to the effectiveness of these techniques. (Generally I think it's a good idea to trust the advice of cops, soldiers, and those who've actually experienced life threatening close quarters combat, than those who've only played a sport or practiced in a dojo).
There is definitely much more to fighting than what is in this book, but this is an excellent place to start, and if you wanted a bare bones effective and versatile set of techniques, the Dirty Dozen is were it's at.

This is a short and sweet guide to effective, but illegal, fighting techniques. It describes fighting techniques that can protect you against a violent attack. However, if you use them in a typical street fight, you can expect to spend time in prison. Personal injury lawyers may also come after you. Children especially should not be allowed to read this book.

This book heavily focuses on using the head/hair grab to control your opponent's body movement, followed by repeated strikes to vital areas such as the eyes, ears, throat, neck, back of the head, knee, and groin. This book is basically a bunch of moves that are not even allowed in the UFC. (The UFC lists its fouls on its web site. Anyone who has read this book will recognize many of the fouls listed.)

The techniques taught in this book are far more effective than what you'd learn studying a traditional martial art like Tae Kwon Do. This book is written for people who have no martial arts background, but I would recommend it for anyone studying a modern martial art like Brazilian Jujutsu or Krav Maga, as well.

The Dirty Dozen: 12 Nasty Fighting Techniques For Any Self-Defense Situation is a simple little book containing some practical advice and techniques for self-defense. As a self-defense author and instructor myself, I found it to be a quick read based on some sound principles.

The book starts out with a brief description of some of the threats you might face, and then goes into a chapter on the winning mind. I believe this chapter, focusing on having the right attitude is one of the best chapters in the book. A person must have the proper attitude to survive an attack and be committed in executing the nasty techniques presented to stop an attacker and make it home safe.

Jordan then goes on to discuss the natural weapons we have at our disposal, which include hands, elbows, knees and feet. The next chapter focuses on targets. Mind you, these are very short chapters with just a brief overview of these areas.

Next comes the 12 techniques Jordan chose to illustrate in this book. The descriptions are short, but easy to understand. Finally, Jordan illustrates his 12 techniques with photographs in the final chapter.

This book is not a complete self-defense text, but it serves its purpose among books in a self-defense library. It does provide some very basic self-defense concepts and principles and illustrates some techniques that could be effective if properly performed. I wish it would have addressed awareness and avoidance more as a person's first line of self-protection. However, if you are like me, and enjoy studying everything you can about self-defense and personal protection, this is a quick read to add to your collection.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D. - Author, Speaker
Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, and the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series.

It is really the definitive guide for climbing performance. Looks like "how to climb 5.12" with a lot more things. No doubt it is a good guide for who wants to upgrade his/her climb level.

I had great expectations for this book. I have been climbing for 6 months (in the gym) and am up into 5.11's. I was looking for some instruction and guidance on focusing my training and getting to the next level. Unfortunately this book does not provide much of what I am looking for.

Largely it consists of a number of unsupported theories (often backed up by bogus graphs) and gross generalities which the author uses to expound on general training techniques. Many of the authors suggestions are well known techniques that any athelete could use but there is very little direct guidance on specific exercises that will target specific climbing deficiencies. I read a chapter of the book and at the end really don't have a good idea of what specific exercises I should be employing. Also the book is full of unexplained climbing jargon which takes a while to figure out.

I definitely would not reccomend this book to a beginning or even intermediate climber and I assume most advance climbers would be beyond the level of the book.

I am going to keep searching for a good book on climbing training techniques.

I've been climbing for a few years and I wanted to begin a more serious, structured training program to help me break through to the higher grades. Training For Climbing is the book I was looking for, given its scientific look at improving technique, strength and the mind. While such a detailed, measured approach to training may not be for everyone, it has great appeal to me as a longtime athlete who engaged in formal training for other sports. Training For Climbing helped me understand the many unique aspects to, well, training for climbing, which I found to be much different than what I had been used to from my previous sports experience. Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing the many research references and footnotes, and more importantly I was pleased by the overall LACK of "do as so-and-so hot-shot climber does" or "train like I train." Training For Climbing helped me diagnose and design the best training program for me, and I sense that the book will remain a key resource for me for many years to come.

This book delivers what it says, "Training for Climbing". It is not a technique book but very specifically a guide to training most efficiently for climbing. If you want to climber harder, this book provides lots of good advice.

I am an intermediate climber and have been searching for a good source of training techniques to better myself and accomplish more advanced climbs. "Training for Climbing" was suggested by the folks that work at my gym, so I ran out and bought it. This book is so full of information, that I'll be devouring it for weeks! Everything I've read so far is very fact based and straight forward. The parts on developing mental skills are especially interesting to me, as concentration is one of my biggest areas to work on.

My trainer at the gym has requested to look over the book and then we will formulate a work out program to get me in top shape for climbing. I can't wait! Thank you to Eric J. Horst for this comprehensive book on Training for Climbing.

I'm not a martial artist. I don't know anything about Jeet Kune Do like most of these reviewers. I grew up only knowing the western style of fighting, boxing at it's simplest level. Put up your hands, jab with your left and punch with your right.

Bruce's style is totally different. Everything is predicated on speed. Strikes are used with the knuckles of the last 3 fingers (middle, ring, and pinky) instead of middle finger and forefinger. Instead of turning the wrist over to at the end of the punch the wrist is kept straight. He used southpaw stance because 80% of the work is done with the lead hand and foot (he was right handed). All these techniques run counter intuitive with western style of boxing.

I appreciate reading about Bruce's workout techniques. It's really the reason I bought this book. I wish there were more. He talked about riding his exercycle, jogging, skipping rope, and a few abdominal exercises. There are numerous other workout techniques that involve a wooden dummy, punching bags, speed bags, etc, however those do not concern me too much. I have already incorporated jump rope into my daily routine which includes situps. I plan to practice hitting an 8 X 11 piece of paper with my elbows to learn body control.

Thanks to Bruce, I now feel like I will have an opportunity to really improve my fitness and coordination but only time will tell as to the results I will achieve.

I give this book 4 stars because it contains information that I can actually use in real life. I docked it one star because it contained too much information on stances (the on-guard stance in particular) which was incredibly boring and not at all what I needed.

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 2: Basic Training."

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.

1. The Fighting Man Exercises:

a. The importance of aerobic conditioning and exercises to increase your aerobic capacity such as; running, bike riding, jumping rope, etc.
b. Most martial artists neglect their actual physical workouts, thinking that practicing their particular martial art of and by itself is all you need to get into and stay in shape. This is not true! One must supplement their martial arts training with various muscle building and flexibility exercises.
c. You must constantly push yourself to become better than what you already are. If it comes easy, it generally isn't worth it.
d. How to warm-up properly in order to prepare your body for harder workouts without risking the chance of unnecessary injury due to the use of a well designed and executed warm-up routine.
e. Various flexibility exercises are shown using the trampoline and various body stretches.
f. Several different abdominal exercises are demonstrated as Bruce always felt that the abdomens were the major source of power in the martial arts.

2. The On-Guard Position:

a. Bruce goes really in-depth on a good fighting stance.
b. Looks at the disadvantages of more traditional or formal stances.
c. Bruce also talks a good deal about balance and how important it is to being effective with your techniques.

3. Footwork:

a. The basic principles behind your footwork are discussed.
b. Demonstrated and explained are the Forward and Backward Shuffle.
c. Demonstrated and explained are the Quick Advance and Retreat.
d. Demonstrated and explained is the Burst Forward.
e. Demonstrated and explained is Sidestepping.

4. Power Training; Punching Power:

a. How to correctly make a fist for punching.
b. Various training exercises utilizing the heavy bag, punching mitts, force shields, etc.
c. The use of canvas bags filled with everything from sand to steel filings in order to toughen the hands for impact.
d. The use of hand weights when practicing your punches.
e. The use of a staff across your shoulders to improve your body's ability to work in unison when punching.
f. Talks about using KI when punching and how to punch through your target, not at it.
g. Also discussed is "Pulling Power" and how to develop it with hand and forearm exercises.

Power in Kicking:

a. Flicky point style kicks are useless in self-defense.
b. How to develop striking power in your Side Kick.
c. The use of the heavy bag to develop power in your kicks.
d. The use of the kicking shield to develop power in your kicks.
e. How to add more power to your Front Kick by utilizing your hips correctly.

5. Speed Training:

a. Basic principles involved in training for speed in your techniques.
b. Developing punching speed.
c. Developing whipping speed for your Back Fist.
d. Developing speed in your Finger Jab by using a piece of paper.
e. Developing speed in your Lead Straight Punch.
f. Using equipment such as the double-end bag, punching mitts, and heavy bag to develop speed.
g. Developing a non-telegraphic punch.
h. Using concepts from fencing to enhance your speed and punching skills.
i. A very interesting use of a children's game to develop speed.

Speed in Kicking:

a. Principles and techniques of the Side Kick and Roundhouse Kick, which I find very interesting that Bruce calls the Roundhouse Kick a Hook Kick.
b. Various methods of developing speed in your kicks.
c. Awareness of your body and what it is doing when you are kicking.

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.

Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: Basic Training Vol. 2

Chapter 1 is sort of an overview of a number of exercises and the benefits of each exercise in conditioning the body to be a fighter. There is not much in this chapter, which you cannot find in other exercise or workout books. Furthermore, the practice of receiving blows from a medicine ball or moderately controlled punches to the abdomen is no longer recommended because we now know that receiving even moderate, controlled blows over time can cause damage to internal tissues and organs. Never the less, I am not going to say that there is nothing worth reading in this book. It's just that this book was written before the fitness craze gained momentum to the extent of becoming a cultural practice in the United States. Many people back then were out of shape and did not know how to exercise for better health and physical performance. Some still don't. To beginners, this chapter can serve as an introduction of the types of exercise for a fighter.

Chapter 2 explains in detail and illustrates Bruce Lee's unique right lead Jeet Kune Do guard stance, posture and benefits. Then, there are a series of photos of Dan Inosanto, Bruce Lee's famous student, posing in various classical guard positions, some of which look more like illustrations of moves in kata or forms. The book persuasively criticizes the various weaknesses of the classical guard stances. In defense of some classical positions criticized, however, some martial artists argue persuasively that these classical positions found in katas and forms are symbolic representations of effective fighting techniques being executed and do not represent stationary guard positions.
(See books by Rick Clark, Guy Trimble III, Ashley Croft and George Dillman for more on better interpretations of kata's symbolic representation of effective fighting techniques."

The Chapter on footwork is very basic and simple. It is almost boring. However, the important point to take note of is that moving quickly and effectiveness in fighting begins with being quick on the feet. Bruce lee's books are unique in that they emphasize elements such as distance, timing, speed, creating openings in the opponent's guard and observing the opponent's reactions and habits rather than reliance on techniques for this or that situation. So, it begins with footwork to move into range quickly to strike, to move out of range or side-to-side to avoid being struck and being ready to counter when an opening does appear. The later volumes build on ideas that require good footwork. So, it does start with this book to create a foundation of good footwork. After all, good technique and power is wasted if you can't deliver your strikes or kicks due to lack of speed or improper timing or distance.

The beginning martial artist reading this book might get the quickest results from this book in studying the chapters on power training and speed training. Anyone who understands how to combine the elements such as closing to a proper distance to be able to punch through the target, using harmonious movement of the body while keeping the muscles relaxed until the instant your strike makes contact will discover an alternative, more effective way to deliver a powerful strike rather than using the strength of the arm and upper body alone.

The last chapter on speed training offers 7 different ways to train for developing speed. Most of these training methods require a partner. The reader has to look for these in the context of the writing. There is also an interesting technique suggested for psychologically developing a better sense of timing and quickness of reaction near the end of the last chapter.

Beginners and young martial artist might not fully understand the value of the information in the series of books on Bruce Lee's Fighting Method and in his Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

There is also a video adaptation of this book available on VHS or DVD which features Richard Bustillo and Ted Wong, one of Bruce Lee's students, who also is seen in the photographs of the books.

VHS:

Bruce Lee's Fighting Method

Bruce Lee's Fighting Method

DVD:

Bruce Lee's Fighting Method - by Ted Wong and Richard Bustillo

Mito Uyehara was the founder and publisher of Black Belt magazine. Mito actually took privates from Bruce in his office according to staff legend. Mito also gave Bruce plenty of exposure in Black Belt, but the books in this series, Bruce Lee's Fighting Methods, are the true legacy of that relationship. Mito was very protective of Bruce's image and his admiration for him is as clear as the many photographs in these books.

Of course, Bruce Lee was always changing his methods and ideas about training. To what degree he would have stood behind this material some 40-years later has been the subject of much debate. The closest thing to a modern version of this series is How to Master Bruce Lee's Fighting Style by Lee student Joe Lewis, who credits much of his success to principles he learned while working with Bruce Lee.

But, "never take your eyes off the finger, or you will miss a great book for any Bruce Lee fan."

Bruce Lee covers the basics and foundations of training.

All too often martial artists focus their energies on techniques without developing or preparing the body for such techniques.

This volume covers:

1) Aerobic Conditioning - running vs jumping rope
2) Stretching
3) Core muscle strengthening almost always overlooked. Namely abdominal toning
4) Proper stance and movement
5) Footwork
6) Developing power in your strikes
7) Increasing your speed

This is a fine book, along with Sailing Fundamentals, if you're taking the corresponding ASA course(s). All the information is valid but is geared to passing the course as opposed to just teaching sailing. Additionally, my ASA course instructor said that ASA is getting ready to drop both of these books.

This book was well laid out in a simple to read format and supplied information along with concise sailing exercises to perfect ones skills. After reading for two evenings I know, without a doubt, that my boat handling techniques have moved up a notch. It is practical and applicable to true bareboat sailing encounters.

It is a big step for an intermediate sailor to go to the Caribbean and bareboat charter a 40' vessel. We use this book to take the intermediate sailor to this level. Cruising Fundamentals contains a vast amount of detailed information and yet it is organized in logical steps to bring students to the desired level of competance without overwhelming them. This book contains many excellent photographs and sketches. The basic navigation information is excellent without going too deep and the review questions are good for self evaluation (am I really getting it?)
I particularly like the way systems are presented and compared. For example, the House DC system vs the shore power AC system, diesel engines vs gasoline engines featuring the differences and types of cooking fuels discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each.
This is an all round excellent book that can be read straight through or used as a reference. I understand the second edition is in the works and I look forward to getting it.

I have never been cruising and really did not find this book to be very enlightening. It was VERY basic. You can expect things like "This is the hull, this is the sail" kind of stuff. I was really looking for more advanced topics like weather, emergency situations, planning a long distance cruise, etc.
This book is really for those of you thinking about buying a sailboat for cruising and have absolutely no boating experience. It touches on basic troubleshooting (and I mean basic) but does not really go in depth. I also purchased SAILING FUNDAMENTALS by Gary Jobson (Author), and found this book to be worth every penny. I would only recommend Cruising Fundamentals to those of you dreaming of cruising in the future, not very useful for anyone actually doing it.
I would rate this book at a high-school reading level.

This is American Sailing Association textbook for more advanced sailing topics and the the second of a series. The major plus of this book is that it teaches you how to sail with all the information you need to learn in the proper order you should learn it.

There is an advantage in learning the material in a time tested manner. Every time an instructor like the author, Harry Munns, teaches a course it gets better. This book gets the benefit of his tried and true, tested methods of sailing instruction. It works well.

This book follows "Sailing Fundamentals : The Official Learn-To-Sail Manual of the American Sailing Association and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary"

Get them both.

Each book follows the ASA Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, and Bareboat charter courses.

Reading the books and then taking the courses will give you a jump start on your sailing skills.

Most sailors have knowledge like swiss cheeze--with lots of holes. The books will give you knowledge like American Cheeze--no holes.

Buy both books--you won't regret it. Read them and then take the courses for maximum effectiveness.

This is the path to skill, safety, and confidence on the water.

this is a usefull book for beginners specially if you need to know soem aorkouts for improvement in volleyball.

Excellent for a beginning coach to review skills. Good drills.

Simple and understandable book. Dont expect much but the name of the book is a hit. You can understand fundamentals and get theoretic base for this game. It is what you really need if you have not read anything about volleyball and need something to start with. Book is good if you have never played volleyball or if you have never had coach or never have read anything about volleyball. So, I was fed up with playing volleyball in DIY way and decide to get some theoretic base. This book was exactly what I needed.

I bought this book because a friend and I intend to ride from North to South America in 2018 when all our kids have grown old enough not to miss us. I really hope that we don't have to live through what Glen did but who knows what the continent will be like in 10 years? This is a brilliantly written book with lots of good information and tips for travel. The section on Columbia is well done and doesn't overdominate the story. I wonder from Ted Simon's comments in 'Dreaming of Jupiter' after meeting Glen following his ordeal, if Glen has downplayed his emotional state a little. It must have been a totally awful experince and one I doubt I could have survived. It just goes to show that it helps to be strong when attempting a journey like this but like so many things at the end of the day its all about mental toughness. I take my hat off to Glen and he has inspired me yet again to start my own adventure.

I first came to know about Glen's journey through a tv documentary on the kidnapping, if you get a chance to see it, do so, it brings to life the book in real terms.
Glen does an excellent job of describing the journey, his fears and feelings both before and after the kidnapping. It's not a "how to" book, it's an insight , in my opinion, to inner strength and positive thinking.
Great read.

Action packed true fact based chronicle of a motor cyclist's trip from Palm springs,CA down to the tip of South America and back. You will ride with him through splendid vistas, suffer with him during his capture by the ELN in Columbia and wonder how he would ever escape. You will learn from the psychologically trained mind how Greg Heggsted deceived his captures to eventually go on to complete journey. This is a must read.

I bought this book for my boyfriend to read on the train after hearing the author speak on a radio program. My boyfriend loved the book, literally couldn't put it down.

While the title of the book and most of the comments focus on his stay with the Columbian terrorists, for me the most inspiring bits of the book were his descriptions of the parts of his journey through Mexico and Argentina. Now I want to visit Mexico and see if it is as wonderful a place as he described. Ditto Argentina, though it is not quite as close.

A very well-written book by a talented and very versatile author. Much more than a tale of terror. You could skip the Columbian fiasco and still get your money's worth (and then some) from this book.

I have coached girls soccer for 8 years and I still found a few nuggets inside. I am really using the stuff on social issues and diet for teem girls.

Easy to read and understand. Good pictures. Very helpful if you have never coached before or just want to improve your knowledge of coaching.

New coaches will learn everything they need to know. In addition to the drills and strategies, you'll also learn how to motivate kids, how to deal with their parents, and much more.

This book is all it claims to be. Clear, useful, full of great advice and fun training games and drills. Not a book about the author, but a real accent on the girls themselves. Brilliant.

It's been a bible for me for two years and I've recommended it to all my fellow coaches (who all want to know my 'secrets'!!)

Thanks John!

This is a must have book for soccer coaches, especially coaches of girls soccer. I also recommend it for coaches of boys since 98% of the material translates over. The book not only details performing specific skills, tactics and team management, but also covers team and individual motivation and correction styles. This is where the book becomes a little more specific to females then males, which is a good thing because there are a lot of male coaches that coach all girl teams, and they need to understand what motivates boys doesn't work with most girls. While boys tend to be motivated by accomplishment, girls are motivated by relationships. Understanding that will be rewarding and help you bond with your players and develop them as a team.

Read this book and you will dramatically improve your coaching!

This allowed me to do my own cursory review to determine if a boat warranted further consideration. Getting an inspection is costly. This books allows you to rule some boats out on your own.

Don Casey writes in a very understandable style and the text is full of helpful illustrations. This book gives you a lot of ideas of what to look for when you're first starting to shop. A survey is expensive, and if you can identify a lemon before you get to that point, you'll save yourself 10 times the cost of this book in time, heartache and money. And if you're not getting a survey, it may save you even more.

I'm in the market for an older sailboat. I'm not interested in spending the kind of money that many spend on their sailboats. This necessitates buying an older boat. This book is full of just the kinds of information that someone needs to make that purchase without regretting it. It covers everything you need to understand before making the purchase of an aging sailboat. I'm looking forward to using the information herein very soon. It is full of diagrams and illustrations that really provide an insight into what the book is saying.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in the market for a used fiberglass sailboat.

A great little, well illustrated book that will aid any prospective buyer of an old or even new yacht. If you're thinking about buying a yacht it can be too easy to fall in love and see straight through some rather serious faults. This book will guide you through all the obvious and not so obvious signs of use and abuse, poor workmanship and design, giving you an informed opinion as to whether or not to call a proffesional serveyor or forget it and keep saving for a new boat - I think I'll keep saving. Maybe they should retitle it 'Inspecting the hole in the sea you throw money into' - Jokes aside, highly recommended.

This book is very easy to read and understand. When I wanted a book about surveying fiberglass boats, I was intimidated by the thought of 100s of pages of technical text. Luckily I bought this book. It includes many illustrations which added greatly. As informative as it is, it is also very quick to read. I found it a great coach to help me do my own non-professional survey.

I also have Mustin's book about surveying. Also good but it is more laborious to get through. I read both books a good 3 times each before I survey about 4 different boats, and I really felt confident that I knew what I was doing.

I am a fan of Don Casey's books. They are informative and easy to understand for the DIY person with limited experience.

Have only read the first half and flipped through the second, but Marcelo does a great job showing his X-guard. If you liked the Eddie Bravo books you will really like this.

This is a must have for anyone willing to think outside the box when it comes to BJJ. The introduction itself is worth its purchase. Marcelo defines what it means to sacrifice for any goal or passion we all have inside. The detailed pictures and explaination leave no room for error. Get this ASAP.

It's no secret that I really enjoy Victory Belt's books. I think they've nailed the format for describing individuals' games and their specialities. They are definitely the market leader in the arena of working with a fighter to extract the information they need and put it into print.

It shouldn't surprise any readers, then, that I really liked the X-Guard by Marcelo Garcia.

The book has all the hallmarks of Victory Belt's previous works. The large format and detailed colour photography don't disappoint and actually go one better with this edition.

Not resting on their laurels, the guys at VB have introduced detailed inset photos where warranted. This is not a completely original concept by any means, but it is done as well here as with any other publisher.

One of the problems I thought I might have with the book is that I wouldn't be able to identify with Marcelo and the X-Guard. This was an issue with Eddie Bravo's books on the Rubber Guard. I don't really use the Rubber Guard and am not built well for it. I pretty much have had the same problem with the X-Guard.

That was until I read through this book. You see, my butterfly guard is a little...... agricultural. And that, it seems , is my problem with the X-Guard. Not my long legs and extraordinary height - my previous excuses.

The book is split into two sections. The first is on the butterfly guard and the second on the X-Guard, itself. Both are split into three subsections each. The butterfly guard section is the most detailed treatment I've seen of the topic in a book. The three subsections are titled "Basic Positioning & Grip Defense", "Sweeps & Transitions" and "Submissions".

Now, Marcelo Garcia can work his butterfly guard in a way I find amazing. It's something I'd never been able to do terribly well. I could work it well enough against white belts, but always had to let it go against people nearer my own skill level. This book, though, gives solutions to most of the problems I'd encountered in the past.

I had the same problem with the X-Guard. There was just no way known I was ever going to get my giant legs in position. It shouldn't surprise you to find I was doing it wrong, though. The details shown for the X-Guard helped me a great deal, but I believe it's my better understanding of the butterfly guard that has ealed the deal for me.

The X-Guard section is is split up in a similar way to the butterfly guard section with subsections called "Establishing the X-Guard", "Sweeps" and "Submissions".

All-in-all, I'd say this is one of those rare $24 books that have made a heck of a lot more than $24 worth of effect on my game.

It just keeps getting better, too. Erich Krauss and Glen Cordoza have been getting steadily better at writing, too. In the past, I've criticised their spelling and grammar in the introduction sections. Is it better in this book? The truth is, I don't know. I got so engrossed in Marcelo's story, I never bothered to check.

That's got to be a big tick in the box.

After a review like this, I like to put a little disclaimer to it......

I am no Marcelo Garcia fanboy. I've not watched his DVDs all the way through and I've seen maybe three of his matches. I have also been known to give Victory Belt some very pedestrian reviews, but they do impress me with their ability to improve with each publication. This book is the second of their catalogue to go in the Best of the Best category, but probably not the last if the quality continues this way.

I was excited to get this book and it completely lived up to my expectations. Like the other Krauss-Cordoza collaborations from Victory Belt publishing this is a very well put together book printed on high grade glossy paper, with detailed high quality multiple-angle shots of the techniques and very good explanation including the physical mechanics of the movement and advice on strategy of when to use it, how to get there, mistakes to avoid, and what your opponent is likely to do. Marcelo Garcia is probably the best grappler in the world and his system is unique and effective and works for all body types, and unlike Eddie Bravo's very good system doesn't require crazy flexibility. The book provides info on gi and no gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It's comparable to Eddie Bravo's Rubber guard book in terms of quality and production value. It has a color coded easy to use system that makes it very easy to quickly find sections and whether the technique is appropriate for gi and no gi competition.
The introduction includes a short biography that shows you the determination and dedication that has made him the champion he is. From 3 hour commutes to training, to cleaning the mats so he could afford to train 4 times a day. The first section on technique is 78 pages dedicated to the butterfly guard including basic stance and grip work, sweeps and transitions, and submissions all with detailed advice on how to establish and properly adjust the technique so you can make it work in high level competition ( e.g. 7 pages just on the guillotine choke, most books give it only 2). He constantly emphasizes drilling the technique to really get it down and learning the fundamentals of the butterfly guard before moving to the X guard. This sort of guard requires very good timing and sense of balance that can only be developed through many hours on the mat. The X guard is detailed in the final 149 pages of the book (264 pages all together). 63 pages on establishing the X guard from standing, sitting, elbow control, underhooks, full guard, half guard, omoplata, mount and headlocks. Then a section with 18 sweeps from X guard from different kids of control (e.g. from hands, sleeve, or collar). Then 15 pages detailing 7 submissions for X guard including omoplata, triangle, gi and no gi inverted arm bar, knee bar, foot lock, and heel hook. Again filled with tips on when to use it, positions to transitions from, your opponents likely reactions, and common mistakes. If you perfect even just a few of the techniques in this book your game will improve dramatically. This book is more for intermediate to advanced students of BJJ, though the section on butterfly guard is fairly accessible and very useful to beginners. Those starting out (and intermediates too) should check out Kid Peligro's book "the Essential Guard" or the Joe Moreira /Ed Beneville 3 part series on the Guard, these focus are more on the fundamentals. If you're looking to improve your guard and your overall game, I highly recommend this book, it's a steal at this price, I would have paid more for it. I look forward to his next book on arm drags and mastering the back.

Lori Foster has fast become one of my favorite authors. I had read a couple of her other books, and liked them well enough to continue getting her books. Then I got my hands on Causing Havoc, and fell hard for Dean "Havoc" and the whole SBC Fighting world.
She writes her heroes just as I like them. A little arrogant, a little alpha, a whole lot of "hottie" and they even have a heart *g* Even if it takes a bit for them to find that out.

Eve & Dean hit it off the moment they met. Then they find out that Dean is actually Eve's best friend's long lost brother. He has a lot in store for him. He didn't actually think he'd be gaining a family, yet that is exactly what happens.
You also get a little bit of mystery in the story. Who hates Dean enough to try and get rid of him? Thankfully, that doesn't take up the whole story.
You see him interacting with his sisters, and trying not to bond with them, but can't help it. In the middle of all that, he is exploring his relationship with Eve. Whom he realizes pretty quickly that he doesn't want to be without.
There are also other relationships forming in the book, but it's not overdrawn. And you still end up happy with all the HEA's :)

This was a good book. I enjoyed the simple, tidy story and it was a fun read.

As a fan of UFC I really enjoyed the book. The hero reminded me of a few of the fighters that I drool over and that made it even better. Her hero was just the right blend of macho sensitivity and the heroine had a good amount of spunk.
The secondary romance was a very nice add and I was a little surprised at the villian. I also thought that her secondary characters were believable.
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to finish reading the next installment.

All the main characters are likeable and nice to each other. Couples fall in love at first sight. There are a couple of "bad guys" who cause conflict. I do not recommend it because there was nothing creative or unusual about it. I wasn't surprised or delighted. The book reminded me of normal conversations and actions of people living in a small town. I would have preferred wittier dialogue.

Story brief: Dean is a mixed maritial arts fighter. His parents died when he was about 8. His uncle Grover raised him. His Aunt Lorna raised his two younger sisters, Cam and Jacki. Lorna hated Grover and Dean and never told his sisters that Dean existed. 21 years later Cam learns Dean exists and writes him. He visits and becomes involved in their lives. He also meets and immediately falls in love with Eve who is Cam's best friend.

Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: about four. Setting: current day Harmony, Kentucky. Copyright: 2007. Genre: contemporary romance with a little suspense.

Dean is a champion extreme fighter in the SBC. A letter from his estranged sister has him returning to the hometown he was sent away from 21 years earlier by a maiden aunt who wanted nothing to do with him after his parent's death. He returns with mixed feelings, but soon finds himself falling for the sisters he hasn't seen all these years later. Though he protests being the over protective big brother, he soon fills that role when sister Camille is struggling to put youngest sister Jackie through college and hold on to the family's battered home, while keeping a suitor at arm's length. With the help of some of his SBC buddies, Dean agrees to help fix up the house. A romance blossoms with Cam's best friend Eve, who knows plenty about his sport without being a groupie. Can he forget the past and try small time life?

As always, Foster writes scorching intimate scenes between the Eve and Dean, and provides a couple secondary romances. Though they ooze chemistry, the relationship just didn't seem believable to me. I hate Foster's constant "me Tarzan you Jane and you gonna be in my bed tonight" mentality she assigns her "heroes" the moment that they meet their match. It's so interchangeable that it's just redundant. But having said that, I really found the story to be better than average - she delves into more family background rather than concentrating on her couplings, which is a new territory for her, proving that she can write more than a love scene. The mystery is light, but the interaction between the characters makes this a pretty entertaining read.