Customer Reviews

Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow - amazing book! This book explores capoeira in a very detailed historical, sociological and philosophical context. It presents sensible historical evidence for the evolution of capoeira and not just mythical hearsay. This book might be a little boring to someone with just a passing interest in capoeira, but it will be hard for a capoeira lover to put it down. Thanks, Nestor - Axé!

Again a very good book by the hands of the famous Nestor Capoeira. This book shows many aspects of our beautiful art and shows various views on certain subjects by people who really know this art (Jair Moura, Mestre Itapoan and more). The book is written with an open mind like I know Mestre Nestor. His open-minded view shows in all the conversations and lectures I had with him. This book is really a must for the dedicated Capoeirista.

Nestor Capoeira's book offers readers a powerful testimony to the history of capoeira. Written in a clear and informative style, Nestor's work is accessible to all. What I most appreciate about Capoeira: Roots of the Dance, Fight, Game, is that is both an excellent foundational piece for those new to the art-form's long-standing socio-cultural traditions AND one of the best references covering the inner-workings and politically-motivated debates that have taken place in the recent past. I particularly enjoyed the anthology of recent essays and updates he includes in the last 1/3 of the book: his own reflections on new elements in the history of capoeira and Muniz Sodre's perspectives that are informed by his experiences in Candomble. Nestor's experiences--both inside roda and inside the academic realm of research--will continue to be a touchstone for the next generations grappling with the ever-shifting and expanding global contexts of capoeira. I highly recommend this book! Axe ASCAB!

This is a very informative book. It gives you a lot of knowledge on the history of capoeira. It's like a more advanced version of "Ring of Liberation". It lacks all of the different moves that were shown in "The Little Capoeira Book", but it does provide you with great variations. This is a definite must have for all who are interested in Capoeira. So far, this is the best book out in English.

I have been watching my children learn to play capoeira for a number of months. What impresses me most is that they are learning more of an aesthetic than a series of martial arts moves. It is this Afro-Brazilian aesthetic which has allowed capoeira to grow and move beyond its homeland to become an international movement. "Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game" is not an instructional manual. Instead, it is a deeper look into the origin and aesthetic which has shaped the game.

Nestor Capoeira is not only a senior capoeira mestre but also one of the game's leading intellectuals. This work is a compilation of different articles he has produced over the years. Of special interest are his chapters on the role of malicia and malandragem in the playing of capoeira. His section on the rich dialogue between Mestres Bimba and Pastinha is also very interesting. What keeps me from giving this book five stars is that at times, Nestor Capoeira's writing style becomes excessively didactic in a manner common to Latin American intellectuals. This book is a great introduction and I am looking forward to reading additional books about the subject.

A very in-depth look into the history of capoeira that you WILL NOT learn from most mestres, especially those who only teach technique. Nestor gives a historical look at slavery's influence on capoeira, takes a contemporary look at capoeira's development, and offers illustrated basic to intermediate techniques. The most interesting thing is the examination of capoeira at a physical and metaphysical level, and how it affects the individual player as s/he progresses. A game, a fight, a dance, a way of life..? You decide.

This is another good *basic* book from Nestor Capoeira. It includes basic theories, history and some basic capoeira movements. Seems like this book is second part of "The little Capoeira book"

If you have just started to learn Capoeira, or if you are wondering what it is, this book would be very helpful for you.

On the other hand, if you are already a baptized capoeirista you can not find anything that you dont know, in this book.