Customer Reviews

Learning Capoeira: Lessons in Cunning from an Afro-Brazilian Art

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Greg Downey's book is a delight to read! The writing style is clear, the approach is innovative, and the topics covered are both timely and relevant to today's burgeoning interest in the arts of Capoeira. This book combines the best coverage on Capoeira's cultural history (similar to Acordeon's or Nestor's foundational books), but adds a new twist: the lastest scholarship on "embodiment" (that is, how to talk about experiencing the Body as a way of knowing). Downey's book is remarkable for giving us the benefits of his well-informed research across several fields of study without getting overly bogged down in jargon (of phenomenology, for example). Of the many intriguing chapters, several of the most compelling insights come from sections such as: Listening with a Musician's Hands, Hearing with a Player's body, Moving Like a Mestre, and the Rogue's Swagger. Downey's coverage of "the malandro," the "chamada," and "malicia" stands as among the most perceptive I've read in the 8-10 books in English that have been published on Capoeira. This book seems well-poised as a "bridge": appealing to capoeiristas as well as to those approaching capoeira from more of an outsiders' stance. For both sets of readers Downey's book puts us into the place--and space--of Capoeiristas' bodies. We experience, through his words, how to walk, how to fall, how to see, how to hear the berimbau, how to swagger, how to dissemble--in short, many lessons in the craft and cunning of this disarmingly simple yet complex tradition. Axe ASCAB!

the title of this review may be a surprise to some, considering that greg downey is neither brazilian, nor has he really spent a huge amount of time studying capoeira (no more than five years, if i recall, and only with a medium intensity). and yet, this book was a better read than almost any other capoeira book i have ever read in english (i own them all up until the date of this writing, nov 2005). this is, of course, not to take away from nestor capoeira or mestre acordeon's books. both of these authors have produced valuable additions to a capoeirista's library and should be picked up as well.

this book does not teach you moves but, then again, capoeira has never really been about moves; it is about <em>moving</em>. greg downey guides you through what it is like to learn capoeira, and what it is like to see through the eyes of someone who has gained experience in the game and learned to see with the eyes of a <em>malandro</em>, shows you how you will be changed if you go deep into the game. there are quotes from joao pequeno, joao grande, mestre moraes, as well as many other renowned mestres of capoeira, and lots of great stories.

downey's book is based upon experience with capoeira angola with GCAP in bahia, and you may find yourself more attracted to it if you practice angola, rather than regional or contemporary capoeira. but whatever you play, you will probably learn a lot from this book. i for one am very happy i picked it up, and have passed it on to my contra-mestra. i am confident she will enjoy it as well.

Greg Downey is his book "Learnig Capoeira: Lessons in Cunning from an Afro-Brazilian Art" strikes at the some of the very important fundamentals of Capoeira that every practitioner from Angola to Regional should hold close.

He speaks from a backround in sociolgy and phenomenolgy. His arguments are strong whilst his stories entertaining. Neither form of Capoeira is looked over nor does he argue for one particular style, he gives a wonderful overview of the mythologies, teachings and importance of Angola and Regional.

A great book and a wonderful learning tool.

A must buy for anyone serious about capoeira, especially those who are practicing capoeira angola.

I read the book a few months ago and it was very entertaining. The authors experience was very informative. He explained a lot on theory and provided support through practice. I appreciate the time that was taken to write the book.

This book took almost an entire month to arrive at my residence. Had I ventured to pick the book up on foot, I could have received it faster. Many notes were highlighted, which is to be assumed a possibility for a used book. I was seriously disappointed by the arrival time. Usually I receive my orders from amazon in the minimal amount of approximated time.