Customer Reviews

Lessons from the Art of Kempo: Subtle and Effective Self Defense

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is a great addition to a young persons martial arts library. It takes and extremely positive approach about the art and about life; it stresses it's basic discipline principles and how to act positively. I highly recommend this old, but not forgotten resource to the young practitioner.

There are a number of different kempo (fist-way) styles, but from my experience, the type of techniques and tactics taught in Lessons from the Art of Kempo work best for me. My first Kempo teacher taught that traditional kempo used both fist and open hand blows and that it was up to each practitioner to choose the combinations that best worked for him. I later moved and started studying at antoher school that practiced a different style of kempo. While this new school also practiced traditional kempo, it emphasized out maneuvering opponents with strategy rather than just moving in suddenly with a shower of quick blows as I had learned to do. The book on Lessons from the Art of Kempo was used by practitioners at this school as a study guide to supplement training. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to continue to study at that school long, because of my pressing work schedule. Shortly after discontinuing my practice, I did, however, have to defend myself against a guy who was much bigger and had a lot of street fighting experience. It was quite a fight! This brawler showed me that rushing in with a fast series of blows does not always work in a street fight. I tried a quick combination of open hand blows on him, but he evaded some of them and absorbed others while causing me a great deal of pain with his short punches to my body and head. Like the old saying goes, fools rush in where angels fear to tread. I credit finally coming out on top to using the strategy explained in Lessons from the Art of Kempo to wear out my opponent. For my money, Fred Neff's book on Lessons from the Art of Kempo is a tremendous value.

I was skeptical at first, but then reading this book opened my mind to the idea of martial science. I would practice techniques and try to memorize the combos. A while later I was attacked, using the skills in Fred Neff's book, I prevailed in my fight. It was more then keeping my wallet, but establishing my pride.

The Art of Kempo is well described in the five star book on Lessons From the Art of Kempo by Fred Neff. It clearly and concisely teaches the essence of Kempo techniques and tactics. I especially like the sections of the book on sticking techniques, combinations, and strategy. Having worked first as a bouncer and now as the owner of my own bar, I know first-hand the validity of this author's approach to self-defense. He emphasized learning to out think and maneuver your opponent. I have seen people who do not size up their adversary, rush into a fray and be badly injured. The strategy section of this book alone makes it a must read for anyone who has to deal with quelling a violent person, while still not crossing the line and ending up breaking the law. Too many careless writers talk about excessive violence as an approach to self-defense, while ignoring that doing so may be unconscionable and expose the reader who followed this advice to criminal charges. Fred Neff's book avoids senseless violence, while teaching Kempo moves and strategy that actually work. Lessons From the Art of Kempo is the best book of its kind I have read, and that is a lot to say considering that I have read a great many martial arts books over the last 22 years.

Growing up I was very timid about fighting. Shortly after graduating from high school, I decided to try to learn how to defend myself at a local Kempo school. Although I diligently practiced Kempo for six months, I continued to do very poorly in trying to apply what I learned in sparring with an opponent. One day, a visting instructor took over our Kempo class. He gave an exibition of his skills that was impressive. I then tried sparring with an opponent and, as ususal, was a real flop. After the match, the visiting instructor gave me some pointers and recommended that I read a book by Fred Neff on Kempo. I bought the book and started to use the book's strategic approach to fighting. My sparring skills greatly improved. Later, a guy who was supposedly a terror, picked a fight with me at a dance. I used the techniques from the Kempo book and the strategy for their application to defeat that guy. I strongly recommend Lessons from the Art of Kempo.

Authentic Kempo is presented in a straight-forward manner geared to the person who wants to use the book as a study guide in the excellent book Lessons From the Art of Kempo. After using this Kempo book as a study guide, I was very impressed. Having observed different Kempo styles, I found that this book's Kempo techniques are especially practical. The book is very well written, illustrated and laid out, which makes it easy to use as a learning tool. I plan to continue to use this book as a continued resource in following my interest in Kempo. This book is the best book of its type I have ever seen and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get more information on the art of Kempo.

I am an avid student of Asian history and martial arts. For the last 12 years I have made a study of Asian fighting strategies such as described in Sun Tzu's masterpiece "Sun Tzu Bingfa" ("The Art of War"), which is the definitive work on strategy and Miyamoto Musashi's "Book of Five Rings." In "Lessons from the Art of Kempo" Neff has done an excellent job making practical use of Asian strategic fighting considerations. Chapter 12 of Neff's book on kempo strategy very favorably impresses me. This chapter includes principles from Sun Tzu, Miyamoto Musashi and others. The net effect of Neff's book kempo is that complex principles of strategy have been condensed into workable and usable ways for people to defend themselves. I applaud this book's easy to read straight forward manner. I highly recommend "Lessons from the Art of Kempo" by Fred Neff to anyone. It earns my most enthusiastic 5 star rating.

Kempo is the "fist way" as shown in Lessons From The Art Of Kempo by Fred Neff. Too many books that claim to be on kempo are nothing more than a collection of flashy movements that are impractical and have no usefulness in a real fight. Lessons From The Art Of Kempo gets down to what you need to know and need to do in order to win a fight. It shows conditioning exercises, how to position your body in a fight, how to hit, where to hit and winning strategies. I like Lessons From The Art Of Kempo because it is reality based and does not waste space on flashy movements that have no value and are a waste of time to anyone serious about self-defense. If you want to learn to fight better and--more importantly--smart, a good first step is to read this outstanding book on kempo written by Fred Neff.

Neff's book on Lessons From The Art Of Kempo is the real deal all the way. It is a standout compared to all the "kempo-in-name-only" books on the market that in reality are nothing more than a compilation of fighting moves from various arts. As a 20 year veteran of the art of kempo, I can appreciate the realistic and useful approach in Neff's book on kempo. For the reader who wants exposure to the real art of kempo in a straightforward and useful format, this book on Lessons From The Art Of Kempo is the way to go.

Kempo is a passion of mine that has not abated in the fourteen years I have been practicing it. In my continuing quest for more knowledge I have tried to learn everything that I could on the subject. After reading numerous books on Kempo and other martial arts books with discussions of Kempo, I find that my favorite martial arts book is "Lessons from the Art of Kempo." This book in a straightforward and useable way lays out REAL Kempo--not what you see in the movies or the useless open hand waving movements that some have tried to pass off as Kempo. Lessons from the Art of Kempo shows you the fundamentals of REAL Kempo and how to apply them. Even after practicing Kempo for years, I still find this book has strong meaning and appeal for me. I enthusiatically recommend this book not only to others with a passion for learning Kempo, but for anyone who wants to learn about the REAL art of Kempo.