Customer Reviews

Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives

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

 

 

being a man and having practiced with one of the women mentioned in nthe book, I found it intriguing and eye opening to see women martial artists and their perspectives on their arts and how it has affected their lives.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new perspective on their martial arts practice and their lives... I know it changed mine

As a female student of the martial arts, I found this book very inspiring. Our lives as girls and women are often filled with men as role models, particularly in areas such as martial arts and certain sports, so this book offered a connection to other women out there who are leading powerful, peaceful lives helping themselves and in turn, others. I also like the structure of the book; you don't have to read it cover to cover, you can skip around & read the sections that catch your eye first. Also, the photos are realistic, they help show us that these are REAL women in REAL life, they are not model-types posing for appearance. The variety of women here is truly inspiring and made me want to find people like this in real life to connect with. And men: get this book for the woman martial artist in your life (or any woman searching for inner strength), she'll really feel you care about her, it was one of the best gifts I ever received from a guy! :-)

The book comprises some 20 interviews with women in a variety of martial arts, but it also narrates the author's own journey of exploration. She came to t'ai chi ch'uan in early middle age for health reasons. Her realization of, and mixed feelings about, the martial aspects of that art served as a springboard for her searching out advanced practitioners to discuss their development and training; during this process, violence against women and the Gulf War became personal issues for her that raised further questions and added more overtly political and philosophical subtexts.

But the heart of the book is the interviews, and many of them are choice. Aikido, capoeira, judo, karate, kendo, kung fu, naginata, t'ai chi, wing chung and more are featured. The cumulative effect is deep respect for these hard-working and talented martial artists who share their stories. They range from an 8th dan judoka in her 80s to a group of teenagers. Personally, I was most inspired by the women at the extremes of the age spectrum: the strength, diligence and dignity of our elders, and the spunk, optimism and spirit of our youth are exemplars for us all.

As a female martial artist who trains in both Kempo and Kungfu, I found the interviews very insiteful. Many things the women said during their interviews hit home for me and reflected my own feelings about the arts. However, I feel that the author emphasized Tai Chi too much, especially given the fact that there are so many different styles to chose from. The author could have easily presented a different style for each woman interviewed. I also would have liked to have seen her interview women from all over the country, not just california.

I got this book after hunting and hunting for stories about women in the martial arts. I can't say I enjoyed all the stories, but I found most of them interesting. Some I could relate to and others I still cannot; however I still enjoy picking up the book and reading some of the women's stories, especially ones who started when women in general weren't 'allowed' to train in martial arts. I also have an older copy of Women in the Martial Arts (I think that's the title) and I enjoy reading through it too, but the size of this book makes it easier to handle I think.

I really liked this book! It introduces us to fascinating characters and offers numerous insights into the martial arts. Stephanie Hoppe is an excellent writer.

Some parts of the book--which is presented as a compilation of personal interviews--are extremely interesting. However, the author's choice to over-represent practioners of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Aikido weakened what could have been a very important book for women in the martial arts. An explanation may be that the author herself studies T'ai Chi, but with so many women now training in so many different styles, I feel there should have been a more inclusive mix.