A Woman's Guide to Martial Arts: How to Choose a Discipline and Get Started [Hardcover]

Monica McCabe Cardoza (Author), Carol A. Wiley (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1996

how to book for women

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover; 1st edition (July 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879516704
• ISBN-13: 978-0879516703
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,975,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very good topic - very bad book., June 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Woman's Guide to Martial Arts: How to Choose a Discipline and Get Started (Hardcover)

I've been teaching traditional karate for 13 years now and there is a big need for good information on training issues related to women. This book attempts to provide that but does worse than fail - it misinforms. I believe Monica Cardoza had the best of intentions, but her lack of experience turns her writting into a disservice. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing as they say. Monica Cardoza's information is so error riddled - even on basic facts - that it brings into question everything else she has to say.

It was painful to read this book - a book that I had high hopes for because of its foreward, which was written by Carol A. Wiley. If you're looking for "A woman's guide to martial arts training" or something in that vein, then avoid this book. Check out the excellent books by Carol A. Wiley instead.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good general info, very poor comparison of M. Art styles., December 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: A Woman's Guide to Martial Arts: How to Choose a Discipline and Get Started (Hardcover)

Overall the book gives a good summary of things to know when considering martial arts, especially from a female point of view, (although most anyone would find most of the book helpful). The big letdown in this book was the very superficial comparison of the different martial arts styles. It's obvious she practices Karate, this was the only area where she went into any depth in explaining what the art was all about (a few pages on karate versus a couple of brief paragraphs on the others). Ms. McCabe-Cardoza should have invested some additional effort into researching the other arts. In my case I have already decided to take a martial art, I was hoping the book would provide me with some insights to help narrow down the type I might take. I was really hoping for an in-depth expanation of the differences (and similarities), pros and cons of the various arts (I have yet to find this in any book). Unfortunately, her book missed the mark almost completely in this regard. If this is what you are looking for save your money and pass on this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introduction For Women, August 4, 2000

By 

K.H. - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Woman's Guide to Martial Arts: How to Choose a Discipline and Get Started (Hardcover)

As a male, who has participated in and instructed martial arts, I bought this book for my wife who also happens to be in the arts. After a couple of weeks, I began to read the book one afternoon (my wife and I enjoy reading each others books for coffee table discussions). This book gave me a better understanding how to approach female students and aid them in learning the arts more effectively, without compromising my objective in teaching karate.

The book wasn't written for that purpose, but because she addresses the material from the perspective as a women, I was able to get a better glimps into the female mind instead of just getting my ideas from my little world of expeirence. My wife enjoyed the book as well, even though she had already been in karate for some time.

The book does what it is supposed to do; help a women in the beggining stages of the martial arts. Many topics are discussed such as picking the right school, sparring, and equipment (uniforms, etc.). Her tips are helpful. She doesn't over burden the reader (who more than likely because of the title of the book will be a women looking into or is interested in the martial arts) with too much informatiom. Yet, the material is thorough enough to get someone started in the right direction. I applaude this book and its author. Great job!