Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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!

This is an excellent guide for anyone wishing to start studying the martial arts. Although it focuses on the concerns women might have, 95% of the material would be good for parents wanting to enroll their children in martial arts classes or any adult.

I have been studying kung fu for almost 4 years and I think much of her advice would have been helpful for me. I have loaned my copy to my instructor because he was very interested in a woman's point of view because he likes to have his work critiqued so he can improve. (He's always done a great job with his women students.)

The book covers a large range of topics from the history of women over the centuries in the martial arts, an overview of various styles, how to pick a good school, what success really means, and pointers for feeling comfortable at a first class.

Great book.

When I read this book I had great hopes. Women are often unwelcome in the martial arts world, and a guide which addresses women's concerns would be welcome. Unfortunately, AWGtMA restricts rather than expands horizons. The good parts reflect the author's love of Japanese Karate. The parts which address anything else are weak, and the range of martial arts studied gives a very non-representative picture of the field - more caricatures than descriptions and very limited in scope. The descriptions of martial arts training and etiquette are only applicable to the style she studies and should not be taken as a general guide. This could have been an excellent book if the writer had only educated herself a little more.