Customer Reviews

Women in the Martial Arts

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This book offers a wonderful perspective for anyone interested in the modern history of women martial artists in America. It contains essays not only by the athletic elite, but also by the clumsy, the clueless, the timid, or the disabled women who managed to break into the martial arts at a time in our history when martial arts were definitely the realm of "Men only"! These essays catalogue the initial, intermediate, and continuing reactions of women studying in the martial arts: how they grew as people, and how their growing awareness and maturity affected the lives of those around them. Unlike so many martial arts books geared toward women, this one does not consist solely of "survivor" stories. (While survivor stories have a place and a purpose, in my experience, reading a whole book of them usually depresses, not uplifts.) Its a shame this great text is out of print (don't be fooled by a book of the same name by Carol Wiley -- not as good!). I whole-heartedly recommend this book to women of any age who find themselves studying the martial arts. It tells a little bit about where we come from, and it inspires you to set your sights on where you're going.