The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima (Secrets of the Martial Arts) (Paperback)

by Antonio E. Somera (Author) "The history of the Philippines and her martial arts is a history influences whose origins span the globe-extending from the Malay Peninsula, the Indonesian Archipelago,..." (more)
Key Phrases: chamber your stick, adjust the left foot, fondo style, Grandmaster Giron, The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima, The Secrets of Giron Amis Escrima (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The history of the Philippines and its martial arts is one of resistance and revolt, and the biography of Leo Giron is the life story of one of those revolutionaries. Giron learnt martial arts as a necessity of survival, not a luxury, and practised them in jungle warfare during World War II. Tony Somera, the world's leading practitioner of the Giron style, tells his story and explores the twenty fighting styles that make up Giron's system. With over 300 historic and instructional photographs, this book truly reveals the secrets of Giron arnis escrimna.

About the Author
Antonio Somera lives in Stockton, California, the hub of escrima in the United States. He is the only person to whom Grandmaster Giron awarded the maaster’s degree in the art of Giron arnis escrima. He is the presiding master of the Bahala Na Martial Arts Association, and his articles have appeared in Free Voice and Martial Arts Legends magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; 1st edition (March 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804831394
• ISBN-13: 978-0804831390
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #186,068 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A excellent overview of the Giron system of Escrima, June 17, 1998

By	S. Stein "sidney525" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book provides the reader with a very good taste of Grandmaster Giron's system of self-defense. It is particularily strong in the largo-mano or long range area, with clearly photographed techniques using sticks, knives and empty hands. In addition to the techniques, he puts his system into an ethical framework. The only part I would have liked to see more of was the excellent empty hands techniques present in the Filipino martial arts, including guntings and limb destructions. Nonetheless, this will make an excellent addition to anybody's library with interest in the subject matter.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine book to support escrima-students, January 19, 2001

By A Customer

I`ve bougth this book in order to support my own escrima training. As a rookie in escrima, it gives you the basic understandings in the escrima-fighting art of Grand Master Leo Giron. I think it`s not written with the intention to replace training under a qualified teacher. In my view it supports your training as a beginner in the art. What's more, it gives you a good overview including the origins. Escrima has to be practised to be learned.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction., December 10, 2002

By	J. Richmond "MaxII" (Richmond, IN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really liked this book. I know it was not as deep in technique and theory as many would have liked, but for the price it is a great introduction. I would like to see a more in-depth version, akin to Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do the text book, or something as nice as either of the new Gracie Books. I am still waiting for the Filipino book that gives real grasp to the newbie, but still has a lot for the experienced player. In short I am looking for some thing with the thought and grace of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Theory and PRactice, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense, or maybe a book as comprehensive in its coverage as is Simco's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Master Text.
Never the less it is still good to see old Giron, moving around and swinging a stick.
Nice job.