The Tao of Self-Defense (Paperback)

~ (Author) "It is imperative when choosing to master the science of modern self-defense that you are able to separate yourself from the formalities of everyday life..." (more)
Key Phrases: grabbing attack, elbow control, punching arm, Front Kick, Straight Punch, Knife Hand (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This complete guide to "street smart" self-defense covers a wide range of subjects including: rapid assessment of potentially dangerous situations, fast and simple response to an attack, continuous flow of defensive techniques, vital strike points, first strike advantage, fighting techniques and body weapons, specific attack responses, grappling and ground fighting, defending against weapons, and home training exercises. 185 photographs. Introduction. Index.

Product Details

• Paperback: 211 pages
• Publisher: Weiser Books (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578631904
• ISBN-13: 978-1578631902
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,552,903 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Techniques, September 25, 2001

By A Customer

The reason I like this book is that it is not just another martial art book which simply presents a bunch of photos on hand-to-hand combat techniques. As martial artists, we already know a bunch of those. What this book does present, which is absent from so many other texts on self defense, is a way to encounter combat situations with a more complete understanding of how to deal with your opponent and your environment. It is not just a bunch of photos on how to kick somebodies butt. If you get this book, Read It. Don't just look at the pictures.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book on a Complicated Subject, December 3, 2002

By	Casey (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

Most books on self-defense are page heavy in photographs. Obviously, most martial artists don't read. Though this book has its share of photographs, providing the necessary how-to, what I like most about this text is its presentation of a self-defense mindset not dominated by the macho kick-butt attitude which most books on the subject present. Instead, this book details a way of encountering each type of self-defense circumstance from a conscious frame of mind. This is something I have not seen presented in other texts on the subject. I also like the fact that the author, Scott Shaw, goes back into history and references the more mindfull self-defense idealogies of ancient masters. Shaw then brings these concepts to this modern era by commenting on their applications.

This book may not be for the macho martial artist who thinks he or she can kick everybody's butt. But, it is for the martial artist, like myself, who appreciates the deeper understanding of the true art of self-defense.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 100% Worth the Read, January 30, 2002

By	J. Kim (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

As a martial artist virtually forever, I really enjoyed this book. It is not one of those books on self defense that you pick up, skim through the pictures, and then put on your bookshelf. Nor is it one of those macho who can kick who's butt the fastest type of mindless self defense manuals. This book really needs to be read. I think any martial artists, or for that matter, non-martial artists, who really wants to gain a new insight into not only the realms of self defense but a new and different way to look at life and life encounters should read this book.