The martial arts and real life: A book of fighting for the twenty-first century [Hardcover]

Fred Villari (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Morrow (1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688052487
• ISBN-13: 978-0688052485
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,633,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting overview of Martial Science, October 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Martial Arts and Real Life: A Book of Fighting for the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

It's hard to believe that the author is the head of one of the largest commercial martial arts chains because he starts out by saying that there is no one true art and the martial art that works for you is the best one for you. He gives sound advice in chosing a school (i.e. real advice, not the typical "choose one of mine" found in most other martial arts books), and stresses that the mental aspects are as important as the physical aspects.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Review of Martial Arts for All Levels, September 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Martial Arts and Real Life: A Book of Fighting for the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

Mr. Villari has presented the martial arts in a matter of fact way that people of all experience levels can appreciate. I have read it as a white belt and then again as a fourth degree black belt and have found applicable ideas at all times. Having met and taken a clinic with Master Villari I can appreciate his ideas in his book more. His knowledge is exceptional and his instructional capability is without match as is evident in his book. His rank of 10th degree black belt is definetly well deserved as he can make novice to expert appreciate new ideas in the arts. Illustrations are well done and kept at a basic level for detailed description. This is a classic book on the martial arts that many of us "old timers" have all read. A must read for any martial arts practioner, beginner or advanced.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for Anyone With a Learner's Mind, November 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Martial Arts and Real Life: A Book of Fighting for the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

This book, unlike most books on the topic, is a good one for anyone interested in the martial arts. Having read it myself both as a novice and after years of experience in the arts, I have found it to address topics appropriate to any level of exposure. Another aspect to the book is that, while the author gives reasons why he favors his own system, he addresses topics about martial arts in general, and gives the reader advice on finding his or her own school, without making an exclusive plug for the author's own system.

One thing about the book that may be viewed by some as negative is that Villari is fairly general regarding physical techniques. I feel, however, that this enhances the book's versatility, as the concepts discussed are of greater value, in the long run, than would be dwelling on details that will have minor differences from system to system, and from school to school, anyway.

A refereshing point is that the book deals matter-of-factly with many controversial issues in the martial arts, as well as touching on several popular misconceptions that are out there. Its conversational, down-to-earth tone makes it easy and approachable reading. All in all, I feel that it is a book of great value to the beginner, and one that increases in value the more one returns to it, over time - the hallmark of a great book.

Quite honestly, the main drawback I find in the book would be the relative difficulty in obtaining a copy as of late.