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Bob Orlando

Martial Arts America: A Western Approach to Eastern Arts Paperback – December 22, 1997

by Bob Orlando (Author)

4.1 15 ratings

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Whether you are seeking martial skills or are just curious about the fighting arts, Martial Arts America provides useful insights into a subject that has been too long shrouded in mystery, mysticism, and marketing hype. If you are already a practitioner, it will challenge you to think about what you are doing in your training, and if it is working.

Print length

216 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Frog Books
Publication date

December 22, 1997
Dimensions

7 x 0.7 x 8.9 inches
ISBN-10

1883319676
ISBN-13

978-1883319670
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bob Orlando was introduced to the martial arts while on active duty with the U.S. Marines. He began serious study in Chinese kenpo-karate, later switching to kung fu, which he studied under Al Dacascos. He has studied aikido, iaido, eskrima, Chinese kuntao, and Indonesian pentjak silat. Orlando is the author of Indonesian Fighting Fundamentals: The Brutal Arts of the Archipelago, has produced a video on Indonesian fighting fundamentals, and owns and operates the Je-du-too School of Martial Arts in Denver, Colorado.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Frog Books (December 22, 1997)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1883319676
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1883319670
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.7 x 8.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,602,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,339 in Martial Arts (Books)
- #37,661 in Exercise & Fitness (Books)

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4.1 15 ratings

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Disappointing

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2003

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While this book makes some interesting points it comes across more as an anti-tradition propaganda piece than a useful treatise on martial arts. While the author is an experienced, highly knowledgeable practitioner, his understanding of the traditional martial arts that he rails against is incomplete and oftentimes inaccurate. Don't get me wrong; I certainly do not believe that the author is an idiot. I believe that he is the victim of bad teaching, an all too common occurrence in martial arts.

For example, he states that, "today's full-contact fighters throw devastating, lightning fast punches from a distance of less than two feet. Against this kind of speed, classical blocks and punches simply do not stand a chance. What amazes me is how a flaw of this magnitude - and one that is taught to thousands of unknowing students every day - still exists in what are, otherwise, extremely potent arts..." This is just flat wrong.

Contrary to Mr. Orlando's understanding, in classical blocks the hand that is out (e.g. just punched or blocked) performs the actual block, check, or deflection, while the hand that is in chamber executes a technique designed to control the opponent's limb. Even though it is often hidden, almost all blocks in traditional karate styles utilize this check/control methodology. In all cases, there is never ever any "wind-up" preceding anything. In most traditional schools all but the most junior students understand that simple fact.

To delve deeper, the word "uke" translates more accurately to "receive" than it does to "block." When viewed in this context, it may be easier to understand that practitioners typically check, deflect, or control an attack rather than meeting it force-on-force. Using the traditional check/control methodology, a practitioner's outstretched hand need only deflect an attack by a few inches to spoil its effect when contact is made close to an opponent's body. In this fashion karateka can easily avoid being hit by even the most "devastating" of punches no matter how fast, or how powerfully, or even how unexpectedly they are thrown.

Common misconceptions such as this one are the reason that I believe it is imperative to supplement the traditional modeling approach to instruction with interactive discussions and other teaching styles. Regardless, I hate to see this sort of stuff perpetuated...

Now that I've ripped him down, I will point out that there are some redeeming concepts in this book. For example, the author also promotes practicing martial arts in the same sort of attire one might be wearing in real life. If you have spent your whole life barefoot in a dojo, training with loose fitting clothes, you may well be in for a shock the first time you have to fight in tight-fitting jeans wearing boots. This is a very valid point. I wholeheartedly agree that practitioners should devote some of their training to more realistic conditions though that often must occur at their home rather than in a tradition karate school.

All in all, however, there is not enough meat in this book for me to feel like I got my money's worth from purchasing it. It was disappointing. Get Sifu Orlando's book "Indonesian Fighting Fundamentals: The Brutal Arts Of The Archipelago" instead. It's a great read and well worth buying.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

12 people found this helpful

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mruseless

If I had a school, this would be required reading

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2002

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This book is the best book on how to THINK about the martial arts that I have ever read (and I've read quite a few). Orlando takes on the tough subjects that most fear to touch, or worse, come up with weak or illogical arguments to support. This book is full of the history behind various techniques and traditions that fill the martial arts. Kata, tournaments, chambered fists, and chi are a few. In each case he makes an unbiased presentation of the benefits, then systematically explains the drawbacks for the self-defense motivated student.
This book should be on every student's list.

4 people found this helpful

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R. Chin

Muat read

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2008

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Terrific book. All martial artists should read this book. This book will not teach you how to throw a punch or kick but explains the questions that most of us had for our teachers and instructors but were always too afraid to ask either out of fear or out of respect.

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Paul Gallagher

Really good explanation of basic martial arts concepts

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2013

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This is a really good, plain English explanation of basic martial arts concepts. It's easy to read and very interesting and informative.

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Joe Livoti

Good book for newbies

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2008

I picked this up at used bookstore for $5 for a quick read. I've been in martial arts for over 30 years, spent about 5 years as an amateur boxer in my teens and have since kickboxed, and studied shotokan and japanese ju jitsu. Although the book was entertaining and well written, I can't say there was much new information in here for anyone who has been practicing since the Bruce Lee revolution. Mr. Orlando addresses topics such as classical versus western, practical/traditional, chi, kata, street clothes versus gi, barefoot/sneakers, sport karate/self defense, finding a dojo and style, etc. The advice is all good, and whether you agree or not with his conclusions, if you've never trained and are confused by all the options and styles, it is good food for thought and a good introduction to the modern state of training.

However, if you've been at it awhile, these are all issues that have been considered by the martial arts community since the 1970s, in magazines, books and dojos. Beginning with Bruce Lee and Ed Parker, and extending through to the current MMA revolution, American martial arts have come a long way since I was 12 and the only dojo in town was a Tae Kwon Do studio with a Korean master whose demeanor was 'my way or the highway'. Personally I think each person finds his or hers own path after years of training. I still love my traditional Japanese ju jitsu training, and am content with addressing my (American) teacher as 'sensei' on the mat, bowing in and out of class, using Japanese terminology and meditating for 10 minutes after each session. However, I also enjoy occasional Krav Maga classes, training balls out in sweats and sneakers and calling the instructor 'Jim'. The martial arts is a big ocean, and there's room for everybody, which I think is Orlando's point. He does a good job of pointing out the differences, similarities, pros and cons, and potential ripoffs and pitfalls. I would recommend this book to anyone thinking of starting out in the martial arts.

One person found this helpful

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C. Hardman

Ever Wonder about Tradition vs. Modernity in M.A.?

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2002

Have you ever done a technique and known in your heart of hearts it was highly impractical? Have you ever guiltily wondered about some of the promotion, rank, and respectibility games some martial artists play? Have you ever felt torn between ancient methods and recent technology? Bob Orlando broaches many of these unspoken topics which affect martial artists today.
While this book does not tear down and dismiss altogether the traditional methods of training, Orlando offers insights into many of the concepts and practices traditionalists (including myself) have been wrestling with for a long time. Morover, Orland serves up these topics with good humor, and does not pretend to be feeding his readers any absolute answer. As a long time student and teacher of the martial arts, I found these views helpful and long overdue (in print, at least). It is nice to know there are others out there who often wonder about and question our "sacred cows", and it is good to see someone who can do this without the snobishness of some so-called "modern" martial arts practitioners.
Orlando's background includes Chinese Kenpo-Karate, Kung fu under Al Dacascos, and Chinese Kuntao and Indonesian Pentjak Silat under master teacher William de Thours. Here is a quote which I really liked: "Rank[...] is excess baggage. It becomes a hinderance to learning because everyone expects that you already know everything".

2 people found this helpful

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Dustin Laurence (laurence@alice.caltech.edu)

The Emperor's New Clothes

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 1999

This book is not the best book on my shelf--it would be if it were ever on my shelf, but I loan it out every chance I get.
I particularly appreciated Bob's willingness to state the "obvious" (in hindsight) in print without regard to who will take exception. Like the boy in "The Emperor's New Clothes," he has the rare wisdom of being willing to look foolish by asking the obvious, forbidden, necessary questions. The discussion of punching and blocking in Karate and similar arts is only the most obvious example.
Instead of telling you what is in the book, let me tell what it has done for me as someone of no great skill who has trained in several arts and been satisfied with none of them. (A lot of us, unfortunately, fall in this category.) More than anything else I have ever seen or read, this book helped me to:
(1) Analyze and understand what I do and do not want from a martial art, and who might offer it. Anyone who has studied several arts here and there, as I have, knows the frustration of not being able to be an "intelligent consumer." This alone is worth far more than the cost of the book (probably less than half the cost of a month of lessons anywhere). I agree with another reviewer; if you are thinking of taking lessons but don't know exactly what you want already, BUY THIS BOOK NOW. It takes time and experience to discover the right art and teacher. It is a great help to borrow some of Bob's time and experience before you start spending your own.
(2) Maintain motivation to train. You can't wait to train until you find the ideal art. I find it encouraging to know that even if my best local opportunity to train is not what I would prefer, there are other things out there if I have patience. Perspective is a valuable thing, particularly if it helps you take advantage of the opportunities you have rather than waiting for ones that you don't.
(3) Appreciate arts that are not necessarily for me. Once you know what you want personally, you can stop trying to make other arts something they are not but instead enjoy what they are. As well as being a generally humane attitude, this also helps with point (2). And, after all, I may discover I like them more than I thought.
I have minor criticisms, but what they are does not matter. What does matter is that you read it for yourself and find your own. That's ultimately the point of the book; rational inquiry and debate in the best Western tradition. Bob asks "why?" and "can you prove it?" constantly and encourages us to do the same. It is a shame that we need the encouragement so much.

5 people found this helpful

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John Ball

A book that makes you think

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2002

I first approached this book with a bit of caution, and was prepared to dislike it. I come from a background of training in Tai Chi, and Orlando comes from very strong background in the external martial arts. Many of the issues he raises, such as training with or without shoes and karate blocking theory just aren't things that are very relevant to my training. Indeed, I found that I disagreed with much of what he said about chi, and felt that his description of the differences between the internal and external arts to be inaccurate. Yet, despite my complaints with the book, I have given it a five star rating. The reason for this is that, for me, Orlando succeeds in his claim that for the reader "whether you agree or disagree with the ideas and conclusions presented here is not nearly as important as your commitment to honestly consider the issues and logically formulate your own reasoned position." I found this book to be exactly what is promised in the subtitle: one man's approach to martial arts. Orlando gives a reasoned, detailed, and above all else honest discussion of his own positions on issues that are important to him. Reading his book has challenged me to refine my own ideas, and to explain my beliefs to myself. Orlando's book made me think, both about his material and my own beliefs, and for me that makes it a great book.

7 people found this helpful

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david

A Must Read

Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2002

I came accross Bob Orlando's book "Martial Arts America", while doing some research on Asian fighting arts. I read a number of books on the subject and found Bob's book to be totally refreshing and a highly enjoyable read.
I appreciated Bob's interactive approach. He supplies the pertinent information along with the important questions and allows the reader to come to their own conclusion.
Instead of merely stating what he feels is wrong with certain aspects of martial arts training Bob offers what he believes are viable alternatives. Chapter six alone which deals with punching and blocking methods is worth the price of the book.
This is a must read for anyone considering taking up a martial art as well as for someone who may wish to reevaluate their current training. Bravo Bob!

One person found this helpful

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K.H.

East Meets West

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2000

This book, cleverly written by Bob Orlando, is an enjoyable read. The book is humorous at times because of his witty style, yet always serious and shedding light on this topic of martial arts. He effectively writes about the differences between the traditional martial arts and the "western" approach, which emphasis on combat effectiveness and sport. The book can also be read by someone who has never studied the arts. He doesn't use a lot of "karate jargon." When he does use an unfamiliar term, he gives a quick definition.
He has also mixed photographs and artwork into the book which gives it an extra flavor. The artwork is multifaceted; serioous, humorous, and at times, reverenced. Most topics are discussed: Sport karate, kata, combat fighting, and how to find a good school. Instructors will benefit from this book as well as he speaks about many innovative topics as developed in the western world.

2 people found this helpful

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Steve

Should be required reading

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2001

This should be required reading for every martial artist! I have recomended this to practicing martial artists as well as those thinking about studying. I really can't say enough about this book. I would give more than 5 stars if I could.

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Martial Arts America: A Western Approach to Eastern Arts Paperback – December 22, 1997

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