Rating: 
Summary: Well written, clear instructions that are easy to follow
Review: Pro: Good illustrations; background on the nature of kettlebell sports; inclusion of light-duty and heavy-duty regimens depending on what you want to get out of effort; inclusion of routines by his friends and by professional kettlebell lifters.Con: Sometimes the pictures/instructions included are more detailed than needed but then some other times they fall a little short, making it difficult to tell how exactly it should look or feel. I would think that the dvd along with the book would be the perfect combination. The book gives all the background and detail and I would like to think that the dvd with him doing exercises would be ideal for the proper demonstration and perhaps, maybe even a timed workout that you could do with him. I don't have the dvd because I think it is overpriced and so I am not sure how close my assumptions are to reality.
Rating: 
Summary: Convert to Kettlebells
Review: The "Russian Kettlebell Challenge" companion book and video are well-crafted and user-friendly re-introductions to the lost (in America) art of kettle-bell lifting. I took a flyer on the video, which I found sufficiently intriguing that I bought the book and a KB, then another, larger KB, and am poised to buy a third implement. Pavel and his publisher promote KBs as a tool of "extreme fitness," but the average fitness enthusiast ought not be scared off by the advertising hyperbole. KBs are unique in my experience in combining functional strength and endurance training in a single workout which you really can do at home. My 4-month experiment with kettlebells has been very rewarding and an awful lot of fun. RKC (as this book is known among Pavel's "Party" faithful) is the best of his books to date. It describes in words and pictures the how-to's of basic KB moves and variants and gives you the parameters for designing your own workout. Many of the exercises can be done with dumbbells in lieu of kettlebells for those who are reluctant to pop for the implements until they've given the program a try. While the book and the video can each stand alone, they are designed to work best together. The video augments the book by visually presenting the unusual movements. In RKC, as in all of his books and videos, Pavel teaches his lessons with an appealing sense of humor and a heavy emphasis on safe performance. I started with the smallest KB (about 36 pounds) and found it a little daunting at first. After a few weeks, however, I eagerly moved up to the "medium" bell (about 54 pounds) and now, a few months later, plan to complete my set with the big boy (72 pounds). I am in my late 40's and have been physically active all my adult life in a range of activities, including running and cardio kickboxing when they were trendy, as well as biking, swimming, running, weightlifting, various ball sports, etc. None of those activities has been as much fun, or as productive, as RKC. I highly recommend Pavel's RKC book and video, and kettlebell lifting in general.
Rating:
Summary: Convert to Kettlebells
Review: The "Russian Kettlebell Challenge" companion book and video are well-crafted and user-friendly re-introductions to the lost (in America) art of kettle-bell lifting. I took a flyer on the video, which I found sufficiently intriguing that I bought the book and a KB, then another, larger KB, and am poised to buy a third implement. Pavel and his publisher promote KBs as a tool of "extreme fitness," but the average fitness enthusiast ought not be scared off by the advertising hyperbole. KBs are unique in my experience in combining functional strength and endurance training in a single workout which you really can do at home. My 4-month experiment with kettlebells has been very rewarding and an awful lot of fun. RKC (as this book is known among Pavel's "Party" faithful) is the best of his books to date. It describes in words and pictures the how-to's of basic KB moves and variants and gives you the parameters for designing your own workout. Many of the exercises can be done with dumbbells in lieu of kettlebells for those who are reluctant to pop for the implements until they've given the program a try. While the book and the video can each stand alone, they are designed to work best together. The video augments the book by visually presenting the unusual movements. In RKC, as in all of his books and videos, Pavel teaches his lessons with an appealing sense of humor and a heavy emphasis on safe performance. I started with the smallest KB (about 36 pounds) and found it a little daunting at first. After a few weeks, however, I eagerly moved up to the "medium" bell (about 54 pounds) and now, a few months later, plan to complete my set with the big boy (72 pounds). I am in my late 40's and have been physically active all my adult life in a range of activities, including running and cardio kickboxing when they were trendy, as well as biking, swimming, running, weightlifting, various ball sports, etc. None of those activities has been as much fun, or as productive, as RKC. I highly recommend Pavel's RKC book and video, and kettlebell lifting in general.
Rating:
Summary: Not for those who seek a quick and easy fix
Review: The drills in this book are not easy. They are not of the "three minutes a day" school of fitness. Following these drills will not make you into a monstrous mass of pectoral doom. However, given the effort and will, nothing will get you in awesome shape faster. If lean power and muscular efficiency beyond belief is your goal, then pick this book up, along with Power to the People!, and get in the best shape of your life. Once again, I must give it four stars, as I feel diet could be covered in more detail.
Rating:
Summary: The direct route to strength and athleticism
Review: The kettlebell, or "girya", is an iron ball with a thick handle. A century ago, kettlebells were used worldwide for strength training. But as the Western world got softer, wimpier, and more lawsuit-prone, the kettlebell went out of use and remained popular only in Eastern Europe. They are now being revived in the US thanks to the work and evangelism of Pavel Tsatsouline, a former trainer of Soviet special forces. Kettlebell training is hard-core. I have two kettlebells at home, and as exercise devices they could never be confused with a stairmaster. They require focus and concentration and are used for demanding lifts such the snatch, the clean and jerk, the bent press, and a whole arsenal of other lifts you aren't going to see in your gym this week. You can't curl a kettlebell absentmindedly while staring off in the direction of the aerobics class. (In fact, if you manage that feat send me an e-mail.) However, if you've got the focus and can put in the work, kettlebells will yield enormous benefits. Handling their awkward weight while in motion is one of the single best things you can do to make yourself faster, stronger, and, as Pavel would say, more "eeeevil." As a karateka, I have found that kettlebell training has improved my hand speed, foot speed, and striking power, and has made me tougher to hit and tougher to hurt. To my knowledge no other type of training will do that all at once. RKC contains clear instructions and a lot of interesting kettlebell history as well. If you're interested in kettlebell training it's a must-have, as is the companion video.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Fat Burning and Muscular Strength and Endurance
Review: The most advanced training device is over 100 years old. The kettlebell - the preferred tool of the old-time strongmen - will increase your cardiovascular output and develop strength and endurance like nothing else. The anecdotal evidence, science, and fitness reports outlined in this book will increase your fitness levels no matter where you are today. My resting heart fell from 82 BPM to 62 BPM after only one month of training with the book-recommended exercises.
Rating: 
Summary: nothing wrong with novelty
Review: The real issue is keeping yourself interested. For those who already work hard, and need a little something new in their routine to maintain peak enthusiasm, kettlebells are perfect. For folks who prefer no risk of injury over macho achievement, there's nothing wrong with the next Nautilus machine. All of Pavel's books are way overpriced.
Rating: 
Summary: Unique, but not great.
Review: The subject matter here is unique and the only thing which comes close to justifying the book's high price. As with most of Pavel's books, there is a small bit of information stretched out over many pages. Yes, Pavel has a cult following who would give four stars to a blank piece of paper with his name it, so don't be fooled. If you must have a book on kettlebell lifting, this is your only choice at the time, but don't expect much.
Rating:
Summary: Pavel's not for ballerinas or idiots
Review: There have been some very negative reviews written about this book, and they simply amaze me. Not only is the kettlebell a very effective strength and endurance tool, it's also a great way to develope incredible coordination and grip power. It's something to be respected, and so is the man who has brought the knowledge of a so-called "obsolete" sport to the American fitness forefront. (Kettlebelling is not obsolete... it's still very popular in Russia... American ignorance rocks!)
Don't be kidded- the kettlebell is hardcore, and the ability to use one effectively is an art that requires a lot of dedication, practice, pain tollerance, and a mind wired to your body's natural movement patterns and muscular abilities. If you're not 100% aware of your body in relation to an accelerating kettlebell, you will be hurt- either muscularly or kinetically- by taking a jaw or skull shot. I only got cocky with my snatch form once... and taking a 16kg fist to the dome humbled me greatly.
The fact is this is a GREAT book, very informative, and amusing. The best thing about Mr. Tsatsouline is that he takes the edge off of fitness rhetoric, explains the history, focuses on the mechanics, and gives amazing advice and instruction on a seemingly simple idea: pick up heavy weight, lower heavy weight, repeat until you puke. Again: this is hardcore and barbaric. But I have never seen a fat or weak barbarian. But I have met many "bodybuilders" with permanent ligament, tendon, and overuse injuries do to over-hypertrophic mania- and most of those injuries come from single-axis machines. You know, the Nautilus crap that 24 hour Fitness and Curves tries to sell their customers on.
And the negative views on the amount of advertising... I'm an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer with 5 years of hard experience, certified massage therapist, registered dietician, and an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. I'm not saying this to be a braggart, I'm stating this as an expression of my familiarity with kinesiology. Look it up. I own every book and piece of equipment Mr. Tsatsouline has given to the public- and I stand by every single bit of advice the man has ever given to the public. I say "given," because at $30, his books are a gift. Some people pay upwards of $2,000 a session for the amount of wisdom Mr. Tsatsouline conveys in each and every one of his books. My clients pay upwards of $75 an hour for theories based not on any textbook, but on the instinctual wisdom I inherited from Mr. Tsatsouline. I have never had a client injury. NEVER. His philosophies are essentially the Bible of strength training. Safely.
There are negative comments about the girth of this manual, not to mention the font size... give me a break. Pavel is not a moron- this is the land of BIGGER is better. How could you expect to take a 30 page book seriously? Afterall, Arnold's book of bodybuilding is nearly 600ish... no offense to Arnold, but if you need that much of an explaination of exercises- hire a trainer... and then there's a comment posted taking into literal account of Pavel's joke on Soviet Russian society. It's about pickle juice, vodka, and kettlebells. It's a joke to convey the seriousness of the kettlebell sport in his home culture: no matter what, if you're a strong and powerful man- you lift- no matter WHAT. No excuses.
If you need your hand held, get a membership to Curves. If you're a bed-wetter, wear a bicycle helmet during your snatches. If you're a ballerina, put on your tu-tu and check your makeup in the mirror. If you're an idiot, write a negative review.
If you're strong, dedicated, focused, tired of spending time next to the same sweaty ape clone giving the same stupid advice about Nautilus machines, and desiring the best possible puke-inducing efficient workout- buy this book. And buy a kettlebell.
You'll never be stronger or more ripped. And another thing: when choosing a personal trainer, ask for their credentials.
Rating:
Summary: From Russia With Love
Review: This book is an old,but new approach to physical conditioning based on the official Soviet Army conditioning system by a Russian Special Forces trainer. Kettlebells are different in that they offer a tremendous cardiovascular effect while building strength. They are inexpensive compared to various other systems that offer comparable benefit and can be used in small spaces.
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