Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Intro to Internal Martial Arts Theory
Review: As a practictioner of Yang Ben-Hou based taijiquan with 27 years experience, I would recommend anybody with an interest in the internal martial arts to buy, read, study and then work at applying the materials presented in this book. This is clearly one of the best expositions of internal martial arts theory written in readable English that I have encountered to date. One of the problems Americans have in learning the Chinese martial arts is that there is very little written material available that is readily understandable and practically applicable to the average student. The "Tai Chi Classics" are written in terse and frankly arcane Chinese, and are then translated into a stilted style of English which communicates little in the way of immediately useful information. My own taiji teacher, a 79 year old practictioner from China who learned taiji beginning at the age of 16, and who is fluent in most of the Chinese dialects as well as in English, essentially says that the books out there are "useless" to learn from, and up until I read this book, I basically agreed with him 100%. Now I have an exception to state to my teacher's rule of thumb. One thing I should state about this book: the techniques illustrated here are more from Chinese wrestling (san shou) than they are from conventional taiji or tui shou (push hands). I personally wasn't as interested in the second section of the book detailing the throws than I was with the first half of the book detailing proper setup and body alignment principles. No matter. The book is excellent. Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: The greatest martial arts book written by anyone!
Review: As the title of my review says, this is the greatest martial arts book I have or will ever read. Those that give this book a 3 star review because of poor photo quality (...) just don't get it. Studying and understanding the contents of this book will improve your martial arts skills considerably. The principles explained in the book are universally applicable. It doesn't matter what kind of martial arts you do. Just because the title says "Effortless Combat Throw" doesn't mean it's just all about throwing. The book goes far deeper than that if you bother to actually read it.
Too many people just like looking at pictures and think they can add another technique to their repertoire. Guess what? It doesn't matter how many techniques you have in your repertoire. It will not work unless you understand the principles Mr. Cartmell has so eloquently put down on paper. Get this book. Read if from cover to cover. When you're done, read it again.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: Effortless Combat Throws
by Tim CartmellThis excellent manual is a perfect companion to the video "Effortless Combat Throws" by the same Author/Master demonstator. Both teach very easy, comprehensive approaches to quickly learning very serious throwing prinicples, strategies, and applications, including: Mechanics of Efficient Motion Angles of Attack Proper Alignment Body Usage As demonstrated by Mr. Cartmell, "None of the techniques included... require any brute strength or the slightest amount of tension. Truly the effectiveness of many of the throws will be greatly reduced or completely lost by the inappropriate use (or overuse) of (your own) force." I learned so much so fast from the book and video... and I am a Practioner/Student/Part Time Instructor of SPECIAL FORCES oriented Martial Arts/Hand To Hand COMBAT. Easily translates to the Home, Street, or wherever you could be attacked. Feel safe always, KNOW you'll be safe. Buy it gladly and you'll quickly learn techniques which will EASILY help you overcome, outmaneuver, outsmart or escape potential or certain life threatening situations *within seconds* when properly applied. THIS Book and Video Teaches You EXACTLY HOW. They won't know what hit them.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: Effortless Combat Throws
by Tim Cartmell This excellent manual is a perfect companion to the video "Effortless Combat Throws" by the same Author/Master demonstator. Both teach very easy, comprehensive approaches to quickly learning very serious throwing prinicples, strategies, and applications, including: Mechanics of Efficient Motion Angles of Attack Proper Alignment Body Usage As demonstrated by Mr. Cartmell, "None of the techniques included... require any brute strength or the slightest amount of tension. Truly the effectiveness of many of the throws will be greatly reduced or completely lost by the inappropriate use (or overuse) of (your own) force." I learned so much so fast from the book and video... and I am a Practioner/Student/Part Time Instructor of SPECIAL FORCES oriented Martial Arts/Hand To Hand COMBAT. Easily translates to the Home, Street, or wherever you could be attacked. Feel safe always, KNOW you'll be safe. Buy it gladly and you'll quickly learn techniques which will EASILY help you overcome, outmaneuver, outsmart or escape potential or certain life threatening situations *within seconds* when properly applied. THIS Book and Video Teaches You EXACTLY HOW. They won't know what hit them.
Rating:
Summary: A book about principles ...
Review: I bought this book many years ago and it's one of the best ( if not THE best ) I've ever seen that discusses the technical principles of the so-called "internal" martial arts in a very logical way. The photographs are not top quality but the techniques are ( relatively ) simple to execute, explained in full detail and - what's most important - can be applied in a real fight ...
Rating: 
Summary: basic book with very poor pictures
Review: I ordered this book based on the extraordinarily fabulous reviews posted on Amazon.com. Upon review, I was very disappointed, and returned it. My advice is save your money or order a book that you've held in your hands and know it's worth. By the way, this is the second review that I've submitted on this book, and the other one was bad-Amazon.com didn't release it.
Rating: 
Summary: The pictures are poor quality so its too hard to learn from
Review: I saw this book at a store. I was going to buy it until I saw the pictures. The pictures look like they were either underdeveloped, or taken in a room that was too dark. I was interrested in the book for the throws, not the history or the principles. If you are trying to learn the throws in the book you will get a headache. The placement of the hands and feet are hard to see. I think that it would be hard for a non grappler or thrower to learn from the book. I know some throws and grappling techniques so I could figure them out. Its a good book, but the pictures bought it down to 3 stars for me.
Rating:
Summary: The Essence of Internal Martial Arts - A Gem of a Book!!!
Review: In "Effortless Combat Throws" Tim Cartmell masterfully unravels the core principles of internal martial arts devoid of "chi" oriented mumbo jumbo. Tim clearly explains how to generate natural, effortless power starting from posture and alignment. This book is extremely well written and organized in a "tell, show, do" format that takes the reader step by step through the application of effortless power in the form of arc, circle, spiral and sacrifice throws. This is a gem of a book and a MUST read for aspiring, novice or highly experienced martial arts. I have practiced martial arts for 21 years and this book changed the entire direction of my training and my understanding of the essence of martial arts.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book.
Review: The other reviews give plenty of detail. This is a five-star book, but I have to deduct a little for some poor photography.
Rating:
Summary: Pictures have been cleaned up
Review: The pictures in the current reprint of this book has been cleaned up and enhanced with computers.
| 
