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Summary: Pictures in reprint are now clear
Review: The pictures in the current reprint of this book have been cleaned up and enhanced with computers.
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Summary: A Good Companion to the Video
Review: This book is a good companion to the excellent video of the same name as it covers in greater detail the "theory" behind many of these characteristically Chinese throws. As a stand-along product, however, the book is only fair: it is marred mainly by very poor picture quality.
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Summary: Modern explanation to old wisdom
Review: This book is almost translating old wisdom to contemporary knowledge. What was explained with religion and "ki" now is presented with phisycs and scientific language, and most of all, with kynesiology. The Principles exposed here can be applied to almost any combat situation, including striking techniques. When you understand Body mechanics and how it moves in time and space, and how its moves are related to other bodies in combat, your level of martial art performance will increase. This book will rise the level of your power without doing too much effort. You need to read, integrate and PRACTICE with this book in mind.
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Summary: Really good book.
Review: This book is really great. However I am not so interested in throws I found this book very helpful. I would like to recommend especially the chapter "Body Use". If you are studying MA, this is THE book for you. Mr. Cartmell also presents how to set-up, how to throw and how to follow-up in a clear way. No esoteric explanations, just simple and direct ideas.
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Summary: View-changing book
Review: This book was great from start to finnish. The author starts out by changing the way throws are classified. He defines them by how the opponent moves through space, and simplifies it into arcs, spirals, and circles. He then moves in to eight principles of motion for effortless throws, like transfer of momentum, and then goes into different methods of executing those principles. Chapter two focuses on eight principles of "body use", which amounts to some very specific details about proper posture, but which is nessesary in order to execute throws with minimum effort. These two very important chapters make up about 1/4 of the book. The next chapter goes into the performance of the throws, as classified by arcs, circles, and spirals. There is even a separate part for sacrifice throws. In demonstrating a throw, Mr. Cartmell starts by describing the throw, showing how it is applied, then analyzing it's entry, the throw itself, and the use of your own body in the throw. He then gives examples of how to move into the throw based on different defenses, such as vs a punch or headlock. At the end of the book is an appendix section that covers a broad range of topics, like relaxation and stability vs. mobility. The focus of the book is using a minimum amount of force to throw an opponent, and I believe it explains it well. I would recomend this book to folks who have to use throws for self-defense, such as bouncers and police officers, and for those who wish to understand the internal arts, but like me, don't really get the whole "expand your chi" thing. It's also just a really good book to read, and would complete anyones martial arts library.
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Summary: Most Complete Analysis of Throwing Techniques....
Review: This volume is to throws as the volume "Practical Chin Na" is to joint locking. Finally we have books which explain exactly how and why the techniques we have been using for years work. Tim Cartmell gives us a complete guide to throwing, explaining and grouping techniques by the principles under which they are executed. Cartmell's roots are, interestingly enough, in Jimmy Woo's ever practical San Soo Kung Fu, although later Cartmell moved to Taiwan and then China and trained there with a number of extraordinarily skilled teachers, including Hsu Hong Chi and Hsu Chen Wang (Hsing Yi), Chen Tso Chen (Hsu Hsi Tao), Lin Ah Lung (Tang and Chen Taiji), Kao Liu-te (Yi Chuan), Hsu Fu-chin (Chen Taiji), Luo Te-hsiu (Kao-style Pa Kua Chang & Chen Pan-ling Taiji), Sun Jian-yun (daughter of the famed Sun Lu-tang & present headmaster). Author Tim Cartmell begins by describing types of throws (arc, circle, and spiral) and the basic principles which guide their application. Next, he explains principled of body use, and then the bulk of the book, comprised of an analysis and application of each throw. Cartmell is extremely thourough in his description of each stage of the technique, describing every little facet of motion, how to balance, how to turn, what you will feel and what is happening to your partner. Each technique offers an analysis of entry, analysis of the technique, of body use, of practical application, of counters and combat use, and variations on the throw. While there are plenty of illustrations, you will need to be a patient reader to glean the most from this volume. It is with words that Cartmell makes the whole picture come together. Whatever your discipline (Chinese style or not), if your art includes throwing techniques, this is the volume to explain the how and why's.
Rating:
Summary: Most Complete Analysis of Throwing Techniques....
Review: This volume is to throws as the volume "Practical Chin Na" is to joint locking. Finally we have books which explain exactly how and why the techniques we have been using for years work. Tim Cartmell gives us a complete guide to throwing, explaining and grouping techniques by the principles under which they are executed. Cartmell's roots are, interestingly enough, in Jimmy Woo's ever practical San Soo Kung Fu, although later Cartmell moved to Taiwan and then China and trained there with a number of extraordinarily skilled teachers, including Hsu Hong Chi and Hsu Chen Wang (Hsing Yi), Chen Tso Chen (Hsu Hsi Tao), Lin Ah Lung (Tang and Chen Taiji), Kao Liu-te (Yi Chuan), Hsu Fu-chin (Chen Taiji), Luo Te-hsiu (Kao-style Pa Kua Chang & Chen Pan-ling Taiji), Sun Jian-yun (daughter of the famed Sun Lu-tang & present headmaster). Author Tim Cartmell begins by describing types of throws (arc, circle, and spiral) and the basic principles which guide their application. Next, he explains principled of body use, and then the bulk of the book, comprised of an analysis and application of each throw. Cartmell is extremely thourough in his description of each stage of the technique, describing every little facet of motion, how to balance, how to turn, what you will feel and what is happening to your partner. Each technique offers an analysis of entry, analysis of the technique, of body use, of practical application, of counters and combat use, and variations on the throw. While there are plenty of illustrations, you will need to be a patient reader to glean the most from this volume. It is with words that Cartmell makes the whole picture come together. Whatever your discipline (Chinese style or not), if your art includes throwing techniques, this is the volume to explain the how and why's.
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Summary: an excellent analysis of throwing methods
Review: Tim Cartmell provides a detailed explanation of 12 combat throws; why and how they work, practical applications etc. If you're looking for a compendium of throws then this book is not for you. However if you're looking to gain a better understanding of throwing methods then buy the book. Apply the principle not the throw.
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