Rating: 
Summary: Great intro to BJJ!
Review: I bought this book as an introduction to BJJ theory & technique. I have no prior instruction in martial arts other than a little Tae Kwon Do but have been considering BJJ training.The "Theory" section is brief and succinct.. The basics are covered regarding history, training, etc. Its a very good (essential?) read if you are in the same boat as me and want to know what BJJ is all about. The "Techniques" section is a list of techniques, each one spanning two pages with several instructional pics. The pics are great and the text is very informative. The techniques are organized by belt-color: what the authors think is appropriate to learn at each belt level (white->blue, blue->purple, purple->brown, brown->black.) My major gripe is that there is no index... Working with computer software, I'm used to books that have excellent indices and are organized so that you can get to what you're looking for very quickly. If I wanted to look up a specific technique, I'd have to open to the table of contents and scan until I find the technique (but they aren't really ordered alphabetically, so I might scan over the list several times before deciding that there is no single-leg takedown listed, for example). So the book is very good, I would recommend it as a necessity if you are into (or getting interested in) Brazilian-style Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie style. The basics of grappling are covered in a way that is very instructional.. Very informative and well-written. The book could be longer however, but I'm sure we can expect follow-up books from the Gracie folks.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic
Review: This is quite good. Of course, you can't teach jujitsu from a book. For example the blue belt guard pass (which sets you up for a triangle choke as done here) is faulty and more passes are given at the lowest level in any school. But as an overview of the Gracie technique, this book is outstanding. I often take notes from my classes and insert them in the book, expanding. The intro stuff gives you a wonderful idea of the overall strategy you are attempting to carry out when you train heavily in groundfighting. All in all, a labor of love, but remember, find your local dojo to really learn before starting trouble, as you'd probably get killed. Congrats gracie men! a great book 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Book
Review: Wow, you just need to buy this because I can't explain in words how great this book is. They explain everything you need to know and show close ups when you need a better look and some of the more technical things. BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive and valuble guide
Review: This book on Brazilian Ju-jitsu is damn impressive. It lays down a composition of ground fighting skills very well and has
multiple large, full-color illustrations (per technique) and a
complete discription of such. It even goes as far as to caution
the reader on common mistakes in applying said movements. Considering the subject matter... I highly recommend this book and would encourage anyone to obtain a copy.
Rating:
Summary: Great buy!
Review: If anyone wants to learn some self-defense or just wants to be a better grappler this is a great book. I do not formally take BJJ at any martial arts school but I tried many of the moves on my friends when we live grapple and it helps a lot. I defeated them quite easily even though they all outweigh me by a lot. My wrestler friend couldn't even beat me and he's been wrestling for years and all I did was read a book! This is especially great if your a smaller skinnier guy like me. Better then learning stand up because most likely if a guy is bigger then u he'll take you to the ground. But once your on the ground, now you'll know what to do. Great buy, I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This is arguably one of the best books on the subject. As an author of 13 books on the martial arts and a collector of over 300, I feel it's money well spent if I can learn one technique or concept from a book or video. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory & Technique contains dozens of techniques that are easy to understand and easy to follow. The photography is clear and the descriptions are easy to grasp. If you train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu you must have this book, and if you follow one of the many punch/kick arts, you will find this an outstanding text that shows you what to do when the fight turns to grappling. I highly recommend this one.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Book
Review: I love this book. While the "self defense" worthiness of this book is questionable, it is a fantastic look at many Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu techniques and is loaded with beautiful full color photos. Concerning the Self-defense techniques that I refer to in my above paragraph, the included techniques are just not what I would consider effective. You will learn more applicable Jiu-Jitsu self defense techniques from one of George Kirby's books, but this isn't why you are going to buy this book anyway. Honestly, this is a must have book for Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu fans and students. Get this book to supplement your in-class training.
Rating:
Summary: Far Exceeds most other Efforts on BJJ & Grappling
Review: At 255 pages, this volume on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu eclipses virtually every other book on the topic. The amount of knowledge is superb, the presentation is terrific. Color photography throughout, an average of 6-10 photos per technique (including close-ups), and easily understood narrative descriptions which cover not just how to move, but why to do certain "little things" that make the difference between an effective technique and wasted energy. Although this book groups techniques by belt (recommended knowledge from white to blue, purple, brown, and black), authors Renzo and Royler Gracie, John Danaher, and Peligro describe rank in BJJ as an informal proceedure which does not include formal tests or specific techniques required, but rather continuous displays of proficient application and understanding which can be gleaned only through continuous and dedicated practice. It seems that BJJ, with its emphasis on ability rather than (buying) belts, is where other martial arts in the US, Canada, and Japan were 40 or more years ago. The only omission I can think of would be tournament rules for BJJ, but that again is something one would pick up from going to tournaments and classes regularly. This book is a terrific value, the best of the grappling books on the market today, in my estimation. A quality product well worth the asking price. I hope there is a volume II somewhere in the works, maybe even a biography of the Gracie family (looong overdue!). My other recommendation for those with an interest in NHB / MMA history would be the recently published "Brawl" by Erich Krauss. Good reading & good practice to you!
Rating:
Summary: Extremely helpful
Review: This book has many helpful photographs, but the real treasure is in the writing. (I believe one of the authors was formerly a graduate student in philosophy.) Extremely clear and precise descriptions of moves are given, with emphasis on how to perform them with technical precision. If I learn a new move at the Gracie Academy but then forget the details of it, chances are that move will be covered in detail in this book. (A minor suggestion for a second edition would be to have Renzo and Royler wear Gis of different colors. It can be hard to tell whose arm or leg belongs to whom!) A big thank you to everyone involved in this quality project, including the people providing the funding, the Gracies, and the authors.
Rating:
Summary: Very polished, good introduction of Brazial Jiu-Jitsu
Review: Sharp pictures on glossy text make this book very impressive when you first get it. The history and importance of jiu-jitsu as a martial art is concisely illustrated. Only after trying to use this book to help learn some moves and throws, do the weak points surface. In the photos, both brothers wear white gis (karate/judo uniforms). Unless the face can be seen, they look the same, making it much more difficult to determine proper procedure for each step. (That was really the worst thing with the book.) The way the book was written (especially the "Theory" section) is the only other problem. It's difficult to overemphasize the importance of ground fighting in street or MMA fights, but this book manages to do so. Yes, I'm being picky. Bottom line: If you want to learn BJJ, but don't know where to start, this is a good place.
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