Rating: 
Summary: basic info
Review: A little disappointed in the information: the book has a very basicaly approach of the scientific explainations of the martial arts techniques. If you are involved a longuer time in MA, then this book cannot help you a lot.
Rating: 
Summary: A note from the author
Review: As the author of Fighting Science, I would like to comment on the review titled "Fight with questionable physics?" from Quasi-recluse. This book is not about fighting strategy primarily, but about applying the laws of physics to your martial art. It is important that information seekers in any area understand that failing to agree on a definition often leads to misunderstandings. For example, the reviewer states that the title of the book is a misnomer, and that the techniques are not about fighting, but more about tournament fighting. But that is only true if we define fighting ONLY as self-defense, and science ONLY as strategy. It is equally possible that fighting means karate, kung-fu, Thai-boxing, grappling, or modern wars. So if a person desires to buy a book that deals primarily with self-defense, he might be disappointed if he finds that the book is more about martial arts in general. The same is true regarding the word science. Science could mean tournament fighting tactics or street tactics, but it could equally much mean equations in physics. Whether or not the title is a misnomer therefore depends on the meaning you assign it based on what you are seeking.
The reviewer also states that he is more concerned with someone pummeling him than a person who trains in throws, grappling, or is flexible enough to kick to the head, and that he wouldn't teach his mom many of the techniques in the book. But the book is not about specific martial arts techniques; it is about the concepts of physics, which the reader is supposed to correlate to the techniques of his or her choosing. Although I have included a variety of examples from kickboxing, grappling, joint locks, throws, and demonstrations in breaking or other feats of power, the principles of physics are not limited to these techniques only. The book was not written primarily for somebody's mom in a self-defense scenario; it was equally much written for young and energetic karate people on the competition circuit in a multitude of arts and demonstrations, or for the everyday karate practitioner who practices for no other reason than his own enjoyment. And, yes, the models wear Thai-shorts in some of the photos, but they also wear karate gis, jeans, or long pants and T-shirts in other photos.
Regarding whether it is "better" to throw a strike to the chest or to the head, again, the reader must remember that it is not techniques we are talking about, but concepts of physics. There is a difference between being more powerful and being more effective. For example, a strike thrown straight out from the shoulder has the potential to be more powerful than a strike thrown at an angle upward or downward, because it allows the fighter to place his or her body mass behind the strike without running as great a risk of splitting the resultant force (it is still possible to throw an angled strike at full force and make up for lack of reach in other ways, but one must be aware of the pitfalls). This is not the same as saying that I suggest a person will be more effective if he strikes his opponent in the chest rather than the head (in fact, I don't even suggest that he strikes to the chest, that is an assumption the reviewer is making). But he could be more effective if his opponent were shorter than him, or was off balance and inadvertently brought his head to the level of the punch. If you are much shorter than your opponent or kneeling, you might also land a good blow to the groin if you strike straight out from the shoulder. It should therefore not be assumed that a strike straight from the shoulder always lands on the chest. Again, the intent of the book is not to teach techniques, but to show how one can correlate the concepts of physics to the martial arts, regardless of which art one studies. Avoiding assumptions and making an effort to determine the intent of the material in a book will help any reader collect more purposeful information.
Martina Sprague
Rating:
Summary: Increased my understanding of martial arts
Review: Fighting Science has helped me understand why some techniques work and others don't. Understanding the physics behind the techniques takes a lot of the guesswork and experimentation out of my training. I used to wonder why my instructor insisted on doing some techniques a certain and now I know. I also know that there are better ways of doing a couple of things than what I learned in class. This book is an excellent investment for anyone who wants to know not only what works and what doesn't but why.
Rating:
Summary: provides fresh insight
Review: Fighting Science is a wonderful, information crammed martial arts book that fills a much-needed void in the field. Author Martina Sprague clearly knows her stuff and passes on her knowledge in a simple and easy-to-understand language that even the science and math challenged among us can grasp at first read. Even if you have been studying the martial arts for years, her explanations as to the science behind you favorite moves will have you exclaiming, "So that's why that technique works so well." Perhaps more importantly, with a new understanding of the simple laws of physics that make a technique work and work well, you might discover the solution to a problem you've had with a particular punch, kick, or throw. Her simple explanations as to the physics behind your movements, backed by hundreds of clear photos, will not only improve your techniques but will help you defeat your opponent, whether it's in the ring or in the street. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Cool Book
Review: Here's the deal - I've been involved in martial arts for years. I'm not the best in the world, but I'm no slouch. I practice hard, learn well, and apply what I know in class and competition. Still, I've wondered why a techniques sometimes rings like a bell but other times doesn't seem to work at all. After reading this book I've been able to fine-tune my technique to a much greater extent. I kick harder, strike more forcefully, and am much better at absorbing blows. My peers have noticed - it's not just my imagination. Plus, I've applied the concepts to improve my teaching. I can explain how and why something works in a clearer fashion. My students get better right along with me. So, why not 5 stars? Because nothing's ever perfect!
Rating: 
Summary: Not much that's new here
Review: I bought this book expecting a little more. When I sat down to read it I realized that this book won't really alter anything I've been doing. I DO recommend it as a reference book or as something that will benefit the novice martial artist, therefore it got three stars because someone other than me can probably get something out of it. Sprague does tell the science behind some of the things, but if you are a veteran martial artist you probably know most of what is in here or are doing lots of the things this book mentions without knowing it. Then again, maybe I had good schooling or maybe I know more than the average Joe and don't know it. I doubt that though. THE BOTTOM LINE:
Inexperienced - If you are a beginning martial artist, armchair warrior, want to know why certain things work, or want a reference book on techniques and how they work, this is worthwhile. Experienced - If you are an experienced fighter/martial artist, of both stand-up and ground fighting, there is probably little you have to gain from this. If you know only one of those (stand-up or ground fighting) there might be a slight advantage in having this, but you could probably do better getting a book addressing those specific areas. *NOTE: Although other people gave it 5 stars, be weary of Loren Christensen's review as he is also a Turtle Press author (people who made this book) and I see him giving 5 stars to other Turtle Press writers here on Amazon.com, I'm not bashing him, I liked Fighter's Fact Book, just be careful.
Rating:
Summary: not very good
Review: I thought "hey... this should be good if it's well done..." but it's not... I paid money for this and wish I hadn't... I could have bought lunch... I certainly didn't finish reading this book, but I slogged through more of it than necessary to "give it a chance"... You'd be better off with "Physics for Dummies" and a beginners class in boxing or wrestling...
Rating:
Summary: not very good
Review: I thought "hey... this should be good if it's well done..." but it's not... I paid money for this and wish I hadn't... I could have bought lunch... I certainly didn't finish reading this book, but I slogged through more of it than necessary to "give it a chance"... You'd be better off with "Physics for Dummies" and a beginners class in boxing or wrestling...
Rating:
Summary: More Fun than High School Science from Martial Art Magazine
Review: If you're one of those guys who wasn't exactly thrilled with high school science, you might want to give it another try. Not the same class you took back then, but "Fighting Science: The Laws of Physics for Martial Artists." This 269-page book by Martina Sprague is reader-friendly and covers such topics as an introduction to fighting concepts, balance, momentum, direction, impulse, rotational speed and kinetic energy. Check it out. It's fun and you may just learn a thing or two.
Rating:
Summary: Science applied to Martial Arts
Review: It is great to see a book actually apply the science of physics to the martial arts. Many books attempt to claim they do by citing a couple of equations and formulas but fail to apply them to the movements and techniques demonstrated or examined. Martina Sprague has done a great job of applying the basics of physics to both striking and grappling styles. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for the a western scientific approach to understanding their style.
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