Rating: 
Summary: The best battle proven method of Special Forces !
Review: Israelis are only 5 millions peoples living in a very hostile area with 250 millions Arabs who fight them. So when i knew that i understood what means ''battle proven-method''. Of course the book cannot explain all the (important)subtile finishings but when i read that ''krav-maga is like hapkido or other martial arts'' I am laughing because the people who says that doesn't know Krav Maga AND doesn't know Hapkido and real other martial arts (or are jealous persons) ! The krav maga is the official hand-to-hand combat technic of a lot of western special forces such as french GIGN or SF of Swedish army and Poland Army etc... After the terrible 11/9 a CIA team came to Israel to learn Krav-Maga....So what more ?
Rating: 
Summary: Common Sense Self Defense....
Review: ...While there isn't a whole lot of technical information in this volume that differs much from things already written in other self defense books (after all, there are only so many ways to hit an attacker with an elbow while tuning around), this work is one of the few "non-traditional" martial arts studies which presents its information in a progressive SYSTEM. The material presented here covers a range of topics which one would generally have to find in a number of different books by various authors. Although the technical information is basic (that is to say, not complex), this is not a book that was written for stupid people. The presentation and coverage is thorough enough that advanced martial artists and individuals with no specific previous training who would like to build a base of knowledge for no-nonsense self defense training can benefit from reading this book. Although my own background is in "traditional" martial arts, the materials here are remeniscent of the short courses taught to military and police, without the militaristic formality.Each topic (unarmed, knife, baton, gun, etc) includes a detailed theoretical explanation, and then offers photographic sequences to clearly illustrate the points. There is no ceremony, and no wasted space in this book. The ideas presented here are logical, the manouevres straight forward and simple, having been developed with the idea that any person regardless of athletic acumen, whether a clerk or a soldier should be able to effectively apply them quickly and easily. There is sound advice on using every day items for defense, sensible methods of conduct and dress, dealing with violence, and mental training. The authors do not dwell on deep time-consuming philosophical ideas, although as with most martial practices, Krav Maga does have a basic ethical thesis: don't get hurt, act modestly, act correctly, and become proficient (page 3-4). As with every defensive art, the thing which will make you most successful is practice, practice, practice. For history buffs, the section about the authors includes an interesting if short recounting of the training and experienced of Imi Sde-Or, including photos of his father, Samuel Lichtenfeld, and Imi as a young man in Europe (pre-1940), showing an incredible physique developed through athletic persuits including wrestling and boxing (pages 223-227). Sde-Or died in 1998, co-author Eyal Yanilov is his successor. The inclusiveness and price of this book make it an attractive find.
Rating:
Summary: Krav Maga is not a martial art
Review: A good book, you can train safely the tecniques and improve them very quickly even at home. A lot of good b/w photos. The book is redundant in explaining some concepts, but this also allows a better understanding of the tactics. Tactics: because the book is focused on the developement of tactics rather than teaching you hundreds of moves. It emphasizes also mental training. With Krav Maga you don't need to be a top martial artist to neutralize a treat. Notice that the book deals only with *armed* assaults.
Rating:
Summary: This is self defense that really works
Review: After several years of training and trying different self defense and martial arts such as Karate, Taekwondo, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, kickboxing, thaiboxing and others, I finally found what I have been looking for in Krav Maga. I work as an police officer and self defense instructor for fellow officers. I can truly say that no other system can compare to Krav Maga when it comes to realism and effectiveness, especially for law enforcement officers. Norwegian police officers are not armed in regular duty and have to rely on their skills and ability to defend themselves without guns. This makes Krav Maga ideal, at least for norwegian police officers. The book does not cover basic self defense techniques and fighting skills, but contains extremely effective techniques against guns, knives and sticks. The attackers are met by an very explosive and aggressvive manner from the defender. All techniques in the book are based upon natural movements and instinctive reactions, but it is of course not enough only to read the book from beginning to end. You have to work trough every chapter and practice as much as you can. If I had to choose only one book about defending guns and knives I would most certainly choose this one. And as far as mr "Oavde" concerned I really would like to know what kind of techniques he advocates for defending guns, knives and sticks. Maybe I have to reconsider my opinion about Krav Maga..
Rating:
Summary: A very good book about a very good fighting system!
Review: As a Krav Maga practitioner from Germany I have to say, this one is a definite buy! A lot of easy-to-understand pictures, very good explanations. This book fits for beginners as well as for more experienced martial artists, as the defenses shown range from "every-day-attacks" to more sophisticated ones. The self-defense aspect is highly realistic, if you have practised KM before, you will have an excellent help to improve your technique, if not, you can learn a lot. 5 of 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: As a person that has learn't Krav Maga for the last 14 years,I recomend this book,but to be able to protect yourself please get 1 on 1 instruction.If you have served in the I.D.F. then you really don't need this book.Remember if you can escape from a attacker,do it.
Rating: 
Summary: SAME OLD STUFF
Review: As one reviewer wrote, "Nothing New" this book just shows some techniques for self defense against an armed adversary. The techniques are good, but "Krap Magnum" (Krav Maga) is the traditional asian arts with a new name from Isreal. All the jews think they have reinvented the wheel. Save your money.
Rating:
Summary: Something That Works for Change...
Review: BEST BOOK EVER ABOUT DEFENDING ONESELF! I have studied many books concerning selfdefense and combat skills. With my experience of some ten years in martial arts I have NEVER come even close to the useabilty of Krav Maga (before starting to train Krav Maga)! By this I mean the simple, realistic movements that are very normal for a human being to do under STRESSFUL situation. Under stress one does not have very much time to think, one has to react! Krav Maga is the one martial art that teaches one to react, not to think that do I do this correctly or by the book: IF IT WORKS, IT'S KRAV MAGA! I was somehow astonished about the comments from our friend in Australia: Apparently he hasn't studied the pictures about counter-gun-techniques because at least in my book they are very clearly illustrated and the muzzle does not point to the groin or anywhere else in the defenders body! I also suggest that you try holding the gun and fire it! I can say from experience that it does work and when done properly you will not have a burned hand or bullet in the leg! Other part that I was surprised to read from his rewiev was the knife techniques. In My Copy of the Book there are even clearly illustrated footsteps how the defender should move - To the side with body defense! Then it will be very hard to push your throat forward unless you have a neck of Giraff! About the attackers. I have tested in action (with protective gear)situations when the knifeattack turns into knifefighting with attacker really trying to harm you. What I can say is that only thing that works is to move! Move Fast and with the attacker and even though you sometimes must lean to one side or another it does not take you out of balance, it does need to get used to it and how to continue your movement. This is impossible to illustrate in words or pictures, it has to be taught to one and once you get it, there's no limit! It's not some mystic secret but plain bodymovement! Anyway, the book is very well written, illustrated and the truelife stories are what happens in reality! Krav Maga is to be used for selfdefense and that's what the real life stories are about - saving yourself from being hurt! In the book there is great amount of tactics of selfdefense and about the characteristics of violent situtions from which to learn. Selfdefense is lot more than just completing series of techniques! For one to learn how to defend oneself it has to be stated that it will not succeed by reading a book! Selfdefense has to be trained, constantly under good instruction. This book is very good for the use of a "technical guide" but unfortunately it is impossible to learn how to DO something by READING something... So everyone, have very nice moments of studying this magnificent guide, while you're training! Greetings from Finland!
Rating:
Summary: Some truly great stuff/some dangerous ideas
Review: First the good: This is a well-written, excellently illustrated work. The techniques are well explained and the photos really bring home the author's intent. It is easy to read, follow, and understand. Clearly no book, no matter how well written, is a substitute for competent hands-on training but this will make a great handbook for practitioners to refer back to. Krav Maga evolved from a soldier's art rather than from a civilian's as many traditional karate or kung fu methods. The techniques are straightforward and relatively easy to learn. Many are very practical.
Now the bad: I'm really, really leery of some of what is taught herein. For example, on page 34 a kick to the chin is shown in defense of a straight knife thrust. Sorry folks, but that's an almost certain recipe for disaster. First off, unless you are a superior, lightning fast athlete there is no way you can kick that high without eating steel since the attacker's wrist only has to move a few inches to slice or stab your leg, foot, or ankle while you need to cover several feet to hit his/her chin. Even worse if your timing is off you could be hit in an even more vital area. In 30 years of martial arts I've met and trained hundreds upon hundreds of practitioners. I know perhaps one or two who could pull this off. Perhaps there is some hidden intent that I don't understand or something got lost in translation from Hebrew but I'm just not buying this one...
Overall: Don't get me wrong, there really is a lot of good stuff in here. However, there are techniques you know, techniques you do, techniques you train, and techniques you'd stake your life on. Choose wisely!
Rating:
Summary: Practical Self Defense
Review: Great book for learning quick efficient ways to defend yourself. The defenses are based on our natural instincts and reflexes. The text is excellent in explaining the tactics and the illustrations are useful and easy to follow. As with any self defense system lots of practice is essential.Looking forward to the next book on unarmed defenses.
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