Rating: 
Summary: Terrific Guide to Practical Groundfighting!
Review: Author Al Arsenault offers a complete view of chin-na (gripping/grappling) techiques for the ground, from initial standing position to the ground application. The level of this book is basic to advanced--a person with little experience (you'll likely need some grappling experience to understand any book on ground or throwing arts) can hone their understanding through practicing and studing the explanations in the narrative. Advanced concepts are also demonstrated and explained in an organized manner. The format in this book endears itself to study, with photos and diagrams clear and easy to comprehend. Arsenault goes beyond simply showing a technique which might be difficult to apply without an experienced instructor by explaining through detailed narrative precisely how one must manouver and position oneself. We also learn WHY the techniques and positioning are done as they are done, how they work, and how to get the most out of a technique. This practical and sensible approach can be appreciated by grapplers and strikers alike. The square construction of this thick book makes it less likely to flop shut when you spread it on the mat to experiment with the techniques shown within. All in all, a straightforward offering which can offer new ideas and applications regardless of one's style of practice.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Guide to Practical Groundfighting!
Review: Author Al Arsenault offers a complete view of chin-na (gripping/grappling) techiques for the ground, from initial standing position to the ground application. The level of this book is basic to advanced--a person with little experience (you'll likely need some grappling experience to understand any book on ground or throwing arts) can hone their understanding through practicing and studing the explanations in the narrative. Advanced concepts are also demonstrated and explained in an organized manner. The format in this book endears itself to study, with photos and diagrams clear and easy to comprehend. Arsenault goes beyond simply showing a technique which might be difficult to apply without an experienced instructor by explaining through detailed narrative precisely how one must manouver and position oneself. We also learn WHY the techniques and positioning are done as they are done, how they work, and how to get the most out of a technique. This practical and sensible approach can be appreciated by grapplers and strikers alike. The square construction of this thick book makes it less likely to flop shut when you spread it on the mat to experiment with the techniques shown within. All in all, a straightforward offering which can offer new ideas and applications regardless of one's style of practice.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Addition for Any Martial Artist's Library
Review: I am not usually a person that recommends Martial Arts books because it tends to be a very personal choice and very dependant on the person's background, his objectives in training, his lineage, and other contextual and subjective factors. But this book is definitely an exception to that rule mainly because it is so good in theory, application, and execution of the material (very unusual for a martial arts book). There have been few books that I have read on the martial arts that have proceeded along such an advanced caliber. The book is presented more along a systematic approach, concentrating more on principles and leaving (and encouraging)the applications (although there are loads of incisive, clear examples) to be worked out on the mat. This is something that I have found over the years to be extremely valuable and not so much the case since others in their dojos, articles and books tend to get too far caught up in the doling out of such-and-such moves and "secret techniques". The book's emphasis is also on the biomechanic principles of applications (for me, where the martial arts really begin and end). The photographs are large, clear, logical, and thorough with the accompanying text clearly labeling what is going on. If anything, this book is a real treat and will not really ever have the chance to gather dust in my ever-expanding library because I will continually be taking it off the shelf to refer to it! Kudos to Mr. Arsenault and Mr. Faulise for doing such an outstanding job and sharing such great knowledge with us readers. Others who are even contemplating such a tough venture like putting together an article or book should definitely take a look at this book just on that basis alone! I look forward to anything these guys might be doing in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Not terrible, but usefulness depends upon your skill level.
Review: I have training in both Shaolin Kung Fu, with some limitted experience in Judo and free style ju jitsu. I am also an occupational therapist, who is no stranger to anatomy, physiology, or the workings of the human body.
I've been interested in submission wrestling and grappling as a Chinese martial artist long before grappling was popular. Perhaps this is why I'm not all that impressed with the book.
I have a vast collection of books on martial arts, especially grappling. This book was one I decided to pass up, despite the fact I find YMAA publications to typically be innovative and high quality.
First, the authors are not Chinese martial artists. They are martial artists with experience in judo or ju jitsu. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it is a bit misleading to say this book is about Chin Na in groundfighting when it is simply basic techniques from ju jitsu.
Of course, the theories between so-called "chin na fa" (to seize and control) and Ju jitsu (gentle art) are very similar. Yet, a book devoted to Chinese groundfighting and wrestling (Shuai Jiao) would be very interesting, as the prior YMAA book was.
The authors do go into great detail on the theory of Chin Na, especially pressure point techniques. But if you have already read prior YMAA publications on the topic, this doesn't break any new ground. The use of pressure point techniques in the text borders on the obvious. Did you know yanking on a guy's hair can make it easier to put a sleeper hold on?
As much as I would like to rate the book higher, there are other YMAA publications I'd buy before I bought this one. Anyone with common sense could integrate Chin Na with the techniques of ju jitsu, Judo, or the Russian art of Sambo.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good book
Review: This book has a different angle on ground fighting. It seems to be more for stand-up fighters who want to enhance their arsenal by adding joint locking and ground fighting techniques. It goes beyond giving you "tricks", however, because there are plenty of photos and illustrations on the mechanics of applying technique. Another good thing about this book is that you'll be given the option to control your opponent rather than flatten him or her (with a kick, punch, or throw). I recommend that you pick up a copy of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good book
Review: This book has a different angle on ground fighting. It seems to be more for stand-up fighters who want to enhance their arsenal by adding joint locking and ground fighting techniques. It goes beyond giving you "tricks", however, because there are plenty of photos and illustrations on the mechanics of applying technique. Another good thing about this book is that you'll be given the option to control your opponent rather than flatten him or her (with a kick, punch, or throw). I recommend that you pick up a copy of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have Addition To A Martial Arts Library
Review: This book is extremely well written and well photographed. Any and every person, both martial artist and lay person, will be able to learn directly from this book. This is a "must have" reference work. The material is well organized. The text is very complete and nearly exhaustive in presenting the principles, theories and submission holds of ground fighting chin na. This is a truly remarkable "martial science" reference written by true scholar/warriors. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to broaden their knowledge base for truly fast, effective and powerful martial arts techniques. I eagerly await Al and Joe's next book.
Rating:
Summary: review of Chin Na in ground fighting
Review: This book is invaluable to any martial artist who wants to expand they're ability.. As someone who has studied this type martial art for over 30 years, its the first of its kind to "bridge the gap" on paper. Al Arsenault has taken the art of control and restraint to another level, most haven't experinced. His explinations are clear, concise, easy to understand. So many books written are full of "filler jargon", this book is exploding with factual, practical information. I have recommended this book to all my students and all my friends that practice martial arts. One of the best martial arts books I've ever read. John Cox- Greenville, S.C.(inheritor of Shou family system of Chin Na) rating- 5 stars PLUS!!
Rating:
Summary: review of Chin Na in ground fighting
Review: This book is invaluable to any martial artist who wants to expand they're ability.. As someone who has studied this type martial art for over 30 years, its the first of its kind to "bridge the gap" on paper. Al Arsenault has taken the art of control and restraint to another level, most haven't experinced. His explinations are clear, concise, easy to understand. So many books written are full of "filler jargon", this book is exploding with factual, practical information. I have recommended this book to all my students and all my friends that practice martial arts. One of the best martial arts books I've ever read. John Cox- Greenville, S.C.(inheritor of Shou family system of Chin Na) rating- 5 stars PLUS!!
Rating:
Summary: Superb book on the art of Chin Na
Review: This is a very comprehensive, detailed, and well-written book on chin na with an emphasis on ground fighting. I teach karate and chin na myself, and I like to integrate the two arts for my students just as sensei Arsenault and Faulise do in their training and work because of its practical usefulness in control situations, where karate, TKD, kung-fu, or a percussion art might be inappropriate. There are separate chapters covering nerve centers and pressure points, how to attack the pressure points, chin na theory and technique, as well as separate chapters on hand and armlocks; neck, head, and shoulder locks; and ankle and leglocks. One of the book's major strengths is the chapter on the theory of leverage and mechanical advantage as applied to holds and locks. The authors use diagrams and illustrations to show how chin na locks can be analyzed according to the different types of mechanical levers and fulcrums. This was interesting and useful since, once you understand a few basic principles (which aren't that difficult, really), any chin na lock can be analyzed and understood with reference to it's particular category of mechanical lever. Another thing I liked about the book is the authors' discussion of safety in practicing choke holds and of the dangers of applying them in self-defense situations. For example, after applying a sleeper hold and rendering the attacker unconscious, sometimes the heart fails to start back up after 30 seconds, and artificial resucitation must be administered--unless it's your attention to kill the attacker. This is because of a carotid baroreceptor and heart pacemaker effect known as carotid-sinus syndrome. It's very rare but it does happen. The authors also discuss a number of other medical and physiological effects of sleeper and choke holds and how to deal with them, which every martial artist who practices them should know about. The book concludes with a chapter on sequence of techniques which shows how techniques might progress and flow in a real situation, starting in a standing position and ending up on the ground. There are also two extensive appendices totalling 40 pages (in smaller print than was used in the text) on martial arts terms and medical terminology. My only complaint about the book is that the photos look a little light and faded. I don't know if this occurred during the shooting or printing, but it's not that big a problem. Overall, this is one of the best books on chin na I've ever seen and its application to ground fighting. A lot of work went into preparing and writing this volume, and it shows. This book will be a valuable resource for any chin na practitioner who wants a better grasp of the underlying principles and techniques of this important and useful martial art.
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