Rating: 
Summary: Waste of money and trees
Review: As the title says this book is a waste of money and trees. I have returned the book and am writing my first Amazon.com review since it was such a horrid product. First, while the book has many pages, 1 in 4 are lame attempts at humor or just pictures of the author with people he knows. The content of the book is completely lacking, all info is dated and most was never of any use to begin with. I can only guess that this book would be useful to staged backyard WWF style "Wrestlers" (whom I don't think deserve to use that name, staged is not wrestling, nor is WWF), but what should we expect from someone who's career was nothing, but staged Japanese wrestling... Don't get this book, it is a waste of money and our trees.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of money and trees
Review: Gene LeBell makes learning fun with his humerous approach to grappling in all its forms. This volume includes techniques commonly found in Judo, wrestling, and a host of other martial arts from Asia to South America. Author LeBell commences with grips and handles, with gi (jacket) and without-after all the base of grappling is holding on to something (anything!). He moves on to slap and catch, and then a huge array of arm locks, shoulder locks, writst, hip, leg locks, chokes, strangles, cranks, counters against a boxer, and LeBell's own wide range of special tricks, many which are not commonly found anywhere else. This volume contains a wealth of information, probably easiest to assimilate for someone who already has a background in wrestling, judo, BJJ or some other art with a lot of ground practice--I had no trouble understanding most of the techniques illustrated within. You won't find much on judo-like throws here, but then this book isn't geared towards that. There are plenty of other ways to get your opponent to the ground illustrated in this tome. This is a big, heavy book--a work this complete has never been undertaken before to my knowledge (with the possible exception of the "Fighter's Notebook"). There are many practical techniques, many "forgotten" techniques, and everything from the practical to the incredibly difficult in here. For the conoisseur of grappling or martial arts in general, you will enjoy yourself!
Rating: 
Summary: Humor, Fighting, and 500+ Pages of Information!
Review: Gene LeBell makes learning fun with his humerous approach to grappling in all its forms. This volume includes techniques commonly found in Judo, wrestling, and a host of other martial arts from Asia to South America. Author LeBell commences with grips and handles, with gi (jacket) and without-after all the base of grappling is holding on to something (anything!). He moves on to slap and catch, and then a huge array of arm locks, shoulder locks, writst, hip, leg locks, chokes, strangles, cranks, counters against a boxer, and LeBell's own wide range of special tricks, many which are not commonly found anywhere else. This volume contains a wealth of information, probably easiest to assimilate for someone who already has a background in wrestling, judo, BJJ or some other art with a lot of ground practice--I had no trouble understanding most of the techniques illustrated within. You won't find much on judo-like throws here, but then this book isn't geared towards that. There are plenty of other ways to get your opponent to the ground illustrated in this tome. This is a big, heavy book--a work this complete has never been undertaken before to my knowledge (with the possible exception of the "Fighter's Notebook"). There are many practical techniques, many "forgotten" techniques, and everything from the practical to the incredibly difficult in here. For the conoisseur of grappling or martial arts in general, you will enjoy yourself!
Rating:
Summary: the best of the best
Review: hi all, Well i would have to say this is the best book i have read on the subject of grappling and finishing moves.With the pic's and the step by step instruction you will be well on your way to understanding how the best grappler got his name.Gene is a great teacher and along with gokar and the rest in this book it has become my bible on grappling. Also if you do not get the moves down right away keep trying you will get there. and if that does not work go see him and gokar down in L.A. he is alway willing to help you figure them out.all you have to do is ask him to give you a "when in doubt choke him out"patch and you will be on your way
Rating: 
Summary: Very good book
Review: I give this book four stars because it opens up one's world to whole new possabilities of submission holds. The holds are classified by what part of the body they work, and the possition of the limb (ex.- "Bent arm locks"). The sheer scope of information makes this book an invaluable one to anyone involved in MMA and submission wrestling. As a bonus, the book also has a section on grappling with a club, which may be useful to stickfighting practitioners who are trying to expand thier techniques. The books strongest points are it's clear photos, even clearer instructions, and the vast variations of a single hold that were shown. The downside was that there wasn't too much about maneuvering, possitioning, or takedowns, but that's not really what the book was about, anyway. I liked the authors sense of humor, but in my opinion, it was a little distracting. Maybe other readers will appreciate it more. But for it's subject matter (submission holds), if I had to chose one book, this would be it. When I started grappling, I knew nothing about sweeps, takedowns, controling, or positions, but thanks to my reading LeBell's earlier works, I was able to tap out experienced BJJ guys and amature wrestlers alike with ease. It's because LeBell gives the reader holds that he can use from any position he may find himself in. GET THIS BOOK!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Very good book
Review: I give this book four stars because it opens up one's world to whole new possabilities of submission holds. The holds are classified by what part of the body they work, and the possition of the limb (ex.- "Bent arm locks"). The sheer scope of information makes this book an invaluable one to anyone involved in MMA and submission wrestling. As a bonus, the book also has a section on grappling with a club, which may be useful to stickfighting practitioners who are trying to expand thier techniques. The books strongest points are it's clear photos, even clearer instructions, and the vast variations of a single hold that were shown. The downside was that there wasn't too much about maneuvering, possitioning, or takedowns, but that's not really what the book was about, anyway. I liked the authors sense of humor, but in my opinion, it was a little distracting. Maybe other readers will appreciate it more. But for it's subject matter (submission holds), if I had to chose one book, this would be it. When I started grappling, I knew nothing about sweeps, takedowns, controling, or positions, but thanks to my reading LeBell's earlier works, I was able to tap out experienced BJJ guys and amature wrestlers alike with ease. It's because LeBell gives the reader holds that he can use from any position he may find himself in. GET THIS BOOK!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: I would give this ten stars if I could. This book is by the great master Gene LeBell. His books are so detailed and easy to understand. This book covers mostly submissions, and ALOT of them. The first chapters are about foot and leg control, and slap and grab moves. Then come the submissions. There is every type of armbar,bent armlock, shoulderlock,leg locks, hip locks, chokes, ankle bends and twists, neck locks, headlocks, neck cranks, abdominal muscle stretches, groin pain, back pain, and much much more. It shows you all of these moves in every angle, in everyway, and many different variations for them all. This book has extremley silly parts in it which will keep you laughing while your learning. It is a great book. Anyone who grapples NEEDS this book to be the best. Gene Lebell has trained some of the best in the world from UFC fighters to Bruce Lee, Chuch Norris, and the undeafeted NHB fighter Gokor Chivichian who is also featured in the pictures in this book as well as UFC former champion Oleg Taktarov. This book really is a Encyclopedia!
Rating:
Summary: Creative mayhem
Review: I've been waiting for this book for nearly a decade, ever since Judo Gene mentioned he was working on it. Without a doubt, it was worth the wait. Informative, entertaining and unique describes both the content and the author.
Rating:
Summary: Gene LeBell is a true well of knowledge
Review: If you buy one grappling book at all, then buy this one. Gene Lebell is to the grappling world as Bruce Lee is considered to the striking world of martial arts. This book is excellent for anyone wanting to improve their groundfighting and submission techiques. Every time I open the book I find a new hold or learn something new. I found myself laughing aloud at the humor scattered throughout the book. However, studying this book will not make you an invincible grappler. One needs to train with a resisting opponent or a grappling instructor to really improve your ground game. Fighters like Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Ken Shamrock, Don Frye have all stated in one way or another that Gene Lebell is the toughest man alive and/or the best grappler in the world. Buy the book. It is worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Well Worth the Money
Review: It just doesn't get any better than this. A massive amount of material clearly presented in an entertaining fashion. Truly a book worthy of such a martial arts legend.
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