English Martial Arts

Rating:
Summary: Very Clear and Sharp---
Review: I find 'English Martial Arts' to be very clear and sharp in its accuracy, presentation & applications. Also it is very well balanced in strategy and tactics. The photography--and explanation--is superb. With some imagination and practice much of the book can be applied via cane and fist as well as the great traditional usage. Yet this excellent book is quite streamlined. 'Simplicity is efficiency's best friend'---

Rating:
Summary: Training, and History
Review: I found Terry Browns book, English martial arts to be the most informative book I have read concerning the English martial arts, and the western martial arts in general.

It is historically accurate, as well as telling the history from a martial artists point of view, as many so called martial arts books are written by people who are not martial artist.

The training section, although concerned with only a few of the weapons in the English martial armoury, it is covered thoroughly, and when practiced the techniques are 100% effective, they feel comfortable to execute, as well as leaving you in a safe position after the technique has been done.

All in all, Terry Browns book is an informative, historically correct, training manual, that will be in demand long into the future as the bible of English and Western martial arts.

Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: I read through the book and I must say that it is pretty good. I've read the original manuscripts from which this book drew its techniques and the stuff for the long and short weapons (like the broadsword, dagger, pole-arms, ect.) are very precise and accurate.
His first few chapters are an overveiw of some of the historical roots of English Martial Arts. Not bad. However, I wasn't particularly impressed with his demonstration of bare fisted techniques and his previous training in karate is CLEARLY showing through, especially the way he blocks the punches. Western Boxing (old school and new school) doesn't really block the way he was blocking. In fact, there is very little "blocking" in boxing anyway...rather boxing focuses on parries (which are done with the hands and not the forearms like in karate), slips, bobs, and weaves. They also look kind of stiff in the pictures.

My advise is this, if you want to train in an all european martial art I suggest training in western boxing, catch wrestling, and take the general concepts of what is demonstrated with the long and short weapons and apply them to a machette, bayonette, and military knife. Don't dress up in anachronistic clothing either....the key is to train for battle not play dress up. Rather, one should wear either BDU's, street cloths, or a loose-fitting "uniform" which consists of sweatpants and a t-shirt which has the name/symbol of your school on it.

The best kind of school that you can find will be rooted in Tradition but open to Innovation. This way you won't "re-invent the wheel" but at the same time you won't be stuck on the outmoded and anachronistic. I call this Renovation.

Overall the book isn't bad and its a good way to connect with your English roots. Learn from the past, be willing to innovate, and act in the now. This is the best advise that I can give.

Also, check out www.amerross.com . ROSS Concepts have some good stuff (like clubbells and biomechanical exercises) that can transfer into ANY martial art and are invaluable to the western martial artist.

Rating:
Summary: A SHEER MASTERPIECE
Review: Terry Brown has created a masterpiece and the book is of a god like nature compared to others on the subject, he should be awarded for his work. I cant wait for a second publish when he tackles another part of western herritage which is that of English martial arts.

Rating:
Summary: Worthly of a Knight's Attention
Review: This guide is a perfect directive to historical combat. I use this book to instruct members of the Edmonton chapter of Knights of the Wild Rose. The day the book arrived from Amazon we started working on the quarter staff routines. Unlike the historical fecthbuchs (fight books) of the middle ages English Martial Arts provides clear photos to show stances, blocks and strikes. A hearty mix of weapons are covered within these pages allowing anyone to perform medieval combat. Since we focus on authentic combat in historical armour this resource is a vital component in our repetoire.

Rating:
Summary: Worthly of a Knight's Attention
Review: This guide is a perfect directive to historical combat. I use this book to instruct members of the Edmonton chapter of Knights of the Wild Rose. The day the book arrived from Amazon we started working on the quarter staff routines. Unlike the historical fecthbuchs (fight books) of the middle ages English Martial Arts provides clear photos to show stances, blocks and strikes. A hearty mix of weapons are covered within these pages allowing anyone to perform medieval combat. Since we focus on authentic combat in historical armour this resource is a vital component in our repetoire.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This is a delightful book. The photos are excellent and very informative. The writing is solid and clear, giving both history and technique to the reader. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Terry Brown is able to convey a true appreiciation of the depth of Western martial arts with both his words and his images. Anyone who seriously wishes to learn about these skills should seek out this book and add it to their collection.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This is a delightful book. The photos are excellent and very informative. The writing is solid and clear, giving both history and technique to the reader. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Terry Brown is able to convey a true appreiciation of the depth of Western martial arts with both his words and his images. Anyone who seriously wishes to learn about these skills should seek out this book and add it to their collection.

Rating:
Summary: English Martial Arts
Review: This work is an excellent source for anyone interested in pursuing studies in the Western martial arts. Mr. Brown covers the most popular weapons of the time, with a good deal of background information for each weapon. The techniques are clearly explained, and the accompanying photos are excellent. His no-nonsense approach to these studies will help dispell the MANY myths and misconceptions of the way these weapons were used in combat. A definate MUST read for any serious practitioner, as well as anyone interested in these subjects.

Steven Huff - Founder, Historical Martial Study Society [e-mail]