Rating: 
Summary: Great JuJitsu book for beginning and intermediate Jujitsuka
Review: Those looking for sport application or grappling might want to look elsewhere. Kirby's book features traditional martial techniques. I'd recommend Basic Techniques to students of jujitsu (obviously), hapkido, judo, aikido, or sombo. It is a good step by step dictionary of (mostly) standing techniques, clearly photographed and well explained. I don't know how useful this book would be to beginning individuals who don't have a partner with whom to practice, or someone who can guide them through the many nuances of the techniques, which, while subtle, are essential to proper and safe execution. On the other hand, if you do have experience with judo or a grappling art, you should be able to acquire new techniques and/or variations of what you are already practicing, and use this book as a source of new ideas. A last caveat: although blocking, striking and kicking are aspects of jujitsu, these are not covered in Basic Techniques. A hip throw can be a good finish, but blocking/parrying the attack and counterstriking to unbalance the opponent and set up that sweet hip throw may be the difference between failure and success. Don't despair though, just about any hard art can be successfully grafted to these core jujitsu techniques to create countless variations and allow flexibility of response. For price (bang for buck), practicality of techniques, and clarity of both photography and explanations, the book merits five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Primer on Jujitsu for self-defense
Review: Those looking for sport application or grappling might want to look elsewhere. Kirby's book features traditional martial techniques. I'd recommend Basic Techniques to students of jujitsu (obviously), hapkido, judo, aikido, or sombo. It is a good step by step dictionary of (mostly) standing techniques, clearly photographed and well explained. I don't know how useful this book would be to beginning individuals who don't have a partner with whom to practice, or someone who can guide them through the many nuances of the techniques, which, while subtle, are essential to proper and safe execution. On the other hand, if you do have experience with judo or a grappling art, you should be able to acquire new techniques and/or variations of what you are already practicing, and use this book as a source of new ideas. A last caveat: although blocking, striking and kicking are aspects of jujitsu, these are not covered in Basic Techniques. A hip throw can be a good finish, but blocking/parrying the attack and counterstriking to unbalance the opponent and set up that sweet hip throw may be the difference between failure and success. Don't despair though, just about any hard art can be successfully grafted to these core jujitsu techniques to create countless variations and allow flexibility of response. For price (bang for buck), practicality of techniques, and clarity of both photography and explanations, the book merits five stars.
Rating:
Summary: I feel this book was a good introduction to Jujitsu
Review: While I am not an authority on Jujitsu, or martial art books, I found this to exactly what the title promised. Kirby does a good job explaining the basics of each technique and the pictures are of good quality. The variety of throws shown are simple enough for the beginner to follow and execute if the have a good sense of balance. The techniques for the most part are also very practical for use in a variety of situations.Some of the locks are difficult to see but the book would have to be much larger for those type of pictures to really prove useful. I feel for the person who is interested in learning basic throws and submission locks, this is an excellent starting point.
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