Rating: 
Summary: Ultimately disappointing
Review: I was a huge fan of Renzo and Royler's book, and was very much anticipating Royce's addition to the Gracie library. What I found was that other than the grappling situations with no weapons, the techniques are mildly effective at best. Most of the defenses rely on force vs. force blocks, which isn't exactly the greatest way to defend against an attack from a larger opponent. Moreover, the knife defenses covered in the book were flat out dangerous (to the DEFENDER). Overall, I firmly believe that this book does have something to offer, but a better choice would be Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, by Renzo and Royler Gracie.
Rating: 
Summary: Basic self-defense, not much BJJ
Review: I was amazed to see the high reviews that some readers have given this book. I wonder if they even study BJJ.I love the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It's the most practical art of all and I recommend everyone look into this form if they're interested in self defense, so it pains me to say that this book is nothing more than Royce and Charles capitalizing on their own name. The book includes silly defense methods against knife attacks, batons, folding chairs, and even a hand gun. But the Gracie's do not specialize in such methods of self defense. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is formed around grappling, submission, and a ton of ground techniques. Its effectiveness is based purely on that. You also find kicking and punching moves, and I can say I have personally witness Royce punching like a girl. If you don't believe me, check out the first 3 UFC's. It's just not their thing. They should remove the "Brazilian jiu-jitsu" portion of the title and just name it "Self-Defense" as this book has about half a dozen useful BJJ moves that you could find on BJJ.org. What I suggest is before purchasing this book, go to the store and flip through it for a moment and you'll see that you'll find the book is rather silly and not very informing.
Rating:
Summary: A little practicle, but not great.
Review: I'll start off by saying I gave this book it's third star based on the color photos and shear amount of techniques. Overall, I'd say less than half of the stuff in here is "failsafe", or at least reliable 70% of the time. And I REALLY don't like most of the weapons defenses. It should come as no suprise that most of the moves that the Gracies show are based soley on grappling. At least, as a saving grace, most of what it shows ends on the feet. I believe one reviewer already made the point that the book's biggest disadvantage is that it's disorganization, which truly stands out. Oh, and that Royce punches like a girl (he he). Seriously, if you're looking for realistic self-defense, there are far better sources out there. This book DOES give you some interesting tricks, mostly for the unarmed stuff, with a variety of defenses against the headlock, nelson, guillitine, and front "throttle" choke. I found the best thing about it was the gi-less throws, color photos, pretty in-depth explainations, and the idea of using your hands in casual-looking gestures to set up a strike or lock. It should be noted, in closing, that in a realistic, "I'm about to get killed" situation, the last thing you want to do is grapple with someone, and get tied up. This means that most of these moves, being grappling based, would be best suited for a friend or associate who's being a jerk, or someone else who you're not trying to severely injure. OK for self defense, a little applicable for sports.
Rating:
Summary: A little practicle, but not great.
Review: I'll start off by saying I gave this book it's third star based on the color photos and shear amount of techniques. Overall, I'd say less than half of the stuff in here is "failsafe", or at least reliable 70% of the time. And I REALLY don't like most of the weapons defenses. It should come as no suprise that most of the moves that the Gracies show are based soley on grappling. At least, as a saving grace, most of what it shows ends on the feet. I believe one reviewer already made the point that the book's biggest disadvantage is that it's disorganization, which truly stands out. Oh, and that Royce punches like a girl (he he). Seriously, if you're looking for realistic self-defense, there are far better sources out there. This book DOES give you some interesting tricks, mostly for the unarmed stuff, with a variety of defenses against the headlock, nelson, guillitine, and front "throttle" choke. I found the best thing about it was the gi-less throws, color photos, pretty in-depth explainations, and the idea of using your hands in casual-looking gestures to set up a strike or lock. It should be noted, in closing, that in a realistic, "I'm about to get killed" situation, the last thing you want to do is grapple with someone, and get tied up. This means that most of these moves, being grappling based, would be best suited for a friend or associate who's being a jerk, or someone else who you're not trying to severely injure. OK for self defense, a little applicable for sports.
Rating:
Summary: A little practicle, but not great.
Review: I'll start off by saying I gave this book it's third star based on the color photos and shear amount of techniques. Overall, I'd say less than half of the stuff in here is "failsafe", or at least reliable 70% of the time. And I REALLY don't like most of the weapons defenses. It should come as no suprise that most of the moves that the Gracies show are based soley on grappling. At least, as a saving grace, most of what it shows ends on the feet. I believe one reviewer already made the point that the book's biggest disadvantage is that it's disorganization, which truly stands out. Oh, and that Royce punches like a girl (he he). Seriously, if you're looking for realistic self-defense, there are far better sources out there. This book DOES give you some interesting tricks, mostly for the unarmed stuff, with a variety of defenses against the headlock, nelson, guillitine, and front "throttle" choke. I found the best thing about it was the gi-less throws, color photos, pretty in-depth explainations, and the idea of using your hands in casual-looking gestures to set up a strike or lock. It should be noted, in closing, that in a realistic, "I'm about to get killed" situation, the last thing you want to do is grapple with someone, and get tied up. This means that most of these moves, being grappling based, would be best suited for a friend or associate who's being a jerk, or someone else who you're not trying to severely injure. OK for self defense, a little applicable for sports.
Rating:
Summary: How to get yourself killed fast on the street
Review: If you want a sport art - study BJJ. If you want the best in self defense study something else. Just because a guy is a FORMER champ in the UFC doesn't mean he knows jack about what it takes to survive a violent ambush, by multiple armed attackers. BJJ will get you killed very very quickly in any multiple opponent scenario. The Gracies are amazing athletes and amazing competitors. the world of martial arts owes them a a lot. Unfortunately they sell their system as the greatest thing since sliced bread even to cops and soldiers. That's just plain nuts! It shows that marketing and money is key - and saving lives is second place.
Rating: 
Summary: A good starter/reference book
Review: Ignore all of those reviews by taijutsu/krav maga/anti-grappling students. This book contains many excellent applications of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but no serious practitioner of the art will tell you that this book is a substitute for training. It is a supplement. Meanwhile, many people telling you that these techniques are weak and dangerous do not realize this. Their training itself is little better than this book since they think compliant scenarious constitute effective training. That, and for all they talk about striking they probably hit like girlie wing chun fighters. Really they are just threatened by this book and the effectiveness of the techniques.
Buy this book if you want to see what the art of BJJ is about, but if you like what you see you should find a school in your area.
Rating: 
Summary: The best Self-Defense book
Review: It is clear to me after reading this book that the Gracies have a great self-defense system. Royce and Charles are to be commended for their work and the way they present these techniques. The explanations area concise and the photographs very descriptive. The necessity of simple, effective self-defense in todays world, and this book has that. For instance on the guns and knife defense, of course as they point out the best option is to run and avoid the attack altogether or give them whatever they want, but ewaht if you have no otpion? What if the guy says I am going to kill you now, I have hated you all my life! What are you going to od, just stand there and start to pray? At least the techniques in this book will give you a chance to save your life! Also in everyday things you get into contact with many specific situations that are addressed in this book, luck a drunker relative that gets too obnoxios, and they give you several ways of dealing with it in different degrees of punishment. OR bums that attack you on the street, they grab your arm and pull or something, this book has options for that as well. The bottom line is that everyone should have this book. I am involved in police work and have used many of these control holds in my work and let me tell you they work! In many instances I have been able to control the attacker without having to resort to harming them and this is very important in todays litigious world. Of course sometimes you have to hurt them a little more in order to control them. This book shows you all the options I recommend this book to everyone that cares for protection and to protect their loved ones, as I said before, it covers most of everyday situations and it doesn't take a genius or a phisically gifted person to perform the techniques and who knows, they may save your life.
Rating:
Summary: Practical and easy
Review: Just got the book and practiced some of the moves with my teenage daughter. We werea amazed at how easily she could defend herself with these simple and easy moves. Now my wife wants to try it! Simple and straight forward explanations with very clear pictures help us understand the tecniques.
Rating:
Summary: excellent self-defence book
Review: Like all other books made by Gracie family, it has very well explained techniques for almost any situation, but it is not a BJJ book, do not be misguided. I am in martial arts for 20 years and I have more than 100 martial arts books; I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who looks for a serious self-defense book.
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