<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Very informative research book, not a do-it-yourself.
Review: I thought that this book was definitely worth reading. Though the author never does cite any sources, he seems to be farely well read and understands the various concepts involved in the older martial styles that collectively formed "ninjutsu." I agree that he doesn't have any step-by-step guides: "Just do THIS three times a day for only ONE YEAR and you too can be an invincible ninja!" None of that at all. But it is hardly fare to give the book a bad rating because of that. The author's intention was never to teach someone to become a ninja. It was to inform. I actually found this book much more informative than any of Mr. Hayes' books, which are by and large step-by-step. This book includes dozens of historical accounts of ninja accomplishments, as well as chapters on training, weapons, tricks of the trade, lifestyle, superstition, etc. If you are looking for a book ABOUT the ninja, then this one, along with Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi's Ninja: History and Tradition, are the two best. If you are looking for a do-it-yourself book, then grab Stephen K. Hayes 5 volume set....
Rating: 
Summary: Two word: Don't Buy!
Review: I totally regret buying this book. There are no references to any historical works, nor any martial arts references either. It tells the story of the ninja clans and and the super-ninjas of the more fictious kind.
The only worth is the pages in the end that tells a few of the histocal ninja legends. But even these are better written by others. If you are interested in historical ninja - S. Turnbulls book Ninja is a much better choice. If you are looking for the Martial arts aspect, I suggest any book by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi or his students. Some of the tools he has connected to the historical ninja is very modern fiction picked from comic books.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. DeSebastian makes me laugh.
Review: If you look for "Ninjitsu in 7 easy lessons", look in your yellow pages, I am sure there will be someone happy to help you.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. DeSebastian makes me laugh.
Review: If you look for "Ninjitsu in 7 easy lessons", look in your yellow pages, I am sure there will be someone happy to help you.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Decent at least it's not a how-to book
Review: If you look for books on the ninja you tend to find alot of books that have a little info and then fill the rest of the space with pitures of weapons and techniques well if that's not what you want and you want histories and stories about the ninjas and their exploits well then this book is entertaining and should give you a little taste of ninjutsu.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. DeSebastian makes me laugh.
Review: This book doesn't have much of anything that the person with the most basic knowledge of a ninja would not know. It tells a lot of WHAT a ninja did and not HOW. For example, you get comments such as (paraphrased) "Ninjas had a special way of stepping that allowed them to move silently," but that is all; you are not told how this technique was accomplished. You are also briefly told about other techniques or devices that without a graph or illustration are impossible to comprehend. Not well organized or written with a lot of typos. You are also not told what are the sources of the author's information. If anyone knows of a decent book witten about ninja techniques, let me know.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: This book doesn't have much of anything that the person with the most basic knowledge of a ninja would not know. It tells a lot of WHAT a ninja did and not HOW. For example, you get comments such as (paraphrased) "Ninjas had a special way of stepping that allowed them to move silently," but that is all; you are not told how this technique was accomplished. You are also briefly told about other techniques or devices that without a graph or illustration are impossible to comprehend. Not well organized or written with a lot of typos. You are also not told what are the sources of the author's information. If anyone knows of a decent book witten about ninja techniques, let me know.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice reading, but not totally correct
Review: This book is a nice read, but some parts were incorrect. First of all, there was no ninja costume in Japan's history. No black hood, no black suit or anything. Why would a ninja wanna wear such costumes that says, "hey everyone, I'm a ninja."? Next is the ninja sword. There is no ninja sword in history too. Why? Because it's a giveaway.
Nevertheless, this book was fun and I completed it in one day.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to the history of ninjutsu.
Review: This book is filled with the most interesting aspects of ninjutsu. It answers the questions most people have on the art and it is written brilliantly.
<< 1 >>
| 
