How to Fight Tough

Rating:
Summary: OK self-defense moves, some historic value
Review: I like the fact that I can't really find a bad technique in this book. The tone of the book is deadly serious, though the political overtones of WWII are imposable to ignore. The reason I don't rate this book higher is because it is simply a series of self-defense sequenses; there is no real "system" presented. The combinations shown herein are all valid, workable moves, taken from street boxing, catch wrestling, Japanese jujitsu, and WWII comando training. While one can learn practical self-defense from this book, the lack of organization makes other books on the subject far more useful. The aspect that suprised me was the ammount of catch wrestling techniques included, such as the toe hold and figure-four choke. Another thing that this book had that isn't found in too many other souces was the use of your opponent's clothing, in a non-judo manner, to execute a technique. Once again, the induvidual sequenses are good; it's just the lack of an organized system that I don't like. OK for some good self-defense "tricks", but most other books are better.

Rating:
Summary: OK self-defense moves, some historic value
Review: I like the fact that I can't really find a bad technique in this book. The tone of the book is deadly serious, though the political overtones of WWII are imposable to ignore. The reason I don't rate this book higher is because it is simply a series of self-defense sequenses; there is no real "system" presented. The combinations shown herein are all valid, workable moves, taken from street boxing, catch wrestling, Japanese jujitsu, and WWII comando training. While one can learn practical self-defense from this book, the lack of organization makes other books on the subject far more useful. The aspect that suprised me was the ammount of catch wrestling techniques included, such as the toe hold and figure-four choke. Another thing that this book had that isn't found in too many other souces was the use of your opponent's clothing, in a non-judo manner, to execute a technique. Once again, the induvidual sequenses are good; it's just the lack of an organized system that I don't like. OK for some good self-defense "tricks", but most other books are better.

Rating:
Summary: How to fight tough
Review: I was extremely pleased to see the reprint of this previously hard-to-find book. I have, of late, renewed my interest in the martial arts as taught by the military during the 40's and 50's (don't ask what I paid for a used copy of Cosneck's "American Combat Judo"). This book presents excellent examples of the techniques of that era. The boxing/wrestling/jujutsu combo was easy to teach and mostly effective. The techniques in this book are, however, hardly unique. Virtually all of them may be found in other self-defense texts. This book shines, however, as a look back in history. The "Manassa Mauler" takes you through several lessons in basic hand-to-hand, drawing on his own boxing expertise as well as on the wrestling skills of the above-mentioned Mr.Cosneck. The photos are rather dark, and the page layout makes it difficult to get a sense of the "flow" of the techniques. Still, for all of its defects, I'm very pleased that Paladin chose to reprint this little classic. As a learning tool of self-defense, it may leave much to be desired, but if I had to rate it only on its value as a slice of American combative history, I would have given this book five stars.

Rating:
Summary: Primarily for the combat historian
Review: I was extremely pleased to see the reprint of this previously hard-to-find book. I have, of late, renewed my interest in the martial arts as taught by the military during the 40's and 50's (don't ask what I paid for a used copy of Cosneck's "American Combat Judo"). This book presents excellent examples of the techniques of that era. The boxing/wrestling/jujutsu combo was easy to teach and mostly effective. The techniques in this book are, however, hardly unique. Virtually all of them may be found in other self-defense texts. This book shines, however, as a look back in history. The "Manassa Mauler" takes you through several lessons in basic hand-to-hand, drawing on his own boxing expertise as well as on the wrestling skills of the above-mentioned Mr.Cosneck. The photos are rather dark, and the page layout makes it difficult to get a sense of the "flow" of the techniques. Still, for all of its defects, I'm very pleased that Paladin chose to reprint this little classic. As a learning tool of self-defense, it may leave much to be desired, but if I had to rate it only on its value as a slice of American combative history, I would have given this book five stars.

Rating:
Summary: Not fist fightin' Neutral Rating of 3 stars
Review: Interesting book from a period of modern history. However, it is devoted to basic locks and take downs. If you're looking for information on self defense based boxing techniques it is not here. Conversely, if you are looking for some quick to learn street techniques you would be satisfied.

Rating:
Summary: Not fist fightin' Neutral Rating of 3 stars
Review: Interesting book from a period of modern history. However, it is devoted to basic locks and take downs. If you're looking for information on self defense based boxing techniques it is not here. Conversely, if you are looking for some quick to learn street techniques you would be satisfied.

Rating:
Summary: How to fight tough
Review: People who don't review this book well do not understand its significance. Dempsey's lead jolt was the inspiration for Bruce Lee's straight lead which is the basis of Jeet Kune Do. Yes, its true that many of these techniques appear in other books, but they were innovated here by Dempsey. Read Dempsey and then read Bruce Lee and see if you can't find a direct lineage.