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Rating: 
Summary: HOW MANY THINGS IN THIS ROOM ARE WEAPONS???
Review: Excellent book. This is one of the best books available on the subject of improvised weaponry, although only the second part of the book covers this (it begins by discussing various hand forms, elbows, knees, feet, teeth, etc.). Mister Mashiro really put a lot of time and effort into this masterpiece, and it shows. Profusely illustrated with tons of black & white photos. You'll never be unarmed again!!!
Rating:
Summary: HOW MANY THINGS IN THIS ROOM ARE WEAPONS???
Review: Excellent book. This is one of the best books available on the subject of improvised weaponry, although only the second part of the book covers this (it begins by discussing various hand forms, elbows, knees, feet, teeth, etc.). Mister Mashiro really put a lot of time and effort into this masterpiece, and it shows. Profusely illustrated with tons of black & white photos. You'll never be unarmed again!!!
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Summary: Not for the Real Martial Arts Student
Review: First off, if you like sensationalist writing or wild claims, you will probably enjoy this book. Likewise, if you are a new martial art student, it does give you some new ways to think in different situations. That said, you should know I am a third degree brown belt myself (testing for my first dan or degree of black within a few months.) Some of what he writes is disparingly obvious - for example, did you know an AXE can be used as a weapon? Or a rifle can be used for a club once you run out of ammunition? Other points he makes can be dangerous if you tried to rely on them in a real-world application. For example, he writes how he deterred an attack by giving the aggressor an menacing stare. However, if you are able to maintain a skeptical viewpoint and really think about some of his suggestions, there are a few interesting points.
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Summary: House Call
Review: I read the reviews and decided after reading them this had to be a good one.I wasn't disapointed.The writer of this book was very detailed in the human anatomy,but more importantly you could tell that he really wanted the reader to understand everything written.The format of the book was easy to understand.Get it.
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Summary: Walking arsenal
Review: I've seen this series around for years, but never bothered to check it out because of the cheesy covers. What a mistake! This volume deals with natural weapons on the body, and using makeshift weapons you find just about anywhere. With highly analytical prose, the author investigates the hard points we all have on us, and their use and associated targets. The real chestnut is his review of just about any household item as a weapon. I've never thought about all the creative ways one can use just about anything lying about, but Dr. Mashiro covers it all. Ladies will especially value about twenty things they'll find in their purses or cars to make a miscreant have a really, really bad day. The cat-in-the-face routine is priceless. In my humble opinion, anyone interested in self-defense should check out "Weapons At Hand".
Rating: 
Summary: DARK ART OF DEATH???
Review: NOTE: Two reviews written by me are in this section. For some reason, volume 2 of this series ("Weapons at Hand") is listed seperate from the other three volumes, and Amazon further erred by placing my review for that book in this section as well! I am writing this to let readers know that, unlike "Weapons at Hand," volume 1 of this series is NOT "5-star" material! Let there be no confusion about that!Of all the questionable "atemi-waza" and "pressure-point" books available, "Black Medicine" is one of the best. However, like these other books, the effectiveness of these strikes is greatly exaggerated. Sure, gouging an eye or blowing out a knee will end most fights, but if you attempt to grind your knuckles into a nerve cluster or pull some silly stunt like the "Vulcan nerve pinch" in a real right against a determined adversary, he'll just laugh in your face before slamming said face into the nearest wall! Pressure points take years to master, and are of dubious value, providing a false sense of security to the beginner. Read this, and all such books, with skepticism.
Rating:
Summary: DARK ART OF DEATH???
Review: NOTE: Two reviews written by me are in this section. For some reason, volume 2 of this series ("Weapons at Hand") is listed seperate from the other three volumes, and Amazon further erred by placing my review for that book in this section as well! I am writing this to let readers know that, unlike "Weapons at Hand," volume 1 of this series is NOT "5-star" material! Let there be no confusion about that! Of all the questionable "atemi-waza" and "pressure-point" books available, "Black Medicine" is one of the best. However, like these other books, the effectiveness of these strikes is greatly exaggerated. Sure, gouging an eye or blowing out a knee will end most fights, but if you attempt to grind your knuckles into a nerve cluster or pull some silly stunt like the "Vulcan nerve pinch" in a real right against a determined adversary, he'll just laugh in your face before slamming said face into the nearest wall! Pressure points take years to master, and are of dubious value, providing a false sense of security to the beginner. Read this, and all such books, with skepticism.
Rating: 
Summary: Impressed!
Review: Ok, When I first recieved this book, I was a little dissapointed, because it almost reminded me of a school book on anatomy. But when I actually started reading the thing, I started realizing how valuable this information really was! I mean, it practically maps out every point on the body, and how to use this information to your advantage. When I looked at his book, and the date, I was skeptical about ordering anything this old. But now, the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars, is it was too short, I want more. I'm very interested in the rest of the series. =)
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Summary: Good information - but not very complete
Review: This book basically covers a list of target areas. Points on the body to strike and what effect a strike to that area might have. It isn't a "death touch" or "instant kill" kind of goofy voodoo psuedo martial arts book. It is more of a basic anatomy book for martial artists. It is very interesting but not very through, but how could it be at 92 pages especially when many of the pages are simple black and white photographs. An example of one of the pictures is a woman biting a man's ear. Does one really need an expalination AND a picture to figure that one out? Over all, an interesting book with good information.
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Summary: Stopping Power
Review: This book seeks to train the mind with the following principle: "It's not the force of the blow that matters, but where you place it." This also applies to firearms shooting, as Mashiro demonstrates. The "stopping power" of a bullet has a lot less to do with the caliber and muzzle velocity than with where you place it. The body has certain vulnerable areas that can be exploited and attacked with remarkable success. This book should be read twenty times by anyone wishing to prepare him/herself for a violent encounter.
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