Anything Goes : Practical Karate For The Streets

Rating:
Summary: Good book, not for beginners
Review: I like this book, but it is geared towards people with martial arts experience who want to adapt classical and tournament techniques to the street. It is more conceptual than technical....how to change your targets to areas forbidden in competition and train more realistically.
The book assumes people already know the basics of hand and foot techniques, elbow and knee strikes. You wont find any actual techniques here, more tactical stuff.
People with no martial arts training would do better with a book that shows the real basics, such as Bruce Tegners Complete Book of Self Defence, or better yet, train in a classical style with a competent teacher at least long enough to perfect some kicks and punches.
That said, the book is a great read for experienced martial artists. Some good ideas to incorporate into training, a reality check for strict classists sport fighters, enlightening stories of real-life encounters, and good tips on awareness and fight prevention.

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing, common-sense approach to self-defense.
Review: Anything Goes is among the most comprehensive books on the subject of modern martial arts training. This book is primarily geared toward self-defense, and does not focus on traditional arts. Some of the dangers that the author points out are: "Tournament training", using flashy moves instead of effective ones, and practicing unrealistically. This book is as in-depth and descriptive as it gets. I have been teaching martial arts for many years, and this is the book that I recommend the most to my students. One additional note: The title is misleading.

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing, common-sense approach to self-defense.
Review: Anything Goes is among the most comprehensive books on the subject of modern martial arts training. This book is primarily geared toward self-defense, and does not focus on traditional arts. Some of the dangers that the author points out are: "Tournament training", using flashy moves instead of effective ones, and practicing unrealistically. This book is as in-depth and descriptive as it gets. I have been teaching martial arts for many years, and this is the book that I recommend the most to my students. One additional note: The title is misleading.