FIGHTING EDGE: USING YOUR MARTIAL ARTS TO FIGHT BETTER

Rating:
Summary: Very Original and honest.
Review: I have read many books on street self defense, and while most have been very good, this book stands out. The author is very honest when recounting his personnal experiences, and doesn't just reel off a list of "fight stories." I find the author's honesty very refreshing. The author also discusses situations that I can relate to. Most of us potential readers aren't bouncers, or ultimate fighting contestants. The author discusses situations that I think the majority of his readers can relate to in some way. The types of things he has to deal with are the sort of dangerous everyday situations most people find themselves in from time to time. The use of case studies throughtout the book is also very interesting, and the author uses them to illustrate his points. Case studies can be boring, as a sociology graduate I can vouch for that. However, the use of case studies here does not slow the book down at all, nor are they inserted a "filler." The author comes across as likeable, and honest.The author is quite self deprecating in a humourous way, and this helps make the book more engaging. In conclusion, it's not like any other self defense books on the market. That's not intended as a comparison in terms of better or worse. This book is very original and even if you've read all the other books by the well known authors, you can still benefit from reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: no insight, biased views, unintelligent commentary
Review: The first thing I liked about this book was that it didn't focus on techniques...in fact, it didn't show any! Rather, Mr. LaFond gives honest and entertaining accounts of his own streetfighting experiences, and what he's found to be the most effective for him. His accounts at times are brutally honest, as well as funny...at one point he comments on the whole "vertical vs. horizantal fist" debate, and sums it up with "I've used both methods, and broken my hand each time. It's your decision". Another great part of this book was his recomended approach to training. He encourages the reader to first train in wrestling and boxing (not because they are superior styles, but because they are simply essential to a complete streetfighter), THEN train in a specialized martial art (kenpo, for instance). Finally, he covers topics not often found in traditional martial arts texts. Bus fighting, how to deal with dog attacks, and improvised weaponry are all covered, as well as tips for dealing with authorities after an altercation, to ensure that YOU'RE not the one with the legal troubles, instead of your deserving assailant. One of the best parts profiles attackers of different types, and typical attacks to expect from each. This was a great book all around, easy to read, and highly entertaining. I recomend it to any martial artist, regardless of style. It's by far the best martial arts book I have ever read!

Rating:
Summary: no insight, biased views, unintelligent commentary
Review: This book does not belong in the same category as the works of Marc Macyoung, Peyton Quinn, Loren Christensen, Alain Burresse, and Jerry Vancook. It is poorly written due to the following factors: the author is a cheerleader for western boxing with no real experience in any other art, the author is obsessed with the combat attributes of high school athletes, the author lacks the insight to show martial arts can be adapted to streetfights, the author isn't insightful enough to dispense advice on street survival, and the author tries to imitate another well known Paladin Press author in format and style. I'm suprised at how bad this book actually is, there is very little discussion of the actual dynamics of street fighting. It's a collection of ignorant generalizations and meaningless detail from someone who is not very bright and not very experienced in the martial arts.

Rating:
Summary: Very Original and honest.
Review: This book kicks, punches and head-butts its way into your soul. Reading this book was like taken a college course in Martial Arts 101-when I finished; I graduated. It was the first chapter of Mr. LaFond's book that pulled me in. I could feel the kicks and punches. Reading the introduction about the author's childhood, you would have thought that he might have taken up martial arts to become a bully himself. Instead, he turned his experiences around and became a protector. The unexpected humor flows easily throughout the book as the author explains techinques, terminology, ans statistics in a detailed manner. He even discusses how to make boxing equipment in your home. The quotes at the beginning of every chapter and his use of personal examples made me feel as though I was being personally instructed by Mr. LaFond. Now when I go to the gym, it will be with a renewed purpose.

Rating:
Summary: Martial Arts 101
Review: This book kicks, punches and head-butts its way into your soul. Reading this book was like taken a college course in Martial Arts 101-when I finished; I graduated. It was the first chapter of Mr. LaFond's book that pulled me in. I could feel the kicks and punches. Reading the introduction about the author's childhood, you would have thought that he might have taken up martial arts to become a bully himself. Instead, he turned his experiences around and became a protector. The unexpected humor flows easily throughout the book as the author explains techinques, terminology, ans statistics in a detailed manner. He even discusses how to make boxing equipment in your home. The quotes at the beginning of every chapter and his use of personal examples made me feel as though I was being personally instructed by Mr. LaFond. Now when I go to the gym, it will be with a renewed purpose.