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Rating: 
Summary: Lousy pictures, poor production quality
Review: Aikido is probably one of, if not the most sophisticated of all martial arts. It challenges a student both mentally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually for a lifetime. Richard and Kathy Crane, both full time Aikido instructors from New Jersey (and both holding a 5th Dan ranking in Aikido) do a phenomenal job supplying the reader with a wealth of information on Aikido. Empty hand techniques (Taijutsu,) weapons techniques (Buki-waza,) and Aikido principles are all put forth in a clear and concise manner.This book is not another one of those "Hollywood" type martial arts books that teach you how to beat up everyone on your block. Instead, the Cranes are teaching a true Japanese Budo, or Way, with a great deal of care and insight. The physical techniques of Aikido are tools used to help the student develop and improve themself physically, as well as mentally and spiritually. Aikido Senseis (teachers) like the Cranes are excellent examples of what all martial art instructors should be. There are other excellent "series" of instructional books on traditional Aikido available, particularly those by Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan,) but this book, Aikido in Training, is the best "one stop" Aikido instruction book you could ever have, period.
Rating: 
Summary: a must have
Review: I bought this book about a year agon and find myself going back to it on a frequent basis. One reviewer stated that the pictures were missing steps. Quite frankly, if you want to learn Aikido, go to a dojo (you can't learn ANY martial art from a book anyways). The practicing student of Aikido will have a wealth of information to draw from. The addition of less frequently seen techniques is worth the price alone. This is definately one of the top three books I would recommend for anyone interested in Aikido.
Rating:
Summary: Aikido In Training
Review: I found Aikido In Training to be an excellent training manual and reference book. I think anyone who enjoys learning from a book, should get a copy to refer to often in their practice. I wish there was a softcover available of this title, so that I could throw it in my gi bag. Any serious Aikido student, should have their copy dog-eared in no time. The book contains a concise section on the History of Aikido that moves the reader. The Principles of Training section, as well as the rest of the book, encourages the reader to look deeper and keep looking to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Art. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about Aikido and suggest anyone interested should seek out the companion video series which expands on the extensive material presented in the book.
Rating:
Summary: Aikido In Training
Review: I found Aikido In Training to be an excellent training manual and reference book. I think anyone who enjoys learning from a book, should get a copy to refer to often in their practice. I wish there was a softcover available of this title, so that I could throw it in my gi bag. Any serious Aikido student, should have their copy dog-eared in no time. The book contains a concise section on the History of Aikido that moves the reader. The Principles of Training section, as well as the rest of the book, encourages the reader to look deeper and keep looking to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Art. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about Aikido and suggest anyone interested should seek out the companion video series which expands on the extensive material presented in the book.
Rating:
Summary: VERY GOOD SOURCE OF INFORMATION
Review: I've owned this book for a few months and have been able to refer to it to supplement my training after class. I particularly found useful the straightforward and detailed information of each technique covered. This book has given me a greater understanding of the many elements contained in Aikido. It is quite helpful to see the basic weapons (sword and staff)covered along with the empty-handed arts. I thought the straightforward, unexaggerated history section offered a welcomed change to the often politically motivated perspectives seen in some other works. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Aikido.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Book, despite flaws
Review: The Cranes love Aikido very much, but it is clear to me from viewing this book that this is too much of an 'in house' job. The jargon they sometimes fall into when trying to explain Aikido philosophy to the beginner is at times incomprehensible. I have a Bachelor's Degree and have written novels, so my command of English is pretty good, and yet a few times I had to scratch my head and go "Huh? What the heck does this sentence mean?" As another reader above mentioned, sometimes the pictures are too dark and too small. Still, I found this a valuable addition to my Aikido library because there are techniques illustrated here that I have not seen anywhere else, despite reading over 15 books on this martial art.
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