Modern Arnis: The Filipino Art of Stick Fighting

Now over 20 years old, this was one of the first books in English on escrima. At just over 150 pages and with 9 chapters covering the different topics, Guru Presas packs much good information into this small book. Many of the most important topics and skills are covered, and the photos and decriptions are clear and easy to understand. Although I have a more recent edition, the photos are still clear and not too dark or too light, as sometimes happens with the plates with older books. Close-ups are used when needed to show the details of hand positions. There is also a brief history of escrima at the beginning of the book. Nowadays videos have in many ways replaced books as instructional materials in the martial arts, but video was still relatively new when this book was written, and it still stands on its own as one of the best early treatments of escrima. To see the actual movements, though, there is really nothing like a video, many of which are available used on the web for less than the price of the book. But books on the martial arts can still serve a useful purpose by discussing more technical matters such as theory, strategy, and topics like history, and perhaps as as catalogs and references for the techniques of a particular style. Among Guru Presas's many legendary abilities, he was perhaps best known for his ability to perform disarms, and this is covered in the last chapter of the book, in addition to hand techniques, flow drills, trapping, the various single and double stick techniques, and other topics. I have to mention that I had an opportunity to do a demo for Guro Presas back in the mid-80s with my teacher of Chinese Chin Na, the Kung Fu holding and locking art. As you probably know Guro Presas is also skilled in the Filipino version of this art, and was also a champion in Dumog, or Filipino wrestling and grappling, when he was younger. He enjoyed our demo and was very impressed with my master, Sifu Tony Ho, and his skill. I am also a certified instructor in Kali/Escrima through the Ted LucayLucay lineage under Chuck Gonzaga, and have studied Serrada Escrima in addition to Kali. Chuck is a great martial artist himself and I am proud to be one of his students and instructors, and to have had the honor to demo for Guro Presas many years ago when I was still a young martial artist.

This is a great book. My Jeet Kune Do instructor and I had the privelage of meeting Remy at a seminar he was conducting in NC. Needless to say Remy was a priceless instructor and it shows in this text. Mr. Presas conveys the information of stickfighting in an easy to understand format. While this book may have some age on it now, it has invaluable tools for the modern day martial artist.In addition, if you enjoy studying lineages, histories, and influences of other martial arts, this is also a good book. I always knew that other martial artists would pull from other martial arts, but I had never actually "seen" or read it. As a student in Self Defense Systems Jeet Kune Do I automatically picked up on all the trapping hands influences from Filipino Martial Arts found in our system. You can also see the influence Filipino Trapping hands had on Bruce Lee as well and the slight changes he made in taking them as his own. Regardless of your style, modern or traditional, with an open attitude and a desire to learn, there is alot to take away from this simply constructed and well thought out book. I recommend this book for the non-martial artists alike.

When I first started training in Modern Arnis 6 years ago,this book was my bible. It provides the most clear and concise breakdown of techniques of any martial arts book that I have ever read (I own about 75). As a student of a Master of Tapi-Tapi in Modern Arnis, I can not reccommend a better to supplement to training.Sadly, Professor Presas passed away this fall, but his art and his spirit live on through his books, videos, and Masters.

As a long time student of the Filipino martial arts, I have seen many books on the subject, and this is a must have. This book is an introduction to the art of Modern Arnis written by the man who spread the art around the world. "Modern Arnis : Filipino Art of Stick Fighting" is great for beginners or as a reference for those more advanced. Many basic exercises are photographed step by step and are easy to follow. The instructions are very clear and the pictorials are well done. Anyone interested in stick fighting should own this book!

This Book is an excellent learning resource for the beginning arnisadore. Remy Presas is among the highest authority in arnis today. The book's presentation is excellent. I especially liked the easy to follow diagrams of drills. This book was my first exposure to arnis, and I recommend it to anyone just starting in arnis.