The martial arts and real life: A book of fighting for the twenty-first century

Long before there was the "Ultimate Fighting Championship" and the term "mixed martial arts" had yet been coined, Fred Villari offered a no nonsense primer on "The Martial Arts and Real Life" hence the title of the text. Written in 1985 Villari's treatise sought to break new ground by dispelling the ridiculous myths attached to martial arts prowess; often through the disservices provided by television and other mediums over the years. With over eighty photographs and plate drawings "The Martial Arts and Real Life" demonstrates stances, moves, and instructional techniques required by anyone desiring a "down to Earth" approach to a martial arts education. Excerpt: "You will learn here that the martial arts are not what you see in a Bruce Lee movie, not a way to bully people, and not a novel method for breaking up lumber and smashing bricks. Rather, they are a rewarding form of recreation, a wonderful way to keep in shape, and in a dangerous world, a highly useful method of defending yourself." I rate this text at five stars for innovation and practicality. Well done.

I do believe that all those who have given this book bad reviews do not know with what they are talking about. I have studied Villari's martial arts for 11 years, and i have seen villari in action(seminar) he is prob. the most amazing martial artist out there, and for those of you who disagree, read the book! Watch a seminar, be AMAZED! If you ever want to try out a martial arts, it's true just like in the book, pick a school right for u, try out a couple, see which one fits your style of martial arts best! Jesus, don't put up a review if u don't know what ur talking about, and for those people who haven't read it, villari is an aexcellent martial artist, and does this book excellent! A great read, and for my personal opionon, one of the best martial arts out there..

What impresses me most about this book is that it goes beyond the "How to" format of most martial arts books. The section on Mental Principles is very enlightening. Villari's views on developing confidence and managing fear are particularly valuable and the section on Fighting Strategies will change the way you evaluate an opponent, giving you insights as to how to neutralize his strengths rather than attempting to get around them. I recommend this book to martial artist of all styles.

Mr. Villari has presented the martial arts in a matter of fact way that people of all experience levels can appreciate. I have read it as a white belt and then again as a fourth degree black belt and have found applicable ideas at all times. Having met and taken a clinic with Master Villari I can appreciate his ideas in his book more. His knowledge is exceptional and his instructional capability is without match as is evident in his book. His rank of 10th degree black belt is definetly well deserved as he can make novice to expert appreciate new ideas in the arts. Illustrations are well done and kept at a basic level for detailed description. This is a classic book on the martial arts that many of us "old timers" have all read. A must read for any martial arts practioner, beginner or advanced.

This book, unlike most books on the topic, is a good one for anyone interested in the martial arts. Having read it myself both as a novice and after years of experience in the arts, I have found it to address topics appropriate to any level of exposure. Another aspect to the book is that, while the author gives reasons why he favors his own system, he addresses topics about martial arts in general, and gives the reader advice on finding his or her own school, without making an exclusive plug for the author's own system. One thing about the book that may be viewed by some as negative is that Villari is fairly general regarding physical techniques. I feel, however, that this enhances the book's versatility, as the concepts discussed are of greater value, in the long run, than would be dwelling on details that will have minor differences from system to system, and from school to school, anyway. A refereshing point is that the book deals matter-of-factly with many controversial issues in the martial arts, as well as touching on several popular misconceptions that are out there. Its conversational, down-to-earth tone makes it easy and approachable reading. All in all, I feel that it is a book of great value to the beginner, and one that increases in value the more one returns to it, over time - the hallmark of a great book. Quite honestly, the main drawback I find in the book would be the relative difficulty in obtaining a copy as of late.