The Tao of Self-Defense

Most books on self-defense are page heavy in photographs. Obviously, most martial artists don't read. Though this book has its share of photographs, providing the necessary how-to, what I like most about this text is its presentation of a self-defense mindset not dominated by the macho kick-butt attitude which most books on the subject present. Instead, this book details a way of encountering each type of self-defense circumstance from a conscious frame of mind. This is something I have not seen presented in other texts on the subject. I also like the fact that the author, Scott Shaw, goes back into history and references the more mindfull self-defense idealogies of ancient masters. Shaw then brings these concepts to this modern era by commenting on their applications.This book may not be for the macho martial artist who thinks he or she can kick everybody's butt. But, it is for the martial artist, like myself, who appreciates the deeper understanding of the true art of self-defense.

As a martial artist virtually forever, I really enjoyed this book. It is not one of those books on self defense that you pick up, skim through the pictures, and then put on your bookshelf. Nor is it one of those macho who can kick who's butt the fastest type of mindless self defense manuals. This book really needs to be read. I think any martial artists, or for that matter, non-martial artists, who really wants to gain a new insight into not only the realms of self defense but a new and different way to look at life and life encounters should read this book.

The reason I like this book is that it is not just another martial art book which simply presents a bunch of photos on hand-to-hand combat techniques. As martial artists, we already know a bunch of those. What this book does present, which is absent from so many other texts on self defense, is a way to encounter combat situations with a more complete understanding of how to deal with your opponent and your environment. It is not just a bunch of photos on how to kick somebodies butt. If you get this book, Read It. Don't just look at the pictures.

What I like most about this book is that it teaches a very refined method of self defense. This book is not about how to develop the hardest punch or the fastest kick. It details a much more subtle style of self defense than that. As a female martial artist, I really appreciate the way the author outlines a method where your victory is based more in a calculated understanding of fighting than a fist to fist, knock down brawl. In fact, I have taught several of the techniques presented in this book to my students. I hope to see more on this subject from the author

Hapkido Master Scott Shaw has hit another Home Run with this book. This book is far more than simply a self defense manual. It is not, at all, limited to describing methods about the animalistic level of fighting. The Tao or "Way" of Self Defense is a unique look into not only conscious self defense applications but how both the martial artists and non-martial artist may encounter the world from a more refined and enlightened perspective. This is not simply a book with some self defense techniques presented in photo illustrations -- which so many martial art books are limited to. When you read the pages of this book and put the subtle mental and physical applications to use, it really teaches viable menthods where you can not only encouter life and nature from a more refined perspective, but keep yourself safe in the chaotic world around you, as well. I give it an A+.