explains techniques too a T
598867
This book really breaks down how to anchor well. Most books just touch on it. And the portion on Obama's Ericksonian Hypnosis has made Obama one of my heroes. Can't stand his politics but he is a master hypnotist! Even though the author trying to show this as bad because that's how he got votes.
4143713
I found it interesting because of the way the author looks at the fights and the level of detail. It makes you get more interested in the techniques that you could possibly find in a fight and helps you understand the game.
1641566
Pelle provides good step by step information with lots of photos illustrating his techniques.  Well written, easy to read.  Pelle is quite an expert.
2177750
This book has some great concepts and examples of self defense with a stick. One of the reviews complained that it wasn't "practical" and I would argue that any information read in a book is going to be just part of the puzzle.  The techniques in this book are sound, but you cannot expect to gain a practical knowledge of ANYTHING from one book. The diagrams are well done, but due to the complicated nature (foot work, hand positioning, etc) it is a little difficult to follow some of the technqiues. Overall, a good book with some really good technqiues. Worth owning and learning.
1303645
The author includes a history of the development of Tai Chi which makes the movements understandable.  He does explain the different moves but also explains their titles.  I find myself saying "Oh!" again and again.
2893492
If you are looking for step by step techniques
then this book is for you. Not my style of art
but a good book
1002296
These are tips from a pro that can be understood and applied by a novice!  Nicely done!!
17557
Very well written. I'm able to read and understand how to improve my form. Diagrams/pictures help as well.

Very useful book for improving your technique, with excellent pointers. You can always improve your technique.
4874710
The details are very important. Too often seminars are held where just enough info is given to excite and confuse people.
In this book Dustin pointed out where and how to take action and avoid costly mistakes. Good book.
190706
This book, written in an almost conversational tone, is full of great information on the use of techniques to influence others. I was surprised to realize that I've been a victim of, or sucker for, some of those persuasive "tools."
4188283
Brian Tracy is really good in his clear step by step methodologies , one must just apply them
2547991
I found this book good for beginners and also those that want to refresh their skills like me. This has some graphite and colored pencil techniques. Ways to use perspective and has examples you can use to practise with. I would recommend this book it is worth the price.
mkh9
3214769
Thank you for sharing in this book. Breaking down the techniques.  Thank you. I would recommend to a friend.
3359766
Caveat lector:
I am familiar with other systems of stick and staff fighting but I am new to the Kukishin Ryu system of bojutsu. There are likely many aspects of this text that I lack the context to grasp the subtlety of. Please consider the following review from the context of a neophyte to this form. My hope is that this review may provide insight to others pursuing this martial art.

General overview:
The book "Stick Fighting: techniques of self-defense" seems to provide a good foundation in the basics of stick, not just hanbo (half bo), defense. The progression of the text is: 8 basic movements, 51 techniques, and 8 immobilizations. The basic movements presented are specific to strikes against the core body, striking fist, and a single directed thrust. Additional cursory research will show that this is only scratching the surface of stick fighting movements but they do thoroughly support the techniques presented in the text. The techniques described & depicted cover defense from: fist attacks, foot attacks, wrist holding, sleeve and lapel holding, seizure from behind, and stick holding. If you are new to this form then I suspect that you, as I have, will find great value in these pages.

Pros:
There is a nice progression from the basics, into fundamental techniques, then on to techniques using some more advanced body mechanics. The pictures give a movement by movement progression that the reader can follow along with in their practice. I also like that this is manual of technique, not a treatise on the theory of stick fighting. The approach is very much "someone is punching you in the face from the right, here is one technique that you can do." "someone is punching you in the face from the left, here is one technique that you can do." There's no pretense of perfection, no high handed discussions on the use of force. Another title for this could have been "So, you're holding a stick-like object and somebody is trying to hurt you... now what?"

Cons:
I have three gripes about this book, which kept me from giving it a 5 star, but I think they are all pretty minor and would not stop me from buying a copy for a friend.
1) Media production quality: I got the 2012 edition and while the pages are nicely printed with a good matte finish the book binding itself is lacking. The inside covers are thinly glued to the exterior cover and the leaves (individual sections of the book) appear to be just glued into the spine. Just be careful of how you treat your book. I've had other books of similar production just sort-of self destruct after a few years. Be nice to your things and they will be nice to you.

2) Translation and copy editing: I don't speak or write Japanese (Yet!) but there are some glaring errors in copy editing and translation. "Your partner punches straight at your face [...]" but the picture shows one person punching the other in the stomach. "The stick (Eda koppo technique) can be held between the little finger and ring finger or between the ring and middle fingers as shown." but the picture clearly shows the stick positioned between the little finger and thumb. Those kinds of inconsistencies are easy to sort out to the discerning reader but it's also the kind of errors that I would expect to be addressed in editing.

3) Some of the advanced techniques do not appear to be immediately practical. Block a punch? OK. Block a kick? OK. Get out of a grapple? OK. Block a strike, spin behind your opponent, wrap up their legs with your bo, drop them to the ground and immobilize them by pinning the ankles... ummm. As a new student, one of the primary audiences for this book based on the layout, I lack the ability to derive direct value from such techniques.

Overall: excellent content that is, for the most, accessible to all skill levels. Recommended.
515390
Somewhere along the line between beginner and expert most photographers decide that they want to be more creative.  It is to this audience that Brenda Tharp had addressed her work.  But one question this book raises is whether you can teach someone to be creative.  The author believes the answer is yes, although she acknowledges that it takes a lot of work on the part of the photographer.
Tharp begins and ends the book by telling you that the secret to creativity is learning to see.  But as you go through the book some of the chapters on subjects like light and composition and perspective sound remarkably similar to a lot of other photography books that are concerned with technique rather than creativity.  Tharp's method is to give you a rule like "simplify" and then to tell you how to simplify.  She does this well and the pictures that she uses certainly show her creativity, but it's hard to make the connection between these rules and developing our creativity.
I wish she had spent more time on telling us how to see because I think she is on the right trail here.  But if you speed down the highway too quickly you might miss it, which would be a shame.  Assuming you can teach creativity, Tharp makes a decent try of it, providing the reader is willing to work at making the connections to seeing.
There are many approaches to teaching how to be photographically creative.  In "Fine Art Nature Photography: Advanced Techniques and the Creative Process" Tony Sweet presents us with a series of pictures and a narrative for each that explains what he was trying to achieve with the photograph and what techniques he used to achieve it.  In "Creative Landscape Photography", Niall Benvie talks about the different subject matter one may encounter, like wilderness, and then talks about what that subject means to him and what techniques he uses to translate what he sees and feels into a photograph.  And my favorite photography book, "Photography and the Art of Seeing" by Freeman Paterson, in a very touchy-feely work, provides a number of unusual exercises that are designed to teach a photographer how to see.
None of these books actually teaches creativity (although for me, Paterson comes closest.)  Instead they show creative work and the considerations that the authors had in creating that work.  Whether any method works in developing creativity is an open question.  If it can be developed, which authors' approach will work best will depend on the individual reader.  A serious photographer will want to try them all until he or she finds one that works for him or her.  Tharp's book is certainly one that ought to be examined in this difficult search.
363414
This is a great read and offers incite into the art. I often look back in the book to find the tips and tricks of the trade and technics given by the author.
3962111
I liked this book because it explains Turabian style formatting. but it also explains research papers and dissertations.