Book Reviews

[Lance C]

"Jogo do Pau: The ancient art and modern science of Portugese Stick Fighting"
by Luis Preto.

I have a very large and growing library of martial arts texts and videos and from time to time something extraordinary pops up worth mentioning. My previous training ventures covered material in stick fighting of various origins. This book was new and very refreshing to read and worth a look.

Most of the text covers basics and sophistication of those basics. This guy is a Kenpoist at heart and from the text he is probably a talented athlete, instructor and writer (rare combinations indeed!) The weapon of choice is the Bo (quarter staff) and there is a section on short stick (30")

The book covers sport science and is a practical text to work from. It is notable that much of the material in the book is similar to Bancao (bankaw) work I have seen from the Philippines however this book is much more complete and progressive than anything I have seen.

Jogo do Pau is not fancy, but is probably the most realistic approach to training this type of weapon. I would only recommend that the authors had added a section on secondary weapons (dagger) for when your staff / spear breaks or when your opponent gets to close.

This book is highly recommended reading and would complement one's practical (physical study) into the world of long weapon fighting.


-Lance C

[Lance C]

Stength and Training for Martial Arts
by Martina Sprague

This is a fitness guidebook by a Kenpoist who understands much about the subject. The book is an easy read, very informative and a highly usefull tool in developing individualized training for sports specifics.

Having run a club for years, I have always looked to increase the level of professionalism and quality of the club's members and staff and this book is a good reference for the staff and students alike. It explains the human body and how various forms of training are usefull and not usefull to it.

I recommend this book.

-Lance C

[Lance C]

"Self-Defense Nerve Centers & Pressure Points For Karate, Jujitsu & Atemi-Waza" by Bruce Tegner (1968)

This was one of the most straight forward and amazing books I have read on the subject. Tegner drops all the mysticism and fantasy and talks about real anatomical weaknesses using actual medical terminology. He also suggests by photographing each technique with the following:

People the same height, tall vs small and small vs tall to show the angular differences in striking angles. The book shows medical charts and diagrams of the skull that are very informative when considering your striking method.

I collect Tegner books, having owned several on stick fighting, this guy was probably one of the most underated serious influences in the martial arts world. Bruce Lee had written that Tegner was such in his time.

This certainly is a supplemental read for Kenpoists.

-Lance C

[Lance C]

Savate by Bruce Tegner

Another forgotten but good book. Tegner photographically illustrates all of the basics of Savate, some very important work on Punching, Parrying, Kicking, Leg Parrying. Would be a good starting point to learn boxing. It also includes attack and defense routines (two man sets) and solo practice routines.

Some noted kicks are using the points of your shoe to kick with (toes) such as displacing the knee cap with a toe kick.

This book is worth the study. My copy was 8th printing in 1983.

Bruce Lee had studied Savate to learn "to kick with a jab"


-Lance

[Xperience]

Hi Lance C.~
Just so you know, you're not the only one who has found value in Bruce Tegner's books. It seems that he never was one of the Amer.M.A.Good Ol' Boys, but he put out quite a bit of moderate martial arts information, early on. I studied (& practiced from) a number of his publications in my mid-teens, merely because it was about all that was available. Matter of fact, I still use his text on Sword-Stick Fighting as the modified-basis, for the section on Swordplay (sport fencing) that I teach. In lieu of teaching sport-karate (freestyle), I use a more controlled, free-flow type of training (Defenspar); similar to that used by Stephen Hayes. It allows for employment of a wider range of techniques, and is not point-stop oriented; so it's geared more toward adaptive street-training. My training is more self-defense oriented, presented in a contemporary manner. I'll leave the sport-karate instruction to the rest of you guys; however, I may teach it upon request, depending on circumstance. Heaven knows I've had enough experience doing it. It's just not my preference...I've seen too many students go out on the street an try to spar, when the other guy didn't go by the rules. Anyway, I learned a lot from Bruce Tegner's material, when that's all there was to be had; and apparently, you've found value in them too. I'm glad I'm not the only one; but I suspect that over the years, a number of other people have, as well.
:) Xperience

[Lance C]

Bruce Tegner was one of the unknown greats. Other than his library books that shaped many young minds, people really did not know who he was. I know that Bruce Lee was impressed by him. (Bruce Lee was an avid reader of Martial Arts Books)

I have 3 of his stick fighting books, two are nearly identical and one is a kata book. They all were reasonably well written. Check out some of the prices his stick fighting books go for, in contrast I paid $25 U.S.D. for the 3 stick fighting books (library reclaimations from an Ebay ad) I checked and a good one can fetch almost $200 at a lucky auction.

Tegner had a scientific mind, and I think a fairly reasonable application in real life of what he taught. The Savate Book looks like Kenpo Kicking, and Kenpo striking, with the exception of the arm flailing. Savate has an asthetic component that is judged during matches, however it kept the blows harsh.

Also looking at the huge number of books he published, and the popularity with libraries and the youth, you thought the media would have made him much more.

I am glad to have found others who have read Tegner's books and found them useful.

-Lance