Bøger af Martina Sprague

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence.Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision.Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife Carry and Deployment, the second book in the series, covers different ways to carry a knife, why you might choose one carry position over another, and a number of factors you must consider when deciding to deploy the knife. It also enters into a discussion on the importance of seizing the initiative and keeping track of the location of the opponent's hands and, therefore, his weapon.Approximately a dozen titles will be published in the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series over the coming year. Look for several more titles in the near future.

The Power Trip: How to Survive and Thrive in the Dojo is an informative and critical series of books that will give you the power to thrive in an environment where other students and even instructors at times sit on their "high horses," arguing over "best techniques" or making snide remarks about your performance. It will also arm you for the day you will begin teaching the martial arts (or help you improve your technique if you are already teaching), and show you how to build your integrity and repute as an instructor.If you are a new student in the martial arts, ready to sign up for your first lesson, you will gain a lot of information about the difficulties you can expect to encounter sometime throughout your training, and explore options for resolving potential conflicts. If you are a seasoned martial artist with years under your belt, you will no doubt recognize many of the scenarios presented, and be able to look back at your journey and consider what you could have done differently.8 Ways to Be Professional and Ethical in the Martial Arts, the second book in the series, defines professionalism and discusses several scenarios relevant to how instructors and other students might behave in situations ranging from representing the martial arts, signing up for lessons, and dealing with sensitive issues such as non-competition clauses in contracts. It also discusses other practical matters such as how to further one's education through the use of a number of educational tools.

Although large numbers of men and women volunteer for military service, astoundingly few soldiers actually achieve their dream of going to war and emerging as heroes. When not battling for survival in its purest sense, military service and war are for many soldiers a tedious period of their lives that does not compare to the colorful images of action and adventure the recruiter promised them. Desertion was always a possibility for men who found army life intolerable. Yet each new generation walks into the recruiter's office with the same ignorance of war's reality only to discover, when reality strikes, the terrible price they have to pay for believing the myth of war.This book examines military service as 90 percent boredom and 10 percent action; the search for the "real" army while discovering the cost of war; and climbing the "mountains of life" in search of the "Holy Grail." The material in this book is excerpted from For God, Gold, and Glory: A History of Military Service and Man's Search for Power, Wealth, and Adventure, also by Martina Sprague. The full series comprises the following books:1. The Forces of War: Patriotism, Tradition, and Revenge2. The Financial Incentives of War: Poverty Draft, Mercenaries, and Volunteers in Foreign Armies3. The Propaganda of War: Personal Transformation and the Search for Adventure4. The Glory of War: The Way to Historical Immortality5. The Reality of War: Boredom, Disillusion, and Desertion

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence.Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision. Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts.This special volume contains books 1 through 5 of the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series, with focus on deploying and attacking with the knife (each book can also be purchased separately):1. Knife Anatomy2. Knife Carry and Deployment3. Knife Grip and Manipulation4. Knife Attacks and Targets5. Knife Fighting Stance, Footwork, and Dynamics of MotionBooks 6 through 10 of the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series can be found in the Knife Defense (Five Books in One) volume, and can also be purchased separately.

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence.Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision.Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife Attacks and Targets, the fourth book in the series, covers the benefits of training in knife offense and target precision, the effects of striking primary and secondary targets, and the ethical considerations of using an edged weapon against an adversary in combat. The book also includes a number of training exercises designed to enhance your assertiveness and timing when attacking with the knife.Approximately a dozen titles will be published in the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series over the coming year. Look for several more titles in the near future.

The Power Trip: How to Survive and Thrive in the Dojo is an informative and critical series of books that will give you the power to thrive in an environment where other students and even instructors at times sit on their "high horses," arguing over "best techniques" or making snide remarks about your performance. It will also arm you for the day you will begin teaching the martial arts (or help you improve your technique if you are already teaching), and show you how to build your integrity and repute as an instructor.If you are a new student in the martial arts, ready to sign up for your first lesson, you will gain a lot of information about the difficulties you can expect to encounter sometime throughout your training, and explore options for resolving potential conflicts. If you are a seasoned martial artist with years under your belt, you will no doubt recognize many of the scenarios presented, and be able to look back at your journey and consider what you could have done differently.6 Tips for Communicating Effectively and Dealing With Behavioral Problems in the Martial Arts, the sixth book in the series, discusses how to draw the maximum amount of information from lessons by learning how to phrase questions properly and listen actively. It also discusses a variety of behavioral problems you and other students might run into, and offers suggestions for effective solutions when such behaviors get in the way of learning.

There are essentially two ways to staff the armies of the world: conscription and voluntary service. Military service is a genuinely popular choice for young men in districts afflicted by poverty. Financial incentives, such as enlistment bonuses or promises of an education, may also lure those from slightly more favorable economic backgrounds into the armed forces. Perhaps not as common knowledge is the fact that governments have used similar tactics in their attempts to get foreign governments to commit forces to war for a common objective. Some men also volunteer in foreign armies because of ideological reasons, to flee a life of crime, or to satisfy some personal aim. Well-paid mercenaries, however, are motivated by their personal acquisitions, mostly in the form of money and not in what they can do for the state.This book examines poverty and the effects of financial need on voluntary military enlistment; financial incentives such as promises of enlistment bonuses and an education; and mercenaries and private contractors lured into military service by the promise of large sums of money. The material in this book is excerpted from For God, Gold, and Glory: A History of Military Service and Man's Search for Power, Wealth, and Adventure, also by Martina Sprague. The full series comprises the following books:1. The Forces of War: Patriotism, Tradition, and Revenge2. The Financial Incentives of War: Poverty Draft, Mercenaries, and Volunteers in Foreign Armies3. The Propaganda of War: Personal Transformation and the Search for Adventure4. The Glory of War: The Way to Historical Immortality5. The Reality of War: Boredom, Disillusion, and Desertion

Individuals tend to seek adventure through war to counter the effects of boredom. The wars of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries have found many men and women who cannot imagine life without combat. They enlist because of the power war brings them and the knowledge that they literally hold life and death in their hand. Governments, too, seek adventure through war. Propaganda is the manipulation of ideas to influence the beliefs of the masses and bring about a specific action. War propaganda has been used widely throughout history and for a broad variety of purposes, often to inspire military enlistment and a hatred of the enemy.This book examines military enlistment as a result of boredom that comes with everyday existence, or as an element of hopelessness and the desire to escape from intolerable pressures at home; recruitment propaganda and its relation to the promise of adventure, marketable skills, and personal transformation; and the inability to chill and leave military life behind after one's time in the armed forces has ended. The material in this book is excerpted from For God, Gold, and Glory: A History of Military Service and Man's Search for Power, Wealth, and Adventure, also by Martina Sprague. The full series comprises the following books:1. The Forces of War: Patriotism, Tradition, and Revenge2. The Financial Incentives of War: Poverty Draft, Mercenaries, and Volunteers in Foreign Armies3. The Propaganda of War: Personal Transformation and the Search for Adventure4. The Glory of War: The Way to Historical Immortality5. The Reality of War: Boredom, Disillusion, and Desertion

Strength and endurance are essential attributes for any martial artist, affecting everything from how hard you punch to how high you jump. Whether your goal is to defeat an opponent in the ring or on the street, the stronger you are, the better the odds of walking away as the victor.Fighter's Body, Fighter's Mind: A Comprehensive Guide to Muscular Strength and Endurance Training for Martial Arts is a total approach to building your strength base. Learn how to use machines, free weights, bodyweight exercises, and plyometrics to build your muscles while increasing speed and flexibility. Each muscle group is discussed in detail; how it is used in martial arts and how to develop it; which exercises are most effective; and how to take advantage of anatomical strengths when striking, kicking, blocking, and grappling.Beyond muscular strength, this book looks at the concepts of cardiovascular strength endurance; the impact of flexibility on strength; how to gain a psychological edge on your opponent; and the anatomy, physics and biomechanics of power. The book also covers discussions on whether winners are born or made; what it means to be fit, and fit for what; principles of overload, progression, and specificity; cross training to prepare your body for combat; comparisons between male and female physiology; risk factors and practicing while hurt; and fluid intake and regulating the body's temperature for maximum performance.Fighter's Body, Fighter's Mind: A Comprehensive Guide to Muscular Strength and Endurance Training for Martial Arts wraps up with training plans for karate, tae-kwon-do, hapkido, judo, jiu-jitsu, aikido, muay Thai/kickboxing and mixed martial arts as well as advice on designing your own personalized strength training plan. An earlier version of this book (now out of print) was previously published under the title Strength and Power Training for Martial Arts.

The odds are, if you're attacked on the street you will have to defend yourself against a bigger and stronger assailant, or against one with a weapon. When this happens, strength alone will not be enough to stop your attacker. Science of Takedowns, Throws, and Grappling for Self-Defense addresses the concepts and mindset required to survive an encounter with a larger attacker or one armed with a weapon. Illustrated with hundreds of photos, it shows you what types of throws, takedowns, locks, and presses work on the street and teaches you how to apply concepts like timing and positioning to make your techniques more effective, how to defend against common attacks with a weapon and what you can do to use that weapon in your favor, which mistakes are the most common and how you can prevent them from weakening your defense, and much more.A takedown or throw requires the ability to disturb your opponent's balance. When first getting introduced to takedowns in martial arts class, we tend to outmuscle or force our adversary down. This frequently results in the stronger or bigger person claiming victory and makes takedown practice discouraging for the lighter weight martial artist. A successful and effortless takedown, by contrast, relies on scientific principles, primarily the location of the center of gravity. Science of Takedowns, Throws, and Grappling for Self-Defense focuses on learning to disturb an adversary's center of gravity while retaining our own; in short, how to get our opponent on the ground without going down with him. Since the principle used for shifting the center of gravity is identical regardless of a person's physical build, understanding this principle allows a smaller person to take a larger adversary down with relative ease. The book's primary aim of discussing principles rather than specific techniques makes it adaptable to almost any situation that warrants a takedown.

It has been said that a successful martial artist doesn't need size or strength, because "it's all in the technique." It has also been said that the power of a martial artist seems to increase quickly with weight, and the best lightweight fighter in the world will be defeated every time by an unranked heavyweight in a bar brawl. So is it size and physical strength that matters, or is it experience and dedication to correct technique? This book explores the science behind power in the martial arts. Once we understand the principles of physics that apply to balance, body mass in motion, inertia, direction, rotational speed, friction, torque, impulse, and kinetic energy, the need to memorize hundreds of martial arts techniques vanishes. The principles of physics apply to all people at all times regardless of which martial art we study; regardless of whether we are standing, sitting, kneeling, prone, or supine; whether we are big or small, strong or weak. Physics gives us options. Making physics our ally allows us to maximize our power, speed, and endurance and take advantage of whatever position we happen to find ourselves in. This book is supplemented by hundreds of photos, detailed glossaries, summary and review sections, and even quizzes to test yourself on what you've learned and help you gain an edge on an adversary.

Not for nothing did Napoleon say, "Give me enough medals and crimson ribbon and I will conquer the world." Soldiers fight for a variety of reasons: a sense of patriotic duty, the lure of financial gain, or the desire for honor and glory. Some want a bit more than what life has to offer. Others feel that war is their destiny; they can see the writing on the wall and know they must be part of it.It has been said that wars are fought for God (and country), gold (power and wealth), and glory (honor and heroism). Beneath these identifiers are several subcategories that explain the reasons why governments send troops to war, and why men and increasingly more women voluntarily enlist in the armed forces and fight for their country (or for somebody else's). This book sheds light on those individuals who commit their lives to armed service for reasons related to patriotism, financial gain, adventure, and heroism. Although the focus is the armed forces of the United States and the staffing of the military since the birth of our nation, the recruitment practices of other countries are also explored from ancient to modern day to illustrate the continuity that runs through thousands of years of world history.In his classic, Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph, T. E. Lawrence says, "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." For God, Gold, and Glory: A History of Military Service and Man's Search for Power, Wealth, and Adventure is of interest to military and social historians, as well as armchair warriors dreaming of the glory that "mischance" prevented them from obtaining. The book comprises approximately 350 pages of text and 15 photographs and covers the following topics:1. Patriotism2. Family Tradition and Kinship Obligation3. Revenge, Social, and Political Pressures4. Poverty and Military Enlistment5. Financial and Material Incentives6. Mercenaries and Volunteers in Foreign Armies7. The Ennui of Everyday Life8. War and Recruitment Propaganda9. Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier10. Membership in an Elite Society11. Military Training as a Pleasant Pastime12. Growing Fond of War13. Ninety Percent Boredom and Ten Percent Action14. Desertion and Disillusion15. Finding the Holy GrailWar volunteering is an aspect of military history that has received surprisingly little academic attention. In 2007 at the University of Tübingen's Heinrich Fabri Institute in Germany, scholars engaged in what is believed to have been the first ever international discussions on the subject of war volunteering in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Although this book by no means is conclusive, the hope is that it will provide a solid base upon which further research and study can be built.

The polearms used by pikemen constituted the first stage of a military revolution that would force a change in the tactics of warfare. The pike, a two-handed polearm with a long spear-like tip, originated in the fourteenth century and was carried by infantry soldiers as defense against charging cavalry. The halberd, too, proved a fearsome and pragmatic weapon used in the armies of medieval and post-medieval Europe. When supplemented by pikemen, halberdiers became a formidable force.Pikemen would dominate the battlefield until the late 1500s when new technology led to the implementation of muskets and later bayonets. Early bayonets were long sword-like weapons which, like the pike, were originally used to ward off cavalry charges. Part of the bayonet's utility rested with the fact that firearms were cumbersome to reload. If the initial firing failed to dispatch the enemy, a bayonet charge might prove necessary. Although the bayonet charge seldom, if ever, decided the victory, the bayonet proved useful in trench warfare in conjunction with other weapons such as a rifle and hand grenade.This book begins with a discussion of the edged weapons that were the forerunners to the bayonet: the pike and the halberd. It then examines the physical drill and mental preparation required of the soldier to successfully engage an enemy combatant with the bayonet. Next it covers military operations in which the bayonet has served a primary function from the eighteenth century to modern day, followed by a study of the utility of the bayonet in the age of firearms, particularly in World War I. The concluding remarks focus on the popularity of the bayonet since its inception and the reasons why it survived as a weapon of the modern battlefield.Knives, Swords, and Bayonets: A World History of Edged Weapon Warfare is a book series that examines the history of edged weapons in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East and surrounding areas before gunpowder increased the distance between combatants. The book series takes a critical look at the relationship between the soldier, his weapon, and the social and political mores of the times. Each book examines the historical background and metallurgic science of the knife, sword, or bayonet respectively, and explores the handling characteristics and combat applications of each weapon. The individual books are excerpted from the previously published book, A History of Edged Weapon Warfare, also by Martina Sprague.The full series comprises the following books, which can be read in any order:1. Kukris and Gurkhas: Nepalese Kukri Combat Knives and the Men Who Wield Them2. Machete, Kris, and Throwing Iron: Edged Weapons of Latin America, Indonesia, and Africa3. Cold Steel: The Knife in Army, Navy, and Special Forces Operations4. Japanese Swords: The Katana and Gunto in Medieval and Modern Japanese Warfare5. Chinese Swords: The Evolution and Use of the Jian and Dao6. Yatagan, Khanda, and Jamdhar: Swords and Sabers of Persia and India7. Sickle Sword and Battle Axe: Edged Weapons of Ancient Egypt8. Gladius and Spatha: Swords and Warfare in the Classical World9. Longsword and Saber: Swords and Swordsmen of Medieval and Modern Europe10. Pike, Halberd, and Bayonet: Sharp Weapons in Near Modern and Modern WarfareNote that the books are written for those with an interest in exploring the historical beginnings of edged weaponry, how edged weapons have been used in war in different parts of the world, and the value the soldier attached to his weapon. Military, social, and political history is discussed. Arms collectors or others with detailed interest in the finer points of weaponsmithing may want to look for books that are more heavily illustrated.

In his farewell speech of 1989 President Ronald Reagan asked us to remember the resurgence of national pride he called the "New Patriotism." Patriotism and love of country, he said, are closely related to our national memory and have given our nation's history a deeper meaning. Approximately two-thirds of Americans consider military service patriotic, ranking it second only to voting in elections and ahead of reciting the pledge of allegiance or wearing an American flag pin. Army service has historically been a lineage obligation. To prove their worth, kings and rulers had to embark on campaign within a short time, normally a year after ascending the throne. Family tradition has further compelled commoners to don the uniform in the service of their country. A need for revenge along with the effects of social and political pressures are other factors that influence an individual's decision to join the army and go to war. This book examines men and women who have made war their prime call of duty for real or perceived patriotic reasons; commoners enlisting voluntarily as a matter of family tradition or kinship obligation; and others serving to avenge a wrong, or because of social and political pressures. The material in this book is excerpted from For God, Gold, and Glory: A History of Military Service and Man's Search for Power, Wealth, and Adventure, also by Martina Sprague. The full series comprises the following books:1. The Forces of War: Patriotism, Tradition, and Revenge2. The Financial Incentives of War: Poverty Draft, Mercenaries, and Volunteers in Foreign Armies3. The Propaganda of War: Personal Transformation and the Search for Adventure4. The Glory of War: The Way to Historical Immortality5. The Reality of War: Boredom, Disillusion, and Desertion

When you have learned the jab and its significance as the most basic, yet perhaps also the most versatile kickboxing technique, and practiced a variety of ways to use the jab for speed, set-up, and power, it doesn't surprise me if your next question is: "When do I get to knock'em out?" A strike's knockout capability is not necessarily determined only by its power. Other factors, such as accuracy, choosing the best target, and timing are at least equally important. But power alone, even if it doesn't result in a knockout, will certainly help get your opponent's attention. This brief book explores the three commonly used power strikes: the rear cross, hook, and uppercut. It includes discussions and training exercises on long and short range fighting, closing distance and gapping as appropriate, and using broken rhythm and sensory overload for opening up targets for the knockout. Kickboxing: From Initiation To Knockout comprises a series of short books with focus on learning specific techniques and strategies for the exciting sport of competition kickboxing. With plenty of pictures, each book breaks the material down into bite-size pieces that allow you to practice to perfection. The material in this book previously appeared in Complete Kickboxing, now out of print, and is great for straight boxing, too.

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence.Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision.Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife and Empty-Hand Defenses Compared, the ninth book in the series, demonstrates how most empty-hand and knife techniques are interchangeable, or nearly so, with only minor adjustments. The knife can thus be used as an enhancement tool to build speed and precision in your empty-hand techniques. Moreover, should you find yourself in a self-defense situation where you have access to a knife, the muscle memory you have developed by practicing the techniques in your empty-hand martial art will be easily transferable to a large arsenal of knife techniques.More books will be published in the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series. Look for more titles in the near future. To date the series comprises the following books:1. Knife Anatomy2. Knife Carry and Deployment3. Knife Grip and Manipulation4. Knife Attacks and Targets5. Knife Fighting Stance, Footwork, and Dynamics of Motion6. Knife Defense Basics7. Knife Defense Dynamics8. Knife-on-Knife and Multiple Opponent Knife Defense Strategies9. Knife and Empty-Hand Defenses ComparedSave by purchasing the first five books in the series in a single volume. Look for Knife Offense (Five Books in One), by Martina Sprague.

It has been said that forewarned is forearmed. Many students don't know what to expect or how to increase motivation, retention, and rate of learning when first signing up to study the martial arts. You are left in the hands of an instructor who is often a student himself, and not a teacher by profession. The Power Trip: How to Survive and Thrive in the Dojo is an informative and critical series of books that will give you the power to thrive in an environment where other students and even instructors at times sit on their "high horses," arguing over "best techniques" or making snide remarks about your performance. It will also arm you for the day you will begin teaching the martial arts (or help you improve your technique if you are already teaching), and show you how to build your integrity and repute as an instructor. If you are a new student in the martial arts, ready to sign up for your first lesson, you will gain a lot of information about the difficulties you can expect to encounter sometime throughout your training, and explore options for resolving potential conflicts. If you are a seasoned martial artist with years under your belt, you will no doubt recognize many of the scenarios presented, and be able to look back at your journey and consider what you could have done differently. Since the advice is not style specific but explores a multitude of scenarios that frequently play themselves out in the martial arts training hall, it applies to students of most martial styles. 10 Things the Martial Arts Student Must Understand, the first book in the series, is a primer for the information that is to follow and takes you through scenarios you might encounter when learning how to draw the maximum amount of knowledge from the suggestions your instructor and other students give you. The material in this book is excerpted from the previously published book (now out of print), The Complete Martial Arts Student, also by Martina Sprague. The full series comprises the following books: 1. 10 Things the Martial Arts Student Must Understand2. 8 Ways to Be Professional and Ethical in the Martial Arts3. 8 Methods for Learning the Martial Arts, Setting Goals, and Getting Motivated4. 6 Ways to Improve Performance and Correct Errors in the Martial Arts5. 8 Ways to Benefit from Critique and Testing in the Martial Arts6. 6 Tips for Communicating Effectively and Dealing with Behavioral Problems in the Martial Arts

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence.Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision.Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife-on-Knife and Multiple Opponent Knife Defense Strategies, the eighth book in the series, covers commonly taught knife strategies and the factors one must be cautious of when fighting multiple opponents. It discusses knife techniques against single opponents armed with a knife, with emphasis on the training benefits yet dangers of dueling with the knife. It ends with more than a dozen martial arts dummy and partner exercises for further practice and analysis. More books will be published in the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series. Look for more titles in the near future. To date the series comprises the following books:1. Knife Anatomy2. Knife Carry and Deployment3. Knife Grip and Manipulation4. Knife Attacks and Targets5. Knife Fighting Stance, Footwork, and Dynamics of Motion6. Knife Defense Basics7. Knife Defense Dynamics8. Knife-on-Knife and Multiple Opponent Knife Defense StrategiesSave by purchasing the first five books in the series in a single volume. Look for Knife Offense (Five Books in One), by Martina Sprague.

Now that you are ready to embark on the kickboxer's long and arduous journey, it should come as no surprise that the first thing you must learn is how to survive by combining offense and defense with balance and the right mental attitude. A good fighting stance allows your feet, torso, arms, and head to work in unison, so that you can throw your techniques with minimum effort and without fear of losing balance. To appreciate a good stance, we must understand the inherently weak areas of the human body. Movement is always used to avoid an attack or position for a counterattack. The fighter who controls footwork typically controls the fight by dictating what, when, and how. Offensive movement comprises distance awareness and jamming and gapping techniques. But controlling footwork extends beyond your own footwork. You must also learn to control your opponent's footwork, to maneuver into a more desirable position, while preventing him from doing the same. Kickboxing: From Initiation To Knockout comprises a series of short books with focus on learning specific techniques and strategies for the exciting sport of competition kickboxing. With plenty of pictures, each book breaks the material down into bite-size pieces that allow you to practice to perfection. The material in this book previously appeared in Complete Kickboxing, now out of print, and is great for straight boxing, too.

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence.Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision.Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife Training and Advanced Martial Arts Concepts, the tenth book in the series, covers the importance of moving from the mechanical to the conceptual stage of learning successful defenses against knife attacks, the relationship between time and timing, factors that trigger the natural speed of your body, how distance and movement can prove elusive, and different ways to disarm the opponent of the use of his weapons. The full series comprises the following books:1. Knife Anatomy2. Knife Carry and Deployment3. Knife Grip and Manipulation4. Knife Attacks and Targets5. Knife Fighting Stance, Footwork, and Dynamics of Motion6. Knife Defense Basics7. Knife Defense Dynamics8. Knife-on-Knife and Multiple Opponent Knife Defense Strategies9. Knife and Empty-Hand Defenses Compared10. Knife Training and Advanced Martial Arts ConceptsSave by purchasing the first five books in the series in a single volume. Look for Knife Offense (Five Books in One), by Martina Sprague.

Ancient Greece and Rome, also referred to as the Classical world, laid the foundation for Western civilization. Because of their geographical proximity to one another and to the Mediterranean Sea, the countries shared many similarities with respect to culture and weapons.The early Greek swords used by infantry had straight two-edged blades, without taper, of equal width from hilt to point. The Spartan sword measured only 14 to 15 inches in length, and was by some considered short and non-frightening. Those who had an intricate understanding of edged weaponry and combat, however, knew that while a long sword carried certain psychological powers, length did not necessarily communicate the deadliness of the weapon.Rome, perhaps the greatest power of the Mediterranean, differed from other civilizations most notably in the notion of citizenship. The Romans were a pragmatic people who did not fail to adopt from other cultures the weapons or technology they found useful. The classic Roman short sword remained in use for centuries; however, while the Romans emulated many of the Greek weapons and armor, they also copied Hispanic daggers as well as straight Hispanic swords during the conquest of Spain in the third century BCE.This book begins with an introduction to bronze, iron, and steel used in weapons and armor in Classical Greece, Britain, Gaul, Rome, and Spain. Next it examines the type of training the soldiers encountered to prepare them for battle. This section focuses mainly on the training of the Roman warriors. The book then analyzes the military organization and battlefield tactics of the Greeks, Romans, and Celts. It ends with a discussion of war wounds and the protection that various types of armor afforded the soldier. The concluding remarks focus on the pragmatic way in which one viewed war in the Classical world.Knives, Swords, and Bayonets: A World History of Edged Weapon Warfare is a book series that examines the history of edged weapons in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East and surrounding areas before gunpowder increased the distance between combatants. The book series takes a critical look at the relationship between the soldier, his weapon, and the social and political mores of the times. Each book examines the historical background and metallurgic science of the knife, sword, or bayonet respectively, and explores the handling characteristics and combat applications of each weapon. The individual books are excerpted from the previously published book, A History of Edged Weapon Warfare, also by Martina Sprague.The full series comprises the following books, which can be read in any order:1. Kukris and Gurkhas: Nepalese Kukri Combat Knives and the Men Who Wield Them2. Machete, Kris, and Throwing Iron: Edged Weapons of Latin America, Indonesia, and Africa3. Cold Steel: The Knife in Army, Navy, and Special Forces Operations4. Japanese Swords: The Katana and Gunto in Medieval and Modern Japanese Warfare5. Chinese Swords: The Evolution and Use of the Jian and Dao6. Yatagan, Khanda, and Jamdhar: Swords and Sabers of Persia and India7. Sickle Sword and Battle Axe: Edged Weapons of Ancient Egypt8. Gladius and Spatha: Swords and Warfare in the Classical World9. Longsword and Saber: Swords and Swordsmen of Medieval and Modern Europe10. Pike, Halberd, and Bayonet: Sharp Weapons in Near Modern and Modern WarfareNote that the books are written for those with an interest in exploring the historical beginnings of edged weaponry, how edged weapons have been used in war in different parts of the world, and the value the soldier attached to his weapon. Military, social, and political history is discussed. Arms collectors or others with detailed interest in the finer points of weaponsmithing may want to look for books that are more heavily illustrated.

The important role that edged weaponry played in early Persia is evidenced by the region's long history of metallurgic science, the sword's mention in poetry, and its use as a sidearm to cavalry employing lance, mace, and bow. Edged weaponry proved no less important to the Ottoman Turks, who depicted the two-edged sword of Othman on the standard carried by the disciplined recruits, the corps of Janissaries, who served the sultan and defended the conquered Christian territories.India, which bordered the Persian Empire, has a turbulent history as well, that speaks of long periods of foreign influence and threats from Islamic invaders. Although India adopted Persian-style weaponry, the many indigenous sword shapes and the ingenuity displayed in design testify to the important role the sword played as a weapon of war and an article of dress and status. The sword was no doubt a pragmatic battlefield weapon, as evidenced by its use in the extensive wars of the Mughals, Rajputs, and Sikhs.This book starts with an overview of metallurgic science and the development of edged weapons in pre-historic Persia and India. Its main focus is the Common Era, however. Islamic culture and conflict in the pre-medieval period and through the Crusades is discussed first, including warfare against the Byzantine Empire. An examination of the use of the sword in the wars of the Ottoman Empire from the fifteenth century CE follows. Next the book explores warfare and the development of edged weapons in India from medieval times into near modern day. It touches on the Sikh Wars and India's conflicts with the British Empire. The concluding remarks emphasize the sword as a lethal and reliable weapon into near modern day, and makes particular note of the philosophical value of the sword.Knives, Swords, and Bayonets: A World History of Edged Weapon Warfare is a book series that examines the history of edged weapons in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East and surrounding areas before gunpowder increased the distance between combatants. The book series takes a critical look at the relationship between the soldier, his weapon, and the social and political mores of the times. Each book examines the historical background and metallurgic science of the knife, sword, or bayonet respectively, and explores the handling characteristics and combat applications of each weapon. The individual books are excerpted from the previously published book, A History of Edged Weapon Warfare, also by Martina Sprague. Look for more books in this series in the near future.

This book examines the history of edged weapons in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East and surrounding areas before gunpowder increased the distance between combatants. It takes a critical look at the relationship between the soldier, his weapon, and the social and political mores of the times; examines the historical background and metallurgic science of the knife, sword, or bayonet respectively; and explores the handling characteristics and combat applications of each weapon.The book is written for those with an interest in exploring the historical beginnings of edged weaponry, how edged weapons have been used in war in different parts of the world, and the value the soldier attached to his weapon. Military, social, and political history is discussed. Although more than one-hundred photos and illustrations are represented, arms collectors or others with detailed interest in the finer points of weaponsmithing may want to look for books that are more heavily illustrated.The book comprises the full series of ten previously published shorter book on specialized edged weapons and regions, each of which can also be purchased separately: 1. Kukris and Gurkhas: Nepalese Kukri Combat Knives and the Men Who Wield Them2. Machete, Kris, and Throwing Iron: Edged Weapons of Latin America, Indonesia, and Africa3. Cold Steel: The Knife in Army, Navy, and Special Forces Operations4. Japanese Swords: The Katana and Gunto in Medieval and Modern Japanese Warfare5. Chinese Swords: The Evolution and Use of the Jian and Dao6. Yatagan, Khanda, and Jamdhar: Swords and Sabers of Persia and India7. Sickle Sword and Battle Axe: Edged Weapons of Ancient Egypt8. Gladius and Spatha: Swords and Warfare in the Classical World9. Longsword and Saber: Swords and Swordsmen of Medieval and Modern Europe10. Pike, Halberd, and Bayonet: Sharp Weapons in Near Modern and Modern Warfare

The Civil War is an enormously important event in our nation's history, and not just a fleeting disagreement about slavery between the northern and southern states. As such, it has impacted our country's political course into modern day. The results of the Civil War reinforced the motto, E pluribus unum (Out of many, one), and strengthened the notion that the United States is indeed united, despite its many states, and despite the fact that the North and South continue to maintain significant different political views. Although the Civil War ended slavery based on legal doctrine, the oppression of the former slaves did not end, and racism has continued through the Civil Rights era and continues to some extent today. The war also brought to light that military leaders may change their basic moral standards when a conflict proves difficult to win.There are many prisms through which one can view Civil War strategies, and one might naturally be tempted to draw many lessons from the Civil War. Rather than providing definite answers, this brief study aims at rousing additional interest and provoking critical thinking about what might have been the most important event in our nation's history. As such, it focuses on the underlying social and political factors that shaped the decision of the southern states to secede from the Union, and the Union's subsequent attempt to prevent their secession. Discussions include the following topics:1. Political Background of the Civil War2. Robert E. Lee's War Strategies3. Ulysses S. Grant's and William Tecumseh Sherman's War Strategies4. How Likely Was Victory for the Confederate States in the Early Years of the War?5. Other Factors That Influenced Union Victory and Confederate Loss6. Reshaping the Military in the Reconstruction Period7. Military Reforms in the Last Decades of the Nineteenth Century8. Topics for Further Study and DebateThe book is suitable for history interested readers looking for thought provoking topics, but not having a lot of time; and for teachers preparing the class for critical thinking about historical events, and how they have come to affect current affairs. More books with focus on domestic and international military history will be forthcoming in this new series titled, A 59-Minute Perspective.

Egypt, located around the Nile Valley, is one of the world's oldest and longest surviving cultures. Egyptian history includes periods of stability when Egypt may well have been the mightiest empire on earth, and periods of turmoil when the country was invaded by foreign powers.The history of ancient Egypt is divided into thirty-one dynasties under the pharaoh kings. Warfare and military operations can be traced through pictorial evidence and narrations carved into rocks for smaller campaigns, and temple walls for major wars. Action scenes portray fallen horses and chariot troops employing bows and arrows, and knives or swords. Warriors ready for combat can be seen wielding battle axes high above their heads. The crescent shaped battle axe could easily kill an adversary by the sheer force of the blow. Hieroglyphs also indicate that three types of sword blades were eventually employed in warfare: straight, curved, and half-curved. Ancient wall carvings frequently depict the sickle sword, suggesting that the weapon was a highly valued instrument of war.This book begins with an examination of metal and weapon manufacturing in ancient Egypt, and discusses the different sword shapes used. It then explores Egypt's military organization, including the tactics and weapons of chariot, infantry, and naval warfare. Next it discusses the structure of the army, the procedures used for recruiting and training the troops, and the general sentiment of the population toward warfare. The concluding remarks recap cultural traits and important developments in Egyptian history, and also discuss the cultural and spiritual value of the sword. Knives, Swords, and Bayonets: A World History of Edged Weapon Warfare is a book series that examines the history of edged weapons in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East and surrounding areas before gunpowder increased the distance between combatants. The book series takes a critical look at the relationship between the soldier, his weapon, and the social and political mores of the times. Each book examines the historical background and metallurgic science of the knife, sword, or bayonet respectively, and explores the handling characteristics and combat applications of each weapon. The individual books are excerpted from the previously published book, A History of Edged Weapon Warfare, also by Martina Sprague. Look for more books in this series in the near future.

The Vikings burst onto the scene in a flash, startling the world with the reach and extent of their raids and the overwhelming destruction they wrought. Their unconventional war strategies, which left the enemy helpless and defenseless, built their reputation as brutal, bloodthirsty barbarians with no regard for God or human life. The reckless raiding of churches and monasteries was due in large part to their ignorance of the unspoken rules of warfare, giving holy sites immunity, but it earned the Christian world's contempt.The Vikings excelled militarily because they ignored traditional Western fighting methods. They did not bother to arrange a time and place for battle, as was often customary in Europe. Deception, attacking by stealth when the enemy was not fully prepared, or striking in a seemingly undisciplined manner was by no means considered cowardly or dishonorable from the Viking perspective. The Vikings, unconcerned by, indeed oblivious to, religious prohibitions, believed that war was worth any risk because it compensated so well in terms of adventure and spoils. Even the high numbers of casualties suffered did not dissuade the Vikings from their lives as warriors.

Martial arts, combat, fighting, whatever you call it, goes hand-in-hand with courage, toughness, dedication, and focus. What sets the formidable fighter apart from other martial artists is that he or she approaches the training with the intent to develop an edge that allows him to dominate the opponent physically and psychologically. The goal of the formidable fighter is to retain the initiative by interfering with the opponent's ability to counter an attack or defensive technique.The greater physical shape you are in, the less likely you are to sustain an injury, because your body is better prepared to handle the stress of combat. Superior strength and conditioning give you an edge that can act as an equalizer against a bigger opponent. Powerful punches and grips are the product of proper training and conditioning. Good training also makes allowances for failures and prepares you to win.On the field of battle, you command the fight by force, not finesse. The formidable fighter knows how to approach a scenario with the appropriate mindset that allows him or her to act rather than react and beat the opponent to the punch. Know how to play the cards you are dealt. Martial arts techniques are not complicated; it is the surrounding situations and how we think about them that complicate how we use them. Formidable Fighter: The Complete Series is the print version of the full series of 14 e-books, and includes also a bonus section; a quick reference to all concepts discussed in the text.

Some say that war, however brutal and disgusting we may find it, brings out the finest qualities in leaders: courage, honor, integrity, and, above all, character. The lessons of war serve as popular civilian leadership models. Should we study the great generals of history and Lead with War? The problem is that leaders and leadership principles are full of contradictions, as reflected in the views of military strategists and generals the world over. What we often fail to learn from history is that there are different perspectives on leadership that we tend to cherry-pick as we see fit. History supposedly informs the actions of the future leadership, and one can no doubt be enlightened by viewing leadership through a military prism. War is a profoundly human experience and as such is guided by human emotions and passion. But would those who have fought on our battlefields really recommend war as a classroom for learning team leadership in the civilian workplace? To make the best use of the insights the great historical generals offer us, we must watch for source bias, place their views in proper perspective, and modify the information in order to use it successfully within our own organization.The material in this book is excerpted from the previously published book, Leadership, It Ain't Rocket Science: A Critical Analysis of Moving with the Cheese and Other Motivational Leadership Bullshit, also by Martina Sprague.

Leadership books and seminars commonly open with anecdotal stories for engrossing the listener. A reason why these books and seminars are so popular, or even needed, is because the authors realize that employees naturally resist change, and that management will face a barrier every time they are the carriers of bad news such as job cuts, pay cuts, or reorganization where employees are negatively affected and forced into new positions or new duties. But the reliance on anecdotes and metaphors for success can backfire by making the employees feel underappreciated, or worse, insulted and manipulatedAt its core leadership is about understanding human nature. Adolf Hitler, in Mein Kampf, spoke about the "small measure of thinking power the broad masses possess," thereby reminding us that understanding human nature is also an essential key to controlling it. This book is not so much about leadership per se, as it is about how to think about leadership by learning to ask the appropriate questions and learning to find the appropriate answers. It explores the strengths and weaknesses of leadership propaganda, motivational sayings, and groupthink. The material in this book is excerpted from the previously published book, Leadership, It Ain't Rocket Science: A Critical Analysis of Moving with the Cheese and Other Motivational Leadership Bullshit, also by Martina Sprague.

At its core leadership is about understanding human nature. When Adolf Hitler, in Mein Kampf, spoke about the "small measure of thinking power the broad masses possess," he reminded us that understanding human nature is an essential key to controlling it. He also said, "I found it difficult to understand how men who always had reasonable ideas when they spoke as individuals with one another suddenly lost this reasonableness the moment they acted in the mass." Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's minister of propaganda, understood that any mantra repeated often enough is apt to become viewed as true. Leadership, It Ain't Rocket Science! is a serious and informative critique of popular leadership approaches and how leaders get trapped in meaningless ideas and sayings that they shamelessly pass on to their followers, sometimes because they proudly believe that it is everybody's responsibility to smile, be proactive, and move with the cheese, and other times because they know how little thinking power the masses possess.