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2.0 out of 5 stars
Not for advanced martial-artists, Dec 12 2003
This book can be very usefull for beginners or anyone who has no idea about self defence. Though interesting, it presents no new techniques that any martial artist has already seen. This is why i gave it a 2 star rating and felt it was a waste of money for me. However I have 4 reasons for my low rating and they are presented as follows:1) All techniques shown are basic and could be used on anyone regardless of their size. Gearing it to large opponents is a way to sell the book. 2) Some techniques he showed will not work on significanly larger opponents. For example, on the back cover of the book Franco shows himself escaping a full headlock given by a VERY large man. In the picture the author effortlessly stands straight up and punches the large adversary in the throat. (Yeah right). I have been doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Mauy-thai for a long time and let me tell you, it does not happen that way. 3) Regarding ground fighting, his advise is approprate: don't get smothered on the bottom by a huge man, ever. But thats all he says. He shows himslef in the gurad position and in a mounted position but doesnt offer appropriate ground fighing techniques. 4) What i found most irritating was that he points out the most basic consepts from arts such as boxing, kung fu and jiu-jitsu and simply applies it to beating "larger" opponents. Given these factors, if you are someone who does not train in martial arts or don't plan to do so in the future, this book may help you see why self defence may be useful and illustrate the fighting techniques that exit.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Summer's Here & the Time is Right for Fighting in the Street, Jan 8 2003
Only a fool would attack a muscle-bound, 6' 10", college lineman out on an evening stroll with a snarling pack of pet Dobermans. A balding, sedentary 50-something walking a fluffy white Bichon Frise is a different matter. Our dog's diminutive bladder requires regular outings at the strangest of hours, and I recently acquired Mr. Franco's fascinating book as a precautionary matter. Herein America's own Generalissimo advocates a holistic approach to street combat - starting with a rigorous training & conditioning program. I tried to follow his regime for about a week, but the thought that I was preparing for a dark alley showdown made exerciseg more depressing than usual and I moved on to the later chapters. I found the section on collar grabs & throws to be particularly intoxicating, and even practiced one of the moves on a friendly mailman who sometimes stops in to avoid the rigors of his route on inclement days (rain, snow, sleet, and hail all being equally likely to drive him to our kitchen). I succeeded in felling him just as the book instructed, and even slightly re-injured an aggravated disk in his spine (for which he effusively praised and thanked me, due to the Postal Service's lavish Workers' Comp program). I now walk my "hood" at all hours with a visible swagger, faithful young Cujo yipping menacingly at my side.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Uh, I don't know., Dec 25 2001
I didn't like this book to much let me tell yah. I mean, it's ok, but nothing to write home about. I guess there's some good stuff in there, but who knows?
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