Combat sports and self-defence Books

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and...

The creative mind contributes so much to our human existence, and having the desire and ability to create is the closest we can come to having super-powers. Often though, the "muse" is hard to control and needs "smacked." This is one of the themes of...

Edmond Otis, 7th Dan, demonstrates and narrates this instructive and dynamic DVD/VHS "how-to" series, clearly illustrating the relationship between karate's techniques, principles, and applications in a fresh and eye-opening way. Not theory, for theory's...

Aiki is a principle of energy that holds a powerful potential for individuals to reach beyond to limitations and boundaries of the self to take advantage of every opportunity to create peace and harmony in their own lives and the world around them.

The Sportswoman's Library Volume 2 is a book written by Frances Elizabeth Slaughter and published in 1898. This volume is part of a larger series that focuses on various topics related to sports and outdoor activities for women. The book covers a wide...

Yankee Sullivan was a legendary bare-knuckle boxer in the mid-19th century, known for his courage, skill, and charisma. This book is a thrilling account of his life and career, featuring vivid descriptions of his most famous fights and the colorful...

First published in 1900, this book offers a comprehensive survey of the games of Greco-Roman wrestling, one of the most ancient and enduring forms of combat sport. Its author, A. Leon, draws on accounts of ancient battles and myths to provide context for...

Written by former boxer and trainer Alpheus Geer, this guide offers practical advice on the art of shadow boxing, as well as tips on training and mental preparation for boxing competitions. Geer also provides a glimpse into the history of boxing and its...

No sport offers more allure and repulsion than the inviting and abrasive world of boxing. Starting on the mean streets of 1950s Chicago, this collection of essays moves into a close reflection of the boxing world up through the glitz of today's boxing...

Do you know who you are? Do you know what you want from life? Can you control and channel your thoughts, actions and feelings? This book will help you answer these questions. -All you need to know-terminology, lore, philosophy and motivation-to succeed...

The sound of Ving Tsun is a compilation of interviews with four grandmastersand six masters of the Ving Tsun Kungfu system. Darrell Jordan's questionsconcentrate on the Ving Tsun system, training, chi sao and fighting techniques.Author Darrell...

-Für alle Karatefreunde und Kampfsportbegeisterte. -Persönlicher Begleiter, verwendbar u.a. als Notizbuch, Notizheft, Einschreibbuch, Tagebuch oder Anti-Stress Kritzelbuch. -Perfekter Ort zum Festhalten von Geistesblitzen, Kampfverläufen,...

-Für alle Judofreunde und Sportbegeisterte. -Persönlicher Begleiter, verwendbar u.a. als Notizbuch, Notizheft, Einschreibbuch, Tagebuch oder Anti-Stress Kritzelbuch. -Perfekter Ort zum Festhalten von Geistesblitzen, Kampfverläufen, Erlebnissen,...

American Combat Judo is a thorough study in the methods and techniques of hand-fighting. It is based upon classic Jiu-jutsu but incorporates improvements in the scientific development of modes of personal combat. It also borrows from wrestling, boxing...

SUCCESSFUL TAEKWON-DO: Vol 1, Fundamentals comprises Part One of a comprehensively structured two-part full-color manual for students on their way to the 1st dan in Taekwon-do. Written by two acknowledged experts in the field, the 800 photos, diagrams...

The historic county of Glamorgan has a proud and successful boxing heritage, as can be seen by the 50-plus boxers featured in this, the sixth volume of Gareth Jones' renowned Boxers of Wales series.

The Root of Spiritual EnlightenmentChinese Qigong can be generally categorized into External Elixir (Wai Dan) and Internal Elixir (Nei Dan) Qigong. The first step of practicing Internal Elixir Qigong has been known as Small Cyclic Heaven (Small ...

Whether you are a kendo fanatic or merely curious about the martial arts, this book will interest you.The author, Geoff Salmon, has taken the lessons learned over his 45 year kendo career and distilled them into a series of instructive, thought-provoking...

The Official Police Method of Arrest and Self-Defense. A Project of the Police Martial Arts Association.

First the author teaches basic sword movements: thrusts, slices etc. Although she keeps it fun, she draws on her years of martial arts training to teach the true movements that combine balance, focus and precised muscle control. Then the author explains...

How did a boxer like Muhammad Ali become a legend? Learn about his life, including struggles and victories in this picture book for children. Encourage your children to drop the gadgets and pick up a sport. It does not have to be boxing, it just needs to...

This book is about the life of a man named Daniel. He was a hard rock kid who grew up the hard way, yet he had hope. He hoped for a better day and a better life. His dream in life was to become a boxer. Every Wednesday and Friday he would watch fights...

One of the most fascinating art forms woven into the fabric of our society, is the Martial Arts. People study or do this for various reasons, from improving human vitality, strengthening their inner spirit, to finding balance and peace through the...

Die in diesem Buch aufgeführten Techniken sind schnell und einfach erlernbar, so dass sich jede Leserin wirksame Verteidigungstechniken problemlos aneignen kann. Denn nicht jede Frau möchte durch jahrelanges intensives Training zu einer...

Originally published in 1943, this book takes a no-nonsense, straight-forward approach to basic Ju-Jitsu techniques. Along with over 100 illustrations, this book covers strikes, grips, twists, throws, and more! Granted, how to deal with a "Tommy Gun" is...

In "The Way to Better Judo," Frederick Paul Lowell takes you on an enlightening journey through the ancient martial art, offering a comprehensive guide that will transform both your technique and mindset on the mat. Whether you're a novice seeking to lay...

Step into the world of Judo with the timeless classic, "The Complete Seven Katas of Judo," written by the legendary Mikinosuke Kawaishi. In this comprehensive guide, Kawaishi, a revered Judo master, imparts his vast knowledge and unrivaled expertise to...

This rare little book was first published in 1836. Only a handful of the original editions remain, and are now extremely costly. OBSCURE PRESS has republished this classic work in a high quality, modern edition, using the original text and artwork. The...

Imagine a new world of professional wrestling. Travel back in time to an era before the capitalists won the Cold War. Before cable television had narrowed the field to a handful of bloated behemoths. Back then, wrestling was a very different place...

When Melanie Gibson needed a good kick in the pants to get her mind in order and her life back on track, she turned to the Korean martial art of taekwondo-and, from white belt to black belt, learned to trust herself, build confidence, and speak up for...

Joe Louis's How to Box will teach you to deliver a knockout punch, step by step. The legendary heavyweight champion thoroughly covers all aspects of boxing in this well-written, definitive guide. Louis's sense of fair play, good sportsmanship, and...

This book is the product of over forty years of study on the part of the author. It was written with the hope that people will be able to defend themselves and others.  Written in it are grappling and striking techniques with the premise of teaching...

Mastering the Art of Taijquan is an opportunity to help assist others to become masters, appreciate and become lovers of the art. Mastering the Art of Taijiquan also answers some of the vital questions we all ask and search for as to how to practice the...

Explore the electrifying world of kumite, or sparring in martial arts, and take your martial arts work to a whole new level. In this guide, author Stephen Dialessi builds on more than thirteen years of Tae Kwon Do training and his study of Aikido and...

Tu Na Si Ba - The "Secret" Breathing Methods of Xing Yi Quan. Chinese-English Edition with link to online video of Tu Na Si Ba performed by Master Song Zhi Yong. In Northern China and in Shanxi Province, the purported birthplace of Xing Yi Quan, Master...

"Martial Arts Basics" is the most comprehensive book on martial arts that has been published, and a must read for every martial arts practitioner and anyone contemplating learning a martial art. There is a plethora of books on each of the different...

This book is about some ghetto kids of the 1930's and 40's who became famous because they learned how to fight better than anyone else. We call them boxers and they came from the neighborhoods of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit and other cities...

Anyone can learn karate, but to master oneself takes a lifetime.This is the inspiring story of an ex-Marine who sought out the one form of martial arts that would polish his mind and strengthen his spirit- Kobayashi Shorin Ryu Karate. Finding the right...

A fascinating look at the history and culture of swordsmanship, covering the techniques and styles of ancient fencing masters from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Hutton's book provides insights into the history and traditions of swordplay, and is a...

This unique manual of internal methods, inspired by the skills of Yang the Invincible, reveals key elements in finding and training a Tai Chi body. How did Yang do it? From whom did he learn? He watched the Chens but had to train alone in secret. Yang...