Customer Rating:  
Summary: Aiki-D'oh!
Comment: This style bills itself as "The non-agressive art of self-defense." It is yet another fighting style with a philosophy tacked on: Love your enemy and respect his body. The goal is to subdue attackers while causing the least amount of damage possible, so that's already a strike against it.
Some people have told me this style is good, but in limited use, such as having to take down a drunken and disorderly friend. To this I ask, "Why hang out with people like that in the first place?" Fighting drunks doesn't take mastery of a martial art, most of the time you can step on their shoe and shove them while holding your foot down. He'll fall. If he's truly a friend, I wouldn't even fight the guy unless he forces me to, and then, he'd get every lick coming to him. He'll understand when he sobers up. I'm straying off topic, but my point is this art has little to justify it's existence. It's mainly taught to people who aren't completely in tune with their survival instincts, or aren't completely in tune with their death-wish.
Another strike against this art is that practitioners don't train to win fights, as winning serves the ego. I have news for you- it also serves you well in a fight! Losing in the sparring ring is par for the course, but to be completely devoid of the desire to win a real fight makes the entire process of learning a martial art pointless. Winning should be the long-term ideal, with learning being the immediate goal. If your students never desire success, you have carte blanche to teach them poor methods. When a style can't hold it's own in the ring or in real life, you can count on it to substitute with loads of spirituality. When a book has the phrase "The Spirit Lives through Aikido" on the cover, that should start to set off your b.s. detector.
Personally, one of the most distasteful aspects of this book is the bowing, which is less of a respectful one and more of a bow of worship. Thanks, but I'll pass. We also have the usual mystical, pseudo-scientific swill associated with outdated martial arts such as accupressure, Ki energy, and a new spin on old b.s.- "Aiki."
Getting into technique, the fighting stance is poor, barely a stance at all and more of just standing with your arms down. Then there are methods of hypnosis designed to convince the student Ki exists, such as the "Unbendable Arm" exercise. The fighting consists of speedy, precise Jiu-Jitsu moves which take years to master - not good to start someone out with. Due to the poor stance, made worse with poor form of attack, all fighters here telegraph like crazy. Some of the pictures are pointless filler- I don't need to see a picture of a guy grabbing his opponent's shoulder to know what it looks like! Others flow in a rigid manner and leave the reader wondering what happened. A poor book and a poor art.
Loving someone who is trying to harm you is a sure way to get your head crushed in. Of course, serious practitioners shouldn't mind that. If I ever get into a fight with an dedicated martial artist, I hope he practices Aikido!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Don't Waste Your Time With Aikido!
Comment: Having studied under the late Bill Sosa for a year and a half, and after reading this book, I can tell you don't waste your time with Aikido. Except for the black and white pictures, and both the defender and attacker wearing hakimas which makes it difficult to see the foot placement, this is a great book. That's if you truly believe that multiple attackers will get tired and give up after you have thrown them multiple times without causing any permanent injuries to them. Instead, I would suggest studying Aiki-jujitsu and supplementing your studies with "The Way and the Power: Secrets of Japanese Strategy" by Fredrick J. Lovret. Only then, will you have a true understanding of the essence of Aiki.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Akido Primer
Comment: This is an excellent book for all Aikido students. Easy to read and follow. Great book to understand what it is to start a martial art, espcially aikido. Basics are answered and this book will help you from your very first class. From dojo etiquette, how to fold your hakama, history, philosophy, basic techniques and waza.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to philosophy and martial aspects.
Comment: Co-authored by an outstanding Aikido Sensei and one of his former students (an accomplished practitioner and instructor of several arts in his own right), "The Essence of Aikido" is precisely that. It contains an exploration of the philosophy, without which the true understanding of the art is (in my opinion) impossible. It also illustrates several of the basic techniques, including both empty hand techniques and more practical Aiki-based defenses to attacks with weapons, kicks, and the like.A must for both those new to the art and the more experienced Aikidoka.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The best book out on Aikido fundamentals.
Comment: The book is written in a simplied manner which is comprehensible for those interested in fundamentals as well as advanced Aikido. Provides illustrations that enhance the learning for the reader.
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