The fighting arts of Indonesia, a mix of pentjak silat and Chinese kuntao, were never meant for sport: they are brutal, unrelenting and designed to take the enemy out and punish him every step of the way. This unprecedented book by a long-time student of Dutch-Indonesian Master Willem de Thouars shows you why.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent book on principles in Kuntao and Silat Comment: I have to agree with the review of Joseph Burton above.
This is an OUTSTANDING book on some of the principles used in Kuntao and Silat.
Very well written, clear and understandable.
This book immediately took a place on the "top shelf" of my martial arts library.
There is a companion DVD to this book that meshes very well with it and gives a visual demonstration of the principles. It's called "Fighting Arts of Indonesia - Combat Secrets of Silat and Kuntao" and you can find it on amazon. Customer Rating: Summary: not worth the price Comment: I bought this book hoping I would pick up on some new techniques, principles or concepts I could integrate into my style. Which is based on Karate, Jeet kune do, akido, and kung fu. I did pick up on some things I could combine with my system. However, I don't think the book or the system is worth all the hype that has been given to it. I guess its just because the system is so limited from my point of view. The system in the book does not show any counters or defense of kicks or of fast Punch's that you would encounter in a real street fight. The strikes and concepts that the book has are really good but, what the style offers is very limited. I didn't buy the book to learn how to fight or do martial arts because I am very proficient at that already. But I was looking for other ways of dealing with problems or situations you may encounter. The system does show you how to prevent kicks from being launched in the first place from the attackers lead leg but the defense leaves you open to a knee to the groin from the rear leg. The hand techniques are good as long as the guy isn't a boxer who falls back into position after every punch or strike because, the style uses alot of arm levers and traps at "close range". If the attacker has fast hands your going to get ate. Some of the reviews compared the book to Bruce Lees "Tao of Jeet Kune Do". I feel that it falls way short of that. Bruce offered counters and attack to every possible attack that could be thrown by the human body. This book only addresses the stand up toe to toe use of hands only type of solution. I did like the fact that the book offered more explanation rather than the same old Kata type of books that everyone already knows or has seen. But I don't feel I got my moneys worth. I expected more whole body concepts, and principles of attack and defense. What got me interested in the book to Begin with was a TV program showing Indonesian fighting arts. It looked pretty impressive and "whole". Use of legs, Hands, arms, chokes, stomps, flow, etc. This book only shows the hand techniques.
Some may say this is a grown up book for black belts. That may be. I'm a black belt and I don't think anyone without experience in the martial arts would get any in depth all around self defense skills from this book.
Sure I picked up a few new concepts and principles that I may be able to apply to my style but I don't think those few concepts were worth the money I paid for the book. If it covered all possible types of attacks from other styles, and combined leg tactics the book would be worth the money but, I feel the "style" falls short of "Real" combat situations you may find yourself in. Customer Rating: Summary: Great alternative reference for traditional karate kata students Comment: The ideas presented in this book are thought provoking for all martial artists,especially practioners of traditonal karate. Once put into actual practice, these ideas open a new path to the interpatation of kata. A must have for everyone Customer Rating: Summary: No Matter Your Level, You'll Like This! Comment: Here we have a decent depiction of how the various arts of the Archipelago may be practiced. It is more of a tactics and principles book than a mere techniques catalog, so it will appeal to those who have been in the arts for some years, as well as those who are simply striving for deeper understanding of the basics. Customer Rating: Summary: Another great book , but..... Comment: I really liked the book but was disappointed by the fact that the author left out lots of history and info on the "mystical" side of Pentjak. His reason though for doing this is that he is a Christian and doesn't believe in chi or the mystical stuff. I do understand and respect his decision in doing so. The book does show not really techniques but rather drills to understand body movement from which all techniques come form. Overall it's very recommended for simplicity in explaining the flow and feel of Pentjak Silat. Again no disrespect for the author or his choice of worship.
