Customer Rating:  
Summary: Great organization
Comment: Unlike some other reviewers, I found this book very well organized and clear. I had felt that my cross mount attacks were few and ineffective. This book is grouped by body positions thus it was easy for me to home in and study that section alone.
I did not feel that the illustrations needed more info since that is what my class and instructor is for. The book's forte is where JJ shows multiple counter attack dependent on the the opponents reaction.
I did not have unrealistic expectations that the moves in this book will be effective against all my opponents. Especially since all techniques shown are nothing new. The book is informative to me because it showed transitions and options that are available with these finite techniques.
Customer Rating:
Summary: All-Belts Excellence!
Comment: Another in what has become a rapidly growing series (mostly co-written by Kid Pelligro) from Invisible Cities Press, backed by the same UAE Shiek who holds the ADCC Submission Grappling Championships (now every two years), Jean-Jacques Machado (nephew of Carlos Gracie sr.) turns up this time to share his ideas on sport Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling.
Like his cousin, Royler's, Submission Grappling book, this volume is a HUGE improvement over the first two. Machado starts off by giving his thoughts on competition, everything from his noted 'attacking' style to how to deal with injuries, however the bulk of the book is the big, glossy, full-color photo section, split into two parts: one with the Gi/Kimono, and one without.
Machado is one of the very few BJJ people to prove himself a finisher in no-gi Submission Grappling as well. His 'go for the finish' mentality not only shows his own creativity and energy, but electrifies a sport just as often known for stalling.
Some of the techniques shown are risky, dependant on speed and surprise, but the sheer number of different entires shown for most of the old standards (armbar, omoplata, triangle, etc.) will almost certainly prove 'new' to most readers.
If you want a book from this series, and you enjoy both the Gi/Kimono and the no-gi, this is the one to get.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Technique - Even for lower level belts
Comment: This book shows ALOT of tech. that you can apply to your game no matter what belt you currenty hold. I'm not a black belt (YET)but found many moves that I have aready been taught in class.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great great book
Comment: This is simply the best grappling/BJJ book I've ever seen. First of all this book is not for begginers, it's for intermediate and above level grapplers. This book isn't an encyclopedia of techniques, it's more like a general strategy guide. The main idea is to open up your mind so you will think of some of your own combinations and variations of moves and setups taught. I'd like to use quote from the book to explain:
"One thing I've noticed is that often instruction is too rigid. Students often are taught to commit moves to memory and to repeat them the same way every time. You can get by with this at the beginning levels, but by the time you reach the advanced levels-the focus of this book-you will find yourself at a serious disadvantage if your moves don't flex to deal with the dynamics of each individual situation. That's why in this book I've tried to give you lots of options, and encouraged you to think for yourself. Because in the real world things don't always go down like they do in a textbook, and if you are the one who can create on the spur of the moment, you are going to win."
This is EXACTLY what happens by reading and practicing the things in this book. I've never seen this idea conveyed in any books before, which is one of the main reasons I rated it so high.
The book has techniques for both gi and no-gi, although most of the gi techniques will work for no gi too. This is because, if you didn't already know, Jean Jacques Machado was born with no fingers on one of his hands. With that said it is truely amazing how skilled he is with such a serious handicap. Since he has no fingers he can't grip the gi obviously, so he uses his legs alot more than usual. JJM simply thinks differently than most people because of this and it shows in his matches.
My only complain with the book is the actual detail given to the moves, but it is only a minor complaint and I still easily give this book 5 starts, and recommened that every grappler needs to buy this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: No katas????
Comment: This book is like a reference for Jean Jacques Machado's class. Almost every technique in the book is one that he teaches in class. It is not a book for beginners but you also do not have to be Jean Jacques to do the moves. You should have some training under your (blue or higher) belt. As with all of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there are many details that effect the outcome and execution of your technique as well as the reaction of your partner in defending the move. Not all of the details and variables are (or can) be covered in the book. It is a very good reference especially if you are training under a black or high belt that can help you refine your techniques. As anyone in jiu-jitsu should know, there are no prescribed movements. Everything is dependent on "action-reaction" because the guy you're fighting is going to be fighting back for real! There are no katas to practice.
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