Customer Rating:  
Summary: Good for its time
Comment: This is one of the books I heard about from various people over the years, but had never been able to actually get a copy of. My son managed to find one somewhere and gave it to me as a holiday present. It may have been my expectations or the fact that what was `state-of-the art' in the late 80's is now old stuff, but I found the book a bit disappointing.
Part one gives background on the author and Hapkido in general. Some of the photos in this section are very will done and the general information is still useful today in spite of the fact that Hapkido has become better known in the United States.
Part two which covers cane techniques is broken into four chapters: Basic techniques, Cane attack techniques (basic strikes and joint locks and throws), Defense against punches (strikes and joint locks and throws) and Defense against kicks.
The material presented is very basic and after the first chapter somewhat repetitive. Many of the techniques are show the techniques first without a partner and then in later chapters with a stationary, passive partner. The same techniques are then shown being applied to a partner who is actively attacking.
While I believe in repetition to learn and refine a technique, the repetition presented here took up valuable space. In a book like this I expect to see more techniques demonstrated.
I was familiar with most of the joint locks and throws in the books. Many of the techniques shown are acceptable for drills and look great in demonstrations with a cooperative partner, but are either easily countered or too complex to use in self-defense situations. This not to say that there aren't some very solid techniques presented, but that the overall quality is below current standards.
While I welcome this book into my collection as a revolutionary and important book for its time, there are much better books, videos, and seminars on cane techniques available today.
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