Martial Arts Book Review: Krav Maga by David Kahn

Being the author of several books on the martial artsagainst tackles, etc.
and fighting, I am always looking for books ofThe escape section was very enlightening as David
exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a bookcovered the basic principles of escape from basic
in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such bookgrabs, chokes while standing, chokes while lying down,
is David Kahn's, "Krav Maga."head locks, hair grabs, and bear hugs.
After a brief introduction, David gives you a good basicLike most books that try to cover too much in one
overview of Krav Maga including some of its history.volume, I feel that the sections themselves although
From here he goes right into a section on philosophy,very well done, tend to be too brief on the proper
which is very good, and one in which I would have toexecution of each individual technique. However, having
agree with about 90% of what he has to say.said that, this is to be expected as the scope of this
The next section in the book gives a good overviewbook is intended as a basic overview of the complete
on the proper mindset needed in order for you tosystem, not a single volume devoted to one particular
prepare yourself for combat. Something a lot of bookstechnique.
fail to do, but not this one. David also gives you a basicThe only fault that I have with this book is the fact that
understanding of the vital/vulnerable points on theI would have preferred actual photographs for
human body.demonstrating the techniques, rather than illustrations. I
David's next section is rather brief to my liking, but still afelt that a lot of what David was trying to explain got
good overview on the basic principles involved inlost with the use of illustrations compared to if he
striking correctly for maximum effect. This sectionwould have used actual photographs.
covers such strikes as; punches, palm heel strikes,The book continues with a brief section on basic
elbow strikes, and eye gouges. There is also a smallstrategies, which I found to be very solid. It then finishes
section on blocks and parrying as it is called in boxing.with a basic training section which covers stretching,
The following section covers various lower bodytraining programs, a 12 week training routine, and
strikes and kicks along with kick defenses, whichsparring.
include deflections, blocks and grabs. This next sectionOverall, this is a very good basic overview on the art
was particularly interesting in that it discussed closeof Krav Maga, and one you definitely want to acquire,
combat fighting and techniques essential to this section.especially if you decide to join a Krav Maga class. And
Such as; falling, crawling, clinching, takedowns, defensesthat is not a bad idea at all.