Self Defense For Women

Rating:
Summary: Be careful
Review: Allow me to preface my comments by saying that I'm an attorney and that I've been practicing kara-te for 13 years. I've been an instructor for almost 8 of those years and I'm a Sensei, operating my own dojo (training hall) for 6 years. I've trained both men and women (my dojo is in a YWCA) and I instruct adults as well as children.

Many of the positive reviews of this book remark upon its humor; I found the humor of this book to be highly inappropriate. Not that I'm a person without humor; however, it has its place. Women, especially those who've been assaulted or abused, being enabled to defend themselves is a very serious matter.

Though the techniques posited by Ms. Pennell are valid, many of them are advanced techniques that need to be learned under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Most of these techniques are not taught in my system of kara-te (Shorin Ryu Shido Kan) until after 2 - 3 years of training. I've always been skeptical of being able to learn any physical art via a book. Learning self-defense from a book is akin to learning ballet from a book. The process and mechanics of movement are simply not well taught in this manner.

I don't even know where to begin to address the inappropriateness of the author's attempt to teach weapons defense. These are specialized techniques and Ms. Pennell doesn't do nearly enough to explain that even the most skilled martial artists are likely to be injured in the even that they encounter an armed adversary. Then there's the short shrift that's given to the legal consequences to the use of force. I well grasped the author's focus upon getting home safely. However, I teach, even to my youngest students, the value of the judicious use of force and their culpability for the use of excessive force.

Finally, the format of this book clearly reads like Ms. Pennell's self-defense lecture notes. Their delivery, in the dynamics of a lecture, is very likely a better vehicle than in book format.

Rating:
Summary: Be careful
Review: Allow me to preface my comments by saying that I'm an attorney and that I've been practicing kara-te for 13 years. I've been an instructor for almost 8 of those years and I'm a Sensei, operating my own dojo (training hall) for 6 years. I've trained both men and women (my dojo is in a YWCA) and I instruct adults as well as children.

Many of the positive reviews of this book remark upon its humor; I found the humor of this book to be highly inappropriate. Not that I'm a person without humor; however, it has its place. Women, especially those who've been assaulted or abused, being enabled to defend themselves is a very serious matter.

Though the techniques posited by Ms. Pennell are valid, many of them are advanced techniques that need to be learned under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Most of these techniques are not taught in my system of kara-te (Shorin Ryu Shido Kan) until after 2 - 3 years of training. I've always been skeptical of being able to learn any physical art via a book. Learning self-defense from a book is akin to learning ballet from a book. The process and mechanics of movement are simply not well taught in this manner.

I don't even know where to begin to address the inappropriateness of the author's attempt to teach weapons defense. These are specialized techniques and Ms. Pennell doesn't do nearly enough to explain that even the most skilled martial artists are likely to be injured in the even that they encounter an armed adversary. Then there's the short shrift that's given to the legal consequences to the use of force. I well grasped the author's focus upon getting home safely. However, I teach, even to my youngest students, the value of the judicious use of force and their culpability for the use of excessive force.

Finally, the format of this book clearly reads like Ms. Pennell's self-defense lecture notes. Their delivery, in the dynamics of a lecture, is very likely a better vehicle than in book format.

Rating:
Summary: You've got to be kidding me
Review: I have read Mrs. Pennell's book and i must say that I am honored to own it. I feel that this book gives women the confidence to walk the streets again, and be self-confident. Contrary to the prior review that these methods of SELF-DEFENSE are too dangerous, any martial art that can help one during a fight is worth learning, no matter what "style" it is, or where its' origin is. What martial art isn't dangerous, if one feels its too dangerous, don't fricken learn it! I would like to also comment on the skeptical remark about learning a martial art via a book. Mr. Perfetti...no one cares if these effective techniques are not taught under your system, or any system for that matter, as long as they protect ones self, and as Liz would, "Fullfilling your job of getting home safely," then it is worth reading a martial arts book. Also, by being skeptical of learning martial arts from a book, you are putting contrary belief to all the books that Bruce Lee ever written. I would highly doubt that the greatest martial artist there ever lived would write numerous books on martial arts if he knew it should be learned under a "qualified instructor," because this opinion of yours is quite incorrect. As long as one can comprehend basic idea of a technique being taught in the book, one should use this knowledge he has attained in the modern world (if absolutely needed). Saying that one should learn advanced techniques under a qualified instructor is pretty much asking to empty your wallet. If women want to stay protected, then i think this is a fantastic book to read. Also, adding a little humor to a book would not offend a battered women, a women would feel comforted that another women would teach her how to defend herself...EFFECTIVELY!

Great Job on the the book Ms. Pennell, I'm looking forward to your next one!

Rating:
Summary: Fun and full of facts and ideas
Review: I read this book with my daughter and we both were able to use the strategies, excercises and smart advice that it gives starting right at the beginning and throughout every chapter. It's a joy to read, funny and bright, and a great resource. You can't play the victim with this book around: it inspires as well as educates.

Rating:
Summary: Fun and full of facts and ideas
Review: This is a great book. Ms. Pennell offers self defense techniques and sensible advise with a lick of humor (a rare commodity these days) that even had me laughing out loud! Her intelligent and breezy tone is empowering to us all, helping us to think "Yes! I can do this!"

The book is skillfully set up, divided into six well-labelled sections including How to Fall, How to Avoid Weapons, How to Break a Hold and others. The well tested techniques are painstakingly explained, with exercises to practice, suggestions (and cautions) all the way through. The illustrations are clear and suitable placed to aid in practicing the exercises. Throughout Ms. Pennell stresses, however that "self defense is not about being big and strong. It is about getting correct information to your brain so that you can be effective." Her big message is Get Home Safely and in this easy to follow book, she shows you how to do that.

A big plus, and different from other self help manuals, is that she is literate and she gives her audience credit for intelligence as well, throwing in terms like "counter intuitive" and "cranium" (as well as a fair sprinkling of "nuts"). She writes as she talks, in an informal yet extremely helpful manner. She has years of experience, but she is not Ms. Bodybuilder, so her basic techniques, exercises and encouragement go a long way to give people like me, Ms. Average, the confidence to believe that with practice (practice, practice!), we too can learn the ability to defend ourselves from "the Bad Guy."