Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives

Rating:
Summary: More Variety Needed
Review: As a female martial artist who trains in both Kempo and Kungfu, I found the interviews very insiteful. Many things the women said during their interviews hit home for me and reflected my own feelings about the arts. However, I feel that the author emphasized Tai Chi too much, especially given the fact that there are so many different styles to chose from. The author could have easily presented a different style for each woman interviewed. I also would have liked to have seen her interview women from all over the country, not just california.

Rating:
Summary: An eye-opening view
Review: being a man and having practiced with one of the women mentioned in nthe book, I found it intriguing and eye opening to see women martial artists and their perspectives on their arts and how it has affected their lives.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new perspective on their martial arts practice and their lives... I know it changed mine

Rating:
Summary: Interesting reading
Review: I got this book after hunting and hunting for stories about women in the martial arts. I can't say I enjoyed all the stories, but I found most of them interesting. Some I could relate to and others I still cannot; however I still enjoy picking up the book and reading some of the women's stories, especially ones who started when women in general weren't 'allowed' to train in martial arts. I also have an older copy of Women in the Martial Arts (I think that's the title) and I enjoy reading through it too, but the size of this book makes it easier to handle I think.

Rating:
Summary: More Variety Needed
Review: Some parts of the book--which is presented as a compilation of personal interviews--are extremely interesting. However, the author's choice to over-represent practioners of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Aikido weakened what could have been a very important book for women in the martial arts. An explanation may be that the author herself studies T'ai Chi, but with so many women now training in so many different styles, I feel there should have been a more inclusive mix.