Combat Hapkido: The Martial Art for the Modern Warrior Paperback – October 1, 2009

The book is an ideal reference book for Combat Hapkido students and instructors.GM Pellegrini's Combat Hapkido system is very well supported with a vast video reference library and many seminars around the world. What has been missing in print form though is a good overview of the system and the underlying principles. This book addresses that very well. The opening few chapters describe the core concepts for the system (applicable for any martial art as well) in a clear and easy to follow format.The remainder of book shows a selection of Combat Hapkido techniques from strikes to locks to throws. There is a wide range of categories and a few techniques for each one shown in excellent full color photography. Although the books shows a wide range of scenarios, unfortunately it overlooks a few of the additional Combat Hapkido modules that help to round out the art. Missing are sections on the Ground Survival Program, the Stick and Knife Program, The Anatomical Targeting Program, and the Cane Program. It would have been nice to at least have a few representative techniques shown. As far as the material shown though, it does not encompass the entire curriculum and the numbering of the techniques shown does not correspond to the video reference library at all.Another area that seems to be lacking is that there is not a lot of details provided as far as the history of the International Combat Hapkido Federation. I would have liked to see a more detailed biography of GM Pellegrini and of the other senior students who have build this into a worldwide art.These are minor quibbles though; the strength of this book is to provide an excellent overview of the art and the underlying principles of it. It does so in a great format - everything is well organized, well presented, and lavishly illustrated. This is a beautiful reference book. As such, I highly recommend that each Combat Hapkido school add a copy of this to their library. Individual instructors will find this a great resource for explaining concepts and individual students will find this a great reference. Students or instructors of other arts may find the material and system very enlightening and informative as well, but it really works best as a reference book for Combat Hapkido students and instructors.Contents:IntroductionChapter 1 - The case for self defense trainingChapter 2 - Brief history of HapkidoChapter 3 - Evolution into Combat HapkidoChapter 4 - Fundamental Principles and ConceptsChapter 5 - Striking and KickingChapter 6 - Closing the Gap with TrappingChapter 7 - Defense against Grabs and ChokesChapter 8 - Defense against Punches and KicksChapter 9 - Defense against Weapons

Interesting read and philosophy on hapkido. Having trained in traditional hapkido for over 15 years at this point in my life, it seems some of the concepts contradict the traditional method. Some similarities between the traditional hapkido and this version and the teachings maybe effective. However, in traditional hapkido there are some very detailed specifics as it relates to joint locks and strike points that are not covered in detail here that will make the difference in effectiveness of the techniques.

Over the years I have often seen "Combat Hapkido" in the articles and Ads in Black Belt magazine. Being a life-time student of the martial arts I was somewhat familiar with Hapkido. Since many of their techniques came originally from Akijujitsu and Tai Quan Do (Karate) I found this book easy to read and follow. In fact, the thing that really impressed me about this book was how similar the principles and techniques of Combat Hapkido and Bushi Satori Ryu Jujitsu and Karate Street Combat System (My methods) were exactly the same.There are a lot of things I loved about this book. (1) The simple and effective way "Combat Hapkido" is explained by the author. (2) The vast majority of techniques are based on the natural body reactions for self-defense. (3) The author uses THE VERY SAME hands open and up in front of your body interview stance and position that I have been teaching police and security officers for more than thirty five years. (4) The body movements and aggressive defense methods are the same that I have been teaching for more than thirty five years. (5) "Combat Hapkido" is not concerned with tournament techniques and their focus is pure self-defense like other reality based systems (Krav Maga, Wagner's Reality-Based System, Bushi Satori Ryu Jujitsu, Karate Street Combat System) (6) The color photographs are clear and large. (7) The instructions on how to perform the techniques are easy to follow.In conclusion, this is a book for anyone who is interested in an effective and simple reality based self-defense system. To be honest, I loved "Combat Hapkido." I highly recommend John Pellegrini's "Combat Hapkido" to anyone who is seeking a true self-defense system, which is what the original martial arts were actually designed for in the past.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Bushi Satori Ryu Official Student Manual).

It's ok. Lots of repetition and I didn't think the pictures were as helpful as I expected.