Jiu-Jitsu - A Superior Leverage Force, by Max Stein

 Do a search on Abebooks!

nother book on ju jitsu "tricks" for you here - come closer, come closer! Judging from the amount of books on "tricks" I doubt very much that this is a coincidence. I don't know how things are in your dojo or school, but isn't it funny how people all over are intrigued by new tricks? Maybe it is so that we seek (possible or impossible) shortcuts whenever we can? Or maybe these tricks are simply no more than "martial arts candy" to spice things up a bit?

This book is written by Max Stein, and it was published originally in 1940. The one you see here is from 1956. After doing som digging I have found these to printings to be identical, only the drawings have been altered. In the older book there are drawings of police and of gentlemen sporting bowler hats. It may seem that these drawings are actually a lot older than the book from 1940. Maybe our good fellow Mr. Stein has borrowed these elsewhere (or indeed may have been given permission to use them!)? This is no uncommon phenomenon.

The techniques you will see here is a mixture of things you typically would find in books from the first part of the 20th century. There are straight self-defense techniques against various attacks, some arrest techniques, come-along holds aso. In other words things that are suitable for civilians, as well as things that are more suited for police, guards etc. A rather strange mix, but I guess that's how it was supposed to be at the time. "Back in the days when men where men, and sheep were very frightened" :-()

This is indeed a quite cool book. To start with there are some quite witty comments to the different drawings. Secondly there are Japanese terminology in use that is a rather rare find. Some of these things may be a result of mis-spellings. Other places the terms seem to be correct, but different from the ones commonly used. This may indicate that the techniques are from a spesific style. It would be really nice to know the origin to the names! Anyone who knows anything about this, or about Max Stein is welcome to drop me a line. That would be highly appreciated!

Anyhow, this is a very special book, and something that you should try to aquire. You don't have to try - all you have to do is hop over to Abebooks. Only downside is that it seems costly, from US$ 50.00 and upwards. Oh well..

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