The Sherlock Holmes School of Self-Defence: The Manly Art of Bartitsu as used against Professor Moriarty

by E.W. Barton-Wright

When Sherlock Holmes wrestled with Moriarty on the Reichenbach Falls, he was employing a system of self-defence that was all the rage in Victorian Britain. In an age when footpads and fogle-snatchers meant a man of breeding took his life in his hands when walking across town, a martial arts craze took hold that did not escape Conan-Doyle's keen eye for research. Schools sprung up all over London, chief among which was E.W. Barton-Wright's "Bartitsu" method. The Sherlock Holmes School of Self-Defence commemorates Barton-Wright's exploits and the fighting techniques of the famous sleuth himself (though Conan-Doyle mischiveously spelled it Baristu). Learn how to defend yourself with an overcoat, cane, or umbrella, or even to wield your bicycle against an attacker. Wonderful illustrations based on original photographs instruct the reader in skills that range from the sublime to the elementary.

Genres: Nonfiction, Martial Arts

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tim O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the best guide for gentlemen or ladies who wish to defend themselves genteelly if accosted by ruffians. Of course, this system works best if one carries a cane and wears a straw boater. Alas, it lacks the information I sought about how to decapitate a blackguard with a silk top hat. Overall, however, a fine guide for taking an unpleasant oaf in hand when chilly disdain and brusque verbal admonishments are unequal to resolving the situation.

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine example of a gentleman's defence.

[Simon Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun for the Holmes fan... Very little practical use in today's environment.

[Mathias Gaunitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant and funny!

[Thomas Moffatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book but quite entertaining. The Aikido/JuJitsu techniques shown you could not really learn from this book. Go to a club to learn these.

[Bajidc · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sherlock Holmes School of Self-Defence: The Manly Art of Bartitsu as Used Against Professor Moriarty is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. Is it satire when the techniques are grounded in legitimate practice? Is it earnest martial arts instruction when the lessons include how to wield a water pistol or how to use your bicycle as a weapon? Does it matter when, at some point, we all have occasion to put a troublesome man out of the room or defend against a ruffian?

Superb blurb:

A simple means of defence that may be highly recommended for the use of lady cyclists is the water squirt. This is an ingenious weapon sold in cycling shops, made in the shape of a pistol, but with an India rubber handle which holds water, and which, when pressed, will squirt a shower of water for a distance of 20 feet or so. The foot pad who attempted to approach a lady cyclist, and was met with a douche of cold water, would receive a severe shock that would cause him to stand back long enough to allow his intended victim to escape.

[Siri Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sherlock Holmes School of Self-Defence: The Manly Art of Bartitsu as used against Professor Moriarty is, at its core, an introduction to E.W. Barton-Wright's Japanese-inspired school of martial arts for self-defensive purposes. It was popular for a few years at the end of the nineteenth century and inspired Conan Doyle to, who has Holmes explain that he was able to defeat Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls due to his familiarity with "baritsu". The book is a brief and quirky read, basically a list of self-defensive exercises to be used in various situations interspersed with remarks about Sherlock Holmes and quotes from the stories. It's debateable how successful the author is in integrating Sherlock Holmes with Barton-Wright's exercises, but it's an enjoyable little book nevertheless and a great addition to any Sherlock Holmes-shelf.

[Philip Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is something perversely charming about Victorian England. The all-pervading sense of superiority to the rest of the world is weirdly fascinating, and this book is a prime example of that perception at work.

Edward William Barton-Wright was born in India to a Scottish mother and English father. He travelled to world and returned to England in 1898, bringing with him two jiu-jitsu masters. He slapped his own name on an Anglicised version of the martial art, calling it Bartitsu (his form obviously an upgrade on the foreign rubbish).

This book, after an short prologue, is the original text and instructional photographs as published in 1900. For the English gentleman who is set upon by ruffians and has nothing to defend himself with (except maybe his walking stick or umbrella, or possibly his moustache), this is essential reading.

[J.P. Harker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't take it too seriously and you'll be alright.

I was given this a few Christmasses ago and only just got round to doing more than flick through it. Since I love both martial arts and Sherlock Holmes, it was a safe bet for a gift.
While I don't doubt that Bartitsu was at one time practiced effectively, the nature of the pictures and descriptions make it very hard to take this book seriously. That said, many of the techniques displayed are, unsurprisingly, the same as those that I have learned in my own studies, and that was interesting to see.
By all means take a look, it's a bit silly, but I've seen legit training manuals that were sillier...

[Gary Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars. A lovely little book, of a self defense technique, used and promoted during the time period of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was a system of self defense, (Bartitsu) mentioned in the combat between Professor Moriarty and Holmes (The Empty House, 1903). Of course. no book on self defense is of any value without intense practice. Since this would require me to leave my comfortable reading chair, I will have to be content with what little knowledge I already have in an emergency. Luckily my days of youth, excess testosterone and a lack of wisdom are behind me. Anyway, the book is clearly written, concise, well illustrated. It will go next to my other “Holmes books”.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short amusing little book that has some interesting techniques (using a bicycle as a weapon for instance). It's not going to give you a complete self defense course but it does suggest that carrying a walking stick is a good idea for self protection

[Eline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty interesting read 😁 Especially when you have a black belt at home who can comment on the effectiveness of the moves 😅

[Steve Platt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was most gratified by this ingenious tome, Mr Cholmondely-Warner

[Infinitydoesntcare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Birthday gift back in the days. Fun to read

[Dominic Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting from a point of martial arts history and to see where and how techniques have developed

[Scott Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little book that certainly wont teach you the art but is a nice little read.

[Omar Laguna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun little book that provides instruction on the canonical techniques of Bartitsu. I highly recommend this book for any martial artist who is a fan of Sherlock Holmes.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit dated but some of the methods described could still of use. More of a fun read for fans of Sherlock Holmes than a serious self defence manual for modern society.

[Johan Karlemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book have a nice layout and good illustrations which gives the feeling of late 19century.
The content feels really exotic, for example in describing how to defend yourself against a ruffling.
I think this book appeals to different kind of people in different ways.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still now entirely sure if this is serious or sarcastic or a mix, but one thing's for sure: the step-by-step illustrations are pretty great. :D

[Karl Øen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This DIY self-defence manual for the stick-carrying gentleman, is a rather handsome volume. The elaborate texts and the period illustrations give the book a autentic flavour of a time gone by.

[Dudley Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teaches more than how to keep a stiff upper lip... Amusing

[John-Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, with great illustrations. It's value is completely for entertainment, even if Bartitsu was a serious martial art.