Krav Maga: An Essential Guide to the Renowned Method--for Fitness and Self-Defense

by David Kahn

Master the moves of krav maga― the international self-defense and physical fitness sensation

Increasingly popular around the world, krav maga is the renowned hand-to-hand Martial Arts defense fighting designed by the Israeli military forces. Swift, powerful, and simple, it is an effective method for fending off any kind of attacker―and it is also an amazing workout.

Regardless of size, strength, and fitness level, anyone can master the essentials of krav maga― and reap the rewards of increased safety, confidence, and conditioning. With moves you can learn in as little as five minutes, or train and practice for long-term success, Krav Maga covers all the

*What is Krav Maga all about
*Instruction on how to protect your body's vulnerable target and learn weapons defense combat
*Use an opponent's momentum to fuel your counterattack
*Escape all kinds of grips and holds
*Combine training punches, kicks, and other moves into a powerful conditioning workout--to lose weight, increase core strength, and improve muscle tone
*Use specially designed drills and a 12-week training program to become a kravist--a smart and prepared fighter

Written by one of America's foremost krav maga experts, this exciting new guide opens the door to an empowering and important set of techniques that you or anyone can master.

Genres: Martial Arts, Health, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2004

About the author

A specialist on the history of cryptography and military intelligence, David Kahn worked as a reporter and op-ed editor for Newsday until his retirement in 1998, and was selected in 1995 as scholar-in-residence at the National Security Agency. Kahn earned a D.Phil in modern German history from Oxford University in 1974 under the supervision of the then-Regius professor of modern history, Hugh Trevor-Roper.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Shon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate the IDF with a passion, and think that as a whole, they are pretty awful. But I thought it would be interesting to learn about Krav Maga, which is the martial art they learn.

I quickly realized a few things: firstly, that it is very difficult to learn martial arts from a book. Secondly, that David Kahn is not a very good writer. He is extremely repetitive, and repeats the same stories throughout the book as if they are new. He constantly says the same thing over and over. And he praises Krav Maga way too much. I'm sure it's a great martial art and can be very useful in self defense (or in the case of the IDF, aggression against kids), but I'm also pretty sure it's not the holy grail end-all-be-all martial art that every man, woman, and child must learn to ever protect themselves from anyone ever.

After a point fairly early on in the book, I couldn't do it anymore and started skimming, before giving up entirely. Which is a shame, because some of the information in there was pretty good. But it just became too much of a chore to read.

I think I'm going to join an MMA gym instead. I can learn faster and more effectively, and not feel like I'm supporting Israel in some way.

[John Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I did it backwards (Volume I-III on disc to start) this book is still good for any fitness level (however better for the novice to krav maga). David goes into origins by Imi Lichenfeld, execution of movements, krav maga principles (such as avoiding conflict, walking other side of road, not talking much about your skills etc) but best of all work out drills. You get 12 weeks at the end of the chapters to combine upper-body-combatives into repetition, lower-body combatives into repetition, and combined. The 12 week workouts always end with retzev - an additional 1 minute each week - and some times partner work's included. If you're restricted on the kind of people you want in your life and have been a lone wolf as a result of that he goes into the use of visualization in retzev for maximum effectiveness. Whether it be an enemy imagined or a real person in a dojo you practice with you don't need a practice partner however if you choose to go more virtual and rank by all means there's krav dojos in bigger areas to join if you're blessed with the ability to travel. Retzev, or continuous combative motion, is good for weight loss or for the unknown. Despite techniques that's saved my life from frenemy's in Volume 1-3 I still use the books drills and retzev minutes in my workout planner often from this book. You'll get 15 sets of each technique in each drill. Focus on precision, then speed and power every-time you do it. Then if you do all 12 weeks around your own routine - do them again but with more than the suggested 15 rep drills or in weight vest. If you practice other martial arts retzev allows you to mix them in to keep it interesting. I suggest putting on some good music (I usually do EDM, dance, trance, machine, techno or rave) in quiet places and go to work. This book's kept me out of trouble for years in a high-rise throwing kicks and bows in the living room through every job less, apartment loss, or even mind-loss. The more you practice krav the better off your wellbeing no matter what happens to you. Mr. Kahn makes me letters, trains with the Isreali's, and even trains our soldiers too in the US - so you're learning from the best. This is a good style if you're not into the rules of MMA, want to go straight to maximum effectiveness, and pursue a police, executive protection, or even service career. Just be careful as to not over harm people - although it's easier said than done.

[Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great book for a beginner to Krav Maga. It discusses philosophy, basic strikes and combatives very well. The illustrations leave much to be desired, but they do their job sufficiently. It also has a detailed introductory 12 week workout and training plan. Read in tandem with Beginners should read this book in tandem with Levine's "Complete Krav Maga" book since the illustrations are much better.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kahn's a very clear, no-bull writer in a genre where many writers (who are actually martial artists who happen to be writing a book) get swept up in the gee-gosh adrenaline of the subject. But Kahn keeps his head and the techniques (many of which are fairly complex) are very well communicated. Also, his illustrations are the best in the biz.

[Habibi bahri · Rating 4 out of 5]

as a karate and jet kune do practicioner

this book do not offer anything new to me. the technique and philosophy can be found in any other books.

what I like is the training programme at the end of the book.

[Michael Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was as good as it could be without taking the class. A link to some video demonstrations would have been nice for the visual learners. The book explained a lot and offered a lot of good info, but when it comes down to it...I just need to take a class and learn it the traditional way.

[Michael Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the book had more step by step illustrations to show each concept.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am highly motivated to get started with my training now.