Self-Defense for Gentlemen and Ladies: A Nineteenth-Century Treatise on Boxing, Kicking, Grappling, and Fencing with the Cane and Quarterstaff

This book best suits the ecclectic martial artist in history knowledge, research, and study of thought regarding combative moreso than the instruction of what to do, though some is present in the novel, it feels more to teach technique than form. I'd recommend this as a companion book for pugilists, fencers, or practicioners of European martial arts. It's a good read.

This is not a poorly copied old book, this is the fruit of careful research and is well worth the money.Are you interested in the way people use to walk with the head high? Well, being fit and capable of defending yourself or the innocent, if the need arises, has a lot to do with that.It appears that the gentleman of old not only were elegant, cultured and confident, they also knew how to kick you know what. I wonder how many of today's intellectuals are able to act like men when the situation requires it.With the exception of the jiu jitsu part, this is similar to the bartitsu canon, with the use of fists, kicks, walking sticks, etc. The similarity goes so far, as to the point, that both systems were forgotten and survived only in the form of popular press articles.In any case it gives food for thought in this age of lose moral and lack of ideals.Petet

Nice small hardcover book ,like the stories in his time ,some knife fights ,his training ,really enjoyed this book ,nice it not modern fighting takes place over 125 years ago the streets different back then

Anything about this man is must-have material for people who are studying Western Martial Arts. The Colonel was an expert at not just fencing, but also boxing, stick and staff fighting, self defense techniques with the legs/feet, wrestling and grappling methods, throws and more. One thing he states: I know small men who carried a pistol for protection against ruffians but after they learned boxing from me they no longer carried pistols now that they had lethal fist. He also said that in places where he is known, the people there fear his fist more than any knife or sword. He talks about his adventure while traveling the world while he teaches the different fighting arts and techniques and his experience using them in real life confrontations. Reading such books you will realize that martial arts did not come from the Asians but in fact gentleman in The United States and Europe were practicing punching, kicking, stick and staff fighting as well as wrestling, grappling and throwing methods which Japanese sailors and traders learn while in Europe and then went on to develop arts such as Jiujitsu, Sumo and other similar arts. The Chinese also burrow methods from ancient Europeans and developed Chinese martial arts known today but adjusted to their own body types. Overall an excellent and entertaining read. Jesus is your answer and God bless you :)

Cute book, nicely printed. Covers just what it claims to, although it is a historical reprint, so that should be expected. The images are well reproduced in this copy. Covers an array of fighting styles. More amusing from a historical perspective, but can be useful if you can decipher the language from a martial perspective. The words used to refer to specific actions aren't all that clear without the type of diagrams one finds in a modern martial arts manual. Unlike many historical documents, this one is thoroughly cited, which is even more fascinating, but most of these sources would likely be impossible to track down, like old newspapers, etc.

I bought this partly for the historic novelty factor, partly because I'm a student of combative who's always interested in expanding my knowledge, and partly because I thought this would make for a badass coffee table or personal library conversation piece. I genuinely like this book. I learned about both history and the technical/tactical sides of combatives. This is not a fine coffee book of European fencing. Nor is it a top quality training manual. What it is, is a sort of historical period work that puts the reader into another time and place where they can explore the topic of combatives in the Victorian Era. Enjoy.

I honestly thought I had already written a review of this but since I didn't it is incumbent upon me to right this terrible wrong!This is a super fun book learning about the Colonel and his adventures particularly about Jaguerina as heroic women in centuries pass don't get enough attention and representation matters. Both should be characters in a movie or hbo show. The pugilism part of the treatise had some great tidbits to think about and would probably make more sense today to a streetfighter or soldier than to a modern boxer equipped with heavy padding on their fists. Highly recommend.

This is a great historical book, but I thought it was going to contain some fencing techniques. I was apparently misinformed. It covers other historical forms of combat.

Well written back story about an interesting character from a different age. Congratulations to the author on unearthing and bringing Colonel Monstery’s treatise to light.

Comprei o livro justamente em busca de técnicas de combate não convencionais mesmo em contextos de artes marciais históricas, como a "esgrima com bengalas". As técnicas são realmente muito bem apresentadas e ilustradas. No entanto, o que eu não esperava era encontrar além disso, uma biografia tão fantástica como a história de vida do Colonel Monstery. Sua história é muito interessante e atualmente poucos conhecem. Realmente ele incorporava um "espírito de cavalheiro", na medida em que era bastante "casca grossa" como também muito bem educado e ponderado. Os insights a respeito de alimentação saudável, a importância da prática regular de exercícios físicos e o incentivo às mulheres praticarem esgrima, são sem dúvida à frente do seu tempo.

buen libros

Excellent.À rapprocher du bartitsu et des livres de Charlemont, J. Leclerc, boxe pratique, J. Joseph-Renaud, Émile André.Le MMA existait déjà, fort pertinent. Ce manuel original en est un nouveau témoignage.

questo libro in realtà è la raccolta di una serie di articoli comparsi su un giornale dei fini 1900, e, seppur aggiornato nel linguaggio, come dice l'autore , serve da indicazione generale alla Boxe, alla scherma e all'uso di bastone da passeggio e asta! Quindi presenta i limiti di un'infarinatura alla buona! sempre per scelta dell'autore è parco di disegni esplicativi)tanto che alcuni sono presi da altri trattati).Bisogna dire che il Colonnello scrive in modo garbato e divertente ed è uno spasso da leggere, ma se cercate un manuale di scherma forse non è la scelta giusta.