WMA content in "Martial Arts of the World"

[DdlR]

Amazon.com: Martial Arts of the World [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia…

Book Description

Films from Hollywood to Hong Kong and such competitions as MMA and Ultimate Fighting give us vivid, if oversimplified, images of martial arts in action. But the realities of the world's martial arts traditions—their histories, philosophies, codes of honor, and methods—are richer than any pop culture portrayal can suggest, with centuries-old combat disciplines practiced in virtually every corner of the globe.
Product Description

ABC-CLIO's Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation is the most authoritative reference ever published on combat disciplines from around the world and across history. Coverage includes Shaolin monks, jousting knights, Roman gladiators, Westerner gunfighters, samurai warriors, and heavyweight boxers. These iconic figures and many more are featured in this title, as well as representatives of less well known but no less fascinating systems, all vividly characterized by expert contributors from around the world who are themselves martial arts practitioners.

Martial Arts of the World comprises 120 entries in two volumes. The first volume is organized geographically to explore the historic development of martial arts styles in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The second volume looks at martial arts thematically, with coverage of belief systems, modern martial arts competitions, and a wide range of such topics as folklore, women in martial arts, martial arts and the military, and martial arts and the media.

The Western martial arts content is truly impressive, featuring in-depth articles on:

Amazons and Gladiatrices
Canne de Combat
Celtic Martial Arts
English Pugilism
Fighting Arts of the Hellenic, Hellenistic and Roman Eras
Fighting Arts of the Early Middle Ages
Fighting Arts of the Later Middle Ages
Fighting Arts of the Renaissance

Martial Arts and Belief Systems: European Chivalry
Martial Arts and Belief Systems: European Occult Sciences

Bartitsu

Plus numerous WMA refs. in essays on Stage Combat, Film and the Martial Arts etc.

N.B. that it's expensive (US$180) because it's intended for libraries.

[HereBeADragon]

nice but I think I will have to wait a few years and find it on ebay at that price.

[henshinx]

it looks good but I'd hate to spend 180 bucks on a book only to find a bunch bs. How accurate is the book in terms of content?

[DdlR]

I've just received copies of both volumes so it'll take a while to assess the whole thing (600+ pages of dense print).

The couple of articles I've read so far (on topics I have specialist knowledge in) have been very accurate indeed. Most of the contributors are well-regarded in academic as well as MA circles.

[henshinx]

I would be interested in hearing more of your opinions regarding this book. Please keep us posted as this looks to be a pretty cool (and in my opinion overdue) collection.

[DdlR]

Well, FWIW I just read an article on the history of SAMBO by Alexiy Gorbylev that is the most detailed, thorough and best-referenced I've ever seen.

Seriously impressive ...

[Ningirsu]

I wonder who they consulted for the Medieval/Renaissance sections.

In addition, are there any articles on Eastern European (Greece, Turkey, etc) martial arts from what would be the equivalent of the medieval/renaissance periods of Western Europe?

[DdlR]

Joe Svinth (one of the two senior editors) handled the early Middle Ages, Greg Mele (a consulting editor and contributor) wrote the articles on the Later Medieval and Renaissance periods.

There's a three-page article by Kay Koppedrayer on "Ottoman Martial Arts" focusing on archery, and 2.5 pages on "Ottoman Oiled Wrestling".

[Styygens]

DdlR; Thanks for the head's up on this set. It looks pretty comprehensive, and a recommendation from you is a plus. I'll add it to my wish list. Please feel free to tell us more.

[Ningirsu]

There's a three-page article by Kay Koppedrayer on "Ottoman Martial Arts" focusing on archery, and 2.5 pages on "Ottoman Oiled Wrestling".

Interesting, I do wonder though why there is so little of Greek weapon arts during the medieval/renaissance. Surely the constant Muslim threat would have prompted the necessity of codifying fighting arts?

Or perhaps it's precisely because of the incessant pressure, there was little time to make it an "art"? I really don't know...

Thanks for letting me know though! Unfortunately the book is massively too expensive. I'd rather buy a sword and some armor with that money!