Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #266147 in Books
• Published on: 1993-09-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 280 pages

Customer Reviews

Most useful
This is a most useful and interesting work. It has little to do with the physical practice of Aikido but rather borrows from its principals to help us sucessfully deal with conflict.

The book outlines the options one has in a coflict situation and makes a strong argument that the best route is indeed harmonising with your opponent. This does not mean giving in or appeasing but rather understanding their view point and using that understanding to guide them to yours :-). Most cunning - just like Aikido, which is one of the more modern martial arts.

Yes, the language and presentation is a little dated but the pricipals and techniques that the book outlines are as valid and useful today as when the book was written.

An amazing book!!!
This book is badly written - there is little doubt about it. Indeed the first few chapters are a bit of a slog to get through - I admit that too. But then there is something that sparks to life like a burning match - as the authors explain the psychology of aikido and verbal hosility. They then present the subject in terms of various shapes. Ordinarily such a notion would be lost on me but when you really think about its sense you begin to understand that you can win most arguments hands down - and mostly by taking care of the agressor. By that I mean showing that you care.

There are obvious striking faults with this book. It hasn't aged very well and so on, but I would never dare to sell or lend out my personal copy, not for a thousand pounds. I keep my copy safe. I know I will need it one day again - probably when I have forgotten to understand my oponent.

I am very careful nowadays never to say something cruel even to the nastiest of people because of this book. Why? What are we taught to do when somebody says or does something bad towards us? Well we hit them back or say something horrid in return. They then do or say something much worse - until such a time the argument has spiraled out of control or until one side gives in. That is inneficient in terms of energy and success. If your opponent is prepared to hit harder than you or say something more hurtful, you're done for.

Have none of it, Aikido and this book will show you how to deal with difficult people and difficult situations as if you were fighting them on the mat at your local aikido club.

You've read thus far, you must be interested in this book, therefore buy it! You can only lose a few pounds. If I am wrong you can always mark this review down!

You will have got your revenge on me! What have you got to lose? I'd give the book to the General of the British Army if I could - we'd have a much more peaceful world that's for sure!!!

A Martial Art's Potential Influence On Life
At first glance, one might think the authors are advocating a gangster-kill-'em-all approach to living. This is not true and will quickly become clear as one reads this excellent book a little further. Although "giving in to get your way" sounds a little too cunning a title for my liking, it is nevertheless, one of the better books on life-transformation techniques with respect to the martial arts I have seen. Numerous examples of putting the Aikido "way" to good use in your day-to-day activities abound in the book together with the principles underlying the need for such "tactics." This is one book whose principles, when put into practice, will definitely make you a much better person to talk to, if nothing else! Believe me, I know :))