The surprising roots of the self-defense movement and the history of women's empowerment. At the turn of the twentieth century, women famously organized to demand greater social and political freedoms like gaining the right to vote. However, few realize that the Progressive Era also witnessed the birth of the women's self-defense movement. It is nearly impossible in today's day and age to imagine a world without the concept of women's self defense. Some women were inspired to take up boxing and jiu-jitsu for very personal reasons that ranged from protecting themselves from attacks by strangers on the street to rejecting gendered notions about feminine weakness and empowering themselves as their own protectors. Women's training in self defense was both a reflection of and a response to the broader cultural issues of the time, including the women's rights movement and the campaign for the vote. Perhaps more importantly, the discussion surrounding women's self-defense revealed powerful myths about the source of violence against women and opened up conversations about the less visible violence that many women faced in their own homes. Through self-defense training, women debunked patriarchal myths about inherent feminine weakness, creating a new image of women as powerful and self-reliant. Whether or not women consciously pursued self-defense for these reasons, their actions embodied feminist politics. Although their individual motivations may have varied, their collective action echoed through the twentieth century, demanding emancipation from the constrictions that prevented women from exercising their full rights as citizens and human beings. This book is a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to one of the most important women's issues of all time. This book will provoke good debate and offer distinct responses and solutions.

Within the martial arts a person will find outrageous claims, and subtle lies. There are tales of ancient masters who had powers usually reserved for Superman or Santa Clause, but there are also instructors who use misleading marketing tactics to entice students to pay to be safe. Few instructors actually tell students that the best way to be safe is to be nice to people and not act like a raving ding-dong anytime someone rubs you the wrong way. One will also find absurd practices and a near brainwashing process where you surrender your critical thinking in favor of herd mentality. It is easy to not question the instructor, or the proceedures and policies of the class and organization. There is a much more difficult road in questioning, but questions must be asked. Wallace Smedley has trained in the martial arts since the early 1980's. He has traveled the path of esoteric and mystical martial arts, spent a few years wandering the musky halls of a McDojo, and trained in very rough self-defense schools. He uses his experience to give the reader an enjoyable and thought provoking book. Plain hard facts, statistical based points, and stories from his many and varied experiences give the reader much to consider, and re-examine.

All fans of self defense and the T.A.E. Part 1. book by Sifu William Lee, will be glad to know that he's developed this continuation with 14 new videos, more real-life photos, and descriptions of how to take down any violent opponent quickly and without unnecessary force. Turning the Mind in to a weapon is a 'missing link' of self defense. Part I. MIND: Methods such as sharpening ones mental awareness (or overcoming subconscious blocks and fears) are probably worst explained aspects crucial for real life self defense. Sifu Lee reveals methods that are easy to understand and apply. Simply everyone can use them and turn it's (often greatest liability) mind in to sharpest weapon. PART II. BODY: Effective pressure point self defense presented in this practical guide offers exactly what reality of modern life demands. Total Attack Elimination II. covers the 'street situations' such as: Shoulder Grab, Wrist Grab, Grab From Behind, Hook Punch, etc. Other scenarios include moves when there's no room to strike, push back, or similar. On top off easy to learn, realistic techniques, author counsels about factors (many feel missing), such as increase the element of surprise, minimizing legal implications and ability for the attacker to plead that they were the victim of unprovoked aggression. With all instructions and 14 Videos, these methods can be used by anyone, regardless of physical strength and prior training, and are also applicable for anyone who has gone through martial arts training and wished to add to their existing knowledge base.