Book Review - Combat Hapkido (2009)

[Thomas]

John Pellegrini, Combat Hapkido: The Martial Art for the Modern Warrior, (Black Belt Communications LLC: South Korea), 2009, 160 pp., USD $24.95.

http://www.amazon.com/Combat-Hapkido-Ma ... 586&sr=8-1

The book is an ideal reference book for Combat Hapkido students and instructors.

GM Pellegrini’s Combat Hapkido system is very well supported with a vast video reference library and many seminars around the world. What has been missing in print form though is a good overview of the system and the underlying principles. This book addresses that very well. The opening few chapters describe the core concepts for the system (applicable for any martial art as well) in a clear and easy to follow format.

The remainder of book shows a selection of Combat Hapkido techniques from strikes to locks to throws. There is a wide range of categories and a few techniques for each one shown in excellent full color photography. Although the books shows a wide range of scenarios, unfortunately it overlooks a few of the additional Combat Hapkido modules that help to round out the art. Missing are sections on the Ground Survival Program, the Stick and Knife Program, The Anatomical Targeting Program, and the Cane Program. It would have been nice to at least have a few representative techniques shown. As far as the material shown though, it does not encompass the entire curriculum and the numbering of the techniques shown does not correspond to the video reference library at all.

Another area that seems to be lacking is that there is not a lot of details provided as far as the history of the International Combat Hapkido Federation. I would have liked to see a more detailed biography of GM Pellegrini and of the other senior students who have build this into a worldwide art. These are minor quibbles though; the strength of this book is to provide an excellent overview of the art and the underlying principles of it. It does so in a great format – everything is well organized, well presented, and lavishly illustrated. This is a beautiful reference book. As such, I highly recommend that each Combat Hapkido school add a copy of this to their library. Individual instructors will find this a great resource for explaining concepts and individual students will find this a great reference. Students or instructors of other arts may find the material and system very enlightening and informative as well, but it really works best as a reference book for Combat Hapkido students and instructors.

Contents:

Introduction
Chapter 1 – The case for self defense training
Chapter 2 - Brief history of Hapkido
Chapter 3 – Evolution into Combat Hapkido
Chapter 4 – Fundamental Principles and Concepts
Chapter 5 – Striking and Kicking
Chapter 6 – Closing the Gap with Trapping
Chapter 7 – Defense against Grabs and Chokes
Chapter 8 – Defense against Punches and Kicks
Chapter 9 – Defense against Weapons

[Thomas]

I didn't realize it for a while, but there is actually another Combat Hapkido book that's been released. It was produced by BUDO, probably at the same time as the new BUDO video for Combat Hapkido. From what I've heard, it's mostly a series of techniques, including some of the ground grappling material, as depicted in photo sequences. It sells for $25 through http://www.combathapkido.com/ProductDet ... e=BudoBook

I don't think places like Amazon will carry it. I have ordered a copy and will do a review when I read it.

[Thomas]

Review of the BUDO book -

John Pellegrini, Combat Hapkido:The Art of Self Defense , (BUDO International: 2009), 223 pages with color photographs, ISBN – 978-84-92484-43-0

Chapters: Preface, Combat Hapkido, Street Self Defense, Kicking Techniques, Hand Striking Techniques, Defenses Against Kicks, Defenses Against Punches, Escapes From Wrist Grabs, Defenses Against Garment Grabs, Joint Locking Techniques, Defenses Against Weapons, Pressure Points (with Master Mark Gridley), Ground Defense (with Master David Rivas).

This book seems to pick up right where Combat Hapkido: The Martial Art for the Modern Warrior (ISBN - 978-0897501811) leaves off. This book has a brief summary of some of the history and philosophy behind Combat Hapkido (although not as in depth as the other book) and then proceeds to show loads of techniques dealing with the aforementioned categories. There are even sections on the ground survival and pressure point material that I felt was lacking in the other book. Where the other book has a lot of text and explanations, this volume has very little text and focuses on photos of the techniques.

This is an excellent supplement to the other Combat Hapkido book and to the overall reference library offered by the ICHF. These books together represent a fairly good overview of the art, from its philosophy and concepts to the actual techniques taught and used.

[CrashLVMC]

I was first introduced to Combat Hapikido by Mr. Morrison and Master Robert Grey. In fact it was the same 2 gentleman that recommended the two books listed above. I have not yet completed reading Combat Hapkido: The Martial Art for the Modern Warrior but having read all of BUDO Combat Hapikido book I can agree completely with Mr. Morrison. The BUDO book provides plenty to pictures of the techniques which will assist any martial artist with the basics. As with trying to learn any martial art through books or videos you have to really study what you are looking at to get all of the nuances like hand and foot positioning and placement but that is part of the art. The pictures alone provide the major steps without explaining how to get from one to the next. Once again though, anyone who has studied the techiques will be able to use these books just fine as a refresher to what they learned in class. As with any martial art, and as Grandmaster Pellegini says in his books, learning solely from these books is a bad idea and will most likely lead to poor technique which could cause more injury or harm than simply not knowing anything. They will provide insight into the system for those that are curious and will also provide guidance and support to those already studying the system. My thanks to Grandmaster Pellegrini for releasing these 2 books to support his classes, instructors and videos.