Reader Reviews

The two most valuable lessons to take from this book is that first, a style of Mixed Martial Arts fighting should be built off of one main discipline with techniques from other styles added to complement the base style. Second, that the style should be an integrated blend, not a disintegrated patchwork hybrid creation. Penn warns us against developing the habit of separating grappling from striking, switching on the fly from one to the other. Rather, he says, we should always be doing both. The techniques in The Book of Knowledge are presented as whole MMA techniques which blend striking with grappling. Bj's book is made up of techniques that work for him and would be usable by most people. There are no kicking techniques and no leglocks. What is shown are basic techniques, which if done properly, are always dangerous. Nothing fancy, just master the basics and shove them down your opponent's throat until you beat him. All basic positions are covered, standing and on the mat with multiple angles of clear color pictures on coated paper. The sections are color coded and tabbed. The book is physically of a high quality. The only problem might be for absolute beginners. Knowledge of some of the most basic concepts and positions is assumed. Even so, with some extra careful study and though, the total beginner would pick this material up.