Book Reviews

A lot of people can claim to have practiced the martial arts for many years, even many decades, but few can claim legitimately to have studied for many years or decades. There is a difference.

Dan’s writing reveals his years of dedicated study of karate and the Filipino stick fighting arts. It shows what he has learned from reading and training with many other martial art greats, champions, masters, professors and gurus. And his writing reveals his sponge-like ability to absorb what he has learned from other veteran fighters and to put that knowledge into action with his particular slant on it.

Dan and I began our karate training in the mid 1960’s at the Oregon Karate Association. While his journey in the fighting arts took him into the tournament ring where he triumphed to become one of competition’s all-time greats, my journey, because of my time in a war zone and 25 years as a cop in a major city, has focused on techniques, concepts and principles for street survival. Well, there is much in Beyond Kick & Punch for the analytical street oriented fighter, too. This is because fighting principles are fighting principles, whether the battle is with fists, sticks, knives, guns or missiles.

Don’t hesitate to get this book. Unlike other ones on your shelf, you will underline, dog-ear, cover with Post-its, and reference Beyond Kick & Punch for years to come.

   Loren W. Christensen– 7th dan
   www.lwcbooks.com

Dan Anderson was one of sport karate’s finest champions and instrutors. He was one of the most intelligent technicians on the tournament circut. His books on American Freestyle Karate have been a very great teaching aid in learning how to spar properly and to be a consistant winner in competition. Dan will take you through a step-by-step learning process that will help you develop the proper skills and abilities needed to win in the ring. In the book Dan will demonstrate and explain many of the techniques and strategies that made him a Champion and will make you one also.

   Steve Fisher - Five-time Top Ten rated champion

I can say, without a doubt, after reviewing his book and having spoken with him by the hour, here’s someone who not only has something to say but has put it down on paper. And it’s worth reading. It’s a KEEPER! What’s of interest to the reader is Dan Anderson’s ability to define himself by actually analyzing and describing how he did it. This is someone who knows what he’s talking about and can back it up, and has!

What he used, uses and does is in depth. This is not a “technique” book. As he says in his book, you can get that from your instructor. How many ways can you show a front kick? A front kick is a front kick. But to understand the when, how, where, strategy of delivering a technique or predicting one, now that is knowledge. His other were well worth reading. This one stands out on it’s own and is something that any student, teacher and Master can keep, read and use.

   Prof. Fred King - Founder, Mo Duk Pai Kung Fu