Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation [2 Volumes]

By Thomas A. Green

ABC-CLIO's Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation is the most authoritative reference ever published on combat disciplines from around the world and across history. Coverage includes Shaolin monks, jousting knights, Roman gladiators, Westerner gunfighters, samurai warriors, and heavyweight boxers. These iconic figures and many more are featured in this title, as well as representatives of less well known but no less fascinating systems, all vividly characterized by expert contributors from around the world who are themselves martial arts practitioners.

Martial Arts of the World comprises 120 entries in two volumes. The first volume is organized geographically to explore the historic development of martial arts styles in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The second volume looks at martial arts thematically, with coverage of belief systems, modern martial arts competitions, and a wide range of such topics as folklore, women in martial arts, martial arts and the military, and martial arts and the media.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598842439
• ISBN13: 9781598842432
• Release Date: June 2010
• Publisher: ABC-CLIO
• Length: 816 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.4" x 7.2" x 10.2"

Customer Reviews

Award Winning Guide

"Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia" by Thomas A. Green, associateprofessor of anthropology at Texas A & M, has been selected by the New York PublicLibrary as one the of best reference books from 2001. The Best of Reference is anannual list of books, web sites and electronic resources selected by a committee oflibrarians for their usefulness in local branch collections. Selection criteria includevalue and appropriateness for branch collections, organization of material, style ofpresentation, and authority of author/editor. In this two-volume set, Green calls onboth martial arts scholars and expert practitioners to contribute nearly 100 A-to-Zentries focusing on martial arts systems that exist outside contemporary militarycontexts. This is the second such award for Green's work. Earlier this year, "MartialArts of the World" received a Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)award for Outstanding Reference Sources for 2002.