"Cane Fighting" by Sammy Franco. A Review

Cane Fighting: The Authoritative Guide to Using the Cane or Walking Stick for Self-DefenseCane Fighting: The Authoritative Guide to Using the Cane or Walking Stick for Self-Defense by Sammy Franco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have walked with a cane for years, usually for comfort (not medical reasons...yet) and as a means to have something in hand if ever assaulted by four-legged or two-legged animals. Therefore my interest was piqued when I read the back cover of this book. Sammy Franco, founder and creator of Contemporary Fighting Arts (CFA), Law Enforcement Master Instructor, and author of 35 books on various aspects of reality based self-defense, has put together a simple manual on how to use a cane or walking-stick in personal protection situations. This snazzy, 233 page paperback is written for trained martial artists and the average citizen who has no training.

"Cane Fighting" is easy to read and straightforward. The pictures are clear, the instruction is coherent, and the material is comprehensible. The seven chapters walk the learner through cane selection, how to handle a cane, what stances to take, the human targets to strike in self-defense and in an all-out-fight-for-your-life context, rightly using the cane when being assaulted, and the kinds of attacks to watch for. The final chapter even walks the reader through a proper set of workouts to condition the body as well as the reflexes.

If you have to walk with a cane or use one for comfort, "Cane Fighting" has some very usable advice and directions on how to use your cane in hostile events. This volume would make a good addition to a martial arts school's lending library. But it would be a valuable gift for anyone who regularly handles a shillelagh or walking stick of some kind. And for those who don't normally employ a cane, after reading this book, you will wonder why not. I highly recommend the book!


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