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Title: Death Touch: The Science Behind the Legend of Dim-Mak by Michael Kelly ISBN: 1-58160-281-2 Publisher: Paladin Press Pub. Date: November, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.17 (6 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Beware of Danger: Know the risks of practicing Dim Mak.
Comment: I have been training in Ryukyu Kempo and Dian Xue for nearly 15 years. In 1991, I attended a lecture offered by Dr. David Ellis and George Dillman that discussed the neuroscience behind pressure point fighting. Until a few years ago, that information wasn't available (now on George Dillman's tape #18).
This book contains roughly the same information, but in a hard copy version with references that you can easily review. I highly recommend it! It is a real concise reference.
What's not included in this book is detailed breakdown of forms or techniques or a discussion of the methods of analyzing kata. In fact, a couple of the examples aren't even best ones for the techniques shown (that might have been intentional based on the authors premise of deterring people from practicing the techniques). Revival techniques are discussed for those who know them but it definitely is not a "how to" book. There are a few other books on the market that focus on form interpretation. If that is your interest, look for one of those and find a qualified Kyusho Jitsu, Dian Xue, or Dim Mak instructor. Having Dr. Kelly's book should help you stay safe, i.e. don't just let anyone practice on you -- know the risks, have everyone learn both western CPR and eastern revival techniques, and learn from the experience of others so no one has to get hurt intentionally or accidentally.
Rating: 5
Summary: A neurologist's view on the book
Comment: Being a neurologist and a professor of neuroscience, I had a strong interest in this book, not only from a scientific perspective but also from a martials perspective. I found this book absolutely fascinating. Dr. Kelly discusses little known neurologic concepts such as convergence, aberrent reference, and somtovisceral reflexes and uses them to explain the effects of striking certain body areas. Dr. Kelly's knowledge of neurology and neuroscience is exceptional and surpases many "experts" in those fields. I especially liked the extensive references to solid scientific sources. Anyone with a background in the medical sciences or martial arts will appreciate this book.
Rating: 2
Summary: Quite disappointing
Comment: As a martial artist and neuroscientist, I was looking forward to reading this book and learning what, if anything, is known about the science behind pressure points in general and dim mak in particular. While I admire the effort put forth by the author, and I look forward to a time when science has made substantial strides in understanding pressure points, we are just not there yet.
The author presents unrestrained speculation and passes it off as solidly established scientific fact. For example, he suggests that because the nerve fibers from certain pressure points enter the spinal column at the same segment as nerves that innervate the heart, then hitting those pressure points will obviously have an effect on the heart. But there is no evidence presented (or in existance presumably) that these nerves actually make contact with one another! Simply because they are in the same room does not mean they shake hands.
That example is indicative of the general style of the book. In the instances where the author actually does make reference to some published study, the evidence cited typically relates to basic physiology and medicine and has no direct connection to pressure points per se.
The subject matter of this book is quite interesting -- that's why I bought it after all -- but to say that the author presents what is *known* about the physiology of dim mak is misleading and incorrect. At best the author has presented a theoretical framework for future scientific investigation. At worst, he has presented a completely incredible, wildly speculative, totally unproven view of the science behind dim mak.
Besides that, the diagrams included in the book are under-labeled, unattractive, and marginally useful (simply including a labeled point chart for each meridian or vessel would be a vast improvement). The reader shouldn't be forced to refer to another text with better figures just to have an idea where on the body a certain point is.
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Title: Dim-Mak : Death Point Striking by Erle Montaigue ISBN: 0873647181 Publisher: Paladin Press Pub. Date: May, 1993 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: The Ancient Art of Life and Death: The Book of Dim-Mak by Rick Bauer, Flane Walker ISBN: 1581603703 Publisher: Paladin Press Pub. Date: November, 2002 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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Title: Dragon's Touch : Weaknesses Of The Human Anatomy by Hei Long ISBN: 0873642716 Publisher: Paladin Press Pub. Date: July, 1983 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Dim-Mak's 12 Most Deadly Katas : Points Of No Return by Erle Montaigue ISBN: 0873648269 Publisher: Paladin Press Pub. Date: May, 1995 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: The Main Meridians by Erle Montaigue, Wally Simpson ISBN: 0873649230 Publisher: Paladin Press Pub. Date: March, 1997 List Price(USD): $60.00 |
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