Linda Atkinson

from cover

For most of this century, American women did not-could not-take advantage of what the martial arts had to offer. Now, thanks in part to the pioneering efforts of the women profiled here, classes and competitions in the martial arts are available without ridicule or rule-waiving to women across the country.

Here are the stories of eight contemporary women who are among the most accomplished martial artists training today: Judo-Rusty Kanokogi
Karate-Annie Ellman
Kung Fu-Laverne Bates
T'ai Chi Chuan-Patie Dacanay
Tae Kwon Do-Sunny Graff
Kendo-Valerie Eads
Aikido-Beth Austin
The Universal Way-Tonie Harris
Some were drawn to study their particular fighting skill by temperament or need. Others came almost by accident, feeling timid and ill-suited. But they quickly learned, as one woman put it, 'that the world was indeed limitless.' All of them, by their perseverance and performance, can be models for anyone, femal or male.

Contents

Note to the Reader
Women in the Martial Arts
Judo-Rusty Kanokogi
Karate-Annie Ellman
Kung Fu-Laverne Bates
T'ai Chi Chuan-Patie Dacanay
Tae Kwon Do-Sunny Graff
Kendo-Valerie Eads
Aikido-Beth Austin
The Universal Way-Tonie Harris
Suggestions fo Further Reading
Resources
Index
Acknowledgments… (mais)

I'm not sure where I got this book from. I thought it was a Christian book, it wasn't. In fact, I would describe the overall story as hopeless and tragic.

It is clear from the outset that the central character dies at an early age as the birth and death dates are on the front cover. Hannah Senesh was a Jew born in Hungary. She became a Zionist and was determined to help her people return to their homeland in Palestine. However, things were not quite as straight forward when war broke out and the Jews were hounded from pillar to post by Hitler.

Hannah joined an elite parachutist unit created by the British to try and rescue Hungarian Jews in Yugoslavia that were bound for the concentration camp at Auschwitz. Her mission failed....

Apparently Hannah is regarded as something of a hero in Israel due to her efforts. The sad thing is that she had requested a Hebrew Bible prior to her death but although her mother searched, she couldn't find one for her. Sadder still is the fact that there is little mention of God in this book and it is clear that Hannah sacrificed her life entirely for the benefit of the cause that she was dedicated to. This may be a noble thing to do, but I always find it sad when someone so zealous rejects the God who created and sustains their life.

The writing is choppy in places and has been taken from diaries and various witness accounts. The history was interesting, especially regarding Hitler's dealings with Hungary after the war had essentially been lost.

I wouldn't recommend this book as there is little to offer hope here. It is just a tragic story with eternal consequences.… (mais)