Ellis Amdur's writing on martial arts has been groundbreaking. In Dueling with O-sensei, he challenged practitioners that the moral dimension of martial arts is expressed in acts of integrity, not spiritual platitudes and the deification of fantasized warrior-sages. In Old School, he applied both academic rigor and keen observation towards some of the classical martial arts of Japan, leavening his writing with vivid descriptions of many of the actual practitioners of these wonderful tradit...

If there were an 'ordinary martial arts book', this would be its evil twin. Unflinchingly honest, writing from an unique, insider-turned-outsider's perspective, Ellis explores aspects of budō, its philosophies and dilemmas through the lens of aikido, a modern martial art whose founder is discussed in reverential tones and wrapped in quasi-religious mystique. Looking at the idea of budō-as-way-of-life and a path to personal perfection, Ellis confronts the real-world complexities and contrad...

This anthology is filled with content specifically selected for readers who have a strong interest in women’s participation in the Asian martial traditions. In addition to combative theory and practice, topics include aspects of theatrical performance, music, dance, gender studies, and insights for embodying philosophical elements into daily life. The twelve chapters that were written by noted authorities will certainly educate and inspire. These focus on the martial traditions of Japan, C...

A Dignity Rises, One Common Hero After AnotherEvelyn Amdur, a hospice social worker, began to write these stories midway through her career, collaborating with her daughter, Shelley, a respected teacher of meditation in the Chicago area. Many traditional cultures have a custom of ‘death songs,’ which rest on the idea that at one’s last moment, one somehow sums up the essence of one’s life in a phrase or a song. These are truly American death songs. Unlike the auste...

For Crisis/Hostage Negotiation TeamsCrisis negotiation is one of the most remarkable areas of law enforcement. Through a combination of tactical communication, empathic connection and, at times, subterfuge, negotiators persuade desperate, suicidal or homicidal individuals, often intoxicated or mentally ill, to relinquish their position of power and submit to police authority.Not all barricaded or static situations, however, are truly negotiable. Some perpet...

This new edition, with five new chapters, is accompanied by sixteen brilliant paintings by artist Ben Trissel.The Girl with the Face of the Moon is a combination of two of the oldest stories of humanity, the hero’s journey and that of love, a driving force with a power that can triumph over death: a mother seeking to save her child from hell.A young woman of samurai lineage is raised in an impoverished mountain village by bitter parents, identical to the pea...

Inmates in correctional facilities suffering from psychiatric or substance abuse disorders sometimes display any one of a number of frightening behaviors: verbal outbursts, physical threats and even violence. This comprehensive guidebook offers correctional officers in jail settings strategies to keep themselves and inmates as safe as possible, while functioning at the highest level of professionalism.The first two sections of the book discuss the environment...

Koryū, literally, 'old flow from the past,' refers to Japanese martial traditions that predate the sweeping cultural changes that followed the Meiji Restoration of 1868. They generally have a very different character and tone from modern martial arts, such as kendō, judō or aikidō which followed. More than the study of antique weapons, self-defense or a form of athletics, these martial traditions are a cultural legacy and a window to another time and place.In the first edition of O...

Although call-takers at an Emergency Dispatch Center are under no immediate physical threat, they are often the focus of intense verbal violence. In this comprehensive guidebook, Ellis Amdur, with the assistance of consultants whose cumulative experience in emergency call-taking and emergency dispatch totals over one hundred and twenty years, walks professionals working in Emergency Dispatch Centers through a multitude of steps they can assist in keeping first responders, callers and other...

People suffering from psychiatric or substance abuse disorder can display any one of a number of frightening behaviors. Ellis Amdur and John K. Murphy offer firefighters and EMTs a comprehensive set of strategies to keep themselves and their patients safe, while functioning at the highest level of professionalism. Rather than abstract information, more useful in a consulting room than in the field, Cooling the Flames is tactically based, from start to finish.The first section...

Corporate Security, Human Resources, Executive Protection, and Loss Prevention Professionals must deal with individuals suffering from psychiatric or substance use disorders on a frequent basis. Ellis Amdur and William Cooper offer these officials a comprehensive set of strategies to keep themselves, those they are protecting, and the general public safe while functioning at the highest level of professionalism.The first sections of this book focus on tactical concerns: threa...

Koryu, literally, 'old flow from the past,' refers to Japanese martial traditions that predate the sweeping cultural changes that followed the Meiji Restoration of 1868. They generally have a very different character and tone from modern martial arts, such as kendo, judo or aikido which followed. More than the study of antique weapons, self-defense or a form of athletics, these martial traditions are a cultural legacy and a window to another time and place. In the first edition of Old Scho...