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I finally got a copy to read and here is my thoughts after reading it once then going through specific chapters:
Kun Khmer: Cambodian Martial Arts Diary
Antonio Graceffo
$30 plus shipping
The book is a bunch of articles loosely strung together by a theme and that is supposedly Kun Khmer or khmer martial arts. It doesn't hold much interest as a straight read through. Those looking to understand the cambodian martial arts will be severely disappointed since this is mostly a one sided look from antonio's point of view and agenda as stated obviously in the title. The only chapters of interest were chapter 3 Bokator pags 36-43, chapter chapter 8 rural masters and the lost book pages 82-94 and the best chapter chapter 6 bong him the magic man 62-72. Even so, the chapters barely held my interest outside of chapter 6 possibly the most unique that offered some unique insights. It seems the book is more a promotional book for antonio and bokator and nowhere in any of his writings does he allow that the new bokator is a recreation brought together in modern times complete with black belts now called kramas. It's also strange to me through all this supposed research and training that you can't gain anything more than you can get on a great great website like Kun Khmer Warrior and i recommend people donating the $30 to that website than waste your money on this book.
I have been to cambodia previously and I feel this book doesnt scratch the surface. I imagine this book was a sort of rush off made of articles antonio might have either published previously on his webpages online or crafted quickly to get the book out. The whole book is too disjointed and lacks flow and cohesion from chapter to chapter. A lengthy prologue might have helped where antonio explained the reason for the book and why he structured it in this way.
The book states on the back, " In search of the lost martial art called Bokator antonio discovers the hidden history of the soul of cambodia.". I didnt get this from the book at all and if that was the theme then the execution failed horribly. One big mistake this books makes is to call everything Bokator, so this master and his bokator thus enhancing the word and reputation. If its rare and unknown and lost as we know it probably is then what remains must be recreations made of fragments and various modern versions, why isn't this acknowledged at all as many cambodians have come forward to state to me directly through emails when i was preparing for my trip over to cambodia. If the grandmaster who previously taught hapkido most of his life then switched to bokator where was the research and training and lineage lines to prove his veracity as grandmaster? Many cambodians have been asking the same questions? Simple answers like that would go a long way in creating some sort of strong credibility for the art in the modern world. Chapters on pradalserey are included as well but i found them mildy interesting with nothing much new to add in terms of insights, training or history.
I think this book should have been a digital download for $5.99 to make it worth it to the people who are fans of antonio's work or who want a superficial look at the cambodian martial arts. This might be the first book, first article and antonio might be the first black belt for what its worth but it doesn't really say much about the situation and it doesn't really shine in any way on cambodian martial arts greatly. What does it matter to be first when it isn't the best--then it's just a book that won't stand the test of time like fast food. Heres hoping someone will come along soon and really address these wonderful cambodian people and fighting systems without having to prop themselves and their teachers up like a small child looking for affection from their father and take a hard, well researched look at the situation.
I would be interested in hearing what the people on the kunkhmerwarrior site or any of the serious cambodian researchers would have to say about the book in their reviews. I was sorely disappointed on many levels. Cambodian people are struggling to survive and they deserve much better than this.
Rating: (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being superior) I give this book a 3 for the three chapters and for the effort of writing it and getting it published. Additional chapters on cambodian pradalserey might be of interest to some. The book needs some serious editing and a better reading layout.
Cost: No way is it worth the $30 plus postage. Save your money. Way overpriced. Dont know the publishing company. Printing is cheap especially the layout of the interior. Exterior cover is colorful.
81/2 x 11 softbound.
17 chapters 197 pages
If you guys read and do reviews or see anymore reviews please post them up here. I would love to hear what others think especially if we can get a few of the cambodians viewpoints.
Kun Khmer: Cambodian Martial Arts Diary
Antonio Graceffo
$30 plus shipping
The book is a bunch of articles loosely strung together by a theme and that is supposedly Kun Khmer or khmer martial arts. It doesn't hold much interest as a straight read through. Those looking to understand the cambodian martial arts will be severely disappointed since this is mostly a one sided look from antonio's point of view and agenda as stated obviously in the title. The only chapters of interest were chapter 3 Bokator pags 36-43, chapter chapter 8 rural masters and the lost book pages 82-94 and the best chapter chapter 6 bong him the magic man 62-72. Even so, the chapters barely held my interest outside of chapter 6 possibly the most unique that offered some unique insights. It seems the book is more a promotional book for antonio and bokator and nowhere in any of his writings does he allow that the new bokator is a recreation brought together in modern times complete with black belts now called kramas. It's also strange to me through all this supposed research and training that you can't gain anything more than you can get on a great great website like Kun Khmer Warrior and i recommend people donating the $30 to that website than waste your money on this book.
I have been to cambodia previously and I feel this book doesnt scratch the surface. I imagine this book was a sort of rush off made of articles antonio might have either published previously on his webpages online or crafted quickly to get the book out. The whole book is too disjointed and lacks flow and cohesion from chapter to chapter. A lengthy prologue might have helped where antonio explained the reason for the book and why he structured it in this way.
The book states on the back, " In search of the lost martial art called Bokator antonio discovers the hidden history of the soul of cambodia.". I didnt get this from the book at all and if that was the theme then the execution failed horribly. One big mistake this books makes is to call everything Bokator, so this master and his bokator thus enhancing the word and reputation. If its rare and unknown and lost as we know it probably is then what remains must be recreations made of fragments and various modern versions, why isn't this acknowledged at all as many cambodians have come forward to state to me directly through emails when i was preparing for my trip over to cambodia. If the grandmaster who previously taught hapkido most of his life then switched to bokator where was the research and training and lineage lines to prove his veracity as grandmaster? Many cambodians have been asking the same questions? Simple answers like that would go a long way in creating some sort of strong credibility for the art in the modern world. Chapters on pradalserey are included as well but i found them mildy interesting with nothing much new to add in terms of insights, training or history.
I think this book should have been a digital download for $5.99 to make it worth it to the people who are fans of antonio's work or who want a superficial look at the cambodian martial arts. This might be the first book, first article and antonio might be the first black belt for what its worth but it doesn't really say much about the situation and it doesn't really shine in any way on cambodian martial arts greatly. What does it matter to be first when it isn't the best--then it's just a book that won't stand the test of time like fast food. Heres hoping someone will come along soon and really address these wonderful cambodian people and fighting systems without having to prop themselves and their teachers up like a small child looking for affection from their father and take a hard, well researched look at the situation.
I would be interested in hearing what the people on the kunkhmerwarrior site or any of the serious cambodian researchers would have to say about the book in their reviews. I was sorely disappointed on many levels. Cambodian people are struggling to survive and they deserve much better than this.
Rating: (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being superior) I give this book a 3 for the three chapters and for the effort of writing it and getting it published. Additional chapters on cambodian pradalserey might be of interest to some. The book needs some serious editing and a better reading layout.
Cost: No way is it worth the $30 plus postage. Save your money. Way overpriced. Dont know the publishing company. Printing is cheap especially the layout of the interior. Exterior cover is colorful.
81/2 x 11 softbound.
17 chapters 197 pages
If you guys read and do reviews or see anymore reviews please post them up here. I would love to hear what others think especially if we can get a few of the cambodians viewpoints.
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