Honestly, I expected a book about knifefighting, but this was more like "what happens when someone gets stabbed with a knife." It was an excellent book, nonetheless. Highly detailed as to demographics, weapon preferences, and skell tactics. The only thing missing was graphs! Interesting data on not one, but SEVERAL methods of using your jacket as a shield (incidentally, that's where the term "Cloak and Dagger" originated). More criminology than cutlery here, but still an outstanding read.

An entirely new approach to the subject--the author analyzes data he has collected in the form of anecdotes about violent incidents (many of which he repeats), to reveal statistical patterns he finds in weapons-related incidents in the Baltimore area. Interesting all around.

I know, I know. A lot of people are saying about a lot of books that they are "fantastic". "This book is better than all".
I am not saying this is the very best about the subject of knife-fighting there is.
But it is very good.
LaFond is doing a statistical analyst of 1,000 knife- related cases. He does NOT talk like a haught martial artist who has never been in a real fight. Neither does he promote dumb-headed agression. He has things to say, and he has got data, as well as the stories of the people who this happened to.
Fighting is dangerous. LaFond does not pretend to learn you anything that "magicly" would protect you from it. He does give you the chance to have some notion of aspects of it, you probably have not thought about before.

A must read for serious matial artists. (Cliche, I know.)

Soul Blade is my favorite game, and I found a great FAQ from Richard Uyeyama online that covered how to unlock all of the secret characters, endings, costumes, and weapons. The only thing I had trouble finding online was a moves list (I have since found one), so I bought this book.

I usually allow for mistakes in books like these, but there are far too many. No index, poorly designed - hard to flip thru the book to find what you want. Secret codes listed in this book are wrong, or require you to press more keys than needed. It is nice to see all the moves - but they are not detailed (which is a float strike?). Also, the moves lists does not differentiate from "press" and "press and hold".

I do refer to the book on occasion, but I refer to FAQs I have found online more often.

Has all the moves and secrets.

Unfortunately, it still doesn't tell you exactly how to pull off the critical edge attacks. Sure, it SHOWS you the button combination, but it seems impossible to physically pull it off in real life.

Very complete strategy guide. Each character is discussed.

I would say it is worth the purchase, but don't expect to get all the weapons in Edge Master Mode.......