I felt that this book was a good book. A good starter book. It covers a lot of ground in not a lot of pages. The pictures are black and white drawings whith the exception of one being a photograph. He only tells of the generic dimensions and use of a weapon. He does not go into great detail about how they were made which I found very dissapointing. Overall the book is an okay buy, one that one could add to their personal library. However not neccesary to own.

This book is essential for every martial artist or anyone interested in ancient weapons. True, this book does not supply the reader with any technique, but it covers the history and development of every weapon I can think of . It is written clearly, with large illustrations. What more, It gives you the English and Chinese name of the weapon, as well as the Chinese character. Dr. Yang certainly knows what he's talking about. All around, an excellent, comprehensible reference on ancient chinese weapons.

Over the past five thousand years the Chinese have development a vast array of hand weapons. Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artist's Guide is an easy, "user friendly" reference guide enabling the student to locate any weapon within seconds. Illustrated throughout with 130 depictions, Ancient Chinese Weapons is broken down into four main classifications: Long Weapons, Short Weapons; Soft Weapons, Projectile/Thrown Weapons. Also included with weaponry descriptions are techniques and fighting strategy, a history and evolution of the weapons, translations of Chinese terminology. Ancient Chinese Weapons will prove an invaluable, informative reference for students of the martial arts, Chinese studies, and Asian military histories.

I am a definite fan of the Alex Cross series and have been a Patterson fan for some time. I read THE JESTER and FOUR BLIND MICE over the same weekend and hands down, THE JESTER is the better storyline (actually, JESTER was a wonderful read). Perhaps the creative juices for the Cross novels has waned after so many but regardless, something is just not clicking like it used to. "ROSES" and "VIOLETS" were marginal books while 1ST TO DIE and 2ND TO DIE were just a notch above. It is my hope that Patterson will find the juices again...and soon.

FOUR BLIND MICE opens with Cross' long-time partner and friend, John Sampson, requesting Alex's help to investigate the murder conviction of one of Sampson's Army buddies. Ellis Cooper, Sampson's buddy, has been accused, tried and convicted of the murder of three women along with the bizarre arrangement and paintng of the bodies. Cooper has been sentenced to die by lethal injection; the execution is set to be administered in three short weeks and Sampson believes only his friend and supersleuth Cross can unravel the injustice befalling Cooper. As Cross begins his investigation, he runs into one stone wall after another but hasn't quite determined if those are Army walls (i.e. "we take care of our own") or something quite different. Although doggedly determined, Alex cannot crack the case and Ellis Cooper is executed. The one and only piece of evidence Cross has is the eyewitness account of a teenage boy who indicated he saw three men outside the home of the murder victims that night. However, Alex was never able to corroborate this statement.

As the story continues, Patterson introduces the reader to three very skillful and very sick assassins. Even before Cooper's execution, the reader knows these "THREE BLIND MICE" are responsible for the triple homicide. As time passes, the Mice continue their spree but it is definitely not for kicks. It appears there is a puppetmaster; one who has given the Mice their marching orders albeit mercenary orders at that. This portion of the story winds throughout the book until the end where it fizzles without much surprise or intrigue. The climax is satisfying but certainly not surprising.

Two very poignant subplots revolve around the love lives of Cross and Sampson, nothing really new for Alex but quite unconventional for Sampson. True to VIOLETS, Jamilla Hughes returns as Alex's love interest. And, as always and timeless, Alex still has Nana Mama to care for his three children including his infant son, Alex.

All-in-all, a decent book but I find myself waiting for the next great Cross book. Something in the spirit of KISS THE GIRLS. I haven't given up on Patterson and I certainly will continue to check out his newer "off-Cross" books. As I mentioned, I found the JESTER to be a fabulous read, a storyline and subject matter totally different to Patterson's norm. It's proof that Patterson has the skill yet it seems he has turned his efforts more into a Stephen King-like machine, pumping out one book after another. While this satisfies the volume requirement for fans, it is obvious that quality has taken a fairly staunch hit.

Worth the read but not his best.

James Patterson's popular protagonist Dr. Alex Cross returns in yet another slick entertaining thriller when his best friend John Sampson enlists his assistance after his army comrade Sgt. Ellis Cooper gets incarcerated in Central Prison, North Carolina and charged with the murder of three women. The trio of scot-free perpetrators acting upon the orders of a mysterious mastermind, meanwhile commit serial killings across the States, leaving clues that pinpoint to a Vietnam War operation. The red-tapes of army bureaucracy and the nightmarish revival of Kyle Craig as well as Cross's love-path and family offers interesting diversions to the fast-paced, punchy mystery with twists and turns. As always the tone of this Patterson's story is dark with themes of vendetta and even terrorism but what is new and improved here is more solid character development from Patterson. With his usual style of relentless suspense, this is a harrowing cat-and mouse game with not three but four mice on the loose.

The elite assassination team, The Three Blind Mice, knew they were the best, but realized while operating in the An Lao Valley that they also loved to kill. When they left the army, they hired themselves out as mercenaries and are now killing innocent people and framing people who served in Vietnam as the killers. They don't know who hired them or why the men were targeted but the money is too good to ask any questions.

Washington DC police detective Alex Cross becomes involved with the Three Blind Mice when his friend John Sampson asks him to help prove the innocence of Ellis Cooper who is waiting on death Row because he was convicted of the wanton slaughter of three women. Both Alex and Sampson are convinced after talking to Ellis and examining the evidence that he is innocent but no one will listen to them. Ellis dies and his two friends vow to find his killers and bring them to justice. As similar deaths occur across the country, The Three Blind Mice come to the attention of Alex and Sampson and when the two sides finally meet, only one will walk away.

James Patterson always delivers a fascinating, action-packed thriller and FOUR BLIND MICE is no exception. Readers familiar with the hero will find he has to use all his considerable skills to counter the deadly precision of his enemies. The plot is well constructed and the action holds up to scrutiny though some of the best scenes in the book occur in the protagonist's personal life. Anyone reading an Alex Cross novel can't help but want more of him.

Harriet Klausner

As the title implies, this is a reprint of select articles from CFW's 2001 issues Grappling Magazine. If you are like me and have just recently become interested in MMA/NHB, this is a good source of info.
The articles cover either fighter/personality profiles
(such as Shonie Carter, Wallid Ismail, and Frank Shamrock);
events (such as the 2001 ADCC and World Brazilian Jujitsu Champ ;
or MMA training and techniques.
Pros : a variety of subjects covered, good training info, good for those who have incomplete Grappling Mag collections.
Good buy for price ( about equal to 2 issues of GM )
Cons : In black and white only, poor quality paper, some of the articles are very amateurish ( is this really the "best of..." ).