Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: The Master Text Paperback – Illustrated, May 1, 2006

This book covers jiu jitsu fundamentals and self defense as good as any. For what it aims to do - preserve the simplicity of Helio's high leverage innovations - it is a fanstastic, if slightly pricey, book. There's answers to many questions that don't appear in daily jiu jitsu training. ("How do I use what I know to defend a knife attack?") It's also great for reminders - "What's the perfect posture to avoid a triangle?" - Helio demonstrates the correct way.All this said, do buy the book for what it is, not what it isn't. It isn't a manual on modern innovations - there are better places to learn the X-guard, the De La Riva Guard, the Rubber Guard, and other no Gi techniques. The focus is on gi jiu jitsu fundamentals and self defense. For that, it succeeds greatly.

You have to thank Helio for modernizing jiu jitsu. The family name and contribution to jiu jitsu / mma are what made me buy this book. I am grateful and will remember Helio Gracie forever. I purchased it about a week after he died as a personal memorial to him. The content is great if you train with the gi. I would recommend it to everyone just to see the man that really started it all as it relates to modern jiu jitsu.

This book contains the complete foundation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The theory, principles, and technique are invaluable; and come directly from the source. Grandmaster Helio Gracie is no longer with us, but anyone new to the practice of GJJ can use this to learn his amazing self-defense/fighting art. I am a GJJ Brown Belt with over 9 years of experience and still constantly reference this book. In addition, there are historic photographs and stories that any student will enjoy.

great job with the photos, if you are passionate about jujitsu it's a must have for the history of it

Pricey book but in great/excellent condition. Great resource.

What can you say… It’s Gracie Jiu Jitsu!

The reviews here are all good, and pretty much sum things up.Buy it for the historical aspect - this is the man himself talking. There are more relevant up to date books that you can buy for cheaper if you are just after the techniques themselves.I thought I'd write a review and give you some quick info on what actually appears in the book for those that want to know before they buy.The book starts off with a preface by Rorian Gracie, about his father, putting the book together, and choosing the photographer (or as it appears, the photographer choosing them in a nice little story!)After the table of contents and dedications there is a 10 page introduction and history of Helio and the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. There is nothing out of the ordinary here, and no information that doesn't appear in The Gracie Way (the official family biography). It does have some nice old pictures though.Next is a good section on the art of teaching, and it is cool to hear Helio's thoughts on these things, and how different it is from much of todays schools.On to the techniques:Surprisingly, (or not surprisingly if you know Helio and Rorian I guess), literally half the book is taken up with standing self defence techniques. Lots of headlock and choke escapes, split into sections - attacker in front of you, attacker behind you, etc...My favourite are the weapons defences! Defences against bats, knives and even guns. I'm not trying to be disrespectful but it is hilarious to see pictures of a 90+ Helio disarming a 50+ Rorian and then pointing his silver pistol at him!For an art known pretty much soley for its ground fighting, it is fascinating to read and look at, and does give you an idea why Helio (and Rorian) claim todays current Brazilian Jiu Jitsu isn't 'the real' Gracie Jiu Jitsu.The remaining sections deal with the more standard known Brazilian Jiu Jitsu positions. The Mount, The Guard, The Side Mount, The Back Mount. Techniques and pics deal with the old school basics and standards of each position.Some of the techniques aren't commonly used today as counters to them have since made them difficult to do. eg. Helio shows the guard pass where you slip one arm through the legs in order to try and break the legs open. Someone doing this is VERY likely to be triangle choked. Keeping perfect posture and angle can stop this, but there are less dangerous ways to do it that are far more commonly taught today. (the triangle choke was brought into Gracie Jiu Jitsu by one of Rolls Gracie's students in the 1970s and I guess this is Helio's book and his personal techniques...)After the technique sections there is approx. 10 pages on the Gracie diet including a one page introduction by Helio.The book ends here and has no conclusion, final thoughts or closing philosophies, etc... which would have been nice.All in all, it is a beautifully presented book, and represents one man's life work. The photography is perhaps the best ever to appear in martial arts book. The large hardcover looks amazing sitting on a coffee table and thats where mine sits, having pride of place.I'm glad I spent the money on it.

The real deal from the master of BJJ

Since starting training in jiu jitsu I have want to find a book for referring to when learning new techiques and this is the best book I have found !Everything about the way this book is organised is brillant and the pictures are very clear too.