The Science of Wrestling and the Art of Jiu-Jitsu, by Earle Liederman

Do a search on Abebooks!
 

arle E. Liederman (1886-1970) has written this book: "The Science of Wrestling and the Art of Jiu-Jitsu" The first issue was printed in 1923. This is a second print from 1924. As you may see from the picture, it is a really beautiful leather-bound book.

In the 1920's Liederman ran a successful mailorder business in USA, selling boybuilder courses. Liederman was a well-known wrestler, jiu-jitsu practitioner and boxer. In his own words he had a lot of famous students and customers at the time in the US. Amongst them was "Charles Atlas" (Angelo Siciliano).

The introductory to the book is about the background of the arts, and there is also given some advice related to training and competition (this being for the wrestling part naturally).

The main part of this book is about wrestling, shown here by people in wrestling outfit. Later in the book there is also shown som basic ju jitsu moves. In this part you see some really sharp-dressed guys showing the techniques; wearing suites, polished shoes - nothing is missing, Very stylish in deed!

The wrestlig techniques is from what I understand not of the Greco-Roman variety. To me it is stuff here that you will find in free-style, catch-wrestling - as well as in ju jitsu. This is confirmed in the book, when Liederman states (introducing the last part of the book): "There are certain holds in Jiu-Jitsu that can resemble the Catch-as-Catch-Can style."

Will I recommend this book to you? In fact I will, without reservations! it has a string of solid, functional and fun techniques, all described with great pictures. We wouldn't want to forget mention the way it connects ju jitsu to wrestling either.

I always recommend that you do a search on Abebooks. The last time I checked in they had this book listed.

Back to the page: books (click here)