6" x 9" paperback, 248pp. ~250 photographs

Jogo do Pau is the art of stick fighting from Portugal. Jogo do Pau is a traditional art, handed down in regional styles in the North and South of the country using a long, sinuous staff for self-defense.

In the 19th and early 20th century the art was widely practiced by both gentlemen and townsmen, where it attained acclaim for it non-stop ferocious attacks.

In the 1970s, Master Nuno Russo began to synthesize the regional styles, forging them together with modern kinesthetic science into a highly refined, efficient and effective martial arts system used both for sport and for self-defense. Particulary impressive are the defenses made when seated--a traditional demonstration of skill--and against multiple opponents. Today's Jogo do Pau features the long and short staff, so there is much to learn for any practitioner of Western martial arts.

Master Russo's student Luis Preto has done yoeman's work recording the essence of this style and adding his own professional training studies. What emerges is a comprehensive introduction to this important style and an outstanding training approach adaptable to any martial art.

Highly recommended.