Systema Revelations: Lessons of the Russian Martial Art Paperback – November 17, 2012

I may get a lot of anger over this but I'm not reviewing the author but the book. From what I gather Brad Scornavacco sounds like a great guy and an even better instructor. I'd love to learn from him but this book highlights a reoccurring problem with systema material. It's just vague, A lot of systema material claims it will provide insight but none of them really do. Sure the lessons in this book are nice but they only mean something if you know about martial arts. Such as "It's not just fighting with sticks, it's fighting... with sticks." The idea is that what weapon your using makes no difference anything is combat. I can't imagine that will mean something to a rookie martial artist that is something you learn on your own. The book is described as a means of providing insight on these systema principles I've heard so much about but doesn't provide any. It'd be nice if there was a manual with clear insights but I doubt you will get that. Just got to find a decent instructor. For the person considering purchase ask yourself this. "Do I want a book with fun stories that I can smile at because I've experienced the same thing or do I want a book helping my understanding of Russian Systema?" If you want the smiles buy this book but if you want understanding hold out for something better or find a good instructor which is a challenge unfortunately. Best of luck to everyone trying to understand the Russian Martial art

This book is very well written and quite enjoyable to read. I knew very little about Systema before I read the book and now I want to know more. However, I found the title of the book misleading. I am not sorry I bought the book but I really wanted a book with more applications. My background is in pressure point self defence and I had heard that Systema also uses pressure points, and I wanted this confirmed. The book explained very little about the techniques of Systema and more about what kind of people would thrive on Systema. The book is very good, but if you want a book that explains what Systema is, this is not the book for you.

A very solid read recommended for Systema instructors and serious students with a few years of training. Brad will challenge you to think, evaluate and review your training goals and methods. Other serious martial artists will also find many of these challenges to be worthwhile. This is not a step by step guide to Systema training. The book was never intended for that purpose.The short blog type format makes the book easy to read a few pages at a time, stop and pick it back up anytime you have a minute or two to spare. Brad does a nice job of keeping it interesting and sharing his thoughts.

Very personal account from inside Systema. Very fact-based and informational book, but written with warmth and sincerity.

For anyone interested in Russian Martial Art - Systema, this book is a "must read". Mr. Scornavacco does an excellent job of describing Systema and how it differs from other martial arts and why it really is for anyone from the five year old to the soldier preparing for combat. He injects his style of humor which leaves you laughing and thinking "this can't be true", but it is. A realistic and well written explanation of Systema.

A touch of the philosophy of Systema and interesting stories of students and the experience teaching them. If thinking of getting involved with systema get the book

good basic easy to understand stories, and points on systema.

This book is not what I was looking for, I was hoping for some real lessons in this art not a series of stories and outlooks.

Juste du blabla et de la critique facile. Aucune information sérieuse... Je vous conseil de passer votre chemin. Une perte de temps.