Description

Discover the rapid-training system that helped prepare American civilians and servicemen for close-quarters combat during the 20th century. Edward L. Allen's System of American Jiu-Jitsu is a foundational self-defense manual, originally published in 1942 right in the middle of World War II.

This guide was designed to provide a quick way to self-defense in all emergencies and was taught throughout the country to meet the urgent need for practical, effective, hand-to-hand fighting skills. Allen's system is a streamlined approach to standing Jiu-Jitsu (Jujutsu), focusing on principles and techniques that could be mastered quickly and applied successfully in a crisis.

Key Features of Allen's System:

Wartime Efficiency: The course is described as "the simplest, designed for the rank amateur with no previous experience," reflecting the U.S. Army's need for fast, effective training.
Fundamental Techniques: Learn how to master the fundamental principles of Jiu-Jitsu and acquire a variety of attacks and counter-attacks for street and battlefield scenarios.
Progressive Visual Instruction: The original text featured 328 progressive action photographs (often cited) to clearly illustrate the moves and make them simple to replicate.
Historical Context: An invaluable record of the American evolution of Jujutsu and its integration into military and civilian self-defense during a pivotal time in history.

This is an essential text for martial arts historians, practitioners of classic American self-defense systems, and anyone interested in the wartime combat training of the 1940s.