Combat is as old as man himself. In the Philippines it developed to a degree of effectiveness unsurpassed anywhere in the world. The Filipino martial arts is an expression of man's indomitable will to survive adversity in the most direct and self-reliant manner possible. There has been an obvious need for a book that coordinates and puts into perspective the roots and principals of a fighting art--a book that explains the relationships between weapons and empty hands, philosophy and history, asseses strengths and weaknesses, and finally a book that liberates the mind from the classical way of thinking. Here now is that book. Compilation of THE FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS has been a monumental task for the authors, representing over 1900 years of historical research, travel, observation and personal participation. Documentation of these arts have been supplemented with interviews with some of the last surviving Masters. Their daring exploits serve to illustrate the most deadly fighting systems that the world has known. This volume is illustrated with over 750 photographs and drawings and written by one of the most respected martial artists in the world.