The history of Sweden is the history of the new Europe. Martina Sprague gives us the insider's Sweden, from the Ice Age to the modern socialist state. This short history is ideal for travelers, students, and anyone who wants to more about the homeland of their Ikea bookcase. With its midnight sun and Gulf Stream climate, Sweden is a land of contradictions. It is home to petroglyphs dating from 9000 BC, thriving high-tech industries, and the ubiquitous design chain Ikea. A comparatively peaceful and economically stable twentieth century secured its reputation as a great place to live, with a solid economy and a generous welfare system. Emigration reversed itself-now more than ten percent of the country's nine million residents were born abroad. When Sweden entered the EU in 1995, its borders became easier for tourists and immigrants to cross. This short history is ideal for travelers, students, and those with an eye on the new Europe.

Sweden: An Illustrated History (Illustrated Histories (Hippocrene))

History

Sprague, Martina

Americas

Hippocrene Books

In this thorough and evocative analysis, Martina Sprague tackles the myth of the Vikings, their unconventional battle tactics, cunning strategies, and bold use of any means at their disposal. From the innovative shipbuilding methods that produced flexible hulls and the ability to glide silently into shallow water, to Asatro, the polytheistic religion that honored the god of war, Sprague casts a fresh light and a scholarly eye on these fiercely independent people.

Norse Warfare: Unconventional Battle Strategies of the Ancient Viking

Europe

Sandwiched between Nazi Germany and the "Russian Bear," Sweden walked a diplomatic tightrope when determining if and how it would support Finland's cause during the Russo-Finish Winter War. Social and political forces motivated the Swedish leadership to promote neutrality and avoid official military engagement, while at the same time the Swedish Volunteer Corps and related groups comprised the largest such force in any modern war. Examining the often overlooked role of the more than 8,000 Swedish volunteers, this book discusses the political background of the Winter War and the events preceding the conflict; the experiences of volunteers taken captive in Soviet prison camps; setbacks the volunteers suffered due to weather and terrain; and the ever-present fear that war would come to the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Swedish Volunteers in the Russo-Finnish Winter War, 1939-1940

McFarland

War is a human activity, not one that is limited by geographic location. And the principles of war are the same, regardless of place or number of participants. An army of ten thousand engaged in battle uses the same basic strategies that two people in single combat will utilize. In Lessons in the Art of War, author Martina Sprague explores the writings of both Sun Tzu, the famous Chinese military strategist, and Carl von Clausewitz, the European military genius. Despite the differences in time period, geographic location and culture, both Sun Tzu and von Clausewitz had achieved extraordinary understanding of human nature and how that relates to combat. Sprague takes the similarities and differences in their respective strategies and distills them down to their essence for martial artists to understand and incorporate into their personal practices.

Lessons in the Art of War: Martial Strategies for the Successful Fighter

Asia

Tuttle+publishing

Become a Better Martial Artist by Applying Lessons from the World's Greatest Military Strategists from Sun Tzu to Von Clausewitz Lessons in the Art of War investigates the theories and philosophies of the most prominent military thinkers in Asia and Europe and examines the combat roots of a variety of fighting styles from traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean martial arts to the fighting arts of the ancient Greeks and modern Israelis. It also demonstrates how the martial arts, whether Asian or Western in origin, were historically about brutal fighting, often to the death, and how ancient attitudes and beliefs can be adapted for success in today's MMA steel cage, judo or karate tournament as they were in ancient armies. Including an introduction to Asian and Western military thought, chapters include:<ul>
<li>The Nature and Conduct of Combat</li>
<li>What is Combat?</li>
<li>Preparing for Battle</li>
<li>Elements of Tactics and Strategy</li>
<li>Imposing Your Will</li>
<li>Destroying the Enemy Force</li>
<li>Strength of the Defensive Position</li>
<li>Failure</li>
<li>Moral Quality of Courage</li>
<li>Securing Victory</li>
</ul>

Become a Better Martial Artist by Applying Lessons from the World's Greatest Military Strategists from Sun Tzu to Von Clausewitz Lessons in the Art of War investigates the theories and philosophies of the most prominent military thinkers in Asia and Europe and examines the combat roots of a variety of fighting styles from traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean martial arts to the fighting arts of the ancient Greeks and modern Israelis. It also demonstrates how the martial arts, whether Asian or Western in origin, were historically about brutal fighting, often to the death, and how ancient attitudes and beliefs can be adapted for success in today's MMA steel cage, judo or karate tournament as they were in ancient armies. Including an introduction to Asian and Western military thought, chapters include: <ul> <li>The Nature and Conduct of Combat</li> <li>What is Combat?</li> <li>Preparing for Battle</li> <li>Elements of Tactics and Strategy</li> <li>Imposing Your Will</li> <li>Destroying the Enemy Force</li> <li>Strength of the Defensive Position</li> <li>Failure</li> <li>Moral Quality of Courage</li> <li>Securing Victory</li> </ul>

Martial arts, combat, fighting, whatever you call it, goes hand-in-hand with courage, toughness, dedication, and focus. What sets the formidable fighter apart from other martial artists is that he or she approaches the training with the intent to develop an edge that allows him to dominate the opponent physically and psychologically. The goal of the formidable fighter is to retain the initiative by interfering with the opponent’s ability to counter an attack or defensive technique.The greater physical shape you are in, the less likely you are to sustain an injury, because your body is better prepared to handle the stress of combat. Superior strength and conditioning give you an edge that can act as an equalizer against a bigger opponent. Powerful punches and grips are the product of proper training and conditioning. Good training also makes allowances for failures and prepares you to win.On the field of battle, you command the fight by force, not finesse. The formidable fighter knows how to approach a scenario with the appropriate mindset that allows him or her to act rather than react and beat the opponent to the punch. Know how to play the cards you are dealt. Martial arts techniques are not complicated; it is the surrounding situations and how we think about them that complicate how we use them. Formidable Fighter: The Complete Series is the print version of the full series of 14 e-books, and includes also a bonus section; a quick reference to all concepts discussed in the text.

Formidable Fighter: The Complete Series

Sports & Outdoors

Individual Sports

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence. Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision. Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife Carry and Deployment, the second book in the series, covers different ways to carry a knife, why you might choose one carry position over another, and a number of factors you must consider when deciding to deploy the knife. It also enters into a discussion on the importance of seizing the initiative and keeping track of the location of the opponent's hands and, therefore, his weapon. The full series comprises the following books: 1. Knife Anatomy 2. Knife Carry and Deployment 3. Knife Grip and Manipulation 4. Knife Attacks and Targets 5. Knife Fighting Stance, Footwork, and Dynamics of Motion 6. Knife Defense Basics 7. Knife Defense Dynamics 8. Knife-on-Knife and Multiple Opponent Knife Defense Strategies 9. Knife and Empty-Hand Defenses Compared 10. Knife Training and Advanced Martial Arts Concepts Save by purchasing books 1 through 5 in the special Knife Offense (Five Books in One) volume, and books 6 through 10 in the special Knife Defense (Five Books in One) volume.               

Knife Carry and Deployment: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence.Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision.Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife Grip and Manipulation, the third book in the series, covers different ways to grip the knife and the strengths and weaknesses of each grip, how to secure a good grip, how to switch between grips and when it might prove beneficial to do so, and the importance of cutting edge awareness. The book also introduces the reader to several knife attack and defense concepts and provides exercises for practice.Approximately a dozen titles will be published in the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series over the coming year. Look for several more titles in the near future.

Knife Grip and Manipulation: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence.Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision.Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife Attacks and Targets, the fourth book in the series, covers the benefits of training in knife offense and target precision, the effects of striking primary and secondary targets, and the ethical considerations of using an edged weapon against an adversary in combat. The book also includes a number of training exercises designed to enhance your assertiveness and timing when attacking with the knife.Approximately a dozen titles will be published in the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series over the coming year. Look for several more titles in the near future.

Knife Attacks and Targets: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Sprague, Martina. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Sprague, Martina

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Sprague, Martina. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Sweden: An Illustrated History (Illustrated Histories (Hippocrene))

Norse Warfare: Unconventional Battle Strategies of the Ancient Viking

Swedish Volunteers in the Russo-Finnish Winter War, 1939-1940

Lessons in the Art of War: Martial Strategies for the Successful Fighter

Lessons in the Art of War: Martial Strategies for the Successful Fighter

Lessons in the Art of War: Martial Strategies for the Successful Fighter

Formidable Fighter: The Complete Series

Knife Carry and Deployment: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists

Knife Grip and Manipulation: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists

Knife Attacks and Targets: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists