This two-volume encyclopedia, illustrated with b&w photos and illustrations, describes well-known and less-known martial arts and combat disciplines from around the world and throughout history. The first volume is organized geographically and covers the historical development of martial arts in different regions of Asia, as well as Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. The second volume explores martial arts themes such as belief systems, competitions, folklore, and women in martial arts. Other areas explored in this volume are martial arts and the media, the globalization of martial arts, the political uses of martial arts, and secret societies and fraternal organizations. Green teaches anthropology at Texas A&M University. Svinth is editor of the Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)