Last weekend, I went to a book launch held by a good friend, Lori O'Connell. Lori has led a very interesting life, and is not ashamed to do the sorts of things that we mortals only wish we had the guts to jump up and do. The book, Weapons of Opportunity, tells of her journey from a beginning martial artist to an accomplished instructor - including her stint as a successful, gaijin jiujitsu instructor in Japan. It is a fascinating read, and I recommend it to my friends.

Disclaimer: I'm in it, but my name has been changed.

I've known Lori for almost the full timespan of the book's story. She writes well, accurately but most importantly, in a "can't put the book down", entertaining style. The book is filled with amusing, human anecdotes but told in a fashion that is deeper, i.e. each anecdote published was the basis of a fresh outlook, or new lesson about the book subject. You could read Weapons of Opportunity for the stories and it would be a fascinating, almost voyeuristic glimpse of life in the dressing rooms and on the mat of our old martial arts dojo - but there is a personal depth, a desire to share life's experiences, in O'Connell-sensei's writing.

And Lori is an excellent martial artist. One of my own favourite anecdotes is that Lori taught me to punch with power and to cause great pain, so I claim that I was taught to punch by a girl (she was still in school at the time). Lori is also the first person to knock me out on the mat. I had the honour to be one of Lori's back-up ukes for her shodan (1st degree black belt), and had the honour of her encouragement and help when it came the time to do mine. A small lady, Lori has the ability to prove to small people that one doesn't have to be built like a tank to get jiujitsu to work.

<idle threat>Buy the book or I'll demonstrate my ability to cause pain to you </idle threat>

View the original review.

John Nash