Self-Defense for Gentlemen and Ladies

A Nineteenth-Century Treatise on Boxing, Kicking, Grappling, and Fencing with the Cane and Quarterstaff

By: Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery, Ben Miller - editor

Narrated by: Steve Hendrickson

This 19th-century self-defense manual—written by a master swordsman—will appeal to fencers and martial artists as well as fans of Victorian-era culture, steampunk, and American history

Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery was a master swordsman who participated in more than fifty duels, fought under twelve flags, battled gangsters, and was constantly involved in the great conflicts and upheavals of his time. In the 1870s, he began writing his magnum opus—a series of newspaper articles that are now collected here for the first time in Self-Defense for Gentleman and Ladies.

In this book, Colonel Monstery presents a unique look into the Victorian-era fighting world. He describes styles such as British “purring” (shin-kicking), Welsh jump-kicking, and American rough-and-tumble fighting, in addition to providing illustrated instruction in the art of gentlemanly self-defense with a cane, staff, or one’s bare hands. Fifty rare drawings and photographs from the period illuminate Monstery’s world, while an extensive glossary of terms and an introductory biography of Colonel Monstery—including fascinating details of his many duels as well as his groundbreaking devotion to teaching fencing and self-defense skills to women—update his text to make it accessible and useful to gentlemen and ladies of any era.

Contents
Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery: The Unknown American Martial Arts Master
I. Introduction.
II. The Logic of Boxing.
III. Standing and Striking.
IV. Advancing to Strike and Feinting.
V. Simple Parries in Boxing.
VI. Parries with Returns.
VII. Effective or Counter Parries in Boxing.
VIII. Offence and Defense by Evasions.
IX. Trips, Grips, and Back-Falls.
X. Rules for a Set-to with Gloves.
XI. Observations on Natural Weapons.
XII. The Use of the Cane.
XIII. The Use of the Cane (continued).
XIV. The Use of the Staff.
XV. The Use of the Staff (continued).
Appendix: Monstery's Rules for Contests of Sparring and Fencing
Glossary

Critic reviews

“This is not just another ‘martial arts how-to book’ but a gem of historical literature on physical fitness and methods of self-defense.”—Maestro Ramon Martinez, Martinez Academy of Arms

A fascinating book, and lots of practical application

The introductory material alone is worth the price of admission. The original author was a fascinating man, and his life story would make a great movie. The new editor/author, is a filmmaker, so maybe there’s hope of that happening.

But this book also has some real practicality in terms of learning self-defense, principles and techniques.

Spoiler alert: the original author, might’ve been the first American mixed martial artist, but his prowess and skills were tested in lots of real combat.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested both in the subject, and unusual slices of American history and the history of combat, both armed and unarmed.

I got this book originally, because I’m interested in learning how to use a walking cane for self-defense. But there’s so much more in this book than that.

While the reading isn’t anything special or unique, it’s perfectly adequate, and both tells the story and explains things in a good voice.
Recommended