The title is a misnomer; it's not Kung Fu, it's women's self defense. You can tell the difference because Kung Fu doesn't involve biting people's noses or end every kata with a groin strike. Women's self defense teaches you to use moves that are effective but unlikely to injure you when you use them, since it has to work even for people who are a bit out of shape. It warns you that punches and high kicks are one of those things that are more likely to injure you than your opponent, so only use open-palm strikes and low kicks. The subtitle "self defense with style" is more apt, because this book oozes style!

It'd fit in nicely with the "Bad Girls" book series... despite having very different design, they fit together so well it's almost like they were made for each other. It might even fit in certain magazines for young women, some of which have similar graphic design to this.

The artwork is realistic but nicely stylized, vectorized. It's a slender little book, but packed with ideas, and with pictures on every page.

It's also presented with a great deal of humor, and uses a lot of mental images ("now stick out your elbows like a chicken") that make it more memorable. Lots of all-around advice, even some things indirectly related to self defense, such as maintaining an attitude that discourages attackers. (Muggers will go for the distracted, nervous person in constricting clothing.) Excellent, even as self-defense books go. (I've read quite a few. Some of them were so dense and text-oriented that I couldn't keep interested, even though I knew they were important, or I couldn't visualize what they were describing.)

The fact that it has so many pictures, humor, mnemotics, all-around advice while being small and chic increases the likelihood that people will read it. It's very effective that way. It's not like that just to look pretty.

People who should read this:
~ All females. The world would be a better place if all women were empowered with knowledge of self-defense; it would save lives.
~ People who enjoy graphic design, anime, and manga.

People who probably don't want to read this:
~ All males who prize their family jewels. I mean, the book is great, you can read it if you want, and you'd probably benefit by it, but you'll be wincing a lot. Women's self defense is designed to treat that as a convenient "off" button.
~ People who have some problem with reading white text on an orange background. It's stylish, but it kind of stings. The book's worth it anyway, in my opinion.

Conditions which befit the reading of this book:
Comfortable clothing, a wide open area in which you can practice the moves, and a brightly-colored sports drink. You may also read it along with a book or several from the "Bad Girls" series.

I bought this book thinking it would help me defend myself in case of emergency. It does more than that! This little book teaches you how to block attacks, where to strike back and how to defend yourself in a knife attack. Savvy, smart and really honest, this book can help you avoid being raped or injured if you or a friend is being attacked.

Being attacked is a big threat, especially if your petite like me. After reading and practicing the moves in this book, I feel comfortable that I would know how to react in the case that I was attacked, even though I am on the smaller side.

Nothing compares to taking a real class, but this book will help in case of emergency.