It is the hopes and desires of most martial arts instructors to leave a legacy of students to carry on the traditional arts they worked so hard to perfect. When a teacher such as Professor Edgar Sulite leaves this earth prematurely, the teachings of his students speaks to the strength of the lessons he left behind. I would have to imagine that Mr. Sulite is smiling down from above with his student David Gould who just published “Lameco Eskrima: The Legacy of Edgar Sulite” with Tambuli Media.
Ten chapters spanning 270 pages, Gould has put together quite an awesome text with a unique approach. Unlike so many authors out there that try to cover an entire system in one book or those that focus on solely the physical aspects of an art, Gould has written a wonderful recollection of his training with Sulite that focuses on the renown teachers influence throughout both the east and the west. Sulite’s skills were surpassed solely by his willingness to share, his love and passion for the art makes his early passing all the more heartbreaking in 1997.
For those seeking a compendium of techniques and applications you may want to look elsewhere. Though techniques are well represented by a number of Sulite’s inner core of private students (SOG members), this volume goes above and beyond pure physical movement. Gould lays out a history of how Lameco developed, Sulite’s upbringing in the art, and the evolution of Lameco up through Edgar’s untimely passing at just 40 years old.
Gould’s book is a virtual who’s who of the warriors of the Philippines, the early days of stick and knife fighting. The only criticism I have (and has been consistent with Tambuli’s books) is the discipline of pictures. The flow is not always evident and quite often both participants are dressed in the same colors making it very difficult to discern whom is doing what. Outside of such a minor criticism I can hardly find a flaw with David Gould’s excellent book.
This book is deserving of a place on your shelf, absolutely mandatory reading for Lameco students. Order your copy of “Lameco Escrima” by David Gould by clicking here. at a steal for only $29.95