So much of the literature regarding this art is focused on its country of origin-and that is a good thing-but it would be a disservice to the story to ignore the uniquely American aspects of its evolution, which took place when the Founder-Remy Amador Presas-arrived on these shores in the 1970s, having narrowly escaped violent persecution in his homeland. From his interactions with other martial titans and integration of certain of their practices into his art; to his travels from state to state and country to country-like a latter-day Johnny Appleseed-teaching his method along the way; to the intensive, multi-day training Camps all across the nation, from which numerous innovations arose; it's all here for the interested reader, told by one of his most senior students and dearest friends.

In addition to evoking Remy's voice from the other side, this simple story illustrates the way in which a true master can find alternate pathways; can mix and match materials to produce an altogether new creation; and can make use of everything around him, from the company, to the environment, to the tools at hand.

This is also the case with my friend Dan Anderson. Read on, then, for you are about to embark on a tale of martial giants, artistic pioneers, and the dawning of a new age on the American fighting frontier.