A well-written, often hilarious look at coming of age as an expatriate American in your early 30s. By signing up for the punishing Riot Police aikido training program, Twigger transports us into a world of pain, Japanese/American value conflicts, martial arts culture and "knobbies." A wonderful read for anyone, especially those involved in the martial community. ( )

Anyone who likes martial arts would enjoy this story of a foriegner attempting the Japanese Riot Police 1 year of intensive martial art training. ( )