The Gracie Way: An Illustrated History of the World’s Greatest Martial Arts Family (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series)

The faces and stories of the sprawling Gracie circle of relatives, who transformed Brazilian jiu-jitsu from an unknown street technique into the dominant form of martial arts nowadays, are captured here. Introduced are Grandmaster Helio Gracie, who as a frail boy in Brazil in the 1930s developed the art, creating leverage techniques that allowed him to conquer other martial artists, irrespective of size or strength; Rickson Gracie, the mystical circle of relatives champion who has never been defeated in combat; and Royce Gracie, the most famous active martial artist in the USA, who put Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the map by winning the first three Ultimate Fighting Championships before the largest pay-per-view audiences in history. Along with stunning action shots of the Gracies in all of the legendary matches and their unique perspectives on what in point of fact went on all over those fights, this book includes archival photos of the circle of relatives, from their beginnings in Brazil in the 1930 to the present day and the new generation of champions. Fans will learn of Renzo’s transformation from Rio street brawler to New York celebrity and revered teacher; of Royce and Royler’s exploits as mischievous kids; and of Rickson’s battle against one of Rio’s toughest drug gangs.