I found Mr. Tedeshi's book to be one the best on the art of Hapkido I've ever read. You're correct when you state that it's best approached as a reference book, almost a dictionary of Hapkido. The way the book is laid out makes it easy to go to shoulder locks, or sweeping type kicks, or hand strikes, etc. and find information.
The book's greatest strength is it's comprehensive nature, but I think that also lends to being it's one minor fault as well. For someone unfamiliar with the art itself, opening this book it like opening one of those 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. Though you may recognize indvidual elements, it's difficult to see where it fits into the larger scheme of things. Practitioner's of Hapkido will probably appreciate what Mr. Tedeschi has put together a little more than someone unfamiliar with the art.
As far as the techniques themselves are concerned, I've not seen anything in the book that hasn't been actively taught by one Hapkido kwan or another. There isn't anything in the book that was just "thrown in" from a diferent art such as Judo or Jutjutsu. Yes, there are definite similarities, but remember that one of the parent arts of Hapkido is Akijitsu, where the majority of locks and throws come from. Kwans teach different curriculums; some leaning toward the harder, more linear aspects and some leaning toward the softer, more circular spects of the art.
Mr. Tedeshi's book is well worth the investment if you have any interest in the art of Hapkido.
Respects,
Bill Parsons
