Customer Reviews

Attack Proof - 2nd Edition

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Throughout my martial arts experience since my early days in the Army in the mid-80's, I have kept my eyes open for the "one" book that had all of the info I needed in one compact package. I've owned tons of books (and DVDs) on arts I either studied--Shotokan, TKD, Tang Soo Do, Muy Thai, Silat--or were interested in--Jeet Kune Do, Kenpo, Tai Chi, multiple Kung Fu styles.

But I always wanted to find what I called the "Master Text." Even more than the first edition, the recently released version ended that search.
This book has everything--realistic self-defense advice, effective techniques, real-world philosophy, and, most important to me, invaluable drills that give you the ability to do the kinds of things you got into the martial arts for in the first place.

To put it bluntly, this magnificent volume makes all other martial arts/self defense books incomplete and superficial.

John Perkins and his crew have out done themselves in this update of an already exceptional work of genius!
As a practitioner and instructor of martial arts and self defense for over 25 years as well as a two-service veteran, I have found Mr. Perkins' and his co-authors' instruction to be clear, concise and on target to those who go in harm's way and for those who never leave a training environment. I have given and donated many copies of his previous work to my students, fellow instructors in several different disciplines as well as military and law enforcement personnel over the years with consistently stellar feedback and gratitude from all over the world. If you are a seasoned practitioner that wants to examine the foundations of your art, a professional that is out on the "pointy end" or a rank beginner that wants to examine some options for when "things go horribly wrong" this is the reference to get. Thanks for actually improving a classic!

The second edition is even better than the first Attackproof book. I have been studying Martial Arts for most of my life. My grandfather always stressed dealing with the dynamic reality in self defense and using practical methods. He would have been as excited as I am, with this exceptional book. Encyclopedic in scope, the information that is presented, has been forged through experience. If you are looking to learn self defense, self preservation, for your daily life, without the rules and regulations of sport, then this is the most comprehensive book available. This book is the new benchmark against which all other books on self defense will be measured for some time. If you truly want to embrace Guided Chaos, to develop your awareness and sharpen your self defense skills, then see if you can join a class. It will serve as a path of personal development. [...]

I had 15+ years of experience in various martial arts when I read the first edition of "Attack Proof". I immediately knew it was going to be a classic because of its unique and practical approach. Even nine years later, there is really nothing comparable on the market - and the second edition is even better than the first with more material and better explanations.

What I think is unique about the "Attack Proof" system is that it approaches self-defense from two different, but complementary, angles:

1) The `simple' techniques of close combat which are designed to be learned and applied relatively quickly. I say `simple' not because they can be mastered immediately (they can't) but because with fairly minimal training they provide some usable self-defense skills. This also includes a lot of practical information about avoiding trouble to begin with.

2) Guided Chaos drills. These are not necessarily difficult to perform - in fact they focus on very basic principals - but with diligent practice they quickly increase martial effectiveness. Yes - there are limits to what you can learn from a book. However, I personally know people who have achieved outstanding results by practicing what is taught in the book & supplementing with occasional visits to qualified instructors. The attackproof website has other resources for those who don't live near instructors.

The authors keep their focus on the realities and dynamics of self-defense. In this edition they cover new topics like fighting on stairs, airplanes and other special circumstances. This focus on the dynamics of violence separates them from many well intentioned instructors who would rather learn ten new wrist locks than consider something as "outside the dojo" as fighting on a stairway. The "Attack Proof" authors have not only thought of such things - they have experienced them.

The only complaint I have about the second edition of Attack Proof is that it is a book. In order to get the maximum benefit in the shortest time, most people also will need hands on guidance from a qualified Guided Chaos (Attack Proof) instructor. If that is not possible then the book and DVDs can still get you going in the right direction. Remember, though, when the book says to avoid using forceful strength, it really means exactly that.

The vast majority of experienced martial artists do not realize how forceful and rigid they are. They also do not understand how vulnerable this can make them in a self-defense situation. I wasn't aware that I had this problem, when I took my first class with John Perkins. At the time I had studied Tai Chi Chuan for several years. Tai Chi done properly should cultivate the same sort of sensitive movement used in Guided Chaos. However, the current rise of sport competition has prevented most martially oriented Tai Chi Chuan enthusiasts finding the correct way. Training with a skilled practitioner of Guided Chaos can remedy the situation. The limitations of using excess strength will be driven home instantly when, when your training partner is highly skilled at striking the eyes, throat and other vulnerable targets.

The second edition of Attack Proof has all the information you need to greatly increase you chances of surviving a life threatening assault. If your location makes getting to classes prohibitive, then the book alone can be enough. What you need to do is find some relaxed partners, preferably ones with no previous martial arts training, for the contact flow. This will typically mean women and children. It is also a good idea to flow with martial artists, but if they are stiff, and nearly all of them will be, do your best not to emulate them, even if it means "losing". As you train, keep telling yourself that no one has ever yet reached the ultimate level of relaxation, sensitivity and spontaneous, combative movement. Soon you will be "beating" your martial artist training partners very easily. Even then you would be wise to remind yourself that you can continuously raise your level of skill. The key is to quiet you mind, pay attention to what is happening, and just keep letting go.

I received the 2nd Edition of this book last week and haven't stopped reading it since. It is loaded with new information that completely expands and answers questions that you may have had from the first edition. I can honestly say there's more real world applicable knowledge in this book on self defense than practically all of the books combined if you look at a Border's bookshelf. It's that good. The only warning I'll give is that people who are heavily into MMA for self defense situations will be very angry and disappointed when they read this book. The intelligent among them will embrace it because this book is the most thorough treatise on powerful striking mechanics on the market today. That being the case, get this book. It's better than the first edition in every way.

I have to admit that before I had a lot of martial arts experience (10 years in about 6 different arts), this book would have made less sense to me. I would really say that the more MA experience you have, the more you will "get" this book. Also, the more real-world street "situation" experience you have, the more this makes sense. There are a couple of things that I think of as being really big. One is for instance the "anywhere strikes". That is very, very useful, because a real fight is very, very chaotic, and you will find yourself fighting at "weird" angles, and being able to hit from such an angle is hugely important. I also like the idea of the "Jack Benny stance" - i.e. the PRE-fight stance that you get into. This is hugely important. I know a guy who lived in my apartment building and would go out and do MA workouts in the park near the building. He once was accosted by a large dude who for some reason took offense to his workouts. The bad guy approached my buddy, and my buddy said something like "what is your problem ?". Just as he said that, they guy slapped him really, really hard (knocking him over) [had my buddy used the Jack Benny PRE-FIGHT stance, the bad guy either would not have struck, or his attack would have been blocked !!]. Fortunately, my buddy was able to - as he was falling - leg lock the guy with his own legs and take the bad guy down. But my buddy told me, "If he had had a knife, I would have been dead". This story I think illustrates a lot of what this book is about. Get into the PRE-fight (Jack Benny) stance right away, as soon as you have any inkling of a self-defense situation, and then once you are in it, be ready to use the techniques this book shows.

First off major kudos to everyone involved in the making of the second edition. You have produced something truly awesome.

I received my copy about a week ago now and recently finished reading it from cover to cover. While I didn't think it possible, the second edition absolutely trumps the first. (It takes everything that was great about the first edition and goes above and beyond.)

The first thing you will notice is the enhanced readability thanks to the improved formatting, which consists of a single column layout on the chapter intros as opposed to the two column layout in first edition. Also, I may be nitpicking here but I really found the smaller more subtle arrows in the pictures to be a welcome change. They don't outright dominate the picture and allow the reader to focus on what is trying to be conveyed.

Second, the amount of information covered in each chapter has been greatly expanded. For example, chapter 2 is 11 pages longer this time around and with those extra pages you get stuff like CCUE (Close Combat Universal Entry) and a section on Close Combat Battlefields, which includes an impressive piece regarding self-defense aboard airliners. Practically every chapter has new nuggets of information you will want to read.

Distance learners, like myself, will absolutely benefit even more from the second edition. Think of it like a great new upgrade.

I have no choice but to simply say buy this book! It will definitely have you saying "holy $#!%".

The 2nd edition of the Attackproof book is loaded with vital information for awareness, mind setting, and self defense in a multitude of situations. It will have you thinking and expanding your own thoughts on the subject of self defense.

This edition has expanded on areas covered in the 1st book. It provides a perspective on everything from schoolyard bullies to confronting terrorists on airliners.

This book provides the total workout regimen that GM Perkins and his other high level students have employed to advance to where they are today. There are no hidden secrets that they are hiding for themselves. The downside is that the criminal element also has the opportunity to buy the book and believe me they do their homework so don't let them get the jump on you. Remember in most cases success is approximately 10% luck and 90% preparation.

This book covers the ABC's from A to Z with "A" being Awareness, "B" being Mind setting and "C" being self defense. This is a must read for all that care about being prepared to protect themselves and/or their love ones lives.

If you are not applying the principles in this book during your training you are not training for the reality of a savage attack. This book does not only teach you how to train for life and death combat but how to avoid it if you have that luxury. The most valuable information I've come across in over 20 years of military and law enforcement tactical training. I would highly recommend this training method for anyone that is serious about self-defense.