Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighter, and Ambusher [Paperback]

Peyton Quinn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1990

As a bouncer in a biker bar and a participant in dozens of fights, Peyton Quinn knows the difference between fighting fact and fantasy. The result is a unique guide to self-defense that can save your ass in places where brawling is quick, dirty and very violent.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peyton Quinn is the dean of barroom brawling. He began his training in formal martial arts systems in 1964, eventually achieving rank in karate, judo and aikido. While he continues to respect and explore Asian martial arts systems, his real-world experience has shown him that for most people, training in martial arts alone is not enough for real fighting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (November 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873645863
• ISBN-13: 978-0873645867
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #708,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, principle-based book, December 20, 2003

By 

Joseph M Burtner (Kennesaw, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighter, and Ambusher (Paperback)

There's a lot of good things to be said for this book. The author has been exposed to a handful of very different martial arts styles, and has worked as a bouncer, and so has field-tested a lot of this stuff. He emphasises principles over technique, a concept that makes the techniques actually easier to apply. The author goes into the "fight interview", which a lot of "saloon warriors" will use to determine whether or not a victim is ripe for attack. He goes through some techniques to avoid the sucker punch, which is something missing from many self-defense books. While I don't think that all of his stuff is a good idea (one of his avoidence techniques is to act crazy... but in public?), I think that it is worth looking at. The actual techniques are drawn from Wado-ryu Karate, Wing Chun and White Crane Kung Fu, Judo, Aikido, and a little boxing. He doesn't cover grappling too well, and completely avoids the subject of ground fighting, but the idea, I guess, is to make sure you never go to the ground. Any wrestling or BJJ book will teach some good reversals and escapes, and can be used to suplement this book. The overall idea of this book is that real fighting is messy and technically ugly, so it's best to have a handful of high-percentage techniques, as well as a good grasp of the principles behind them, but realize that "anyone can get their [booty] kicked". This book has valuable chapters on distancing, facing, and footwork, how to recognize a sucker punch, and choosing a martial art that's right for you. For those that practice at home, there are a number of drills included to help one function under high-stress scenarios. I'd say that for someone who's really interested in good self-defense, this book and it's system would be a good foundation, especially if you've got experiance in a "hard" style. But as I mentioned earlier, I think the program needs to be suplemented by a groundfighting/grappling program, and probably some weapons training. Overall, though, I'm glad I bought the book.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very fine; required reading in its field, August 17, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighter, and Ambusher (Paperback)

The literature of martial arts and self-defense is filled with hype, and with books that fail to deliver the real goods. This gem of a book is one of the rare exceptions.

Mr. Quinn is knows a great deal about how violence actually occurs. He clearly describes what you can do to avoid violence in the first place, and how to prepare for those cases where violence cannot be avoided. The first chapter, which explains the author's "stay out of prison plan" is, by itself, worth the price of the book.

The book is informative, well thought out, well written, and even entertaining. Mr. Quinn is a natural story teller, and illustrates his arguments with very interesting personal anecdotes.

If you've read this far, you are likely considering whether you should buy Bouncer's Guide. Yes, you should.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quinn really knows his stuff and communicates it effectively, November 18, 2004

By 

L. A. Kane (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighter, and Ambusher (Paperback)

Quinn's writing style is very similar to Marc MacYoung's, right down to the expletives. Similarly, his no-nonsense advice is hard hitting and right on point.

This excellent book begins by pointing out that avoiding violence is an essential technique in and of itself, just as valuable as knowing how to throw a good punch or deliver a strong kick. The fundamental elements of avoidance tactics section is important information. There are also solid sections on the realities of fighting which, as experienced warriors understand, is nothing like what you see in the movies. It's ugly stuff best avoided. Even when you triumph there are legal (and medical) ramifications that can come back to haunt you. The author's stay out of prison plan is excellent. Advanced practitioners should appreciate this information but won't get a lot out of the rest of the book.

The principles of defensive and offensive techniques are fairly basic, but well written and comprehensive. He covers striking, grappling, and movement in good detail. Don't forget, however, that you really cannot learn this stuff solely from a book. It should be supplemented with a hands-on instructional program. Chapter 7, which covers how to select an appropriate martial art for your own personal safety is an outstanding overview for beginners that can help you find one.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction