Pool Cues, Beer Bottles, And Baseball Bats: Animal’s Guide To Improvised Weapons For Self-Defense [Paperback]

Marc Animal MacYoung (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1990

Would you admit to getting your ass kicked with a hairbrush? Animal would, because as a seasoned veteran of streetfighting, he knows it can happen. Learn to pick up damn near anything and use it to survive.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marc "Animal" MacYoung knows the ins and outs of American violence. He is the author of many books and has appeared in countless videos on street violence and self-defense for Paladin. Reading his books and watching his videos will save you a lot of hassles and a lot of hurt.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (May 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873645456
• ISBN-13: 978-0873645454
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,174,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

If you're looking for a simple category to put Marc MacYoung into, don't waste your time.

Yes, he was a pioneer in the self-defense world. (www.nononsenseselfdefense.com) Yes, he developed the Five Stages of Violent Crime and is a court recognized expert witness. Yes he developed Conflict Communications, a de-escalation and conflict resolution program with Rory Miller(www.conflictcommunciations.com) Yes, he teaches police, military and martial arts around the world. Yes he was a thug with the street name "Animal." And yes, he's also the author of fiction.

You'll also find him working the cattle shoot at his in-laws ranch. Shoveling out feces one day and being consulted by Ph.Ds, lawyers and millionaires the next day. One day he'll be talking to a bum in an alley and the next he'll be lecturing at universities or on TV the next.

At the time of this writing it's been fourteen years since he's last been shot at (a new record for him). He's been married for ten and is pretty durned happy that the 'excitement' of his old life style is a thing of the past.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfuly informative book from a great fighter, May 19, 2000

By 

Joseph C. Bentley (Norfolk, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pool Cues, Beer Bottles, And Baseball Bats: Animal’s Guide To Improvised Weapons For Self-Defense (Paperback)

This was the first of Marc "Animal" MacYoung's books I read and still one of my favorites. Improvised Weaponry is a terribly under-studied field. This isn't ancient Japan or the old West, we can't walk around with a katana or Colt six shooter on our hips. Many people just cannot carry weapons on a routine biases (Weapons are forbidden on the Navy ship I work and live on for instance) so the art of improvising weapons quickly in a crisis is an extremely handy skill. On another note this book introduced me to the wonderful and always practical writings of ex-street fighter Marc "Animal" MacYoung. Although not a how-to book so much as a book on comman sense and stradegy. Animal's books are easy to read, incrediably funny, touching in parts, and though provoking. Personnaly I think this comes from the very human nature of the author. Like it our not (And Animal if your reading this I hope you take this the right way) Animal is not unique. He's good yes, but there's a guy just like him in half the bars between New York and LA. Animal is not some martial arts guru who has spend every waking nano-second of his life perfecting his art. He fights to live he dosen't live to fight.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blunt, Honest, and to the Point. Score Another One for Animal!, October 25, 2006

By 

Shawn Kovacich "Author and Creator of numerou... (The Greatest Little City in the World) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Pool Cues, Beer Bottles, And Baseball Bats: Animal’s Guide To Improvised Weapons For Self-Defense (Paperback)

Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is Marc "Animal" MacYoung's, "Pool Cues, Beer Bottles, and Baseball Bats."

As you may well know from my previous reviews of Marc's books, one of the things that I absolutely love about his style of writing, is his no-holds barred direct approach to getting his point across. There is never any sugarcoating or politically correct terminology is his books. He simply tells it like it is, whether you like it or not. Marc's method of writing reminds me of the comical rants of George Carlin. You may be offended by what he says, but by golly it's the truth. And yes, sometimes the truth hurts.

Once again, Marc gives you a no-holds barred look at the reality of fighting and surviving on the street. This book focuses on the most common types of weapons you are likely to encounter during an altercation on the street. For the most part, Marc leaves out the two most common ones, guns and knives. The reason for this is because these two are deserving of book all of their own. One of which I know Marc has addressed, as that particular book is on my "To Do" list.

In the preface, Marc discusses the intent of his book, which is for you the reader to use the knowledge contained within to keep yourself safe and out of trouble. It is not intended nor implied for you to go out and start causing it. As I was making notes to do this review, it occurred to me that what Marc and others like him are trying to teach you is similar to what the late Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin was trying to teach all of us that watched him work with animals.

First, that these are wild animals (violent and unpredictable individuals) and need to be treated with respect. Secondly, if you know the "ins and outs" (what to look for when dealing with this type of person) of the animal, then you will be able to identify and avoid a possible dangerous confrontation.

This last part is strictly Marc's and others like him, and is not Irwin's by any stretch of the imagination.

And finally, when unable to avoid a confrontation, what options you have to inflict as much damage upon your opponent as you can while sustaining minimal damage to yourself.

In the first chapter, Marc talks about the vital importance of awareness not only of your surroundings, but also of yourself. He teaches you some of the subtle and not-so-subtle cues that people tend to give off when preparing to attack. He also goes into patterns of trouble, which are a series of events that seem to always follow one after another on a one way course to trouble. With you usually right in the middle of it. One of the ways to avoid these things is to be aware of it. Hence, the lesson to be learned in this section, taking the time to work on your awareness.

The next chapter deals with long range weapons you are likely to encounter. Things such as pool cues, staffs or poles, shovels, etc. The remaining chapters in this book are broken down into various sections that focus on a wide variety of weapons, such as swords, sticks. Marc also goes into quite a bit of detail on impact weapons such as; wrist pins, brass knuckles, rings, saps, etc. Marc even has a chapter dealing with flexible weapons such as chains and ropes. As with all of his books, and this one is no exception, Marc gives you a real good understanding of the principles behind the techniques that he discusses and demonstrates in his books.

Marc's final chapter in this book deals with diversions and distractions that you are likely to encounter during a street altercation. Some of them are obvious, while others are not so obvious. As Marc is fond of saying (and completely right) awareness is the key to survival. Buy Marc's books, read them, study them, learn from them, and then use that knowledge to stay safe and live longer.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Realistic and practical advice, November 1, 2006

By 

Lodge2 (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pool Cues, Beer Bottles, And Baseball Bats: Animal’s Guide To Improvised Weapons For Self-Defense (Paperback)

This is a good book on using improvised weapons for self defense. On the positive side, MacYoung appears to have a wide range of experience and speaks with an air of authenticity. Buried deep in his stories and use of slang, you will find a person who has combined some formal training with street smarts and the school of hard knocks to create a very realistic view of the world and how to survive in difficult situations. For most people, those situations will never have the opportunity to present themselves because they will avoid the venue. For those who choose to frequent biker bars, rowdy night clubs and pool halls, this book will have more value.

Realistic and practical advice that can have applications in any environment. Exploring the self defense potential of common items is a great exercise and can keep you from getting locked into the mindset that if you are not "armed" then you are defenseless. It's a message that needs a wider audience, unfortunately due to the tone of his writing; this book will not appeal to that larger group.