Customer Reviews

Real World Self-defense: A Guide To Staying Alive In Dangerous Times

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

VanCook has written the best introduction to the field of self-defense since Franco's general work on the subject some time back -- and he's gone Franco one better for the ordinary Joe who wants to be able to defend himself, but doesn't necessarily want to be an athlete. My personal bookshelves have 4 feet of books devoted to this subject area, and I've read many more than I own. I can say without reservation that VanCook's work is the best general introduction to the field that I have read. Beyond that, it is a provocative and unconventional treatment of self-defense that has much to offer even to an expert. Real World Self-Defense covers mental preparation, legal issues, weapons from firearms down to OC spray, unarmed combat and training considerations. Further, his conclusions in all these areas take into account the findings of recent research on the body's capabilities under the severe stress of having to fight for survival -- a whole area of research that the self-defense field in general has failed to take into account. If you only buy one book on self-defense -- why anyone would buy only one book on anything, I don't know, but anyway, if that's you -- buy this book.

-T.R. Nichols

Class 1 Instructor, American Combatives

I spent 20 years as a NYC court officer and I found the authors description of what to expect from the criminal justice system to be (unfortunately) deadly accurate. The rest of the volume is superb! Good, solid, pratical and, no doubt, hard won knowledge.This one rates right up there with the works of Rex Applegate and W.E. Fairbairn. Get this book!!!.

Jerry VanCook has more than 30 years of experience instructing civilians, cops and military personnel in defensive tactics.  He has also spent 14 years in law enforcement as an undercover officer, which he claims gave him a better perspective on the self-defense needs of civilians vs. cops since he was usually in the same situation most civilians find themselves -- alone with no backup and restrictions on the type of weapons they can carry.  His system for self-defense is very much like mine and includes firearms, knife, impact weapons and unarmed techniques.  He also shares the secret of the "unbendable arm" trick.  Too bad, because I have been using -- and exposing -- that trick for a few years myself as a teaching tool.   I like this book very much and can recommend it highly for all levels of self-defense students and martial artists.

Brad Parker, Defend University

Interested in staying alive in dangerous times? Then this is the book to help you do it! Whether you're a beginner or advanced, this book has something for everyone. Many books "Claim" to be the ultimate defense book, but you don't see very many on here being reviewed. That's because most of them are overly complicated, lacking real world approaches or scenarios, or the info is just plain wrong... Not so with this book. Jerry covers each section and chapter in DETAIL, and then backs up that advise with more techniques throughout the book. He's obviously a believer in "stay aware and keep it simple"! (My kinda guy!)

Jerry VanCook can talk the talk because he has walked the walk. Once you open the Preface of the book "Going Under Cover" you are drawn into a twisted web of psychological puzzles that VanCook puts together for you. Not only is "Going Under Cover" entertaining it is a tactical master piece of stealth. I would recommend this book as S.O.P. to any active duty Police Officer or anyone who is concerned about their personal safety. I couldn't put it down until I read the last line in the book that said, "Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."

Real World Self-Defense: A Guide to Staying Alive in Dangerous Times by Jerry VanCook is a very good addtion to any self-defense library. In it you will find practical advice regarding some of the violence that permeates today's society.

In Part 1, VanCook explores concepts such as the warrior mindset and attitude, psychological and physiological changes during combat, and the legalities and politics in self-defense. I especially like that VanCook talks about how different situations demand different levels of response. VanCook is far from politically correct, and he tells it like he sees it. I agree with many of his views, and regardless if you do or don't, you should read this book and listen to his perspectives. They may just save your life.

Part 2 of the book contains chapters on Martial Arts, Firearms, Knives, Canes, Umbrellas, and Other Impact Weapons, Nonlethal Weapons and the Overall Defense Package and finally Unarmed Combat. VanCook provides some excellent advice in these chapters as well. However, I do disagree with his choice of cane instruction. I believe there are much better cane resources out there than he recommends, mine included. But since mine were not release yet when this book was written, I can't hold anything against him for that. In fact, the cane instructional set that VanCook was a part of with Ray Ellingston and Kelly Wordon is much better than the resource he recommends as well.

Part 3 ends with chapters on Training and the Psychological Motivation to Train, Martial Art Schools and Self-Defense Courses, and then his Conclusion. Again, VanCook offers some great insights into these topics.

Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and practical book related to self-defense. VanCook covers a lot of areas in this volume and his insights may be just what you need to keep yourself alive if you ever face the violence he writes about. Hopefully, your studying of self-defense and increased awareness will enable you to avoid violence and you won't need the physical skills this book discusses. Add it to your self-defense library to increase your chances of staying safe.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of the DVD set Streetfighting Essentials.

I have had the very good fortune to train with Jerry Van Cook, and let me tell you it was a fantastic event. I devoured this particular book, and must admit that it delivers 100% of what it promises. Van Cook has painstakingly considered an exhaustive number of situations where danger could lurk. There is something for everyone in this wonderful book. He covers it all.

It is almost a blessing to have this wealth of information, tactics, techniques and ideas presented in such a common sense manner. There are books that describe situations and tactics, but at times get mired in detail or information that detracts from the main point. Van Cook is well known for his easy and straightforward manner to making difficult things seem easy, and of course anyone can do something that is easy.

I read this book four years ago, and have finished it again. It seems that Van Cook has designed this work for all people. Regardless of your martial arts background, or even if you are an absolute beginner, you will find RELEVANT and INTERESTING information. People with some background in protection, etc., should find the work equally enticing, and applicable to every day situations.

I look forward to a follow-up book, or a second volume. I really don't care the cost, because the material that he provides is just simply "Gold". Thank you Jerry Van Cook

It never ceases to amaze me how a group of people can read the same book and come out with completely different opinions. This fantastic book is a perfect example. As a lifetime student of the martial art, as well as a law enforcement defensive tactics instructor, I think this book is full of practical lessons and tips that could save your life. Right from the first chapter, this book details the first important lesson(THE WARRIOR MIND-SET IS EVERYTHING). As an advocate of "Living the way of the warrior" all my life, I think this is the first lesson that should be taught to those who want to win on the street. This great book is broken down into three parts. Each chapter has valuable information that is important to survive a violent encounter.

In conclusion, this is a book that should be in every police officer's personal library. It is also a text that should also be read by anyone who believes in the "right to self-defense" and refuse to be a willing victim.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Monadnock Defensive Tactics System

Interested in staying alive in dangerous times? Then this is the book to help you do it! Whether you're a beginner or advanced, this book has something for everyone. Many books "Claim" to be the ultimate defense book, but you don't see very many on here being reviewed. That's because most of them are overly complicated, lacking real world approaches or scenarios, or the info is just plain wrong... Not so with this book. Jerry covers each section and chapter in DETAIL, and then backs up that advise with more techniques throughout the book. He's obviously a believer in "stay aware and keep it simple"! (My kinda guy!)

I teach self-defense and competed in mixed martial arts cage fights and I've developed my own methods of street self defense. This book adds to my skill. I'm already an expert eye swiping, groin kicking unarmed street self defense specialist and everything I learned about street fighting was included vaguely. This is not a book that explains punching or kicking form in various steps. It explains the successful fighters tactics and weapons with a strong emphasis on legality, which I was the best part of the book in my opinion. Staying out of jail and defending yourself from crooked cops and judges is usually the last thing on someones mind during a self-defense situation but it is a harsh reality of today's legal system. A good read.