Customer Reviews

The Seekers : A Bounty Hunter's Story

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been a bounty hunter for two years, before that I was in the Marine Corps. We have captured over 1300 fugitives in the two years I have been with the company. Mr. Armstrong tends to give alot of dis-information in this book, from stats and techniques to right out breaking the law with some of his methods. After reading the book I'm still trying to figure out if he is stretching the truth or recounting stories from Renegade. The book is entertaining, but more so for those who are not professionals.

Ok folks, I'm gonna try and deal with several reviews of this books as I give my opinion. Why? Because stupidity cannot be corrected, but ignorance can.
This book is -not- meant as a "How To" for being a Bail Enforcement Agent, hereafter referred to as a bounty hunter. If you want a step-by-step on how to be a bounty hunter, find another book, because this one is not it.
I, personally, did not see the book as a forum for Mr Armstrong to "push or peddle" his religious perspective. I suppose some could view it as that, but then they, in my opinion, need to come to grips with their own religious dogma.
Now, let's talk about the book and leave the pedantry aside.
The reading level is of a somewhat lower angle than many might be used to, I would compare it to that of a magazine that attempts to appeal to both teens and adults. It is an easy read and you will not be digging through a dictionary, which, I believe, is the entire point. Mr Armstrong makes no bones about his background and is attempting, perhaps, to have a book out there that many urban youths can read. And if you want to go around with me that the reading skills of kids today has deteriorated, take a number.
The stories are the best part of the book. Very true. But you also should not ignore the deeper parts. I do not like any religious angle, yet I got through this book. So forget about those condemnations. Mr Armstrong has created a religious amalgamation, largely influenced by Ancient Egyptian ideals. There are concepts of Shinto and Buddhist thoughts as well.
The basic idea is there for bounty hunters as well. And while I am not a bounty hunter by trade, I have done what I refer to as skip tracing in the past, using a computer. The big pattern is observation and psychology, both of which pop up again and again in the book.
My biggest disagreement with the book and, I would suppose, Mr Armstrong is that I do not see eye-to-eye with him about the inherent goodness of the human being. As well, I do tend to meet force, or the possibility of force, with overwhelming force.

Final say, from me, is that the book is good and has a multi-cultural appeal. He does not proselytize, nor does he come across as overbearing in any other manner. I think he'd be someone good to have a "sit down" with and talk about things over a picnic table...well, ok, I'd have a beer, but I'd supply him with an orange juice.

This book was a fun read. But, it is simply a cover for pushing ancient egyptian philosophy(occultic practices). It's simply a nice cover to get unsuspecting or naive readers to purchase more new-age reading material.

The reading level is barely 8th grade. But, I believe that is the target audience 13-15 year old young men.

What really made this unbelievable is how easily he captured some of the most hardened criminals by simply sneaking in to their homes in the middle of the night. One guy he 'apprehended' was millionare cocaine dealer with homes in ny and miami. i guy that heavily connected ain't gonna get caught by two poorly trained bounty hunters.

His so-called seekers have no military background and p/u tracking by reading police manuals.....Get real.

But, the book is a fun read.

I found this book hard to believe. He makes the capture of some of the most hardened criminals seem simply too easy. This book will go over well with anyone not willing to question some of the stories that he is pushing.

Joshua does an oversimplistic job of explaining all of societies problem. He never really goes into detail about solving any of them.... just keeps complaining about how noone is willing to evolve to stellar manhood.

He also does a not so subtle job of pushing ancient egyptian philosophy or some would say occultic practices. Whatever helps him to do his job....It's a nice read but don't take it too seriously.

The book will make for a good movie because most of it is pretty far-fetched.

The Seekers is an exhilarating tale of Joshua Armstrong's life. The story is an intriguing mix of ancient philosophies, modern day street smarts and extraordinary compassion.

Armstrong founded the Seekers, which is a group of bounty hunters that work out of New Jersey. Unlike other bounty hunters who have less than a 50% success rate, the Seekers have an 85% success rate and have captured over 2000 bail jumpers.

Armstrong is constantly trying to become a "stellar man" and it is this journey of discovery as well as the thrilling adventure of some of his most famous captures that make this tale so captivating.

Where else can you read about Egyptian philosophy, mad bombers, spiritual enlightenment and drug dealers all in one place?

This book caused a real stir when it came out, and now it's forgotten. I'll vouch that Armstrong is better at his craft than Duane Chapman, but some of his stories seem stretched. The one about the fugitive who was in "top physical condition" seems to be missing some parts. Why would he go alone to do such a hazardous job? If the fugitive was as powerful as he claims, and backed by a family of huge porkchop-faced men, he'd be crazy to just "arrest him at gunpoint". Furthermore, a Black man from New Jersey would stick out like a sore thumb in a cracker community.

There are some practical tips for bringing fugitives out of hiding. For instance, spreading the word that you have money for the guy will bring anyone out of hiding.

This book contains numerous solid lessons about life and human nature, as well as numerous bits of useful tactical information for those in the fugitive recovery field. As a private investigator who does some bounty hunting, I've found Armstrong's tactics far more useful than those of, say, Bob Burton. This isn't a textbook, of course, yet has more useful information for practictioners than any other book out there on the subject. Moreover, the book is exceptionally well written by an author who obviously loves reading and language. Armstrong is quite an admirable person with a strong capacity to inspire.

The first two pages hook you one of the best reads ever!!
This book is not just a guy's book. I am recommending it to an all girls book club.

I enjoy the book very much. Bounty hunting is a tuff business. They work with mean people and bad people throughtout their career. It is hard to maintain a positive outlook in life day after day in their profession. But I guess it takes a true professional to achieve that and Mr. Armstrong has convinced me.

The best part about this book is the stories. Armstrong grows up in New Jersey, and eventually ends up on the west coast, where he is first really exposed to the criminal element. While working on a fishing boat in Alaska, he gets his first experience bounty hunting while trying to earn some extra money. He is not impressed with the guy he was working with, but was intrigued by the profession.

Armstrong goes on to found the Seekers, a group of bounty hunters who are professional, and respectable. His religion plays a part in the book, and is primarily seen in his attitude torwards the criminals he is trying to capture. He does not accept the fact that all of them are automatically evil, and frequently talks about how he is trying to let his mind grow, and that this is what the people he works with need to do as well. The religion is not an overwhelming part of the book, but if you are the sort of person who cannot read about a religious view that conflicts with yours without getting agitated, this is not the book for you.

The best part of the book is the stories about caputres he's made. As a bounty hunter, it is his job to track down people who were arrested, made bail, then did not return for their trial. A typical bounty hunter gets 5,000-25,000 a capture. Most of the chapters in the book describe memorable captures this bounty hunter has made either individually, or with the help of his organization. He would aquire information on his target, then track that person down and capture them in the most efficient and non-violent way possible. It is very interesting to hear about the situations he's been in, and how he survived them, and made the capture. It's a pretty easy book to read, and very engrossing.