Customer Reviews

Street E & E: Evading, Escaping, And Other Ways To Save Your Ass When Things Get Ugly

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In my opinion, this is the finest of Animal's books. Animal has always written in order that the reader does not get his butt kicked. The first couple of chapters are nothing more than a condensed version of his other books. But the later chapters are what makes this book work.

Animal does a great job in giving you tips in leaving a scene in a hurry, especially if you are running away from a gang. Some require prior actions, liking feeding neighborhood dogs, but most do not. He also discusses how you can counterattack your pursuers.

Lastly, Animal talks about how to stay away from those seeking you out. First he tells you how to hide away from the police and organized crime. Then he tells you how to avoid the local yokals.

All in all, a fine book.

Marc Macyoung is one of the most insightful self-defense writers of the 20th century. This book is probably the best self defense title available at Paladin Press. Street E&E discusses the necessity for a "strategic withdrawal" when one is faced with impossible odds. Of course this withdrawal is not simply a retreat but rather an action that is the only sensible alternative to getting beaten by multiple opponents. As Macyoung poigniantly states " the only thing one man can do against a gang is get killed." This work defines hit and run tactics for modern street survival. The fighter who knows how and when to change from a ghost to a tiger is truly formiddable. This fighter has the option of escape or counterattack via guerrila war methods. The entire withdrawal process is explained in this book. From the initial breaking away to the eventual counterattack and disappearance; Macyoung points the way. This book is invaluable for anyone considering self-defense studies. Since no one is invincible and many prefer to "live to fight another day" this book is indispensable. Modern criminals exploit the advantage of superior size, numbers, and armament. Therefore a reasonable person must be prepared for an intelligent withdrawal. This withdrawal is not merely running away but rather the two point system of street evasion and escape. Sabin Smith

This book is very long-winded and tedious. Although a lot of Macyoung's advice is sound, the book as a whole is far too drawn out and protracted. It's quite a heavy read and I frequently became bored while reading the book, Another criticism of the book, is that it should have been more structured, in terms of the presentation of the material. Finally, the patronising manner in which Macyoung addresses the reader, is most off putting and disconcerting

I really enjoy reading MacYoung's books. They are the no-holds-barred version of martial literature. As someone who has trained for years, but only had the unfortunate test once, I'm not sure that all of Marc's advice is useful for those outside the "Life". However, I will probably refer to this book for a few new outdoor training ideas. His section on jumping fences and other low objects is full of good ideas.

One recurring theme rings very true: "The only thing one man can do against a gang is get killed." I've met too many martial artists who think they can take on an army.

This gem of a book details how to get yourself out of sticky situations you probably shouldn't have gotten into in the first place! MacYoung gives sound advice on how to live your life when persons of nefarious intent are gunning for you, how to think and plan ahead for danger, and the realities of violence. True to Animal's inimitable style, this is also one of the funniest books he's written. Get it.

I was given the whole series of these books as a present, and as soon as I saw the title of it I thought I had recieved a book on how to run away. The insight Marc has is ingineous and informative. It isn't totally dis-similar from the other titles Mac has released, but is is essential reading if you dont make a habit of reading books of this genre.

The book gives brief mention of fighting, focused mostly on things you might do while being pursued. As the title says, it is focused on avoiding a fight and getting away from one before or after it starts. This is going to be more useful to most readers than trying to teach martial arts or knife fighting in a book.

Most of the advice in the book is common sense if you think about it--But I at least, didn't think about most of it before. Things like why you should almost never make a right-angle turn while being chased, how and where to park your car, and things you may want to actually practice ahead of time.

The book isn't a new one (1993) and I'm sure cell phones have an effect on some of the things discussed. I'd like to see a book with that in mind.

The writing style isn't exactly formal. The author definitely wants to explain what a tough guy he is. The book reads like a conversation, though it actually does have footnotes (mostly a further comment on an idea rather than a citation).

Let's face it, unless you are a law-enforcement professional there are very few legitimate reasons to get into a fight. Rule number one for survival is 'don't get hit'. The best way to do that is not being there. Before things get ugly, leave. On occasion, however, you can't just strap on those Nikes, make like brave Sir Robin, and beat a hasty retreat. The bad guys have a habit of getting in the way.

MacYoung shows you how to survive when you're outnumbered or outgunned. Real life isn't like a kung fu movie. Rather than wading in with fists and feet flying, you need to learn to apply hit-and-run tactics, use the environment to your advantage, and use your attacker's weaknesses against them.

This book is chock full of street survival lessons from a guy who knows. Marc MacYoung is a bad man (and I mean that in the best sort of way). He's been there, done that, broken a lot of people, and picked-up a lot of scars along the way. His writing style is engaging, entertaining, and sarcastically witty. The knowledge he imparts is realistic, practical, and very important.

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

Marc is one of my favorite authors. I discovered him back when I was learning to defend myself with a revolver, and since then I've read all his books. For myself, I consider his books fantasy comedy. His sense of humor melds with my own. The fantasy part is that my lifestyle is such that there is only a miniscule chance I would ever have to use his techniques (I bought the guns after my house was robbed and in fifteen years I have yet to have the slightest reason to point them at anyone.) As for all his other techniques, I am an old, sick man who only wishes he could carry any of them out.

For example, in E & E, he explains how you run over a fence, well, at a dead run ... up you go, then a step or two up the fence or wall followed by a simple flip over the top to an Olympic landing, and voila! I walk with a cane at about ten steps a minute on level groud; somehow, I don't think I'll be walking over any fences.

But all his books are extremely entertaining, and, hey, I can dream, can't I? One section is on dropping a tail while driving. I guess I could try that one, except I really don't have anyone who has any reason to tail me. (I guess cops could chase me if I was trying to prevent being stopped for a speeding ticket or the like, but chasing and tailing are two different things.)

The rest of the book is how to, e.g., properly run into traffic when on foot against pursuers -- actually there's a lot of running and pursuing in the book. He teaches how to run parellel to the cars and properly lead them to change lanes without losing speed, gaining a lot of distance if the pursers don't know the technique.

He also teaches how to disappear during a chase. I have a little trouble buying it, but Marc claims you can instantly disappear with your pursuers as little as four feet away from you. I won't spoil it by saying how. Those wedded men out there reading the book for fantasy fulfillment might try to disappear from your wives, and write me with your results.

The book is full of stuff like that. Some will buy it as a how-to book; others like myself for sheer entertainment value. Whichever, it is one great read.

Marc, should you read this, is there any chance you could do a book strictly on handguns?

This non-fiction appears to be written by a street criminal or the author is more concerned with teaching how to evade law enforcement. Coming from a back ground in law enforcement, his tips for the most part will not help the bad guys get away. This is a good waste of money for the bad guys.