Buy used: $26.98

FREE delivery Thursday, September 14. Order within 12 hrs 59 mins

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by KCPL Friends

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Have one to sell?

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 2 images

Follow the Author

Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighter, and Ambusher Paperback – January 1, 1990

by Peyton Quinn (Author)

4.5 44 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Paperback

"Please retry"

$26.98

—

$15.03

Paperback
$26.98

19 Used from $15.03

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.

Print length

264 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Paladin Pr
Publication date

January 1, 1990
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0873645863
ISBN-13

978-0873645867
See all details

Jack Dempsey
1,442
Paperback
62 offers from $6.04

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paladin Pr (January 1, 1990)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0873645863
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0873645867
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,643 in Martial Arts (Books)
- #15,185 in Exercise & Fitness (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 44 ratings

Important information

To report an issue with this product, click here.

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Peyton Quinn

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

44 global ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star

How customer reviews and ratings work

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

"Big George" Afutu Jr.

Almost the ultimate!

Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book is an outstanding book for streetfighting in all scenarios ranging from the sucker-puncher, the streetfighter who is a skilled boxer which is quite common in my hometown NYC, to multiple attackers and armed assailants. The book's only flaw is the de-escalation techniques. I do not believe you will avoid fights in bars if you ask a guy glaring at you if he likes giving "fellatio" to other guys. You are more likely to get a razor cut on your face in the modern day. You will need to know some pretty advanced criminal psychology to pull that off! He did share the primary reason for attracting trouble in any bar and the self-defense techniques and diagrams are superb. This is one of the very few martial arts books where you can actually learn how to fight by reading and studying it. He also lists the martial arts styles he feels are most practical for barroom and street violence. Aside from the self-protection tips and examples, Peyton Quinn wrote an absolute classic book for real world nightlife violence. A must read! Get a copy or several copies if you can. You will not be disappointed!

8 people found this helpful

Quinn really knows his stuff and communicates it effectively

Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2004

Verified Purchase

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

21 people found this helpful

Practical, truthful and sometimes too sure

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2008

Verified Purchase

this is probably one of the most sensible books written for learning how to get out of fights and end fights on your terms. Quinn speaks from experience and training. His anecdotes on his real life experience dealing with nut jobs serve as a reality check for every hot blooded teenager itching to get into a fight at the street corner. the techniques are well grounded and sure to work in the hands of a reasonably skilled and alert person.
There are 2 reasons for giving this 4 stars in place of 5
1. Too few pictures. Some of the blocks are best explained using pictures, remember the old adage - a picture speaks ........
2. Sometimes too critical of asian martial art systems. In all fairness though, Mr.Quinn himself does state pretty early on the benefits of his grounding in the eastern systems HOWEVER it is very easy to infer from his book that eastern systems dont work at all. Thats not true. Eastern systems prepare the mind as much as the body for "effortless action" and "relentless attack". the "one mind" concept is a spinnoff of the zen philosophy(in turn derived from the indian concept of "shunya" meaning Nill or "nought"). this philosophical background to eastern martial systems makes it look archaic and burdensome. However, its worth learning and thereby respecting.
Overall, a great book and a sure guide to survival for the average joe on the street.

3 people found this helpful

Best Such Book I've Ever Read

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2008

Verified Purchase

Not that I've read them all, or even a lot of them. However, this tome is a practical, no frills affair that attempts to impart important *principles*. There are plenty of useful tactics, methods, etc., and I suggest you read the other reviews for more details-- but just the description of "the interview" and what to expect thereafter is worth the price of the book. The admonishment that "there are no guarantees in a fight," and the warnings about medical and legal consequences are very refreshing, and the author would rather flee than fight. Shouting "Get away from me -- I don't need your macho b.s." and leaving the scene of potential conflict is something that everyone should take to heart. The only drawback here, IMHO, is a shortage of photos and diagrams.

5 people found this helpful

Patrick O. Hardy

Good Book as to mindset in a Street fight.

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2012

Verified Purchase

This was a great book, IMO, as to the awareness you need to avoid a street fight,the mindset you need when confronted by an antagonist, and the mindset once it hits the fan. I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 mainly because I was not impressed with the techniques Quinn uses. However, if it works for him then it could probably work for others.Overall a very good book IMO.
Pat"Hawk"Hardy

2 people found this helpful

Great Guide To Bar Room Defense

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2014

Verified Purchase

This book covers a lot of ground and is a great addition to any security guard or bouncer or even a patron knowledge library. Talks in detail about personal encounters and theoretical with defense and attack moves. Also explains a bit how to present your situation to law enforcement. Some of the moves and descriptions are a bit much to comprehend on paper so a friend is needed and some rereading.

2 people found this helpful

not just how to punch

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2011

Verified Purchase

I had expected this to be another book of techniques, which it certainly has. However, there is more, the book also helps develop the proper attitude and understanding of what a brawl/fight/confrontation really is. Additionally, there is also the back stories, told to relate how the author arrived at his conclusions. This is the best combat how-to I've had the pleasure to read.

2 people found this helpful

Practical Guide for Bar/Club Security

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2015

Verified Purchase

I have formerly worked as a doorman/bouncer over the last 20 years and I found the advice in this book to be very effective in the context of practical application. This title helped me to deal with real life situations while working security in bars and clubs. Must read for anyone in the field.

3 people found this helpful

DAVID GROESBECK

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2010

Verified Purchase

Mr Quinn,like an increasing number of others,has published a practical & eminently useable book on FIGHTING & the avoidance thereof. He is an accomplished martial artist who has stripped the "ying/yang" mumbo jumbo from tradional fighting styles & presents the reader with techniques & more importantly,dynamics that work in situations where your opponent is seriously trying to HURT you. Recommend highly.

3 people found this helpful

Saving yourself in tough conditions

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2017

Verified Purchase

Interesting as expected

Write How He Thinks

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2009

Verified Purchase

Text provides interesting insights into barroom fighting. practical advice and thorough explanation of the various and likely attacks in a barroom fight. also good explanation of the various types of attackers. a good read for anyone who wants knowledge of street fighting, without picking fights in a bar.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2010

Verified Purchase

Too much text. Great information, but text exceeds by far the amount of pictures, so it will take a long time to get a real idea of the instruction.

2 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2014

Verified Purchase

This is a very fun and informative book to read, I feel every Martial Artist should have this one in there book shelf.

One person found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018

Verified Purchase

fun to read

Peyton does it again and provides a very useful book on the subject of self-defense.

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2007

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 Peyton Quinn's, "A Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling."

The most important thing to remember when reading this, or any book dealing with self-defense techniques, is that the principles behind the technique are far more important than the technique itself. Once again, Peyton does a great job of this, and you would do well to sit down and read this book from cover to cover several times in order to grasp what he is trying to teach you.

So without further ado, let's get started.

1. The Ambush: Awareness and Avoidance

One of the important points that the author tries to get across to you in this section is that fighting has serious legal and medical consequences and should be avoided if at all possible. Remember, nothing is easy to do unless you're first willing to do it. Also, learning how to avoid a potential conflict is perhaps the most important "technique" that you can learn. It is vitally important and should be considered your first line of defense.

2. The Reality of Fighting

Here are just a few of the items of interest that are discussed in this section.

a. The sucker puncher's strongest assets that he uses are as follows; confidence, experience, competence and tactics.

b. Some of the very real characteristics of "Real Fights" such as; real fights are actually very sloppy compared to the ones portrayed in movies, most fights only last a few second, most fights are decided by punches to the head, most real fights involve some form of grappling, kicking (particularly above the waist) is not very effective in an actual fight.

Now I have to admit that I am not too fond of statements such as the last one that seem to knock the effectiveness of kicks in a real fight. I for one have trained extensively in kicking and have used it successfully many times in "real fights." However, having said that, I freely admit that the point the author is trying to get across here is actually a very good one. Most people not only don't know how to kick properly to start with, but they have no idea on how to apply them practically in a "real fight."

c. The author's observations about the martial arts versus real fighting; Peyton, in my opinion, is one of the more realistic self-defense authors out there today simply because he takes a realistic and practical approach to the effectiveness of traditional martial arts when it comes to the subject of self-defense. Unlike other authors out there that seem to knock any and every kind of formal martial art there is, Peyton freely admits there importance and value not only in self-defense, but also in every other aspect of your life. He does provide some really good "food for thought" in this section and it was a real pleasure to read.

3. The Tool Box

This section starts out with some great advice, "It is more important to learn how to effectively avoid getting hit, than learning how to hit effectively."

The author then describes several different hand strikes and how to execute them. This particular section is really good and offers some very practical and worthwhile advice.

I particularly enjoyed the author's poignant tale of a sparring session he had with a Tae Kwon Do 4th degree black belt. This is quite an amusing and interesting story, and one that you can learn a lot from, if you know how to read between the lines. The author then finishes this section with some more discussion on hand, elbow, and knee strikes.

4. Principles of Defense

The single most noteworthy piece of advice that the author has put into this book is simply this, "The principles and concepts behind the techniques are more important than the techniques themselves," or something along these lines. This is something that I have been saying for at least 20 years, ever since I first started teaching. Several principles of blocking and striking are discussed in this section.

5. Mobility, Stance, Facing, and the Finer Points of Staying Out of Jail

This section covers a lot of ground covering the subjects of proper stance, the use of footwork, and keeping and maintaining the proper distance between you and your opponent.

6. Grappling, Throwing, and Escapes

This section covers a lot of very good information on the subject of grappling and throwing. I really enjoyed the information in this section and it alone is worth the price of this book.

7. Selecting an Appropriate Martial Art for your Personal Study

This I found to be one of the best sections in the entire book. Here the author takes an honest fairly well-informed look at the various martial arts and the numerous factors one should consider when trying to decide which ones to study.

Overall I found Peyton's book to be outstanding and one that I am proud to have in my own personal library. I find Peyton's approach to the subject refreshing and honest and one that I personally hold in high regard.

I strongly recommend that you purchase this book and not only read the words that Peyton has written, but perhaps more importantly the ones that were written between the printed lines.

28 people found this helpful

Get to Know Us

Make Money with Us

Amazon Payment Products

Let Us Help You

English United States

© 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates