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Real World Self-Defense: A Guide to Staying Alive in Dangerous Times Paperback – September 1, 1999

by Jerry VanCook (Author), James A. Keating (Foreword)

4.5 22 ratings

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If you want practical solutions to the violence that permeates today's society, this book offers savvy advice for dealing with everything from an unwarranted attaack to the often ironic legal aftermath. Van Cook covers unarmed defense, improvised weapons, edged weapons, firearms and more and offers something of value for people from all walks of life.

Print length

204 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Paladin Press
Publication date

September 1, 1999
Dimensions

5.25 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

1581600445
ISBN-13

978-1581600445
See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerry VanCook has trained thousands of police officers, military personnel and civilians in both armed and unarmed defense over the past 30 years. He spent 14 years in law enforcement with various agencies.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paladin Press; First Edition (September 1, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 204 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1581600445
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1581600445
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,385,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,952 in Martial Arts (Books)
- #35,701 in Exercise & Fitness (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 22 ratings

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Jerry VanCook

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ABOUT JERRY VANCOOK, AUTHOR

Writer and training expert Jerry VanCook is a 40+-year martial artist and has studied Aikido, Thai Boxing, Kung Fu, Kali, and Spanish Knife Fighting. He holds a black belt instructor rank in Okinawan Karate and a 7th Degree Black Belt in Bei-Koku Aibujutsu. He is a Certified Bowie Knife Instructor, a Blademaster in Knife Defense, and an NRA certified firearms instructor.

VanCook is best known in law enforcement circles for his extended deployments as an undercover officer for the Garfield County Oklahoma Sheriff's Department, the Multi-County Intelligence Unit, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The lessons learned from these assignments became the basis of his book Going Undercover, which has been regarded as the definitive work on the subject. VanCook has also been featured on the Law Enforcement Training Network, and The Learning Channel's World's Most Dangerous Undercover Stings for his expertise in this area. Undercover experience also provided him with a "real world" forum in which to test the martial arts techniques he had learned, and to separate pragmatic Close Quarters Combat from tactics more suited to art. This resulted in his second non-fiction book, Real World Self-Defense (Paladin Press).

Jerry's broad background also includes graduation from the Peruvian Air Force Jungle Operations and Survival School. He is the past writer of the "Street Smarts" self-defense column for Tactical Knives Magazine, has contributed to many other combat-related publications, and has written over 70 action-adventure novels in the Mack Bolan/Executioner, Super Bolan, and Stony Man Farm series under the name Don Pendleton.

VanCook also has the unique distinction of being involved in a firefight with a career criminal that was carried live on Oklahoma television. He is currently an adjunct instructor and teaches novel writing at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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Some things NEVER go out of date...

Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book may be out of date in the matter of some of the products discussed, and some of the instructors listed may have retired. However, most of the material in this book is timeless. Some of the points Mr. Van Cook makes are almost prophetic.

This is not a book devoted to the nuts and bolts mechanics of fighting. It is a text about guiding principles and strategy mingled with some suggestions of tools and tactics. The resources he lists are quite valuable.

His opinions on point shooting may be controversial. However, I agree with him wholeheartedly. This is an excellent book written with a very approachable style.

It is much like sitting down over a cup of coffee with someone who has a tremendous amount of experience and getting some good training tips and strategy. You will learn much, unless you are already well versed in this subject.

If you are well versed, you may find yourself often nodding in agreement...

One person found this helpful

SharpDressedMan

The MMA fighter's feedback

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2011

Verified Purchase

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.

4 people found this helpful

Top Notch Book in Its Breadth and Depth.

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2018

Verified Purchase

Read it 3 years ago. It really woke me up from Queen of Denial to recognizing that the world is a more dangerous place than any (most) of us think it is. Really practical info and well written by a thoughtful, former undercover cop who epitomizes self-effacing humor (to everyone's benefit). Highly instructive. It was a foundational piece for me, early in researching and writing, At Home In the Real World. At Home in the Real World: A Manual for the Modern Woman in an Unstable World .
Thanks Mr. VanCook !

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

Author makes a good point about keeping a total perception on self-defense, including going overboard and landing in jail. Lots of good stuff in this book in combining different aspects of self defense (i.e., guns, knives, canes, pepper-spray, open hand defense) with being prepared for the surge of adrenaline that will throw one's ability to concentrate and prefect their aim and moves way off balance. Where I had a problem with this book was the author throwing in unnecessary statements about his political beliefs and his disturbing description of killing a defenseless wild boar with a hunting knife. I had to grimace past these sections.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2011

Verified Purchase

This book is a must read for anyone the slightest interested in Self-Defense for themselves and loved ones. Mr. VanCook has hit the proverbial nail on the head with each and every chapter in this well written and laid out book. It is a very easy read and something you will want to read two or more times so you can glean every bit of information he has provided to help you save not only your own life but the lives of your loved ones and maybe even that of a complete stranger. High 5 Mr. VanCook. Real World Self-defense: A Guide To Staying Alive In Dangerous Times

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2013

Verified Purchase

I am a Security Guard and this is the kind of self defense training I have been looking for. It helps if you have some one to practice with.

perfect for today's world

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2011

Verified Purchase

common sense approach to personal safety, not gimmicky or shrouded in mystery and zen. shows how to take care of yourself in dangerous situations by making you face reality, can you or can't you.

Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

This guy knows his stuff

Alain B. Burrese

Real Good Addition to Your Self-Defense Library!

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2008

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 : Combining Western Boxing And Hapkido Into An Unstoppable Self-Defense System and others.

6 people found this helpful

Full of practical lessons and tips on how to survive on the street.

Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2009

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

2 people found this helpful

The Intelligent Man's Guide to Survival.

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2006

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

3 people found this helpful

Lives up to the title

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2000

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

35 people found this helpful

Real World Self-Defence

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2008

A good book that is a easy read and keeps your interest.The warrior aspect of the book is very interesting. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve there self defense attitude. A good addition to ones self defense library.

Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2006

A solid book that covers the various components which should be part of any "real" self-defense program. However, this title is not as much of a "how to" guide as it is a "what to" guide. Only those with little knowledge of reality training would complain about such a solid book. For those readers who seek more traditional and unrealistic training I would recommend any of the karate-style martial arts books that flood the bookstores yearly. Only get this book if you are interested in real-deal training by an author who has actually applied his skills on the street as an undcover police officer.

2 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2003

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!)

5 people found this helpful

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