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Copyright © 2003-2004 Phil Elmore, all rights
reserved.
Real World Self Defense: A Guide to Staying Alive in
Dangerous Times
A Book Review by Phil Elmore
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that in the not-too-distant future
you committed some unspeakable crime against contemporary society, such as
voting against gun control, or carrying a pocket knife, or something
equally socially unacceptable. The Council of Elders of our future
dystopia plans to maroon you on a habitable and deserted asteroid. Because
the Councilors enjoy bizarre hypothetical scenarios, they dictate that the
only reading material you may take with you must consist of work by a
single author.
You would be well-served by naming
Jerry VanCook.
Jerry’s work is familiar to readers of Tactical Knives and
Trails End magazines. He’s also got a double-digit tally of fiction
novels under his belt, writing for Gold Eagle as a contributing author in
their Executioner, Stony Man, and Super Bolan series.
Jerry’s novels are among the best of those books (which are written by
various authors, credited on the copyright page of each novel) and are
characterized by prominent (and page-turning) knife work.
An accomplished martial artist and instructor, Mr. VanCook is a respected
figure in the self-defense industry today. His book, Real World
Self-Defense: A Guide to Staying Alive in Dangerous Times, is the
subject of this review.
From the first few pages it is evident that the book sounds a lot like
Jerry’s magazine articles. It is written well, but in a friendly and
conversational tone rather than as a stuffy formal lecture. Jerry informs
without preaching, engaging the reader as would a kind but firm teacher.
It is easy to picture Jerry speaking in much the same way in a hands-on
training class or seminar.
Real World Self-Defense includes an introduction by Master at Arms
James A. Keating. Mr. Keating sums up the book very well:
VanCook has laid things out in no uncertain terms. He knows from
personal experience what works on the street and what doesn’t. His
common sense and sophisticated simplicity appeal to the inner self of
every man who has “seen the elephant” and lived to tell about it.
Likewise, the novice can learn from this book. It keeps the focus on the
goal of survival and bypasses the commercialization and politically
correct nonsense that clogs the arteries of many current “experts” and
their academics.
The book is divided into three parts. Part One, “Let’s Get Ready to
Rumble,” includes chapters about attitude and the importance of the
warrior mind-set, the psychological and physiological effects of
self-defense scenarios, and navigating the shark- and lawyer-infested
legal and political waters that rise to one’s eyeballs when one is forced
to use violence. I enjoyed reading about all of these topics, but the
section on politics and the law was particularly interesting. If you are
at all interested in Massad Ayoob’s commentaries on the legal
ramifications of shootings, you will enjoy Jerry’s insight into these
realities.
Part Two of the book, “Fight Time,” is what I consider the heart of the
book. Jerry pulls no punches in offering his realistic evaluation of the
current state of popular martial arts instruction, but he is both fair and
knowledgeable in discussing the topic. The rest of Part Two contains Mr.
VanCook’s considerable expertise on the subjects of firearms, knives,
impact weapons and other self-defense implements, less-than-lethal tools,
and unarmed combat. On this last topic, Jerry stresses the importance of
simplicity, which will resonate with practitioners of the various “combatives”
schools active today.
Part Three, which is relatively brief compared to the rest of the book,
covers training and its psychological motivations. Jerry also devotes some
space to “The Good, the Bad, and the Dangerously Stupid” of martial arts
schools and self-defense courses. A brief list of those Jerry recommends
is included.
Jerry thoughtfully includes an Appendix in his book, listing other
suggested reading as well as sources for videos, knives, and other
products. The conclusion of the book is also very good. It manages be
inspirational while tying together the subjects previously discussed —
something that’s harder to do than it might sound.
Real World Self-Defense is published by
Paladin Press.
If you don’t have it, your self-defense library is woefully lacking. Pick
up a copy as soon as you can. And the next time you’re in the book store,
check the “Men’s Adventure” section for Executioner and Mack
Bolan books. If the copyright page includes the words, “Special thanks
and acknowledgment to Jerry VanCook for his contribution to this work,”
buy that book, too.
You won’t be sorry.