The Martialist: The Magazine For Those Who Fight Unfairly

“Stay ‘unreasonable.’  If you
don’t like the solutions [available to you], come up with your
own.” 
Dan Webre

The Martialist does not
constitute legal advice.  It is for ENTERTAINMENT
PURPOSES ONLY.

Copyright © 2003-2004 Phil Elmore, all rights
reserved.

Strictly Street Stuff

A Book Review by
The Martialist Staff

Every once in a while one discovers one of
those little gems available on the arguably glutted self-defense market. 
There are countless books on “street defense” and “reality
fighting” out there, some of which are great and some of which are less
than stellar.  Now and again, though, one stumbles across a previously
overlooked treasure available for mere pennies.

Strictly
Street Stuff: Practicing Personal Protection is one of those great
finds.  Bill Bryant, Sr., may not write with the polish you’ve seen in
some of the more glamorous self-defense texts out there, but he speaks from
experience and wastes little time imparting what he knows.  The book is,
to be honest, a self-published pamphlet — a stack of standard letter-sized
paper folded in half and stapled in the middle, with a black photocopy bearing
white block lettering for the cover.  The result is a neatly laid-out 82
pages of simple, direct advice.

“This book is not normal,” Bill
writes in the introduction.  “It is about brawling.  Though
martial arts are mentioned they are neither glamorized nor vilified. 
…I wanted to produce a very economical book that could be used by virtually
anyone to improve their chances of surviving a violent encounter.  I also
wanted to entertain instead of making it one of those dry books on how to
deliver a rear snake fang kick to the left nostril of Godzilla.”

Strictly Street Stuff is evidence that
Bill accomplished his goal.  A veteran brawler and martial artist who
worked as a Shore Patrolman for the navy and as a bouncer (doorman, for our UK
readers) for a security firm, Bill is no stranger to casual violence.  He
begins his book by describing the mental aspects of successful
self-defense.  You must believe in yourself, he states. 
Always believe you have an advantage — and mentally prepare yourself for the
worst. 

When you feel pain, Bill counsels, react with anger
rather than apathy.  When you feel fear, react with anger. 
He dismisses as “high minded crud” talk of control over one’s
emotions, instead advocating viciously counterattacking your assailant by
going into a “fighting rage.”

Mr. Bryant offers his advice on a variety of
topics, including selecting a martial arts school (he recommends finding one
that emphasizes fitness, cross-training, and realistic competition) to
developing a “personalized combat form” — a physically expressed
catalog of one’s fighting techniques to be practiced each day.  He
devotes one chapter to “Mechanics,” recommended a fairly
conventional boxing-type fighting stance.  He also covers various punches
and strikes, from the straight punch to the palm heel to jabs, “Bottom
Fist Strikes,” and forearm blows.

“Simply put,” Bill writes,
“kicking is not all it is cracked up to be.”  He suggests
simple front kicks and knee strikes before moving on to headbutts, diving
(some would call it “shooting”), throws, and pressure points.

In a chapter devoted to weapons, Bill covers
last-ditch gun defenses, dealing with knives (he is not a big advocate of
carrying knives, but does think joggers and lone walkers would benefit from
carrying one attached to a wrist lanyard), using environmental weapons,
clothing concerns, carrying canes for defense, and wielding sticks. Among
other weapons of opportunity, he recommends constant carry of “click type
ballpoint pens,” which make expedient stabbing implements.

There is a chapter devoted to
“breakaways” — escaping grabs, holds, chokes, and locks. 
There is also one on defending against blows and throws.  This is
followed by chapters on attacking, ground grappling (which is very dangerous),
and physical training.  Among other exercises, Bill mentions Hindu Squats
and Hindu Pushups.  The squats alone are notorious for the tool they take
on the knees if you are not careful, so consult your physician before engaging
in an exercise regimen.

Bill’s book could easily be finished in a
single sitting.  The time it takes to read is very well spent. 
Informative and easily absorbed, it is also very entertaining, containing
numerous anecdotes of fights in which Bill has been involved.  Mr. Bryant
also has a quirky sense of humor that shines through his prose — which, while
rough by professional standards, gets the job done simply and directly. 

Nothing would be more
appropriate for a book of this type.

Strictly Street Stuff may be
ordered online through
this link.