| Being the author of several books on the | | | | strike them and what happens to a person when |
| martial arts and fighting, I am always | | | | these areas are struck. Always a very useful |
| looking for books of exceptional quality to | | | | piece of information to know before it is |
| add to my library. If I have a book in my | | | | needed. It is also something that you will |
| library, it's definitely worth owning. One | | | | want to store in the old grey matter. Like my |
| such book is Marc "Animal" MacYoung's, | | | | father used to say, "Use your head for more |
| "Fists, Wits, and a Wicked Right." | | | | than a hat rack!" |
| | | | |
| One of the great things that I absolutely | | | | If you are a strict traditional martial |
| love about Marc's books is his no-holds | | | | artist with a closed mind then (although this |
| barred direct approach to getting his point | | | | book would definitely be good for you), don't |
| across. There is never any sugarcoating or | | | | waste your time or money buying it. However, |
| politically correct terminology is his books. | | | | regardless of your training background, if |
| He simply tells it like it is, whether you | | | | you have an open mind and are willing to look |
| like it or not. Marc's not-so-politically | | | | at something from a slightly different |
| correct way of explaining things is always | | | | viewpoint, then I would highly recommend that |
| refreshing in today's society where everyone | | | | you add this book (and others like it) to |
| wants to sugarcoat everything so as not to | | | | your personal library. |
| offend anyone. In some ways, I would compare | | | | |
| Marc's method of teaching to the comical | | | | I am a traditionally trained martial artist |
| rants of George Carlin. You may be offended | | | | in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do, as well as |
| by what he says, but by golly it's the truth. | | | | being ranked in several other disciplines. |
| And yes, sometimes the truth hurts. | | | | However, unlike a lot of schools that have |
| | | | degenerated down to teaching a diluted |
| Once again, Marc gives you a no-holds barred | | | | "sport" version of these arts, I was |
| look at the reality of fighting and surviving | | | | fortunate enough to be taught the practical |
| on the street. This book is simply loaded | | | | version of each technique alongside the |
| with sound principles and easy to learn | | | | traditional version. |
| techniques for making the most of a bad | | | | |
| situation. Marc discusses the various hand | | | | By reading Marc's books, I feel that he had |
| positions and striking surfaces that can be | | | | the great misfortune to be exposed to way too |
| used for striking your opponent, as well as, | | | | many of the former and not enough of the |
| the principles behind them. I find this | | | | latter. Having said that, I can totally |
| information on the principles behind the | | | | understand where Marc's bias towards the |
| techniques very useful, and it is usually a | | | | "McDojo" type martial arts comes from, and |
| very good indicator of a high quality | | | | one that I myself tend to agree with. |
| self-defense and/or martial arts book. | | | | |
| | | | Although a lot of what Marc teaches in this |
| The other major area covered in this book is | | | | book I already knew, there were just as many |
| the various vulnerable and vital areas | | | | things that I didn't know, or was shown from |
| throughout the human body that can be | | | | a different view point. I am never too old to |
| exploited during a fight. Marc not only tells | | | | learn and I definitely learned a lot by |
| you what areas to strike, but also how to | | | | reading this book. You will too! |