| Being the author of several books on the | | | | |
| martial arts and fighting, I am always | | | | Although I thoroughly enjoyed what Peyton had |
| looking for books of exceptional quality to | | | | to teach in his book, I must admit that I am |
| add to my library. If I have a book in my | | | | not a big fan of the generalization that |
| library, it's definitely worth owning. One | | | | seems to take place when people compare "real |
| such book is Peyton Quinn's, "Real Fighting." | | | | fighting" to the martial arts. It seems that |
| | | | a lot of the martial arts are pigeonholed |
| On a personal note, I found it quite | | | | into the prevalent "McDojo's" that seem to be |
| interesting how certain people's paths can | | | | so popular these days. That simply is not the |
| cross without either one knowing about the | | | | case. |
| other. A case in point, Peyton relates a | | | | |
| story about a massive brawl which took place | | | | Peyton is one of the few "self-defense" |
| at a very prestigious bare-knuckle karate | | | | authors out there that seems to realize this. |
| tournament in Denver, Colorado. Which just so | | | | He not only respects the teachings of the |
| happened to be the very same tournament that | | | | martial arts, but also understands their |
| I competed in and also had the misfortune to | | | | overall purpose and the benefits derived from |
| witness the very disgusting behavior of a | | | | them for those of us that study and live the |
| certain so called martial artist and his | | | | martial way. |
| friends. I often wondered if he recalled | | | | |
| seeing me compete. | | | | Peyton does do a really good job in |
| | | | differentiating between the "sport" mentality |
| I found Peyton's book to be a very good | | | | that seems to be so prevalent in many martial |
| "reality check" for those of you out there | | | | arts these days, and the "self-defense" |
| that think that your "martial art" is | | | | mentality that has all put disappeared from |
| superior to everyone else's. Well guess what, | | | | all, but a few martial arts schools in |
| its not! As every person who has more than a | | | | existence today. |
| passing resemblance to a human being will | | | | |
| tell you, there are no superior martial arts, | | | | I am a traditionally trained martial artist |
| just superior martial artists. One particular | | | | in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do, as well as |
| quote that I really had to agree with was, | | | | being ranked in several other disciplines. |
| "Concepts are more important than specific | | | | However, unlike a lot of schools that seem to |
| techniques." Boy did Peyton hit the nail | | | | have degenerated down to teaching a diluted |
| right on the head with this one. From that | | | | "sport" version of these arts, I was |
| one quote alone, I knew that he definitely | | | | fortunate enough to be taught the practical |
| knew what he was talking about. | | | | version of each technique alongside the |
| | | | traditional version. |
| The most important thing to remember when | | | | |
| reading this, or any book dealing with | | | | A lot of traditional martial artists may find |
| self-defense techniques, is that the | | | | the information contained in this book a |
| principles behind the technique are far more | | | | little disheartening, but take it from me, if |
| important than the technique itself. Peyton | | | | you have one ounce of sense you will buy this |
| does a great job of this, and you would do | | | | book and study it. And when you think you're |
| well to sit down and read this book from | | | | finished and have learned everything in this |
| cover to cover several times in order to | | | | book, take it off the shelf and read it |
| grasp what he is trying to teach you. | | | | again. |
| | | | |
| Another important point that is brought out | | | | Finally, this book gives you a great overview |
| in this book is your need to develop your own | | | | on Peyton's scenario based training |
| personal awareness of yourself and your | | | | principles in which he utilizes his Bulletman |
| surroundings. By being aware of what is going | | | | (TM) suits and instructors. Although you |
| on around you, you can avoid a lot of | | | | will never get the full effect of this type |
| potential problems and be able to spot the | | | | of training from this book, you will get that |
| preliminary signals that are always present | | | | which is most important, the concepts behind |
| before the first blow is actually thrown. | | | | it. |