| Being the author of several books on the martial | | | | to do a spoiler here and tell you what M.P.S. |
| arts and fighting, I am always looking for books | | | | stands for, you are just going to have to buy the |
| of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I | | | | book in order to find out. |
| have a book in my library, it's definitely worth | | | | The next chapter discusses the use of avoidance |
| owning. One such book is Marc "Animal" | | | | as the best possible method and if that isn't a |
| MacYoung's, "Knives, Knife Fighting and Related | | | | viable alternative, then the following chapter |
| Hassles." | | | | discusses the use of blocking and parrying the |
| As you already know, if you have read any of | | | | knife. Marc like most good instructors on knife |
| my reviews of Marc's books, one of the great | | | | fighting is a strong advocate of avoiding a knife |
| things that I absolutely love about Marc's writing is | | | | fight first and then running if you can't avoid it. |
| his no-holds barred direct approach to getting his | | | | Only as a last resort should you actual engage in |
| point across. There is never any sugarcoating or | | | | a knife fight if at all possible. This chapter also |
| politically correct terminology is his books. He | | | | gives you a few good training ideas that you can |
| simply tells it like it is, whether you like it or not. | | | | use to increase your mobility and balance. |
| Marc's not-so-politically correct way of explaining | | | | Chapters six through nine focus on the use of the |
| things is always refreshing in today's society | | | | knife during a fight from the perspective of you |
| where everyone wants to sugarcoat everything | | | | being the one with the knife. Marc covers all the |
| so as not to offend anyone. In some ways, I | | | | basics in these chapters such as: |
| would compare Marc's method of teaching to the | | | | 1. How to hold a knife and the various grips you |
| comical rants of George Carlin. You may be | | | | can use. |
| offended by what he says, but by golly it's the | | | | 2. Picking a knife that fits you. |
| truth. And yes, sometimes the truth hurts. | | | | 3. Various knife fighting stances. |
| Once again, Marc gives you a no-holds barred look | | | | 4. Utilizing a "Quickdraw" in order to get your knife |
| at the reality of fighting and surviving on the | | | | into use. |
| street. This book deals with the use of knives and | | | | 5. Various types of draws for getting your knife |
| the related problems that come from not only | | | | out and ready to use. |
| using them, but having them used on you. Marc | | | | The next two chapters are gems all by |
| stresses a very important point in this section, | | | | themselves. In the first of the two chapters, Marc |
| that fighting in a combat situation during war time | | | | talks about the difference between a knife fight |
| is a whole lot different than fighting some | | | | and combat. In the former it may be possible to |
| obnoxious drunk at the local bar in front of a | | | | merely wound your opponent and then give them |
| dozen or more witnesses. | | | | the opportunity to retreat. In the latter, you must |
| Marc starts out with a brief overview, which is | | | | be prepared to kill him, or be killed yourself. If you |
| immediately followed with a "Nuts and Bolts" | | | | are faced with a combat type situation involving a |
| section in which he discusses the various legalities | | | | knife, the final chapter in this book gives you |
| and types of knives you are likely to face when, | | | | some things to consider before you are ever in |
| and if, you are ever in a confrontation involving | | | | that particular situation. |
| knives. Marc also gives you some good advice on | | | | Also in chapter ten Marc includes a section on |
| how to choose a knife and what to look for in | | | | basic training principles and methods in order to |
| choosing one. | | | | improve your knife fighting and defending skills. |
| The next chapter, Mental Homework, I found | | | | Like all of Marc's books, I find this information on |
| particularly interesting. In this chapter Marc covers | | | | the principles behind the techniques very useful, |
| such areas as awareness, witnesses, using your | | | | and it is usually a very good indicator of a high |
| brains, and my favorite M.P.S. Now I am not going | | | | quality self-defense and/or martial arts book. |