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| Pool Cues, Beer Bottles, And Baseball Bats: Animal's Guide To Improvised Weapons For Self-Defense | 
 enlarge | Author: Marc Animal Macyoung
Publisher: Paladin Press
Category: Book
List Price: $20.00
Buy New: $11.90
You Save: $8.10 (40%)
New (17) Used (6) from $11.90
Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 635129
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 152
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4
ISBN: 0873645456
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.66
EAN: 9780873645454
ASIN: 0873645456
Publication Date: May 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: NEW from the Publisher! APO/FPO Orders Welcome. Order from a VETERAN-OWNED Bookseller. Every order shipped with Delivery Confirmation. Please e-mail us directly with any shipping questions.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Would you admit to getting your ass kicked with a hairbrush? Animal would, because as a seasoned veteran of streetfighting, he knows it can happen. Learn to pick up damn near anything and use it to survive.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Great Introduction to Improvised Weapons for Self-Defense April 10, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
You have to hand it to Marc "Animal" MacYoung, he has some of the most creative titles in the self-defense genre. "Pool Cues, Beer Bottles, & Baseball Bats: Animal's Guide to Improvised Weapons for Self-Defense and Survival" is definitely a creative title.
Once the creative title catches your attention, MacYoung hits you with his first sentences, "You know, I don't write these books so people can go out and kick somebody's... In fact, I write them so people don't go out and get their ... kicked." This was one of the earlier books MacYoung wrote, and you can see that he is not far from the street in his writing. There is a considerable difference between some of his more recent works and his earlier ones. Some of his language is much rougher in his earlier works, so if you are offended by this, you may want to stick to his later books. However, one thing that you find in all of his books is practical advice on keeping yourself safe and various aspects regarding fighting and self-defense. He has put out a lot of good information. You might not agree with everything he says, but I guarantee you if you read his works he will give you things to think about and will assist you with the topics he writes about.
This book is shorter than some of his others, but within the 136 pages are some very practical guidelines for using improvised weapons for self-defense. He starts out with a chapter on the seriousness of weapons. He then briefly explains keys to look for and patterns.
He then explains some different types of improvised weapons and things they share in common. The next chapters cover specific types of weapons, the first being a chapter on long weapons such as quarter-staff, polearm, and spear. MacYoung describes grips, stances and how to use long weapons, including shovels.
MacYoung then covers swords and bludgeons in the next chapter, covering a brief history, grips, blocking, swinging, physics and effects of the weapon. Basic blocks, guards and stances are also shown.
The focus of the next chapter is on strike enhancers. He covers a variety of enhancers such as brass knuckles and saps to keys and other improvised implements that enhance one's striking power. He finishes with short chapters on flexible weapons and diversions.
As I stated earlier, this book is only 136 pages long. So it was not meant to be a complete treatise on improvised weapons. Rather, it is an introductory text and a quick and dirty guide on using improvised weapons to protect yourself and survive violent encounters.
I read the first several books MacYoung wrote before meeting him. I remember reading and going, yep, I've seen that. I also applied some of the things I read in his book and they helped me during various fights and physical encounters. Later MacYoung and I met and became friends. I've learned a lot from his books, and even more from him in person. I recommend his works to anyone who wants to further their knowledge in self-defense and survival. You don't have to agree with him on everything, heck he will tell you he doesn't know everything and you shouldn't blindly agree with him or anyone. But I do guarantee he will open your eyes regarding various topics and give you something to think about. And I also guarantee that he will provide you with information to help you stay safe and survive.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author, speaker
Hard-Won Wisdom From The School of Hard Knocks, Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, and The Lock On Joint Locking series, and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer
 Fun reading; not much use for civilian self-defense. March 22, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was looking for a book about some basic self-defense using improvised weapons. Long ago I saw a book about bo staff fighting that talked about using umbrellas, canes and the like for self-defense, and was hoping this would be of the same order.
It is amusing and a great read. "Animal" talks like a Marvel Comics character like The Thing or Wolverine, and you can practically hear the Bronx voice as you read. But this material is intended for muscle men who work out regularly in a martial arts gym, who want fighting skills more real-world-based than formal martial arts. For someone who doesn't intend to fight for a living, or who would never enter a biker bar full of violent crackheads, the book has little practical use. Sorry, Animal, I ain't Batman. I'm more like Flounder from "Animal House," and this book won't help me.
Outstanding and comprehensive June 13, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
A comprehensive look at improvised weapons you might encounter on the street such as beer bottles, pool cues, baseball bats, brass knuckles, fighting rings, saps, chains, shovels, bricks, and the like. Even hairbrushes and orange juice, two of the more unusual things the author has actually been assaulted with, are covered along with solid principles of how to spot, utilize, and defend yourself from these potentially deadly objects. Importantly, the book also delves into awareness, covering in depth some of the subtle and not-so-subtle cues that people tend to give when preparing to attack as well as patterns of trouble, diversions, distractions, and other things to look out for.
The author is the real deal. Growing up on gang-infested streets not only gave MacYoung his street name "Animal," but also extensive firsthand experience about what does and does not work for self-defense. Over the years, he has held a number of dangerous occupations including director of a correctional institute, bodyguard, and bouncer. He was first shot at when he was 15 years old and has since survived multiple attempts on his life, including professional contracts. He has studied a variety of martial arts since childhood, teaching experience-based self-defense to police, military, civilians, and martial artists around the world. Clearly a guy worth listening to.
Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults and Martial Arts Instruction; co-author of The Way of Kata and The Way to Black Belt
Realistic and practical advice November 1, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a good book on using improvised weapons for self defense. On the positive side, MacYoung appears to have a wide range of experience and speaks with an air of authenticity. Buried deep in his stories and use of slang, you will find a person who has combined some formal training with street smarts and the school of hard knocks to create a very realistic view of the world and how to survive in difficult situations. For most people, those situations will never have the opportunity to present themselves because they will avoid the venue. For those who choose to frequent biker bars, rowdy night clubs and pool halls, this book will have more value.
Realistic and practical advice that can have applications in any environment. Exploring the self defense potential of common items is a great exercise and can keep you from getting locked into the mindset that if you are not "armed" then you are defenseless. It's a message that needs a wider audience, unfortunately due to the tone of his writing; this book will not appeal to that larger group.
Blunt, Honest, and to the Point. Score Another One for Animal! October 25, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is Marc "Animal" MacYoung's, "Pool Cues, Beer Bottles, and Baseball Bats."
As you may well know from my previous reviews of Marc's books, one of the things that I absolutely love about his style of writing, is his no-holds barred direct approach to getting his point across. There is never any sugarcoating or politically correct terminology is his books. He simply tells it like it is, whether you like it or not. Marc's method of writing reminds me of the comical rants of George Carlin. You may be offended by what he says, but by golly it's the truth. And yes, sometimes the truth hurts.
Once again, Marc gives you a no-holds barred look at the reality of fighting and surviving on the street. This book focuses on the most common types of weapons you are likely to encounter during an altercation on the street. For the most part, Marc leaves out the two most common ones, guns and knives. The reason for this is because these two are deserving of book all of their own. One of which I know Marc has addressed, as that particular book is on my "To Do" list.
In the preface, Marc discusses the intent of his book, which is for you the reader to use the knowledge contained within to keep yourself safe and out of trouble. It is not intended nor implied for you to go out and start causing it. As I was making notes to do this review, it occurred to me that what Marc and others like him are trying to teach you is similar to what the late Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin was trying to teach all of us that watched him work with animals.
First, that these are wild animals (violent and unpredictable individuals) and need to be treated with respect. Secondly, if you know the "ins and outs" (what to look for when dealing with this type of person) of the animal, then you will be able to identify and avoid a possible dangerous confrontation.
This last part is strictly Marc's and others like him, and is not Irwin's by any stretch of the imagination.
And finally, when unable to avoid a confrontation, what options you have to inflict as much damage upon your opponent as you can while sustaining minimal damage to yourself.
In the first chapter, Marc talks about the vital importance of awareness not only of your surroundings, but also of yourself. He teaches you some of the subtle and not-so-subtle cues that people tend to give off when preparing to attack. He also goes into patterns of trouble, which are a series of events that seem to always follow one after another on a one way course to trouble. With you usually right in the middle of it. One of the ways to avoid these things is to be aware of it. Hence, the lesson to be learned in this section, taking the time to work on your awareness.
The next chapter deals with long range weapons you are likely to encounter. Things such as pool cues, staffs or poles, shovels, etc. The remaining chapters in this book are broken down into various sections that focus on a wide variety of weapons, such as swords, sticks. Marc also goes into quite a bit of detail on impact weapons such as; wrist pins, brass knuckles, rings, saps, etc. Marc even has a chapter dealing with flexible weapons such as chains and ropes. As with all of his books, and this one is no exception, Marc gives you a real good understanding of the principles behind the techniques that he discusses and demonstrates in his books.
Marc's final chapter in this book deals with diversions and distractions that you are likely to encounter during a street altercation. Some of them are obvious, while others are not so obvious. As Marc is fond of saying (and completely right) awareness is the key to survival. Buy Marc's books, read them, study them, learn from them, and then use that knowledge to stay safe and live longer.
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