This is a great historic document, however I think that the author could have done several relatively small things that would have added a great deal to making the book more "user friendly". First, a glossary would have been nice. There are many acronyms; I would have liked a central place to look them up and also read a few basic details about the related organizations (and people) that were not provided in the main text. Second, a time-line would have been awesome because it could have summarized the information in the book and could also have offered additional (brief) details on Applegate's life and/or the lives of his contemporaries. Finally, some minor editing could have removed some redundant material and left room for my previous suggestions.


Hand-to-hand combat in the postmodern world   March 10, 2002
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Chuck Melson's book on the late Col. Rex Applegate should be read and absorbed by those in our military who are enamoured with the Asian martial arts and are trying to hoist them on our soldiers. Unfortuanately, these imports are based on fine motor skills, which are lost under the stress of combat, and will get our people killed. Instead, as the book demonstrates, we have a successful system developed by Col. Applegate whic is simple, effective and easy to learn. Applegate developed this system for our OSS and Melson's book not only documents the developmental process, but lays out Applegate's training syllabus as well. Instead of spending millions to develop "new" hand-to-hand combat sysytems, our military could save money, and provide valuable training by simply purchasing this book.


Bait and Switch   November 21, 2001
 38 out of 48 found this review helpful

This is not a book for the novice to learn basic self defense techniques. There are only two pictures on self defense. The rest is written. You have to already know the techniques to know what he is talking about, in which case you don't need this book. It is mostly a book about Applegate's days in the O.S.S. and how they trained. What I really don't like is the way it was falsly advertised as a book to learn the few basic techniques needed for self defense, when this is not the case at all. It is way over priced for the content.


A must own!   August 20, 2001
 21 out of 21 found this review helpful

As the founder and chief instructor of a system of self-defense training, incorporating both armed and unarmed self-defense techniques, I ve found the information in this book to be the most practical and realistic with regards to CQB, than any other publication. Col. Applegate utilizes practical, effective and efficient tactics and techniques with the handgun and knife for close combat encounters of a lethal nature. The point shooting technique is a reactive and reflexive method of a spontaneous shooting response, which has been scientifically proven as the natural response by a person under life endangering stress, a technique Fairbairn, Sykes, and Applegate knew 58 years ago. As a police officer of 20 years and an instructor of police officer survival skills, I know his techniques work. This is an excellent book for realistic close quarter combat. A must own book for self defense and police defensive tactics instructors.