Secondly, although the techniques are direct and brutal they are limited only to techniques that are executed (1) with combat uniforms (fatigues, boots etc.), (2) standing upright and (3) against one opponent always. In the today's world these techniques may have their shortfalls.

The book is good for reference purpose (history maybe) and is not the be all and end all of hand to hand fighting.


Get Tough-how to win in hand to hand fighting   March 11, 2001
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

As the son of a WW2 Ranger (4th BN) and a former student of Col Rex Applegate I have some insight on this volume. Most of Fairbairn's good material was intentionally left out by Fairbairn and was written mainly for Fairbairn to make some cash since his pension from the SMP was gone with the Japenese capture of Shanghi. Sykes himself called much of the book, "Hokum" and in some manuels listed in Applegate's last book he explains why. This isn't meant to critize Fairbairn himself(who was a true PRATICAL master of close combat) but merely to put this book into perspertive. The blows are excellent, as are the pistol disarms but many of the throws and holds were dropped later on in the war. Police officers are urged to buy a copy of SHOOTING TO LIVE to really appreciate what Fairbairn & Sykes had to offer. A good instructor helps since the blows are delivered in a manner unlike many martial arts being taught today ( the chops, for example, were taught more as a jab/saber cut than as a karate shuto) The WW2 systems are not quite as simple as some instructors like to believe and are hard to learn from books, but this gives good historical refrence.


A valuble read for those who are fearful of fights   November 12, 2000
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

This was an interesting book, oddly enough. What we have here is an oft out-of-print copy of the WWII hand-to-hand combat manual used by the British Commandos. I must confess that this is my first circa WWII hand-to-hand fighting manual, or hand-to-hand fighting book in general, so I have really little to compare it to. For those interested in self-defense, however, I will say to you that this is an excellent beginning. This book covers basic striking moves, holds, releases, several throws, and short passages on stick fighting, smatchet and knife combat, and pistol disarming, all the while providing detailed explanations for the application of the desired move. I looked into other hand-to-hand fighting books and I must say that, in my opinion, this is one of the better ones in existence. The moves advocated here have been proven to work, unlike so many of the other hand-to-hand fighting books out there. Some of these moves are difficult to apply and can only be done so in certain circumstances, but, for the most part, they are moderatly applicable. Also, the book will "instil courage and self-reliance" which are both key to winning a fight. I'm not saying that any reader of this book will become a Bruce Lee overnight, but the manual is helpful. Some of the moves demonstrated are...rather cheap, but they are intended for critical situations, not playground fist fights. The techniques are simple but brutal. The manual is, unfortanetly, somewhat short (120 pp.) and expensive ($18). The diagrams are drawn in black-and-white and, consequently, difficult to follow (color would have been helpful). A competent partner is also essential. Even if you do not decide to purchase this book, as the material is dated, I would still recommend utilizing a military manual, as the military has had more experience and funding in the fighting area than those inscrupulous authors who lay claim on the most comprehensive fighting manual. Use this manual for good and stay safe.


What a book!   July 31, 2000
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Get Tough by Capt Fairbairn is a gem. His 1 1/2 pages of humble introduction is worth the price alone. His techniques are illustrated and clearly described in British English. I'd say if your son or daughter were going to be in a life/death struggle and you had only one week to whip them into shape for it, following the advice in this book would be better than 30 years of karate lessons. I wish there was more informtion about Fairbairn and his partner Sykes for historical reasons since these two gentlemen were the real grandfathers of close quarter combat for the allied forces and an inspiration for those who came after them. Without their work, we all might be speaking Japanese or German by now...Best Wishes to all. Mike Member Veterans of Foreign Wars Member Vietnam Veterans of America


Practical Tips from a Master   July 7, 1999
 29 out of 30 found this review helpful

This classic WW2 military training manual is simple in approach and very pragmatic. The author writes with authority and the discriptions and illustrations (by 'Hary') are very clear. Some of the advice, such as how to escape the police staight arm bar restraining hold, and how to properly secure a prisoner are hard to find elsewhere. Some reviewers have implied that the material is 'dated' (difficult to -ahem- imagine in a book almost 60 years old) but I did not find this. Many of the techniques are better suited to military or police use than to the street. The only specific problems I found were the advice to hold the thumb straight out when delivering an edge of hand blow (too east for the adversary to grab) and the times to death from varous knife wounds. Minor details. If readers could fight half as well as Captain Fairbairn, they would be tough indeed. A more comprehensive biography of the author would be a welcome addition.