Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on November 5, 2017
Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase

I learned of Andrew Vachss through two friends (Marc & John) at differing times. He was often mentioned and so I took the bait and started to BUY his books. The first one floored me: it was perfect in it’s purpose and structure. To me, it was an easy read as it was in short-story format. A lot of it took me time to digest due to it’s honest writing, and of course to it’s powerful subject matter. I honestly have not been that moved by a writer in my life perhaps. This book is one of a few where Andrew shares writing credits, but it’s also in a ‘graphic-novel’ format, something I’d usually stay away from. Don’t let that deter you – it has a purpose that fits hand-in-glove with the material being presented. Andrew is a force – hard to deny that. His style is both entertaining and educational at the same time. He has a way with words that create specific images or feelings that stir deep. I can’t recommend his writing enough, and if you’re adventurous, you’ll take a leap of faith and find out for yourself.

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on November 5, 2017
Format: Hardcover

I bought this book to learn about the business, as I knew next to nothing about it. It was a very good read for that purpose and I learned a lot along the way. I agree that it gets a bit starchy in places – too many names/ventures to keep straight, and surprisingly the authors’ own accomplishments in the industry, while dating back to the 1920’s was downplayed. To his credit, he did an excellent job of continuing on the written/documented history for future generations. I found aspects of what these pioneers attempted to do interesting in the fact that they actually shared information amongst their regional or national competitors, but in the light of making it a better/safer industry. From designing vehicles to innovations in securing receipts, processes and procedures that endure to today’s practices in part. I appreciate that Mr. Dunbar also chose to try and capture the history for personal reasons – securing his father’s first armored car from a larger competitor, restoring it and putting it on display at their corporate headquarters. Politics, mobsters, unions and even presidents played their parts in this reading. It speaks to the Mom & Pop roots of this business and also to the David & Goliath aspects. Several attempts and ensuing owner organizations evolved to set the tone of security aspects, safety issues, and organizational and logistical strides along the way. Well worth the read if you like history and are at all interested in what lies behind those big bulky trucks we all see everyday! I enjoyed it right from the beginning until the very end.

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
1.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on August 1, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Gotta complain about how poorly this book starts out – five to six chapters of fluff, either regurgitated info most should already know based on the subject matter or irrelevant to same. Typos, bad grammar, incomplete sentences, unfinished thoughts and yes, advertisements/endorsements for Suarez knives! Who’s the Editor on this anyway? It seemed like the editor had no idea what the book was supposed to be about OR didn’t know the subject matter?

Then we have to sit through OODA loop and basic car maintenance? I’ve reached CH 7 and have to sift through basic stances and grips, seatbelt reminders, and good driving tips? I was expecting so much more… maybe near the end of the book the price can be justified… not holding out hope though. Gabe, you should be embarrassed that this made it through to publication in this state.

Update: Nope, very little of use here. Yes, there are a few ‘tips’, but I guess since the author is touted as an ‘expert’ and coupled with the SI branding, I’d expected much, much more. Very disappointed with this purchase, and the format seems NOT to be standard (epub, pdf) – this it’s not editable, nor can you mark it up or highlight, rendering it totally useless, IMO. This really is more for beginners if that… shame.

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
3.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on April 27, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

I wish I could be more upbeat about this. I am thankful that there is some good information here, but it wasn’t what I thought. The author does a great job of telling us why his system is ‘not’ like this system, for over half the book. That’s not a bad thing in context, but it’s disappointing as some history is cool, but to try and compare his system with things we may never have heard of or even cared about, was just taking it a bit too far for my taste. Since this is NOT a well-known art, I’d have preferred learning more about WHY I might want to invest more of myself into learning about it. Instead, I was unable to find many references to the style, or schools that I might be referred to. It’s just my personal pet peeve that you wasted time with all of the ‘comparisons’ and not really opening my eyes to what may be possible if I were to try and learn your system. The one good link I found, was to another another system, Miyama Ryu – a system where you can BUY materials to learn more. I’ve already invested my monies there, and am glad to know you approved of them. on that we agree. I hope that someday you might consider writing a book about your art, without the comparisons, for those of us looking for a hook-in to invest our monies!

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on April 27, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

Lee is a lot deeper than you might think if you’ve only seen certain images or heard certain soundbytes. What impresses me most is that he can articulate when/where/how/why, and then DEMONSTRATE that as his own alter-ego character! I’m in a similar ‘career’, and wish I’d known of his work many, many years ago. It would have save me some teeth, and I may have side-stepped a lot of ugly. Thanks for some really great background material here Mate!

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on April 27, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

I’ve recently been introduced to the writings of Andrew Vachss. This is my THIRD copy of this book (somewhat for collectors value to me). It’s really hard for me to explain who and what or even WHY Andrew is a big deal. The first few books left me with a sense of ‘Wha?” And that’s a very good thing. He made me think, he left me speechless, he makes me feel small and insignificant! HOW does a man like this think of some of his subject matter? DO the research and see WHO he is. It will start to click. To me there’s nothing better than someone that can write an entire story in a few pages, and NOT leave you wanting to know more details – they are/were there. You don’t have to fill in much as he’s provided the framework. I can remember only one other writer that made me feel a sense of wonder like Mr. Vachss does. He’s in great company, but this is HIS review. Buy ANY Vachss book, and you won’t be disappointed, I guarantee that.

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on April 27, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

Kubotan to go. I’ve carried one for 30+ years now, and this little book will show you how and why you should too!

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on April 27, 2017
Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase

Another classic Police Science manual – keeper!

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on April 27, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

Who doesn’t love Tak Kubota? I remember finding him back in the 1980’s – through his Kubotan and shot training manual available through Monadnock. For a young man it was a big deal. This book is about a little known art known as Taiho Jutsu. Great stuff!

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on April 27, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

Here’s a book that ‘introduced’ me to Systema, and removed the veil of misunderstanding. Sometimes that’s what it takes. What I love are the writings of Kevin Secours here. I think they were culled form other sources, but at least it’s all in one place, and easier to grab hold of. Kevin has demonstrated to my satisfaction that’s he’s not about smoke and mirrors, yet firmly grounded in providing a good education as a result of immersing himself in the arts. What comes out has been well-planned for his audience. Thank you Kevin!

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert