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

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on April 27, 2017
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One of a kind, innovator, Police Officer, trainer. Here’s what the real deal looked like. Do yourself a favor and get this book if you want to see what life is like from his side of the street.

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

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

A guy I know suggested this book. I’m glad he did. You will meet a humble man that did some extraordinary things, and yet it was all to be a better police officer. Politics rears it’s ugly head and life goes on. It does not diminish his contributions. As it tuns out, Jim’s digs in ‘upstate New York’ weren’t that far away… I wish I’d known this while I was there and he was still alive – it would been cool to meet him and pick his brain. Jim should be better known for his contributions, but since he likely won’t be except in specific circles, read it here for yourself. Thank you Jim for your service.

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

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

I think I remember George from another on-line group. I think he’s ‘local’ to my neck of the NE, and I know he’s got skills. This is a good book, and George knows the realities of making things work as opposed to the theory of how things SHOULD work. I hope he branches out, and explores things he can share in more depth in his next e-book!

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

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

Dr. Albrecht as he’s now known has been a Police Officer and Educator for many years. This is his FOURTH book in a series of ‘street-wise’ manuals for professionals. As an educator his work has been very well researched and received. What I was unaware of until recently is that Steve and another officer are/were responsible for the Contact & Cover concept and initial roll-out to their department. It relates to addressing the problems faced by officers everyday and is still needed and in use today! In this book, the concept gets an update – just great news. The world needs more men like this to keep our sons & daughters, brothers, mothers, sisters and fathers safe. The world has changed since his first book came out, but his knowledge is there to reap benefit from. So very glad that I was able to find this, and complete my SA library with.

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on February 21, 2017
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“To study the old, is to understand the new.” This is a quote that makes perfect sense in the context of this review and the subject matter contained therein. You won’t truly understand that preposition until you have started on that path, and begun that journey. While one may look less favorably on a book that may not deliver to your satisfaction, one must give props to the author for doing two things well: 1) Making you aware of what came before and 2) delivering some insights into that subject matter that you may not have been aware of previously. Here is a student of the study of combatives that served thousands well in it’s day, and with it’s foregone differences based on many things that have changed. Without the seed, the plant would not exist, perhaps? Most true martial artists would not criticize a book like this because it didn’t live up to their expectations. In my experience they would not comment other than respectfully, or not comment at all. This is not martial arts. It has it’s roots there though. I applaud the fact that the author’s main purpose is to keep the ‘old’ alive and relevant. It serves it’s purpose, even if/when modified. He’s not pushing an agenda, he’s promoting something he loves and respects, and because his real-world experience has proven fruitful where his martial arts failed. To study the old – this is what this book is about. It’s a system that has it’s roots in China, 1930’s and actually well before. This system was designed around some old martial arts techniques and some new techniques devised for effectiveness based on the realities of the day and to whom they were applied and why they were applied – reality-based, truly. If you take the time and make the effort you will surely be rewarded with new insights. If you look at systems like Kapap and Krav Maga, you will see where many things emanated from perhaps? This book holds a lot of knowledge that many do not possess. To point the way is the beginning of a journey that could prove fruitful for many. Count me in. Sometimes Teacher, Always Student. The science doesn’t change, who takes credit for it always does. This author knows the difference, and is pointing us to the source of much of what see and take granted for today, without ego. No book can ever cover everything we’d like to see – there are just too many variables, and that task is not approachable nor definable. Give props to someone that has taken the time to share some of his knowledge with the purpose of pointing the way, the way that so many won’t want you to discover? It’s pretty simple – here’s a guy that defines what it is to be both a student and a teacher, and I think he’s done a great job. Of course we’ll all have questions. That’s the purpose of teaching – create that desire to seek out more, on your own.

© Copyright 2017, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on July 25, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Matt’s Anthology is very thought provoking, and well worth the read. I haven’t given current life much of a thought for awhile, but his writing is changing all of that. I just finished reading his 3-Volume outting, and picked this up to continue a very good read. Matt has a sharp mind, and his fiction will make you ponder, hopefully long and hard. His non-fiction glimpses are worthy too.

© Copyright 2015, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on June 27, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Marc MacYoung is one of the few people that I am aware of that not only writes primarily about violence, but has the experience to back it up. He’s been there, grew up IN it, and survived to educate the rest of us. As someone that also deals with violence, regularly, I can honestly say that his words have changed my world. He has made it possible for me to make it through 7 turbulent years of disagreements, fights, conflict of every kind, and physical confrontations. I have a good-sized library now because of Marc’s writing. I have an appreciation for violence because of Marc’s writing. Yeah, that sounds odd, but it’s true. When you are expected to deal with violence, you need to get educated in it. Marc’s words and thoughts therein will help you get a lot of things you thought you already knew, you don’t and he’ll explain why. Avoidance is always stressed in many of the things that Marc points out – get the hell out, walk away, don’t go there. But, if like me you haven’t got that option, then keep reading and learning from an expert who has been-there-done-that, because he has on many fronts and in many ‘venues.’ Marc’s books are a great investment.

© Copyright 2015, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on June 27, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

This stuff must have been a hard write. The material is disturbing, and if you think it couldn’t happen – well, will we ever really know anything about what happens around us everyday? Can we really ever believe everything we’re told? Do you think that the good guys don’t struggle with this every single day? I think we’ve all been in a situation, where only our up-bringing, our morals and beliefs kept us from crossing over the line to even the score, don’t you? Maybe we can live vicariously through reads like this – maybe it helps us for one more day. Tackling some really tough issues takes a toll ultimately. I can truly admire a man or woman that can fight the fight as if if weren’t personal, yet you have to wonder – how can they do what they do, for those that need ‘representation.’ Is this believable – oh yeah. We’ve all read the headlines, we’ve probably been their neighbors, or co-workers. We want to think that someone, SOMEONE will even the scales – sometime, if not today. We want justice, we want THEM shut down. We want them to pay, right? That’s a given, unless you’re one of them. John has taken a few disturbing ‘trends’, created a believable scenario, and served up some justice – clearly outside the lines, but hey, who cares – justice was done, and it’s fantasy anyway, right? Do you wonder? I do. I found the material disturbing on a few levels. It made me think, it made me uncomfortable, but it made me think. It also made me aware. How much of the time do we all just ignore these events, or are maybe just unaware, or avoid it because it makes us uncomfortable? Why does media under-report some of these crimes, keeping us in the dark, and allowing it to continue? Why aren’t the courts doling out real justice? Yeah, you really have to read this too-short story. It will give you hope, it will make you think, it may even prompt you to get involved. My guess is that some of this is based on real events, somewhere, sometime. But that’s just me. To the author – take your time, flesh it out more, develop the characters – good and bad. Pay attention to the details, and draw us in more. You need to get us involved, and invested if it’s to affect change in the world. Thanks for writing this, because while it made me uncomfortable, I know that it was meant to do so – to create awareness, to create change, to push us into the darkness just a little to force us to look at many disturbing things, and to invite us back into that next book…. job well done sir for such a short read. Read this, let it seep in, and get back to writing and by doing so, informing and educating your readership.

© Copyright 2015, tim boehlert

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By tim b on June 12, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

I don’t usually read fiction, but this three-volume series hooked me. It’s storyline is loosely based on recent historical events, pseudo-facts, and a lot of realism. It was hard to put down and thoroughly entertaining. The use of factual incidents and realistic depictions drew me into the storyline deeper and made it worth the time invested to finish it off. Thanks to the author for his service, and for his imagination and attention to details! Great read and highly recommended!

© Copyright 2015, tim boehlert