Rating: 
Summary: there's a big difference between self defense and sport
Review: Seems like some of the reviewers here don't know the difference between actual self defense and sport competition. The UFC and Pride are NOT representative of the types of situations where a person would have to use physical force in self defense. If you want to learn how to fight in no holds barred competitions, then this book will probably be of very little interest to you. If you are concerned with practical self defense, then I'd recommend it over any of the BJJ books I've read.Vunak covers a variety of subjects, including his RAT (Rapid Assault Tactics) approach, women's self defense, Jeet Kune Do applications for law enforcement officers, and the differences between sport fighting and self defense (which some of the other reviewers would benefit from reading), and developing "killer instinct". Various techniques are also illustrated to demonstrate the principles discussed in each chapter. Not a lot of material is covered, but the book is a good value for the price.
Rating: 
Summary: some good some bad
Review: This book has some good concepts in it but it is the same stuff that Paul Vunak has been saying for years to buy a book from this man and know that he is still saying the samething over and over from video to seminars it is the same old same old. Maybe Mr. Vunak doesn't know that combat especially street combat is ever evolving. Being from the Southside of Chicago and South Central L.A. I know what alot of people dont that is that there are many street fighting techniques that aren't even known by most M.A. including Mr. Vunak somrtimes it is time to get away from the same people and yes men that surrond you and explore new areas and peoples. Mr.Vunak doesnt really know about street combat just as many so-called streetfighting experts. What hood is he from was he ever a Street Soldier does he even know the difference in a streetfighter and a street soldier. What is the street soldier about. If anyone truly wants to know street life I recommend a book called "Revelations of a Warrior", "anatomy of a street fight" is OK at best.
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff
Review: This book is a lot better than most of the "martial" arts books out there. One reviewer has written some gripes but this book delivers a lot of useful information. Vunak couldn't put everything in one book of course, and why would he? He already has a plethora of videos on the market. This book gives you a good overview of his other products, teaching you some solid...and useful basics that you can pursue to a further degree if you wish to do so. I think this book is an excellent and inexpensive way to get one's feet wet with Vunak's system. You can then see for yourself that he's a "real deal" teacher and fighter....then get his other products. Seriously!
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre at best
Review: This book is designed to acquaint martial artists with the concepts nessecary to carry them through a violent street encounter, mostly after it becomes apparent that a fight is about to go down. Many of the principles are based on Bruce Lee's and Dan Inosanto's Jeet Kune Do work, and many of the terms that are used come from the Philipino martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The book starts off by explaining the attributes nessecary for a complete martial artist, with brief examples on how to train those attributes. Next, a pretty good game plan of dealing with street violence is presented with the Rapid Assault Tactics. The idea is to enter using an interception (preimptive attack) or weapons distruction (striking out at an attacking limb), apply steady presure to the opponent using JKD/Wing Chun's straight blast, then finnish the opponent off using Muay Thai clinching/knee/elbow techniques. Following that is a chapter on "killer instinct", which amounts to controled, and possably lethal, agression. This chapter just basically defines what killer instinct is, and how to use it, but doesn't cover much in the way of training to bring out that instinct. The next chapter is on using Kino Mutai, the Philipino art of biting, pinching, and eye gouging. This chapter is basically about what use in a street grappling situation, as the author espouses the idea that biting and gouging are preffeable to sweeps, switches, pins, and joint locks. While my personal opinion is that sport grappling isn't best suited for a life-and-death struggle, many of the techniques are viable; none of those techniques are covered here, but the chapter is the only one on grappling/groundfighting in the book. It does, however, teach the best way to use biting in groundfighting situations, and even tells you how to train your jaw! Next is a chapter on edged weapon defense, where the principles are once again kept simple; run if you have the option, avoid the blade, cut the hand holding the weapon if possable. Concepts for knife vs. knife and knife vs. unarmed are covered, with some little drills. There's then a chapter on the police use of force, written by Mr. Vunaks friends on the police force; it's interesting to read, and may help people in situations were poking a guy's eyes out aren't an option. There is also a chapter on HIV, and basically says that you probably won't get AIDS simply from biting someone, but any open wound, be it on the mouth or elsewere, can result in infection. Next is a chapter on women's defense, and deals with the fact that most women are attacked at close quarters. Vunak uses the phrase "Escape To Gain Safety" to remind women to attack, however they can, the eyes, throat, groin, and shins. Pretty simple and efficient. The book ends with the legal considerations of combat in the streets, and how fare people are allowed to go to defend themselves. Overall, this is a very good book, but not for the beginner or casual practitioner. The main thing this book lacks is anything dealing with awareness, what to do so you don't end up in a conflict. Also, it's more a book on principles than techniques; it makes sure the reader has a good game plan, but leaves it largely up to the reader to execute it. A great book to suplement this would be "Common Sense Self Defense".
Rating: 
Summary: Good Principles
Review: This book is designed to acquaint martial artists with the concepts nessecary to carry them through a violent street encounter, mostly after it becomes apparent that a fight is about to go down. Many of the principles are based on Bruce Lee's and Dan Inosanto's Jeet Kune Do work, and many of the terms that are used come from the Philipino martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The book starts off by explaining the attributes nessecary for a complete martial artist, with brief examples on how to train those attributes. Next, a pretty good game plan of dealing with street violence is presented with the Rapid Assault Tactics. The idea is to enter using an interception (preimptive attack) or weapons distruction (striking out at an attacking limb), apply steady presure to the opponent using JKD/Wing Chun's straight blast, then finnish the opponent off using Muay Thai clinching/knee/elbow techniques. Following that is a chapter on "killer instinct", which amounts to controled, and possably lethal, agression. This chapter just basically defines what killer instinct is, and how to use it, but doesn't cover much in the way of training to bring out that instinct. The next chapter is on using Kino Mutai, the Philipino art of biting, pinching, and eye gouging. This chapter is basically about what use in a street grappling situation, as the author espouses the idea that biting and gouging are preffeable to sweeps, switches, pins, and joint locks. While my personal opinion is that sport grappling isn't best suited for a life-and-death struggle, many of the techniques are viable; none of those techniques are covered here, but the chapter is the only one on grappling/groundfighting in the book. It does, however, teach the best way to use biting in groundfighting situations, and even tells you how to train your jaw! Next is a chapter on edged weapon defense, where the principles are once again kept simple; run if you have the option, avoid the blade, cut the hand holding the weapon if possable. Concepts for knife vs. knife and knife vs. unarmed are covered, with some little drills. There's then a chapter on the police use of force, written by Mr. Vunaks friends on the police force; it's interesting to read, and may help people in situations were poking a guy's eyes out aren't an option. There is also a chapter on HIV, and basically says that you probably won't get AIDS simply from biting someone, but any open wound, be it on the mouth or elsewere, can result in infection. Next is a chapter on women's defense, and deals with the fact that most women are attacked at close quarters. Vunak uses the phrase "Escape To Gain Safety" to remind women to attack, however they can, the eyes, throat, groin, and shins. Pretty simple and efficient. The book ends with the legal considerations of combat in the streets, and how fare people are allowed to go to defend themselves. Overall, this is a very good book, but not for the beginner or casual practitioner. The main thing this book lacks is anything dealing with awareness, what to do so you don't end up in a conflict. Also, it's more a book on principles than techniques; it makes sure the reader has a good game plan, but leaves it largely up to the reader to execute it. A great book to suplement this would be "Common Sense Self Defense".
Rating:
Summary: short and sweet
Review: This is a decent book, short and sweet. It does show some technique sequences but it is really about demonstrating his principles: rapid assault tactics (RAT), kino mutai, defanging the snake. He uses these to cover the areas of standing, ground fighting, and weapons. You are not going to learn to fight from a book, but Vunak presents some solid ideas. Some may think Vunak is too basic, especially experienced martial artist, but I think he is right on the money keeping things simple and effective and avoiding complicated techniques. If you agree with that approach, I strongly encourage you to check out his Street Safe videos.
Rating:
Summary: short and sweet
Review: This is a decent book, short and sweet. It does show some technique sequences but it is really about demonstrating his principles: rapid assault tactics (RAT), kino mutai, defanging the snake. He uses these to cover the areas of standing, ground fighting, and weapons. You are not going to learn to fight from a book, but Vunak presents some solid ideas. Some may think Vunak is too basic, especially experienced martial artist, but I think he is right on the money keeping things simple and effective and avoiding complicated techniques. If you agree with that approach, I strongly encourage you to check out his Street Safe videos.
Rating: 
Summary: Upon further study - Not convinced
Review: Upon much criticism from my fellow readers, I have purchased this book and read and studied it in depth. I appreciate what Mr. Vunak has done for the martial arts and what this book contributes to the subject. However, I feel this work has failed to convince the reader of the effectiveness of his techniques. 1. I disagree with the assertion that NHB techniques are ineffective in a street fight. NHB techniques are easily adapted to a street fight. NHB events have less rules than boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, sport jiu-jitsu, and judo...NHB competition, while not as lawless as a street fight, is the most realistic laboratory of martial prowess to date. How would Lennox Lewis do in a street fight? Ernesto Hoost? Kurt Angle? Jean-Jacques Machado? Gene Labelle? I think we would all agree that they would perform well...yet they fight with rules more constraining than NHB fighters...but we argue that NHB techniques don't work? Frank Shamrock wouldn't make it on the street? Tito Ortiz wouldn't? Rickson Gracie wouldn't? 2. I find the anectdotal evidence not credible. The author relates a bar fight (pg 15-16) with a fellow instructor and 3 Navy SEALs (who each weighed 300 pounds and all were olympic caliber wrestlers) against 20 bikers in order to disprove the effectiveness of NHB techniques. Are you serious? I have been in the spec ops community for over a decade and have habitually trained and worked with the east & west coast SEALs and have yet to meet a SEAL who is 300 pounds and a former olympic wrestler...but the author managed to find three in one place...are you kidding? 3. The examples presented are not realistic. Page 25 shows a guy throwing a jab and then keeping his arm sticking straight out while he is hit in the biceps, kicked in the knee, punched in the face, kicked in the stomach, and then shin kicked in the leg. The whole time, the person being pummeled never moves or even flinches....So you find this one way beating realistic...with no reaction whatsoever from yoru opponent...but not NHB events? And, by the way, all of these techniques are legal in NHB, but they don't win fights even there. 4. Again, pgs 26-27 are not realistic. The loser of the fight is shin kicked, punched, gouged, head butted and then elbowed...and the guy just stands there like a scarecrow and gets beaten...that's realistic? Your opponent won't react...or fall to the ground? or fight back? 5. Another issue I have is with pgs 28-36. Clearly, the techniques shown only work aganst another fighter using the same, stand up style. You can beat every one of these techniques with just one technique...the double leg takedown. 6. Most of the techniques shown are low percentage moves, hard to master, and not feasible by the average person. Try hitting someone in the bicep as he punches you in the head...try to kick someone in the small of his back as he hits you with a spinning back kick (pg 49). I believe most martial arts techniques are unrealistic and impossible to master. What I want to see for a self-defense technique is simplicity, reliability, and effectiveness. 7. "Kino mutai (the art of pinching and biting)allows us to circumvent the jiu-jitsu game"-pg 54. I disbelieve the claim that biting is the solution to fighting a grappler. Go fight Ryan Gracie, Dan Henderson, and Mark Coleman...just bite them and you will beat them. Are you kidding? The grappler/NHB fighter can make minor adjustments to defeat your biting easily. Pg 56 shows your opponent being bitten on his Lat...are you telling me that that biting can't be easily defeated? The top guy places his forearm on the bottom fighters throat...no more biting...only choking. Pg 58 shows an opponent being bitten on the ear...but he can bite your ear just as easily. Superior body positioning will defeat eye gouging, biting and groin strikes. Just as superior body positioning will allow you to bite, gouge, and groin strike with impunity. BJJ and wrestlers are the masters of body positioning...and dominate NHB events...but you think they can't fight on the street. 8. The criticism is that grapplers can not fight multiple attackers, but stand up fighters can. However, the stand up fighter can't handle one grappler. I would argue you can modify grappling to be as effective as the JKD fighter, using the clinch and tie up to set up your opponent for strikes. Where in this book from pg 1-128 is there realistic (or any, for that matter)examples of fighting multiple attackers? I believe I missed it. 9. Good points. I like the knife and stick fighting techniques...I buy into the defang the serpent philosophy as the underlying concepts are sound and ralistic. I buy the blast attack theory...with your opponent going backwards, he is at a disadvantage and you at a huge advantage. That's why the takedown and clinch in NHB is so effective...your opponent can not react fast or effectively enough to stop you. The philosophies and theories presented throughout this book give much food for thought...an excellent intellectual exercise. 10. Summary. Please consider: Fighting has evolved and the greatest martial laboratory in history is happening in front of our eyes...its called MMA competition. To ignore these lessons are folly. The stand up arts like JKD and Kung-Fu work against themselves only...not the takedown artist. The grappler/NHB fighter can easily adapt his techniques to defeat biting, gouging and groin strikes through superior body positioning...the stand up fighter can't and won't. NHB is not real life, but it is the most realistic training and competition to date. Adapt and evolve or stick your head in the sand like the dinosaur.
Rating:
Summary: Jeet Kun Do and Filipino combat strategies
Review: Very practical and good. This book shows several great ways to escape from a grappling situation on the ground using Kuno Mutai, de-fanging the snake, and other Escrima applications, as well as how to fight someone on your feet and in trapping range. Also, good Escrima techniques are shown. You've got principles from Jeet Kun Do that'll help you in a situation to save your life. I only wish there where more techniques included in the book, but there's definately enough material in the book to leave you with a sound understanding.
Rating:
Summary: Where's the content?
Review: When I read previous reviews on this book, I got the impression that in the pages of the book, Paul Vunak would teach some good techniques to a reader. Therefore I was excited about this book, and was anxious to get my hands on it. The beginning of the book was promising, as Vunak analyzes the differences between no-holds-barred fights and streetfighting, and other subjects. This is good stuff, but to my disappointment, Vunak really fails to give answers to the questions raised. There are plenty of photographs, where Vunak presents almost 30 flow drills and the like, but he does not really teach any techniques. And in the photographs, there is a very serious "uke effect" present, meaning that the opponent just stands there and waits to be beaten. There are some principles presented in the book, but they are not treated in enough detail to properly teach them to a person who is not familiar with them in the first place. It is doubtful if that is even possible in a book, but as a paying customer I have a right to criticize (if it is possible, why it has not been done here, and if it is not possible, why even try?). The chapter I was looking forward the most was titled "Jeet Kune Do and police use of force", which was also the longest chapter in the book (it was not written by Vunak). In the chapter, Larkin Fourkiller and Michael Holsapple analyze the nature and problems of police use of force. They draw a conclusion that police officers should practice Jeet Kune Do. In a chapter of over 20 pages, they fail to present any real answers or techniques to be utilized by just reading the book. In a synopsis, that is the problem with the whole book: In the book, there are very few techniques properly taught or real answers presented, except for the advise that the reader should learn Jeet Kune Do. Granted, there is some useful advise given to women, but the advise is also self-evident. I was hoping that they could tell me something more in a book of almost 130 pages. I'm not criticizing Vunak or his system, but I'm criticizing this book.
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