The Elite Forces Handbook Of Unarmed Combat 1st Ron Shillingford by Ron Shillingford 9780312264369, 0312264364 instant download after payment.

Examines techniques used by special forces around the world: the lethal strikes of the Spetsnaz, locks and constrictions used by the Egyptian special forces, U.S. Army throws and holds, and elementary methods taught to Britain's Parachute Regiment.Sample Amazon Review; How I wish the term 'Handbook' had not been used... This is another one of those books that's as good for martial artists (to broaden their horizons) as it is for military science buffs (albeit in a very specific area: soldier training). This book starts by specifying the needs of a soldier in the field, where unarmed combat is concerned, and then goes into a quick (and somewhat inaccurate, to me) overview of traditional martial arts. I'd say that as someone who does a lot of solo training, the most valuable part of this book to me was the section on how SPECOPS trains their people in a short period of time. While techniques are explained, many are not illustrated, so this is definetly not a how-to book. This book coveres a little history, some training methods, vital targets, some escapes and combinations, and defense against various weapons, including bayonets, guns, knives, and clubs. I never really learned what particular special forces these techniques were derived from, though to be honest, I didn't see anything really "special" about most of it. I wish the author had given a references or bibliography section. I will say that the pencil illustrations are some of the best I've seen, very realistic. While this wouldn't be my first choice to go to for self-defense techniques, it does make a pretty good reference manual. Decent, for what it offers, but please understand that it is primarily a reference book.