We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give.
                                       Winston Churchill.

What do people say about Marc MacYoung and No Nonsense Self-Defense? Some of these people are famous in their own right, others are from professions where a bad day at work means someone dies and still others are just plain folks.

Josh Amos
Neokilt
I first encountered Marc's work many years ago when I was a young Marine who was doing a great deal of dumb things and getting by on sheer luck.

Marc's lessons improved my skills which helped save my life more than once, which in turn gave me the time to throw on the brakes and mature a little before I went off a cliff.

Over the years, I have referred many aspiring and experienced martial artists, shooters, as well as law enforcement and military personnel to Marc and all have thanked me for it.
I unhesitatingly endorse Marc MacYoung and wish him all the best in his endeavors.

Massad Ayoob Firearms expert
Lethal Force Institute
"When I first saw a book on streetfighting whose author’s name was "Marc ‘Animal’ MacYoung," my first reaction was "Oh, crap. Another phony wannabe who’s re-treading the World War II ‘give ‘em the knee’ stuff." Then I read the book. "Damn," I said. "He’s either been there or really done his homework with people who have."

This has been the collective experience of people who know what they’re doing when they read Marc’s work. I’ve absorbed everything he’s written since. It rings with authority, particularly the elements of mind-set and what goes on in your head before, during, and after a fight. I appreciate his emphasis on avoidance, which is always a mark of the professional.

I know MacYoung. I’ve worked out with him. He’s real, and his techniques are real. Don’t fall into the old parochial trap of thinking, "He hasn’t done my job, so he doesn’t know what I need." That’s a false standard of judgment. He’s not teaching you how to be a cop, and he wouldn’t presume to. He’s teaching you how to do something he has learned – in the dojo, in the gym, and most important, on the street – how to do, and it’s something that fits in with what you need to know. Read this book with an open mind. Try his techniques in a safe environment – supervision, mats, warmups, the whole nine yards.

I think you’ll be impressed. I know I was.

Don’t just read this book. Absorb this book, and what it teaches. Whether you’re a police officer or a citizen who might have to do a police officer’s job long enough to hold the line against criminal danger until a real cop gets there to take over, what’s in here can save your life and other lives, your career and other careers, your future and the futures of other good people."

Anne Barkama (Canada)
I found Marc MacYoung's website when I was looking  for answers. My world was blown apart by a violent encounter. I  needed to know why someone would do that to another person. I wanted  to understand how it happened and most importantly, what I could do to  make that less likely to happen again.

Marc's website provided me with a framework to study and start my own research. He draws from his personal experience  and also extensively researches all aspects of violence and what makes it tick from the physical through the psychological. And I thought I had questions!! My library has expanded dramatically based on many of his recommendations.

Marc's advice is immediately practical and field tested. He shares his wealth of knowledge freely and from the heart. His  quick wit has made me laugh out loud more than once. The tales of the 'abyss' cry out and clearly illustrate why it is better to avoid  violence rather than glorify it. But if you can't avoid it, please  check out this road map before you leave. You won't be sorry and what you  learn just might save your life.

Tim Bown, Certified F.A.S.T. Defense Instructor, Bulletman and Chief Instructor of Safeguard Martial Arts
As a martial arts and self-defense instructor,  I've seen all kinds of useless garbage being peddled as 'self-defense'  training. Several years ago I finally broke down and read Marc MacYoung's first book, Cheap Shots, Ambushes and Other Lessons. Expecting the usual nonsense that plagues the martial arts world, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Marc had 'broken the mold,'  so to speak.

Marc's books (and his videos... and his website) are filled with practical information on *real* self-defense. You  won't find a manual of counters to a variety of different attacks. The  martial arts world is filled with these, and few of them are any  good. What you will find is literally volumes of information on awareness, mindset, etiquette and many other things that will help to keep you  from ever finding yourself in a violent situation.

If you're serious about your safety, make the time  to read Marc's writings and, when you're done, keep re-reading  them. You'll be happy you did.

Bert Bruijnen, Netherlands European Medieval  Swordfighting in the
Netherlands www.kdfnederland.nl
Marc's book Violence, Blunders and Fractured Jaws is about the social dynamics that can possibly  lead to violence. Though, if you play your cards right you can make  these dynamics work in favor of you and avoid winding up into a  violent situation. Marc's experiences imply that awareness can be a  key that opens the door to your own safety.

Jaime D Buckley President of WANTED: HERO STUDIOS
www.wantedhero.com

I found the teachings and 'ramblings' of Mr. Marc  MacYoung many years ago, when I was struggling to find stability in a life which felt beyond control. It seemed the violent center of  the universe had my name, address, underwear size...and used frequent flier miles to get to me.

Though I dealt with situations as best I could, the traditional modes of thought simply made sure I had my skin  left...without much of a life to live. Yet Marc had a perspective, based upon actual experience, which he cultivated and shared with others to allow them  that same freedom in a world where we simple don't control all the determining factors.

...but that's not what impresses me about Mr. MacYoung.

What impresses me, as well as thousands of  others...is his character.
The consistency--the solid, clear understanding  and eagerness to observe, learn, adapt and share with/guide others  trapped in their own confusion....all the while, having  incredible patience for those who are simply...lost. That is true character, and  something men like myself desire to emulate with a whole heart.

After two years of reading and learning from Mr. MacYoungs writings, he became a key character in my epic comic book: WANTED:HERO, and soon became a favorite of children in countries all around the globe, and a huge success.

Though we have never met to the day of this writing, the comic book personality is based on the power behind his own  expressions and how they have affected me in a positive way.

...and all I did was stick with the nature of his character.

Alain Burrese Author (Streetfighting Essentials), Martial Artist, Sniper
Aiki Productions and attorney
I read Marc “Animal” MacYoung’s first book Cheap Shots while stationed in Korea with the U.S. Army. I remember going, “Yep, I recognize what he’s talking about from the barroom brawls and barracks ruckuses I am familiar with.” I read his next few books and then had the opportunity to meet up with him and do some training. We became friends and a few years later we were working and training together in Southern California and he was helping me tighten up my manuscript “Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks.”

Throughout the years Marc and I have shared a lot. I have learned a lot from him, and things he has written or said have made me think and expand on my own thinking, training, and teaching. I recommend his works to anyone who wants to broaden their knowledge regarding violence and survival. He knows a lot, and has always been more than willing to share what he knows. Even if you don’t agree with 100% of everything he says, you will undoubtedly learn and expand your wisdom by studying his works or listening to what he says. I thank him for sharing so much, and I thank him even more for being a friend.

Loren Christensen  on Taking it to the Streets
LWC Books
"Marc MacYoung is one of the most analytical martial arts writers today. Drawing on his own real-life experiences as well as his unique ability to see deep into an issue, this book, as well as others by MacYoung, fills a void for those seeking solid information that will help them in the street. As an author of 12 books on the martial arts, I highly recommend his writing."

On Effective Offense
"I've only read a couple of pages but I already find it to be your usual good work.I still think you are one of the best thinkers in the world of fisticuffs and the mind writing today"

Dan Dasko
 I've read plenty of MA/SD stuff and some of it I didn't like and some of  it I did. Some of it seemed useful and some of it didn't. What I found different about Marc's writings was that Marc wrote about how to stay  safe by not sticking your dick in a blender and how to notice when you were walking into the kitchen. He writes about strategy instead of tactics, principles instead of their manifestation. That's what I get out of listening to Marc.

Wim Demeere, Author Fighter's Guide to Heavy Bag Training / Combat Sanshou, Former Belgian National Wushu Team coach Wim Demeere.com
"Marc is not a tall, muscular guy. Therefore, he has learned not to fight like one. He fights like a small, nasty wolverine, doing the most damage possible with each move he makes. His techniques are based on principles and concepts, not muscular strength or mass. Many people will be disapointed when he shows a technique because there is very little flash value: There are no jump spinning kicks, no "secret moves", no fancy footwork. What he does show looks simple, easy and makes you want to say "Duh! What's so special about that?" But when you try to do it yourself, you discover there is so much more beneath the superficial first glance. The best way to describe what he does is by reading the book "Interesting Times" by Terry Pratchett. In it, a group of old warriors called "The Silver Horde" battles a huge army. The crucial part is this:

"It wasn't speed. The Horde couldn't move very fast. But it was economy. They were simply always where they wanted to be which was never where someone's sword was. They let everyone else do the running around."

In my opinion, this is what a martial artist should strive for. Cut away what is not needed, only do what needs to be done. If you want to travel on this path, you should go to one of Marc's seminars or buy his material. He's one of the best guides you can find."

Lt. Col Jack Finch (Featured in Warriors)
Having survived "on the pointy end" of life at times over the decades I must confess that Marc's ideas, writings and personal training have helped me improve my ability to deal safely with forensic maximum security psychiatric patients. Also to reinforce / expand my understanding of interpersonal violence and the need for situational awareness and avoidance as key elements of personal security and self defense. His ideas and teachings have been "test driven" in the real world and may help you to survive there.

Jose de Freitas (Portugal)
I am not a martial arts instructor. I am not a self defense expert or ex-soldier or bouncer or whatever. Contrary to most of the other testimonials you'll read, I am just a regular, somewhat over-educated guy, who loves practicing martial arts and going to seminars and training camps, and has about zero intention of ever getting himself into a fight. Still, after years of training in various martial arts, one wonders about the usefulness or efficiency of what we've invested so  much of our time and effort into. I found Marc's site pretty much by accident and eventually became a member of the list and met him personally. What I am going to say is almost the opposite of what everyone is saying. Through reading his well reasoned and well written articles and posts, I've discovered that it's not so much about the techniques and skills I've learned, it's mostly about what kind of life I want to have and how to understand that the choices you make define the level of your investment into the "fighting" aspects of the martial arts. I find that Marc's philosophy is  well encapsulated into his saying of "Prepare for what happens most, and  you'll be able to handle most of what happens". In finally, DEEPLY understanding  this with the help of his writings and my experience, and seeing that what happens most depends on what kind of life you lead, I've found a strange,  liberating freedom to invest myself into my training without worrying  overmuch about its "utilitarian" aspects, and this, paradoxically has made my skills rise much faster than before, and my enjoyment of the  martial arts has also grown. And in case something does indeed happen, I can think  of few other people better prepared than Marc to explain how you should  handle the training that you need (I would add that even though he looks like a raving lunatic on the pictures, he is one of the most articulate, most  sharply analytical guys I've ever read. I suppose one does not exclude the other, of course...).

Richard Foss, Science fiction writer/restaurant critic/old friend
So I was sitting in this fine French restaurant drinking wine with a really cute Vietnamese midget who was flirting with me, and thinking, "I wish Marc was here. He's either help keep me out of trouble or make things incomparably worse."

(And no, he's not making it up ... that's the kind of stuff that we used to get into. Life truly is stranger than fiction - M)

Frank "Pancho" Garza
I read one of Marc MacYoung's first books and was amazed at how he put into words what I had experienced. I wrote a letter complimenting him and he wrote back and we've been friends ever since.
Mr. MacYoung has a gift for taking something complex and breaking it down to where even a knuckle dragging Marine like me, can understand. He also understands how different cultures can behave under certain sets of circumstances.
A lot of his wisdom was gained the hard way.
Too many martial arts students and instructors neglect, or under-emphasize, the importance of understanding the mental aspects of a street confrontation. They think their fancy techniques, done on nice soft mats, against opponents who have no idea what a streetfight attack is really like, are going to solve any situation. Many of them learn the hard way, that pretty and fancy techniques go out the window, when your opponent gets inside your head. I recommend his books/videos to anyone who truly wants to understand the psychology and other aspects, of a street confrontation.

Jeff Gaynor
www.jqhome.net
I've done various martial arts for nearly 30 years  and have seen nearly every bit of idiocy that passes for training. Marc  MacYoung's site, No Nonsense Self-Defense, is one of my favorites not  merely for the realistic advice he gives but the hard questions  he poses about what violence is and how to keep yourself safe. With a  remarkable lack of agenda, foolish posturing and simple BS, Marc  tells it like it is. I encourage my students to listen to his advice  without reservation. People might not like what he says at times, but  more often than not it is because they need to hear it.

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (Ret.) Author On Killing/ Bullet Proof Mind/On Combat
www.killology.com  on Effective Offense 
I just read the chapter from the book you sent me. My brother, this is BRILLIANT!  WELL done. There is such an explosion of great writing on this topic of warriorhood and mental prep, and this work of yours is one of the best.

Montie Guthrie Federal Agent
As someone who has spent the better part of the last two decades in both state and federal law  enforcement I've seen my share of dustups, both armed and unarmed, be they when I worked street gangs up to my  current counterterrorist role.

And not one single one of them ever played out like I was told they would in my martial arts classes.

Real world violence is not like what you practice in the dojo or see on the big screen. Real violence  is fast, dirty and above all, serious business. Real world violence, as seen in the streets, is to be avoided. Marc MacYoung understands this, having  had more than his own share of dustups in his life as well. Yet, as a lifelong martial artist, he also  has the structured training under his belt, which  makes him uniquely qualified to instruct and tell  martial artists how to make those excellent techniques they've spent years learning work for real, when their opponent isn't looking to score points but instead is looking to score damage the martial artist won't  walk away from.

I train with Mr. MacYoung every chance I get, at least once a year, in addition to the excellent instruction I receive each month from the federal government. We don't always agree. Sometimes our experiences have led us to different places. Sometimes what he recommends would be suicide for me due to the unique tactical environments and roles I must operate in.* We have different strengths in the martial world, which  also colors the discussion at times. Yet those  differences bring me to my highest praise for Mr. MacYoung - he is always learning. He realizes that, for all his experience, and it is considerable, he has only  seen at best a few slices of the whole pie that is violence.
And he's not so full of himself that he won't admit it and just stop learning. I can think of no higher praise to give any instructor than to say they're first and foremost, a student.

(* Where Montie and I tend to disagree is over attempting de-escalation. While I say "I am negotiating until I pull the trigger," the tactical circumstances Montie operates in ... well let's just say that when he deploys, you've already proven you aren't willing to negotiate. He's plan B -- M).

Lawrence Kane Author (Surviving Armed Assaults/Way to Black Belt /Way of Kata/Little Black Book of Violence), football stadium security supervisor on
A Professional's Guide to Ending Violence Quickly.
This is the definitive book about how to handle a violent situation without resorting to extreme force. The author does a great job of explaining the different kinds of social violence you might have to deal with and how to handle it effectively. I have successfully applied many of MacYoung's techniques to escort drunken football fans out of a stadium without being hurt, sued, fired, or otherwise getting into trouble!

For those with reasonably advanced martial arts training you may be better off following whatever system you study while keeping MacYoung's ideas in mind so that they can't be pulled on you. If you are not a black belt or don’t care to be, what he writes about is extremely effective with a bit of practice. More than just the techniques, however, his insight into violence, 'escalato,' and mind games is well worth the price of admission. The writing style is cynical, in your face, and very entertaining. The language is, however, a bit crude at times.

On Cheapshots, Ambushes And Other Lessons
This is a real no-nonsense book on the reality of street-fighting from a guy who's been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. It's rude, crude, and very eye-opening. Important subjects such as the difference between fighting and combat, set-ups blows, anger, bullies, berserkers, sucker punches, low blows, dirty tricks, and weapons are all covered in detail. The stories and personal insights are entertaining and enlightening as well.

Joe Killion
If someone asked me what I ever learned from Marc MacYoung, technique wise I could only point to one move from Floor Fighting that jumped out at me and I got it to work that day.  Really though, the short answer of what I learned would be 'how to fish.'*

Marc and the Animal List have really changed the whole way I look at ingesting and deciphering MA information.  I don't really know how to put it because it's become so ingrained in my vocabulary and the way I think now I don't really remember how I was before.  It's in things I never thought about before, like statistically proving something, talking about 'body mechanics', explaining how and why techniques do or don't work, 'structure', etc.

Basically though, what I learned from Marc and the List is how to become a better martial artist.  When I look at a move now that I don't understand I might look at something like 'the source of power generation' or 'where force is bleeding out', etc.

So if someone asked, "What did you learn from Marc MacYoung?"  and I said something like "Soto Muso, De Ashi Barai, Harai Tsurikomi Ashi, Okuri Ashi Barai, Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi, Ude Garami, O Soto Gari** and basically a lot of the moves I show you that no one else around here can really do."  They might say, "But Marc MacYoung isn't a Judo/ Jiujitsu guy, is he?"  I'd say, "No, but I am."  :-) 

Joe

*PS - Actually though, one thing I haven't learned *anything* about from Marc *is* fishing.;-)

** Translations or my best interpretation ;-) : Outside Flick, Advanced Foot Sweep, Lifting Pulling Foot Sweep, Sending Foot Sweep, Lifting Pulling Ankle Block, Bent Armlock, Major Outer Reap.

Mike Lee
Hi Marc
I hope you're well. I just wanted to write you a quick note to say thanks for all the great advice you gave in 'Cheap Shots'. I first read the book when I was around 11 years old and still have my copy!

When I look back at I'm amazed at how much of a positive influence it was on my early life and how many of the books you recommended at the end I've since read. It certainly helped me get out of a number of scrapes unscathed, when others around me weren't quite so lucky. I also remain a big fan of the movie 'Road House'! lol

So, thanks again. Great to see you are still in the industry.

Sgt Rory Miller Author of Meditations On Violence (excerpt from same)
Marc "Animal" MacYoung's The Professional's Guide to Ending Violence Quickly was required reading for CERT while we were a  primarily hand-to-hand team. I like the way Marc thinks about violence  and his descriptions of experiences and how they affected him match my own more than any other author. All of his books are worth a read. He maintains a website at No Nonsense Self Defense. The site seems very rambling. If there is one thing you have learned from this book, it is that  violence is complicated. His website seems to respect that fact.

Alicia Moss (UK)
I stumbled across Marc MacYoung's "No Nonsense  Self-Defense" site by accident. I followed his advice, got coffee, drew  up a chair, and stayed. I haven't regretted it.

Why is my recommendation of interest?  I'm nobody, yet I'm anybody. Anybody could land on that web page, as I did. What I say  is as a random person, which is just what you might be, if you're reading this.

I've never spoken to Marc, so I can only say what  I have found from reading him. He's a born teacher, and persists in wanting to learn, and taking the trouble to do so, himself. I find he has the  knack of getting to the gut of an issue, metaphorically (and I'd bet, literally), and of explaining it in simple terms to the inexperienced and ignorant - even to an addle-brained foreigner, with a life experience so different I  might be from another galaxy. He doesn't preach, or pontificate, he  puts your feet on the path, and has the refreshing and invaluable ability to take away the fear of your own ignorance that can make you bury your head in  the sand, or be too afraid to ask for help. What's more, he does this with  humour and immense generosity. To do all this by the written word,  is a rare gift. I would dearly love to attend his classes in person, and  afterwards buy him a bottle of something amber.

Bob Orlando on Taking it to the Streets
www.Orlandokuntao.com
"Well sure, our art is good for self-defense." If you've heard that from your instructor or if you believe that about your art, if you study martial arts for their self-defense benefit (even if self-defense is not your primary focus), AND if your "real fight" experience is limited at best, then you need to read this book. Surprisingly, it is not one of those books that tears down everything you've worked so hard to learn. Rather it builds on what you already know, broadens your thinking (beyond the dojo or tournament scene), and prepares you for the "unexpected" (about the only thing you can "expect" in a real fight). You don't have be in a lot of fights to learn this stuff -- as long as you're smart enough to learn it from someone who has"

Stephan Otto (Germany)
www.junseikan.de
I'm studying martial arts for over 25 years and even dedicated 3 years in Japan full time to MA study. While in Japan I came across one of Marc "Anmal" MacYoungs's knife videos. That was an eye opener! Since then I have joined the Animal List and read Marc's books, both gave me a much clearer understand of what I was doing or trying to do. And opened my eyes to the fantasies and delusions most martial artist live  in. It profoundly changed my way of looking at martial arts and martial arts instruction. Mr. MacYoung’s books and web-site should be compulsory readying for all martial arts instructors.

Clint Overland, Bouncer
I bought my first "Animal" book in 1991 after taking several ass whippings working as a bouncer in a local cowboy/military bar. I can honestly say that this book Cheap Shots saved my ass more time than I can tell. I would scrounge the gun shows and military surplus stores looking for more. Marc doesn't know me, but I have heeded his advise and teaching for over 20 years as a bouncer. To me he will always be my Rabbi of survival.

Don Roley Martial Artist
I have a great deal of interest in learning how to best deal with violence. That is one of the reasons I moved to Japan and have been living and studying martial arts here. And I find a lot of the lessons that seem to have been left out of some martial arts built on life and death conflicts when they made the transition to America in the works of Marc MacYoung. I fly out from Japan to see him and others he has assembled around him whenever I can. Because he has experience in dealing with knives, violence and the aftermath that is rare in a land as safe as Japan. (The massive amounts of beer we tend to drink at those times is just a fringe benefit.)

Toma Rosenzweig
Toma's Modern Arnis
This Web site is truly awesome both in content and scope. I have gotten into this so much as to lose major track of time. One item seems to lead to another and others. I love it. The entire web site is simple and sinister, Marc MacYoung is such an effective teacher and very honest in his teachings. I really like it that he has pages on the Legal and Moral levels of dealing with fighting or edged weapons. I found that I had some very bad miss-conceptions about when and where I had the Legal Right use “Deadly Lethal Force” and when I could not use Force, and boy was I wrong! I’m so glad to have found this web site and use it to download this information to pass out to my own students. The Web site was a great eye-opener for me. Thanks Marc for doing this for the Public.

Tristan Sutrisno Ex LRRP Ranger (Lima)/Martial Artist
Author Becoming A Complete Martial Artist
Contrary to the other testimonials you've just  read, I am just the old and grumpy one, slow and with a little knowledge  in martial arts. I tend to pretend I know ... my bad.

I stumbled onto Marc on the old Silat list many moons ago. We both (people said to me) or assumed we both have ADHD and with a PTSD influence in it. I was not surprised that we bumped heads more than once, especially regarding a topic of live experience and martial arts. I hate to say this, but IMHO, Marc was beginning to lose faith in Martial Arts.

But eventually we had the opportunity to meet. He and Dianna came down to my cave. It was a respectful meeting, fun, and we all had a good time. My conclusion as to why Marc, sometimes, Dianna were beginning to lose faith in Martial Arts was, largely because in the midst of learning, they were missing part of the most important basics. Either their teachers purposely did not to teach them this part or ignored it. Marc and Dianna, correct me if I somehow misunderstood you. If I did, my apology.

We began corresponding very closely. We learned  from each other, and we respected each other greatly. In the end, we both agreed to write a book about it. So we did. Dianna was the instrumental  in completing thebook. She literally ordered both of us to sit and  write from sunrise to sunset. She used bribery, too, like giving us sake when we did  good job.

Anyway, I remember vividly when we got to the chapter of Maegeri or front thrust kick. We got stuck for over an hour. ThankGod, Dianna was there to intervene. That's the day Marc got drunk from wine. NO MORE WINE for you Marc!!!!!

Marc is a gentleman, open minded ... well he has that Scottish stubbornness a bit! :) So he have to be convinced about a lot of things.

He has a wealth of knowledge in Martial Arts. And the most important thing is that he can easily share it to everyone. He is the  best story teller I've ever known. I don't mean anything negative by  this, I mean it extremely positive. I have a problem in explaining things,  but Marc, he can write the simple explanation with his passion to  share. He uses the language that we all use. He is also a down to  earth guy. I am impressed with his achievements and am honored to  be called one of his friends. But most of all, because he's short, a  little guy with a big heart, just like me, I think?

Shauna T. Bellevue, Nebraska
I stumbled over the No Nonsense Self Defense website after being directed to one of Mr. Marc MacYoung internet blogs. Since his writing fascinated me, I decided to check out the website to see what I could learn.

Although we are a typical small town middle class family, I came to the ugly realization that I had been playing Russian roulette with my personal safety and the safety of my family and property. The mindset that it ‘can’t happen to me/us/here’ had taken a subtle control over my everyday life which rendered me less than aware of the environments I was passing through.

Mr. MacYoung covers the entire spectrum of the concept that is self-defense; stressing the entire time that the most important abilities are the mental ones that allow you to recognize when you’re in danger and the actions best suited to avoiding a violent conflict rather than advocating any level of martial skills meant to engage in violence. Because I have absolutely no martial skills I spent the majority of my free time reading through all areas of his site in order to start developing the mental tools I should have to make me and my stuff uninteresting for those of criminal intent.
Thank you Mr. Marc MacYoung for providing a valuable resource that has made my world a little safer.

T.B.S
I could sum it all up in one (or two) words, (expletive deleted) WOW! I stumbled upon your site when I Googled self-defense pacifism. FYI: the hit was ranked number TWO!

My introduction to you was your page titled "Should you use violence to defend yourself?" Generally I'm a fairly articulate person, but words fail me now. What I found was one of the most technically and philosophically sound, challenging, inviting, and informative treatises on the subject (actually subjects) that I have EVER read in my life.

I am a veteran of the Air Force/Tennessee Air National Guard & the Metro Nashville Police Department. I  studied Tae Kwon Do during my cop stint. I developed and "taught" a self-defense seminar while a walking patrol officer on Music Row. The emphasis was heavily weighted toward "surroundings awareness" and, thus, avoiding dangerous situations.

Your work is amazing.

J. Thomas Retail Manager, Freelance Editor, Armchair Warrior (Newfoundland)
On The Animal List
"I wandered into the land of Marc "Animal" MacYoung and Dianna Gordon MacYoung purely out of chance and curiosity, as I  was looking for information on the martial arts I had recently  begun studying.

I stayed because I found peer-reviewed, real-world  tested information presented in a simple, effective manner - as well  as a sense of humour and the absurdity of the world that I could relate  to. As a book nerd with no real-life experience with violence, I have benefited from learning "how the other half lives" and what to do  if, through mischance, my life ever did cross that line...but  more importantly, I've learned how to AVOID ever letting that happen...and why that's a Good Thing(tm)!

This isn't simply a place for the trained, the professional, or those who've led "interesting lives". This is a place  for those who want to learn about human behaviour, the context and  culture of violence, and how to avoid or remove these aspects in your life. Whether you were brought to these pages by an interest in martial  arts, the need for information in dealing with violence in your life,  a recommendation from another person, or simply from curiosity -  there is valuable knowledge here. So as we say where I come from: Fill Yer Boots!"

Tom, Taiwan
As overhyped Martial Arts ad copy commonly states, "What you don't know can get you get killed." Marc present -- in a clear manner -- information that many of us learned the hard way over the course of 10-15 years. Additionally, Marc is an entertaining read. I don't read much outside of my field, but when I do, Marc "The Animal" MacYoung is definitely at the top of my list.

Andrew Vachss Author/Attorney/Advocate, NY
Blues tell the truth. Marc MacYoung teaches it

And of course you can see all kinds of  reviews  at Amazon.com. As these are unedited, you will see what people have to say, both good and bad.

You can also see my ratings at Allexperts.com where I volunteer my time and answer questions. I earned those ratings, because I can't control what people have to say about me after I have tried to help them.

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