U.S. Army Hand-to-Hand Combat (US Army Survival)

This book was smaller than I anticipated, but that's a good thing. By smaller I don't mean it has less information, but rather it's physical size. That makes it more portable. The book covers fundamentals, vulnerable points on the body, knife fighting, silencing sentries, fall positions (how to fall properly in a fight to avoid injury or disadvantage) and throws, holds and escapes, disarming methods, prisoner handling, and advice for instructors.The contents of the book are insane though, it's extremely brutal. The images themselves are not graphic or disturbing but the book quite literally teaches its readers how to kill with their hands in a fight. I personally believe that anyone proficiently trained in this book's content outclass a martial artist (given they practice in real life and don't just simply read), since martial arts balance effectiveness with tradition, discipline, and looking cool, making them great for personal development, sports, and prolonged engagements, but Combatives, on the other hand, which is what this book is, strip away the flair and focus purely on brutal efficiency. They're purpose built for high stakes, no rules environments like war zones.No showmanship, no honor codes, just survival. So if you're not interested in the "arts" part of fighting and only care for brutal efficiency, this book is great, though it is slightly dated. That said, I don't think its age drastically effects its contents and the methods (as stated by others) still hold true to be effective today.So if you want a good read, are trying to discover more about the Army, or want to learn extremely dangerous combat methods then you should absolutely purchase this. This book literally teaches methods to kill. I'm personally adding it to my plethora of training books for apocalyptic preparations.

I have been a lifetime student (and instructor) of numerous martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Kenjutsu, Tanto-Jutsu) and combative systems (American Combatives, Military combatives, Krav Maga). I have also read countless volumes on anything to do with combatives and self-defense.I recently purchased this (U.S. Army Hand-to-Hand Combat put out by the Department of the Army) dated, but very interesting book.For those who are into the military combative systems, the U.S. Army has revised their official program which now includes various Gracie Jiu-jitsu ground tactics etc. In my opinion, as well as some U.S. Army veterans I know, this fantastic book is still valid for the purposes of the taking out the enemy. In fact, many of the present take combative systems are actually based upon the material in this informative manual. In spite of the poor quality of the photographs I maintain that most of the information in it is as valid today as it was during WW1, 2.191 page manual is organized into ten chapters. Chapters one to three cover the basic introduction, fundamentals of hand-to-hand combat and vulnerable points of the body. Chapter four covers knife attack methods. Chapter five explains how to silence sentries. Chapter six shows fall positions and throws. Chapter seven focuses on holds and escapes. Chapter eight covers various disarming methods. Chapter nine deals with prisoner handling. The final chapter covers the instructor and safety instructions. There is also a great index in this book. This is a true military combatives manual.Even though I question some of the procedures used in some of the techniques shown in this manual; nevertheless, most of the material can be effective when combined with an instructor showing all the finer points of a technique.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale: (Author: Tactical Principles of the most effective combative systems).

Good book. Lots of information and pictures to guide you throw the steps.

Bought this, read it cover to cover, and went to my nearest karate dojo.Walked in the door and mopped the floor…with the mop, I didn’t wanna get beat up 😅😅😅

as I ordered this book I learned to many things even defend myself I even almost executed this guy who bumped into me on purpose so I did the clapping cupped hands over his ears, He was screaming in pain as I walk away with victory as I see a medic had to help the man. The tried to stop me but I blended in with the crowed like assassin creed

The content in this book is timeless and I am sure would prove useful in situations involving defense against an attacker. The pictures are old but meaningful nonetheless because they go along nicely with the descriptions included. I'm not familiar with when this book was first published, I'd guess at least 50 years ago, but its evident that the knowledge still stands to be important in modern-life scenarios involving passage through unsafe environments.

I don't know what the reviewer right before me was doing but I downloaded this also and found everything, pictures and all. You have to know how to use the Go-To function on your kindle to get to the menu for the table of contents. Once you get there you'll be able to find everything just fine.As many said the manual is old, yes but still has many relevant topics and instructions. For the inexperenced in hand to hand combat this would be a good starter companion to a real-life martial arts or self defense class. Real life experience is always better.Sure, there are more up to date/current defense manuals out there, but who can argue with free? As one reviewer said, the human body is still the same as it was in the 1950's, so most of the information you'll find here is useful.