"The Entrenchment Tool - A Lecture Course", Book Review/Shameless Plug

I have mentioned before that I am involved with the project - funded, managed, and assisted by other members of the Armed Polite Society forums - to produce an English translation of the book "The Entrenchment Tool: A Lecture Course on Self-Defense" [working title]. For the last two days, I have been in possession not only of parts, sample chapters, etc., but an actual copy of the book's original Russian text - the hardcover, collector's edition.

In brief, it is an exceptional book. It is written by a man who is a professional in the field of personal self-defense and tactics, a veteran of the Soviet armed services and a former instructor at the Latvian police academy. It is well-written by a man who is well-informed in his field, and supplied with quality illustrations and graphs.

It is important to understand what this book is not. It is not a book on the entrenchment tool's general, survival, and other applications. The fixed-blade entrenchment tool is a shovel, rescue device, crowbar, knife, measuring tool, and even frying pan. The book, again, is not about these. It is also not a collector's guide to the entrenchment tool (although it does have some brief introduction to the topic. What this is - is only a guide to the use of the enrtenchment tool in close combat to defend life and limb.

The book is subdivided into nine main chapters and an appendix. Chapter 1 is a brief introduction into history and use of entrenchment tools, especially in the context of the Russian military. It proceeds to explain the value of possessing close combat training not only in terms of the practical skills, but in personal developement and preparation for self-defense. Close combat, writes Shutikov, [/i]does not merely develop strength and agility - but also bravery, the ability to tolerate pain, and the will to victory.[/i]

Chapters 2-7 describe the proper stances, holds, and blows to be executed with an entrenchment tool. After this, Shutikov proceeds to more complex topics, like fighting off an armed opponent and utilizing the entrenchment tool in a true close-combat 'clinch'. All topics are extensively illustrated (with Shutikov himself posing to demonstrate the blows, grabs, and so forth). The book is also equipped with multiple graphical maps of the human body, demonstrating the proper areas to attack with your e-tool, and explaining the probable medical and tactical effects of such attacks.

Even a cursory look at the book reveals that the fighting style recommended is simple and extremely brutal, recommended to be learned by individuals with little specific background in the field of close combat. The blows are almost all very easy to learn, memorize, and carry out. Even if you do not advance to the most complex moves, I have no doubt that someone who trains in the key aspects of this book and learns the moves properly will be capable of putting an attacker in a world of hurt.

Chapters 8-9 explain the proper ways of training to learn the art of shoveling your opponent in the face (as well as the groin, the knees, and the throat, among other areas), and safety procedures. These will be reviewed and possibly reworked for the English edition. This is in part because the Russian edition refers to Russian training and safety equipment not commercially available in the United States, and in part because new, purpose-built training gear has been custom-ordered by members of our team (specifically, me) for use with the book.

The Appendix includes guidelines for the proper care and maintenance of your entrenchment tool, as well as recommendations as to how to pick out an entrenchment tool either for use in digging, or in self-defense. To quote the author: It is best to keep the spade near the door or near the bed. If strange drunken people are trying to break into your home - something that has happened to me couple of times - it is best to run towards the door with a weapon already in hand, or at least knowing by heart where to take it.

In short, it is an excellent book. It explains its narrow topic with clinical accuracy and a depth of knowledge that clearly comes from an extensive experience in the field. All of the moves are described in detail and accompanied with photographs, making it simple to follow even for the most reading-challenged consumer. The author does not shy away from the fact that he is teaching a combat martial art. In fact, he is clearly proud of it: at one point of the book he quotes a description of entrenchment tool combat from "All Quiet in the Western Front" and concludes - 'the shovel you will be defending yourself with with will be not much different from those with which the characters of Remarque went into battle.'

Think of it: he uses an anti-war book to market close-combat weaponry. He uses one of the darkest, grimmest moments in the history of all mankind as a marketing point for entrenchment tools and entrenchment tool combat training.

In short, Vadim Shutikov is an awesome man and he has written an awesome book.

Now that's versatile.

Where did you get THAT pic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7VNd7Kxr3o

Oh so 2 and 3 really did ruin Starship Troopers.




Also this is crazy and sort of awesome.

Oh so 2 and 3 really did ruin Starship Troopers.




Also this is crazy and sort of awesome.

3 is kind of funny but 2 just sucks

but there's a reason why they're direct-to-DVD

FLAWLESS VICTORY

Oh so 2 and 3 really did ruin Starship Troopers.




Also this is crazy and sort of awesome.

All the movies ruined everything. But it wasn't that good of a book to begin with.

Incidentally it's probably responsible for Japan's obsession with powered armour and a lot of the fail on this board.

Oh so 2 and 3 really did ruin Starship Troopers.

1st one was bad enough