Hard-Won Wisdom Reviews Page 2
More Reviews of Hard-Won Wisdom, Alain Burrese's realistic look at self-defense!
From Self-Defense Forums: March 2002
If you can't take Alain Burrese aside and offer to buy him a drink in the
hopes that he'll tell you some stories at the local bar, reading his Hard-Won
Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks is the next best thing.
Two things will become readily apparent after just a few pages of this book.
First, Alain is one of those men who has had the benefit of a loving and wise
father, whom it is obvious Alain respects very deeply. Second, Alain is not the
man with whom to pick a fight.
I normally discount as bravado someone's tales of his violent past, taking with
a few grains of salt those war stories of bar fights and street skirmishes won
and lost. From the outset, though, Alain's honest style and earnest desire to
impart what he's learned put the reader at ease. The advice Alain offers is the
type of common sense that isn't too common. I found myself agreeing as I turned
the pages -- and saying to myself, "That's so obvious. Why haven't I been
keeping that in mind?"
That's Alain's gift. He has a way of taking those things that should be
obvious, but which aren't, for whatever reasons, and beating you gently about
the head and neck with them.
The book is divided into four parts. Part 1 includes Alain's introduction, the
admonishment that Anyone Can Be Beat, and chapters on legal ramifications as
well as the importance of awareness in self-defense.
Part 2 covers Balance; Stance and Footwork; Defense; Using Your Hands; Kicking;
Infighting Tools; The Ground; Chokes and Sleepers; Training; and Fitness. As you
can see from the chapter titles, this is Alain explaining the physical building
blocks of fighting and self-defense.
Part 3, though, is where things get really interesting. Alain offers his insight
into everything regarding fighting and self-defense that isn't about the
physical aspects -- at least not primarily. Mr. Burrese touches on several very
interesting subjects, including the complications that arise regarding women,
the differences made by the types of friends one chooses, the dangers of drunks,
the use of weapons, clothing considerations, and a variety of other factors.
In Part 4, Alain ties together what he's written by offering some keen insights
into the mindsets behind those who fight, those who want to fight, and
those who realize they no longer want to fight. Alain's chagrin at his own
youthful indiscretions is obvious, and this more than anything lends weight to
the lessons he's learned and is trying to share.
Throughout, the book is dotted with fascinating anecdotes from Alain's life. I
must admit that it was these I found most interesting, and I caught myself more
than once scanning ahead for paragraphs that started with, "This one
time..." or "I knew this guy..." or "One night in..."
so I could read the best parts before going back to see what the author was
trying to illustrate.
The book features an introduction by Marc "Animal" MacYoung, who is
obviously impressed with the skills Mr. Burrese possesses. Hard-Won Wisdom
is definitely worth buying. Stop by Alain's web site at www.burrese.com.
You won't be disappointed.
_________________
- Phil
This review was posted at Self-Defense
Forums and at Phil's site,
check them both out for more reviews and other information!
From the Dojang Digest, referring to the review of Phil's above:
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 05:48:17 -0800 (PST)
From: Charles Richards <mojakwan@yahoo.com>
To: Dojang Digest <the_dojang@martialartsresource.net>
Subject: [The_Dojang] Hard-Won Wisdom - Review
Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net
Book review of "Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks: How to
Avoid a Fight and What to do When You Can't or Don't Want to"
Dear List,
I had the pleasure of sharing Master West's military techniques with
Alain. On a whim I purchased his book and had him autograph it. I'd
have to agree with the linked review. Alain has a way of listing out
some common sense ideas we often forget about as we focus on kicking
punching and learning joint manipulations with a partner who knows how
to fall out of them.
With an air of confidence by experience and devoid of ego, Alain talks
in plain English about what will (and will not) happen in a street
fight, how you can prepare, how you can use the environment, and most
importantly being aware and using strategy. I even found myself
smiling at a few things Alain advises are not too wise, going "yeh I
did that too when I was younger."
Now re-reading the inscription, gives the book even deeper meaning. So to
Alain I can say "I got your back" and to the list, if you
teach/practice street/realism self defense order Alain's book.
Yours in Jung Do,
Charles Richards
Moja Kwan TSD
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