This message is a review of the book "Tactical Reality" by Louis Awerbuck.
It's also a rant because I don't think the book is worth the $26 I paid for it. Instead of getting some fresh insights from a man who's reputed to be an excellent trainer, what I got was a poorly edited collection of magazine articles with the valuable ideas hidden in the mess.
Some suggestions for Mr. Awerbuck:
1) Hire a proofreader. If neither you nor Paladin Press can afford one, mail me a copy of your manuscript and I'll look it over for free.
2) Learn the difference between "amount" and "number" and when to use each.
3) Provide an index. Creating one with current word processing software isn't a big job.
4) Organize your material and present it in a logical order.
5) Don't cover the same topic in two different chapters.
6) If you're going to cite incidents, explain to the reader what happened in each case and what the reader can learn from the situation.
7) If you're going to provide pictures of a smokestack stoppage, show an empty case rather than a loaded round caught between the slide and the barrel hood.
8) Beware of cliches and mixed metaphors.
9) Cut the "cute" language by half.
10) If you're going to warn against using gizmos on a defensive firearm, explain what a "gizmo" is and then justify the numerous modifications shown on your tricked-out, cut down Remington 11-87.
11) Do some research. Sun Tzu wasn't Japanese and the shooters of 1899 weren't all deadly marksmen with great tactical skills.
Those are the main gripes I wanted to get off my chest. I'll be glad to rant some more if anyone's interested.
It's also a rant because I don't think the book is worth the $26 I paid for it. Instead of getting some fresh insights from a man who's reputed to be an excellent trainer, what I got was a poorly edited collection of magazine articles with the valuable ideas hidden in the mess.
Some suggestions for Mr. Awerbuck:
1) Hire a proofreader. If neither you nor Paladin Press can afford one, mail me a copy of your manuscript and I'll look it over for free.
2) Learn the difference between "amount" and "number" and when to use each.
3) Provide an index. Creating one with current word processing software isn't a big job.
4) Organize your material and present it in a logical order.
5) Don't cover the same topic in two different chapters.
6) If you're going to cite incidents, explain to the reader what happened in each case and what the reader can learn from the situation.
7) If you're going to provide pictures of a smokestack stoppage, show an empty case rather than a loaded round caught between the slide and the barrel hood.
8) Beware of cliches and mixed metaphors.
9) Cut the "cute" language by half.
10) If you're going to warn against using gizmos on a defensive firearm, explain what a "gizmo" is and then justify the numerous modifications shown on your tricked-out, cut down Remington 11-87.
11) Do some research. Sun Tzu wasn't Japanese and the shooters of 1899 weren't all deadly marksmen with great tactical skills.
Those are the main gripes I wanted to get off my chest. I'll be glad to rant some more if anyone's interested.