For wholesale orders and any enquiries contact the publishers Milo Books

REVIEWS

Here’s what internationally reknowned self-protection instructor, Nick Hughes wrote..

Brilliant book about the real world of martial arts, doormen and executive protection from the eyes of someone who’s been there and done the business.

As a friend of the author I know that many of us have been at him for years to pen a book about his vast experience in the field of real world martial arts and security. Finally he’s done it and he does not disappoint.

You can read first hand accounts about the legendary Terry O’Neill and the redoubtable Gary Spiers and their exploits on the doors of what is arguably one of the UK’s most violent cities. That in itself would have been a book but Den goes on to include how the fledgling private body guard industry got started in the UK and how he parlayed that experience into becoming one of the world’s authority on the subject.

Whether you’re a martial artist, involved in security or someone who wants to get a taste for what it’s like to stand on the front line and dish it out to troublemakers then do yourself a favor and read this one.

—————

This review was placed on Total Protection Interactive forum by “Slackbladder”

I heartily endorse this book to anyone with a passing curiosity of Really Tough People; anyone with a sick sense of humour; anyone who has an interest in the martial arts; anyone who has a pulse.

Slackbladder

[The thread can be found here at TPI]

————–

This review is from the online SHOTOKAN WAY Magazine…

‘Working with Warriors’ by Dennis Martin tells the story of three mens’ experiences in the Martial Arts and working in the field of security at the very highest level. Most prominent and central to the book however is the friendship of these three men, and how working and training together has developed life-long friendships.

These three men, of course are Terry O’Neill, Dennis Martin and Gary Spiers.

As soon as I had heard of the release of this book, I was desperate to read it. To Shotokan karateka, particularly in the UK – Terry O’Neill is simply a legend. His life long commitment to the KUGB (Karate Union of Great Britain), his competitive reputation, his magazine – Fighting Arts International, his reputation on the door, and his all round commitment to the Martial Arts have made him a name that instantly demands respect.

Dennis Martin has been described as one of the most influential self-defence instructors in the world. Geoff Thompson, in the foreword to the book, states ‘Dennis Martin is the most credible instructor of real self-defence in the world today’. A pretty decent reference would you say? Dennis, as revealed throughout the book worked the doors and came to become one of the most important figures in the development of the study of physical conflict.

Gary Spiers, like O’Neill and Martin came from a traditional background, and trained in some of the most vicious dojos in Japan. His spirit, as perfectly depicted and vocalised through his own words in the large excerpts of interview, meant that he was able to deal with a wide variety of violent encounters – including him single-handedly dealing with gangs, against weapons and all the other all-out scum of the street.

This book, through the wonderful writing by Dennis Martin and through superb excerpts of interviews, puts on central stage the lives of these men as ‘Warriors’ in every sense of the word. It is told with vivid and glorious detail the experiences these men had – to not only develop them individually as Martial Artists and all round tough men – but that also developed a unique and life-long bond between them all. It was these parts of the book that caught my attention most ferociously.

I loved reading about O’Neill’s superb demonstrations of head kicks, in the dojo and out the clubs when the clientele got nasty. I loved reading about Martin’s time travelling, working in the security field, such a protecting the Miss World’s contestants and spreading his teachings of the Close Quarter Battle (CQB), and Spier’s many violent encounters. It’s an exciting read that draws you in, and even when being asked to do a variety of chores around the house, you will rather deal the consequences of leaving the hoovering for an hour and enjoy the book rather than dare put it aside for later reading. I know this from personal experience. 

As I have already highlighted, much of the book is made up of the superb conveying of stories and experiences by Dennis Martin, who excellently gives stories – most of which are quite old –a real vibrancy. They are stories that give you an opportunity to gain an insight into these mens’ lives that you might otherwise be unable to learn of. Every page is a joy, and every turning of one is an exciting expedition that keeps you far away from the hoover, and gets you deeper and deeper into trouble…but some things are worth getting into trouble for!

Much of the book however is also made up of interviews with these gentlemen that have been published in the past. It is perfect to have these interviews collected into one book as it gives much of the written text by Dennis a great context for the reader to use and consider. I love all of the interviews here in this book, and I have since – many times round – returned to the interviews alone for additional reads as they exist perfectly both as a part of the wider book, but also as great references on their own…I love this facet of the book!

One of the interviews that particularly stands out for me is with Gary Spiers. His honesty – from a reader’s perspective is utterly enthralling – and gives the reader a fantastic glimpse into what he is all about. He has clearly seen much blood covering the floor of many clubs and pavements and certainly much on his own hands too, and always of those who have meant harm to others or Spiers himself. All of the interviews have this intensity and honesty and are so inspirational.

While this book is fantastically anecdotal, it is also very educational. Through reading the pages, written by Martin about O’Neill, Spiers and himself, you learn much about the sickening reality of violence. Through the interviews you gain an understanding of the processes of these men and how they operate. Put this concoction together and you get a book that is both re-readable for the joy of it, and for its educational values.

The blurb on the back of the book states ‘From the Cavern to Rave, and from Bar Brawls to close-quarter battle, Working with Warriors is the ultimate story of the world of personal combat.’…I wouldn’t even attempt to put it any better. This book is an intriguing, fascinating, funny and vicious smorgasbord that gives the reader an insight into the dark world that no-one wants to see, but is always intrigued enough not to look away from. You will thoroughly enjoy this book, I have no doubt!!!

Shaun Banfield

The review can be read in the magazine here

—————————

This review was written for the BCA Forum by top British self-protection instructor, Peter Consterdine:

The book is about Dennis and two other martial arts legends, Terry O’Neil and Gary Spiers and their journey through very high level traditional martial arts and their experience working some of the toughest doors in the U.K in Liverpool. I read the book in two go’s, – the first half one night in bed and the second half the next morning before I got out of bed – it’s that sort of book.

Whether you know the characters involved, or not, you are there with them through familiar martial arts experiences and even if you haven’t work the doors you are almost there with them as the violence erupts and has to be dealt with. Dennis’s very individual humour is a thread that runs through the book and is a great counterpoint to the, sometimes, very descriptive tale of what dealing with gratuitous violence is truly about. The book is as ‘no holds barred’ in the telling of the incidents as the incidents were themselves.

It is also a ‘snapshot’ about the past 40 plus years of British karate and serves as a reminder about how many world class martial artists the country has produced. The book is a must for anyone who still needs to be convinced about the clash of street violence and how traditional martial arts does and doesn’t work – there are some surprises!

If you also have an interest in the world of Bodyguarding then you’ll also find some fascinating insights as Dennis, through his training company CQB Services, was one of the very first commercial BG training organisations and my first steps into the industry was as a student of on one of the early CQB courses. Dennis was one of the very first U.K martial artists to break into the industry and this BG thread runs through the book.

I’ve said it before, but my own interest in personal combat outside the traditional martial arts was a path I trod in Dennis’s footsteps. He was into concepts, methodologies, psychology of combat and the synergy of firearms and unarmed combat before any of us and for me we are all where we are because Dennis showed us the way.

So BUY THIS BOOK – ‘WORKING WITH WARRIORS’, published by Milo Books and available from all major bookshops.

Peter C

 ——————————–

Top Goju Karate Instructor Gavin Mulholland wrote this review….

I really enjoyed this book.

Being familiar with a number of the characters, I had already heard some of the stories before. These are the tales of some of the pioneers who brought back Karate to the UK and used it in the real world. What I really like is that these stories are traditionally passed on by word-of-mouth, in dojos and bars, after training. To have them written down and documented in the way Mr Martin has done has somehow made them permanent. In that, he has done a service to us all.

Another thing that I think is truely valuable about this book is that it presents a unique time and features three unique individuals. The main characters are portrayed warts and all. They are not angels – they are fighting men; hardened in the dojos of Japan and tempered on the streets and doors of the UK club scene. In these days of watered down Karate, psuedo-Zen instructors, and ‘family clubs’, it’s nice to see what Karate really was, how its practitioners were feared and respected, and how these men have influenced all of us in the UK martial scene.
[Gavin Mulholland is the author of the terrific Four Shades of Black]

——————————

Book release day at Waterstones