I don’t do many reviews about books, I think I have done about 5 or so. The main reason is often that there is so much rubbish’ out there that I would have to lie to say something. Sounds harsh that doesn’t it?.. But I feel if you are intending spending £15 plus on a book about a subject you are interested in , then it should give you something back. Many books on the martial arts are shallow re-hashes of old, well-trod paths. Though thankfully not all!

We need to be able to read something, that if not ‘new’ as such, is at least thought provoking. Thankfully, over the past few years with writers like Jamie O’Keefe, Geoff Thompson and the like, we have seen new ground being trod. This vein has continued with a book from someone I am proud to know, as both a friend and as a martial artist - Alan Charlton 4th Dan.

The books title is "Awareness, Fears and Consequences", not a super duper catchy title but one that starts to give at least an insight into how deeply this book will make you think. You read books to gain knowledge, it’s as simple as that. If the book is shallow then the knowledge gained is shallow. The author needs to have some degree of understanding of the subject he has written. For instance, we could ALL have a crack at a cookery book but 3 different ways of burning breakfast hardly qualifies most of us. No, we need to know and respect the author’s knowledge on the subject he or she has chosen to write about... Thankfully, the author of this book is Alan Charlton. Alan writes like he is; Honest, humorous, often blunt, understanding and natural. What you get is Alan’s understanding of the world of violence. It lets you visit this world safely, yet opens your eyes to its existence.

This is not, nor tries it to be a "How to do it" series of techniques. It is a book about knowledge and understanding, written by someone who has been there and done it. What you really get from this book are insights, advice, understanding experience & truth. You can’t really expect a great deal more can you?

In the book you will recognise feelings and worries that we have ALL faced. You will see bits of yourself through lots of Alan. Intelligent, modest, honest and true to his beliefs (though he won’t thank me for saying all this), Alan is a martial arts Self Protection Instructor who is not as well known as he deserves to be. However, those of us who have been around for a long time, involved in the ‘real’ aspects of combat training all know and respect this man.

I WAS going to say you should read this book but I won’t... No, don’t just READ it, OWN IT! That way it will serve as a reference should you wonder about this crazy world’s love affair with violence and violent men. An Oasis of common sense, in a desert of madness!

If I hadn’t have been asked to write something about this book, I would have done so anyway.

Dave Turton 7th Dan; Founder & Head of the Self-Defence Federation (Int’l)