21 Techniques Of Silent Killing

This is one of the most offensive books you can find, and I recommend NOT leaving it out on your coffeetable when guests arrive, as it is chock full of drawings depicting ways to "deanimate" one's enemy with a single lethal thrust.

In theory, many of the techniques are viable -- but in practice, most will not work as Long states. You see, when an individual is stabbed in a "quick kill" target (head, chest, kidney, etc.), they frequently remain conscious and communicative for quite a while -- especially if the weapon is left in place, as Long recommends. Such an individual will likely survive long enough to identify his attacker to the authorities. Furthermore, certain "victims" would be so enraged that they would chase down their attacker as he nonchalantly strolls away, in order to "return" the weapon he left behind. Long would have us believe that certain "magic" spots will result in instant death -- and while such attacks are frequently lethal, they are seldom as efficient as Long's cartoons depict. There is usually a bit of hollering, flailing, and spraying involved, which is glossed over almost to the point of being discounted entirely.

A number of techniques are shown, some of which would be somewhat awkward to implement -- simpler and better techniques have been excluded. Nearly all of these methods involve sneaking up behind someone who is sitting in a chair, although there are a few "walkbys" as well. This book validates the paranoia which compels me to take the corner seat at restaurants, and turn to face strangers who approach too closely from behind.

While this text is morally and socially reprehensible, and while much of it seems uninformed or misguided, the pictures amuse me, and IT KEEPS GETTING FUNNIER EVERY TIME I READ IT! Although deeply flawed, it is superior to similar books by Steiner, Minnery, and Saxon -- many of which seem based solely upon fantasy.