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100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative's Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture, and Surviving Any Dangerous Situation
A hands-on, practical survival guide from retired Navy SEAL Clint Emerson—adapted for civilians from actual special forces operations—to eluding pursuers, evading capture, and surviving any dangerous situation.
In today’s increasingly dangerous world, threats to your personal safety are everywhere. From acts of terror to mass shootings, and from the unseen (and sometimes virtual) matrix of everyday crime, danger is no longer confined to dark alleys or unstable regions. Potentially life-threatening circumstances can arise anywhere, anytime, and Clint Emerson—former Navy SEAL—wants you to be prepared.
100 Deadly Skills contains proven self-defense skills, evasion tactics, and immobilizing maneuvers—modified from the world of black ops—to help you take action in numerous “worst case” scenarios from escaping a locked trunk, to making an improvised Taser, to tricking facial recognition software. With easy-to-understand instructions and illustrations, Emerson outlines in detail many life-saving strategies and teaches you how to think and act like a member of the special forces.
This complete course in survival teaches you how to prevent tracking, evade a kidnapping, elude an active shooter, rappel down the side of a building, immobilize a bad guy, protect yourself against cyber-criminals, and much more—all using low-tech to “no-tech” methods. Clear, detailed, and presented in an easy-to-understand and execute format, 100 Deadly Skills is an invaluable resource. Because let’s face it, when danger is imminent, you don’t have time for complicated instructions.
In today’s increasingly dangerous world, threats to your personal safety are everywhere. From acts of terror to mass shootings, and from the unseen (and sometimes virtual) matrix of everyday crime, danger is no longer confined to dark alleys or unstable regions. Potentially life-threatening circumstances can arise anywhere, anytime, and Clint Emerson—former Navy SEAL—wants you to be prepared.
100 Deadly Skills contains proven self-defense skills, evasion tactics, and immobilizing maneuvers—modified from the world of black ops—to help you take action in numerous “worst case” scenarios from escaping a locked trunk, to making an improvised Taser, to tricking facial recognition software. With easy-to-understand instructions and illustrations, Emerson outlines in detail many life-saving strategies and teaches you how to think and act like a member of the special forces.
This complete course in survival teaches you how to prevent tracking, evade a kidnapping, elude an active shooter, rappel down the side of a building, immobilize a bad guy, protect yourself against cyber-criminals, and much more—all using low-tech to “no-tech” methods. Clear, detailed, and presented in an easy-to-understand and execute format, 100 Deadly Skills is an invaluable resource. Because let’s face it, when danger is imminent, you don’t have time for complicated instructions.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
October 31, 2015
I don’t write a lot of reviews, especially negative ones, but this book is just too much. I have the utmost respect for the Navy SEALs, God bless them, and I’m all for anyone using their past experiences to start a business, sell a book, and make a buck. More power to them. The information in this book, however, smells like someone cashing in on a gullible public. I guess this counts me with the gullible since I purchased it. I wasn’t under any delusion that real SEAL and covert trade secrets were going to be revealed in a mass-market paperback, but I figured there might be an interesting tip or two to pick up on. Instead, the advice ranges from useless (how to jump out of an airplane in a wingsuit to covertly infiltrate a foreign country) to the absurd (wear a $10k luxury watch to blend in with the populace).
A few more examples:
First, if you want to be the “Violent Nomad” and go incognito, be sure to include a Panerai watch in your EDC kit. That’s right: when you want to blend in and still have the right tools at your disposal, be sure to wear a $10,000 watch. I don’t know what kind of watches the government issues, but if they are in fact handing out $10k watches to covert operatives then I suppose that explains some of our budgetary issues. Besides, nothing says “blend into the environment” like wearing luxury watches that cost more than some cars. Hell, Panerai makes watches that cost more than some houses.
Second, when you make a silencer out of a water bottle, it’ll be so quiet that the only noise you’ll here is the firing pin contacting the round's primer. Right. I’ve fired suppressed .22s and .45s and even with pretty nice, $1,000 suppressors it’s far from that quiet. A suppressed .22 with a nice suppressor (the non-water bottle kind) still puts out around 115db. For comparison, that’s about the same noise level as a loud rock concert. Maybe the author’s water bottle suppressor is somehow more effective than an actual suppressor manufactured by a company that specializes in the craft, in which case I expect to start seeing the military issue water bottle silencers to our Spec Ops forces instead. We must be wasting money on these high-end titanium things when a water bottle and Brillo pad would be so much more effective.
Third, be sure to carry a Zero Trace brand RFID-blocking messenger bag. Conveniently, the author’s company, Escape The Wolf, makes these bags and would be happy to sell you one for $200.
If you want to pay $10 for a laugh, or you enjoy illustrations of how to insert a plastic tube containing a nail into your rectum so you can sneak something past an MRI, then go ahead and click “Buy”. Just remember, after you insert said tube containing the nail into your rectum and are going through an MRI, there’s a reason the doctors are always extra careful to make sure you remove anything metallic: you’re about to climb into a giant magnet with a metal nail secreted away in your colon.
If you read this and think it’s all completely serious, you’re a sucker. Somewhere, there’s a guy laughing all the way to the bank to cash his royalty check, amused at the fact that a bunch of desk-jockey civilian wannabe-ninjas would actually shell out $10 for this and take any of it seriously.
A few more examples:
First, if you want to be the “Violent Nomad” and go incognito, be sure to include a Panerai watch in your EDC kit. That’s right: when you want to blend in and still have the right tools at your disposal, be sure to wear a $10,000 watch. I don’t know what kind of watches the government issues, but if they are in fact handing out $10k watches to covert operatives then I suppose that explains some of our budgetary issues. Besides, nothing says “blend into the environment” like wearing luxury watches that cost more than some cars. Hell, Panerai makes watches that cost more than some houses.
Second, when you make a silencer out of a water bottle, it’ll be so quiet that the only noise you’ll here is the firing pin contacting the round's primer. Right. I’ve fired suppressed .22s and .45s and even with pretty nice, $1,000 suppressors it’s far from that quiet. A suppressed .22 with a nice suppressor (the non-water bottle kind) still puts out around 115db. For comparison, that’s about the same noise level as a loud rock concert. Maybe the author’s water bottle suppressor is somehow more effective than an actual suppressor manufactured by a company that specializes in the craft, in which case I expect to start seeing the military issue water bottle silencers to our Spec Ops forces instead. We must be wasting money on these high-end titanium things when a water bottle and Brillo pad would be so much more effective.
Third, be sure to carry a Zero Trace brand RFID-blocking messenger bag. Conveniently, the author’s company, Escape The Wolf, makes these bags and would be happy to sell you one for $200.
If you want to pay $10 for a laugh, or you enjoy illustrations of how to insert a plastic tube containing a nail into your rectum so you can sneak something past an MRI, then go ahead and click “Buy”. Just remember, after you insert said tube containing the nail into your rectum and are going through an MRI, there’s a reason the doctors are always extra careful to make sure you remove anything metallic: you’re about to climb into a giant magnet with a metal nail secreted away in your colon.
If you read this and think it’s all completely serious, you’re a sucker. Somewhere, there’s a guy laughing all the way to the bank to cash his royalty check, amused at the fact that a bunch of desk-jockey civilian wannabe-ninjas would actually shell out $10 for this and take any of it seriously.
June 22, 2016
This book just stupid. It's more like 100 skills Jason Bourne could use in movies. For example, "every hotel room has a bible or Quran in a bedside drawer and a couple of these taped together yields an improvised body armor that provides significant protection from projectiles." Seriously. What am I supposed to break into the room next to me to steal an extra bible and run out and buy tape? As an average size man, I used the bible in my room just now and based on it I would need 4 just to cover my chest and no duct tape anywhere.
December 8, 2015
These might be real skills, but it's pure entertainment for basic folks like me who want to pretend they will ever have the day in a life of a "violent nomad". This kind of non-fiction is better than any spy novel or video game because it lets you imagine for a few hours that you may actually need to survive in hostile territory or engage in covert activity. Reminds me of the children's Spy Handbook that I was obsessed with at the age of 9. Very fun.
February 8, 2017
Oh wow, what a book. This book is some crazy shit. Its cool to take a look at, for the ridiculous and whacky shit (with illustrations) that qualify as 'skills', such as:
-A very limited guide of how to hijack a Cessna (with no idea how to take off, fly, or land, assuming you either know how to do at least half of those skills and can parachute).
-Traveling across wastelands and covering your tracks/supplies by air, land, or sea, because you're going to be doing A LOT of at your desk job
-Turning a cigar tube you've stuffed into your ass a storage unit for money and a weapon if you've been imprisoned.
-Turning mundane things such as a pen, a phonebook, a belt, a roll of quarters, socks into deadly tools of assault and defense (which are remarkably not difficult to apply using your own imagination without buying this book)
Its fun to learn about this stuff, but is completely useless as a book. You either know this stuff and may or may not have used it, or will never EVER approach having to use this. Reading this book will embolden you into thinking you're some kind of Jason Bourne dumbass if you fall into the latter category, and will likely either leave you dead, in the hospital, or in prison if you try to apply half of these 'skills'.
The book in and of itself is not objectively 'bad'; it isn't poorly written, comes with many illustrations, and even advocates for their very judicious and careful application. However, in the end, this book is highly specious in its implications of letting you 'become a spy'. It caters to a wide variety of people, including valor stealers, NatSec dumbasses who nebulously pontificate about 'threats' and their 'experience' and the six people who have maybe applied 3 of the skills out of the 19 they learned in special operations/clandestine alphabet soup stuff.
I wouldn't be so harsh in this review if the good faith on the author's behalf didn't end at the frequent disclaimer-ing in the book; the owner runs a business called 'Escape The Wolf', which is about 'crisis management' and 'security'...Wowza. If you're a rich white person in the suburbs who hasn't bought into fearmongering bullshit you've been sold on domestic threats and purchased several guns, a home defense system, and a life coach to teach you functional fitness/being an alpha male or whatever the hell - this will get you hook line and sinker.
The market for security and consulting companies like this is extremely saturated now that we have plenty of Navy SEALs finishing out their book deals and looking for the next buck to make for pencilnecked chickenhawks afraid of their own shadow with too much time and money on their hands to try and 'protect whats theirs'. I don't feel a single bit of sorrow for the jackasses who get sold safety snake oil by this company.
In summary, the book is fun to read, and from what I've collected from other reviewers, serves as a good knowledge base for thriller novels/screenwriting, and a unique experience to dissociate from the mundanity of existence, but use it as an opportunity to laugh at the people who take this book and themselves too seriously. 1/5
-A very limited guide of how to hijack a Cessna (with no idea how to take off, fly, or land, assuming you either know how to do at least half of those skills and can parachute).
-Traveling across wastelands and covering your tracks/supplies by air, land, or sea, because you're going to be doing A LOT of at your desk job
-Turning a cigar tube you've stuffed into your ass a storage unit for money and a weapon if you've been imprisoned.
-Turning mundane things such as a pen, a phonebook, a belt, a roll of quarters, socks into deadly tools of assault and defense (which are remarkably not difficult to apply using your own imagination without buying this book)
Its fun to learn about this stuff, but is completely useless as a book. You either know this stuff and may or may not have used it, or will never EVER approach having to use this. Reading this book will embolden you into thinking you're some kind of Jason Bourne dumbass if you fall into the latter category, and will likely either leave you dead, in the hospital, or in prison if you try to apply half of these 'skills'.
The book in and of itself is not objectively 'bad'; it isn't poorly written, comes with many illustrations, and even advocates for their very judicious and careful application. However, in the end, this book is highly specious in its implications of letting you 'become a spy'. It caters to a wide variety of people, including valor stealers, NatSec dumbasses who nebulously pontificate about 'threats' and their 'experience' and the six people who have maybe applied 3 of the skills out of the 19 they learned in special operations/clandestine alphabet soup stuff.
I wouldn't be so harsh in this review if the good faith on the author's behalf didn't end at the frequent disclaimer-ing in the book; the owner runs a business called 'Escape The Wolf', which is about 'crisis management' and 'security'...Wowza. If you're a rich white person in the suburbs who hasn't bought into fearmongering bullshit you've been sold on domestic threats and purchased several guns, a home defense system, and a life coach to teach you functional fitness/being an alpha male or whatever the hell - this will get you hook line and sinker.
The market for security and consulting companies like this is extremely saturated now that we have plenty of Navy SEALs finishing out their book deals and looking for the next buck to make for pencilnecked chickenhawks afraid of their own shadow with too much time and money on their hands to try and 'protect whats theirs'. I don't feel a single bit of sorrow for the jackasses who get sold safety snake oil by this company.
In summary, the book is fun to read, and from what I've collected from other reviewers, serves as a good knowledge base for thriller novels/screenwriting, and a unique experience to dissociate from the mundanity of existence, but use it as an opportunity to laugh at the people who take this book and themselves too seriously. 1/5
February 20, 2020
Well the title says it all. Has some funny, some useful and some over the top tips/skills. Ranging from the mundane to the useful and back out to bizarre (build your own camera taser - anyone?)
Still a light enjoyable journey. First book I’ve read that explains smuggling a shank up your anus the safe way...
Still a light enjoyable journey. First book I’ve read that explains smuggling a shank up your anus the safe way...
March 12, 2017
This book is mainly about skills needed for covert operations in a hostile territory. Most of the skills mentioned in the book rely on improvisation than anything else. I was surprised to know that operatives work with a minimum dependence on high-tech gadgets and rather rely mainly on improvisation to carry out their missions. This went contrary to my belief gathered from watching James Bond movies.
I was impressed by the writing style when I first skimmed through this book and wanted to probe further. The writing did give me a feel of what an operative would think before doing anything on a mission. It also made me more aware of my surroundings as a civilian, and as the author states, fulfilled the purpose of the book in doing so.
As far as I understand, the techniques given in this book are not comprehensive and mostly outdated (I don't think they would rely on these techniques for any covert operations going on currently), and most likely useless for most practical purposes. So I don't think the skills are necessarily "deadly". However, I do recommend this book to gain some understanding about covert operations or purely for entertainment.
I was impressed by the writing style when I first skimmed through this book and wanted to probe further. The writing did give me a feel of what an operative would think before doing anything on a mission. It also made me more aware of my surroundings as a civilian, and as the author states, fulfilled the purpose of the book in doing so.
As far as I understand, the techniques given in this book are not comprehensive and mostly outdated (I don't think they would rely on these techniques for any covert operations going on currently), and most likely useless for most practical purposes. So I don't think the skills are necessarily "deadly". However, I do recommend this book to gain some understanding about covert operations or purely for entertainment.
February 17, 2017
Tremendous fun! As a writer - and a fan of the TV show, 'Archer' - this manual got my creative juices flowing. (Uh...phrasing?) I find myself wanting to write an action scene involving a Zebra pen, a newspaper nail bat, improvised body armour... But seriously, there are lots of fascinating tidbits in here, e.g. lock-picking, escaping from restraints, and digital work-arounds such as how to send anonymous emails.
February 2, 2021
Poe's Law states that any sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from sincerity. Having spent the past few days reading this book cover to cover, I still remain unconvinced as to whether this is written in jest or not.
On the one hand, its is written by - as far as I can tell - a real, retired Navy SEAL. Americans are a notoriously more gung-ho and trigger-happy people than most of the rest of the world, and do seem to have national paranoia about the apparently ubiquitous bad guy - there's not many countries where you can buy military-grade hardware at the local supermarket for "defence". This obsession usually shows even more strongly in members of their military, so it is perhaps not unsurprising that a book like this exists, having been written by one of them.
However, on the other hand, so many of these "skills" are just bizarre. There's things that are wrong (I may not be a ballistics expert, but I cannot believe that an empty bottle of Irn Bru and a brillo pad is more effective than a purpose-built suppressor, and results in no more than a ticking sound), along with things that are highly impractical (crossing enemy borders by sea - involving leaping from a moving helicopter in full scuba gear and swimming to shore) and then the plain weird (how to wage psychological warfare - I'm not sure how useful this will be to many readers). Would a real military man really put his name on such a conglomeration of nonsense?
This brings me on to another point: just who is the target audience? Obviously, it's not people who will practically use this stuff - they have their own actual training. This leaves civilians who think they could've made it into the Paras if they hadn't taken that job at the bank 35 years ago. I can see a target market there, sure. But how many of them are really going to need to know how to steal a light aircraft, fly it near an "enemy" border and switch off all communications, bail out in a wingsuit and fly across said border before parachuting in to land, burning the equipment and "blending in"? I can't imagine there's a huge crossover. Presumably, all this is done with a cigar case full of goodies shoved half way up their colon, as recommended by skill #7 (this is genuinely one of the skills listed in the book - within the first few pages, no less. I guess it's best to be up front about these things).
Perhaps saying it was written by a retired operative is a bit misleading. In the acknowledgements at the back of the book, Mr. Emerson does mention that he had a "ghostwriter, or perhaps more appropriately...writer" help him with the book. Perhaps this explains some of the content, provided the ghostwriter was bad at taking notes and didn't fancy calling back. It doesn't explain why two people, plus a host of editors and publication reviewers at the Pentagon, apparently, didn't think that maybe one of their "violent nomads" (which incidentally sounds like a class from a bad RPG) could be anything other than a man. As far as I noticed, only him was ever used to denote their Nomad, although perhaps they just have a better grasp of who their buyers will be than I give them credit for.
As a side note, the illustrations throughout seem to be a cross between an aeroplane safety manual and a Famous Five adventure. It's quite disconcerting to see George, all grown up, about to gouge a man's eye out with a pen, or stab someone with a taser made from a disposable camera (again, this is a real tip). Obviously, losing Timmy must have hardened him up quite a bit.
I could go on about the oddities of this book, such as their constant emphasis on cheap and low-tech solutions - except for an £8000 watch which should be part of your ensemble. Or referring to global destinations, especially third-world ones (where you are certain to be kidnapped or spied-upon, according to the book), but teaching driving manoeuvres using only automatic transmissions. But I'll stop, as it's taken too much of my time already.
Don't buy this book. It's not even so-bad-it's-good, it's just bad.
Sorry Rob.
On the one hand, its is written by - as far as I can tell - a real, retired Navy SEAL. Americans are a notoriously more gung-ho and trigger-happy people than most of the rest of the world, and do seem to have national paranoia about the apparently ubiquitous bad guy - there's not many countries where you can buy military-grade hardware at the local supermarket for "defence". This obsession usually shows even more strongly in members of their military, so it is perhaps not unsurprising that a book like this exists, having been written by one of them.
However, on the other hand, so many of these "skills" are just bizarre. There's things that are wrong (I may not be a ballistics expert, but I cannot believe that an empty bottle of Irn Bru and a brillo pad is more effective than a purpose-built suppressor, and results in no more than a ticking sound), along with things that are highly impractical (crossing enemy borders by sea - involving leaping from a moving helicopter in full scuba gear and swimming to shore) and then the plain weird (how to wage psychological warfare - I'm not sure how useful this will be to many readers). Would a real military man really put his name on such a conglomeration of nonsense?
This brings me on to another point: just who is the target audience? Obviously, it's not people who will practically use this stuff - they have their own actual training. This leaves civilians who think they could've made it into the Paras if they hadn't taken that job at the bank 35 years ago. I can see a target market there, sure. But how many of them are really going to need to know how to steal a light aircraft, fly it near an "enemy" border and switch off all communications, bail out in a wingsuit and fly across said border before parachuting in to land, burning the equipment and "blending in"? I can't imagine there's a huge crossover. Presumably, all this is done with a cigar case full of goodies shoved half way up their colon, as recommended by skill #7 (this is genuinely one of the skills listed in the book - within the first few pages, no less. I guess it's best to be up front about these things).
Perhaps saying it was written by a retired operative is a bit misleading. In the acknowledgements at the back of the book, Mr. Emerson does mention that he had a "ghostwriter, or perhaps more appropriately...writer" help him with the book. Perhaps this explains some of the content, provided the ghostwriter was bad at taking notes and didn't fancy calling back. It doesn't explain why two people, plus a host of editors and publication reviewers at the Pentagon, apparently, didn't think that maybe one of their "violent nomads" (which incidentally sounds like a class from a bad RPG) could be anything other than a man. As far as I noticed, only him was ever used to denote their Nomad, although perhaps they just have a better grasp of who their buyers will be than I give them credit for.
As a side note, the illustrations throughout seem to be a cross between an aeroplane safety manual and a Famous Five adventure. It's quite disconcerting to see George, all grown up, about to gouge a man's eye out with a pen, or stab someone with a taser made from a disposable camera (again, this is a real tip). Obviously, losing Timmy must have hardened him up quite a bit.
I could go on about the oddities of this book, such as their constant emphasis on cheap and low-tech solutions - except for an £8000 watch which should be part of your ensemble. Or referring to global destinations, especially third-world ones (where you are certain to be kidnapped or spied-upon, according to the book), but teaching driving manoeuvres using only automatic transmissions. But I'll stop, as it's taken too much of my time already.
Don't buy this book. It's not even so-bad-it's-good, it's just bad.
Sorry Rob.
February 8, 2021
Some interesting stuff but disjointed
Maybe I am being unfair. I definitely learned a few interesting things reading this book. Let’s be clear I don’t expect any book (or any training course) to take you from zero to hero in any skill and certainly not something as complicated and ever shifting as close combat. Learning more than one system is a good idea in my mind... reading one book that grabs a page here and a page there from many different systems and instructors (while cool) felt disjointed and I would imagine unnecessarily hard to process for anybody not already quite advanced in their journey.
Maybe I am being unfair. I definitely learned a few interesting things reading this book. Let’s be clear I don’t expect any book (or any training course) to take you from zero to hero in any skill and certainly not something as complicated and ever shifting as close combat. Learning more than one system is a good idea in my mind... reading one book that grabs a page here and a page there from many different systems and instructors (while cool) felt disjointed and I would imagine unnecessarily hard to process for anybody not already quite advanced in their journey.
June 26, 2024
Totally awesome reading. 100 deadly skills is a fountain of special operator knowledge. Knowing and perfecting these skills makes me channel my inner Jack Reacher. It's McGyver meets SEAL Team Six. Everything from how to tail a suspect to building a taker from a disposable camera.
December 8, 2015
Despite its title, retired Navy SEAL Clint Emerson's "100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative's Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture, and Surviving Any Dangerous Situations", is as often applicable to civilian life as to clandestine operations. Tips include skills on avoiding such annoyances as car thefts, carjackings, home invasions and burglaries. Hint: never leave your keys in your car. We all know this, but when the advice comes from somebody who can also tell you how to steal a car, maybe it will sink in. And that valet key some car dealers put in your owner’s manual? Repeat after me: it’s a key. Put it in a safe place that’s not in your car.
For travelers, Emerson offers such tips on hotel safety as asking for a room midway between elevators and stairways. And why you probably don’t want a room on the ground floor.
Every skill (usually discussed on a single page) is broken down into its critical parts, has a bottom line takeaway, and is illustrated with clear line drawings by storyboard artist Ted Slampyak.
I had hoped not to have to deal with the discussion of active shooters (Skill #073) or other armed aggressors, but recent events in Paris and San Bernardino, California, make these pertinent. Those of us who aren’t hero wannabes will be relieved to know that people finding themselves in such dire situations can often be saved by following Emerson’s commonsense tips that don’t require the response of blazing guns, at least not from civilians.
In fact, his first recommendation for evading danger is to run. His second recommendation is to hide. Fighting is always the last option.
When running, remember it’s harder for a shooter to hit a moving target, so run in a zigzag pattern or from cover to cover. If running is not an option, hide out of the shooter’s view, silence digital devices and follow Emerson’s additional suggestions for preferred cover objects and improvised ballistic armor.
Fighting unarmed against a gunman? Emerson says it can be done successfully, but I’ll leave readers to check out his tips for themselves.
Aside from practical skills, the book has enough juicy material on SEAL and other covert operations tactics to make it a must-read for writers in the mystery and thriller genres. Everybody’s favorite groaner is the rectal concealment device. Consider making your own to give to the naughtiest acquaintances on your naughty list. Or if they continue to annoy you, see Emerson’s discussion of body disposal, including the tips for burial at sea which, I assume, were followed in disposing of the body of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.
For travelers, Emerson offers such tips on hotel safety as asking for a room midway between elevators and stairways. And why you probably don’t want a room on the ground floor.
Every skill (usually discussed on a single page) is broken down into its critical parts, has a bottom line takeaway, and is illustrated with clear line drawings by storyboard artist Ted Slampyak.
I had hoped not to have to deal with the discussion of active shooters (Skill #073) or other armed aggressors, but recent events in Paris and San Bernardino, California, make these pertinent. Those of us who aren’t hero wannabes will be relieved to know that people finding themselves in such dire situations can often be saved by following Emerson’s commonsense tips that don’t require the response of blazing guns, at least not from civilians.
In fact, his first recommendation for evading danger is to run. His second recommendation is to hide. Fighting is always the last option.
When running, remember it’s harder for a shooter to hit a moving target, so run in a zigzag pattern or from cover to cover. If running is not an option, hide out of the shooter’s view, silence digital devices and follow Emerson’s additional suggestions for preferred cover objects and improvised ballistic armor.
Fighting unarmed against a gunman? Emerson says it can be done successfully, but I’ll leave readers to check out his tips for themselves.
Aside from practical skills, the book has enough juicy material on SEAL and other covert operations tactics to make it a must-read for writers in the mystery and thriller genres. Everybody’s favorite groaner is the rectal concealment device. Consider making your own to give to the naughtiest acquaintances on your naughty list. Or if they continue to annoy you, see Emerson’s discussion of body disposal, including the tips for burial at sea which, I assume, were followed in disposing of the body of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.
January 1, 2021
Fun but practical at the same time, ex-US Navy SEAL operator and NSA agent Clint Emerson's most famous "work" acts as a shopping list for "SERE" (Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion) skills packaged in a manner ordinary civilians can easily understand. A must-have work for anybody interested in survivalism and self-sufficiency from modern society.
This work is not meant to be consumed in the same fashion as a novel; it is a "reference" manual that is designed to be carried and used whenever a problem is presented and skill is required to solve said problem. Used in such a way, "100 Deadly Skills" is a valuable tool for anybody interested in surviving adverse conditions and difficult situations.
Pros:
- Use of simple language (and explanation of any acronyms or jargon) makes what is otherwise a military-style field manual accessible to civilians.
- Diagrams, pictures and graphics visualize seemingly complex tools and techniques into simple and easy-to-understand "hacks" that further increase the accessibility of this work.
- Each "skill" is accompanied by realistic case studies and examples that illustrate how the technique or tool is useful in a "BLUF" (Bottom Line-Up Front) format, making the work efficient to consume.
Cons:
- Some "skills" inside the work are rather "gimmicky" and included to satisfy civilian curiosity in the world of special operations and espionage rather than for any everyday purpose. Examples include manufacture and deployment of audio-visual surveillance devices and crossing borders using maritime or aerial insertion techniques.
- The text explaining "how to" complete each of the "skills" can be overly descriptive, a function better achieved by more use of diagrams and graphics. The text could be used to explain case studies or the purpose of skill.
- A number of combative "skills", although proven and effective, rely heavily on textual explanations of what are really dexterous and co-ordination based skills that cannot be specified in a text format.
Rating: 7/10
This work is not meant to be consumed in the same fashion as a novel; it is a "reference" manual that is designed to be carried and used whenever a problem is presented and skill is required to solve said problem. Used in such a way, "100 Deadly Skills" is a valuable tool for anybody interested in surviving adverse conditions and difficult situations.
Pros:
- Use of simple language (and explanation of any acronyms or jargon) makes what is otherwise a military-style field manual accessible to civilians.
- Diagrams, pictures and graphics visualize seemingly complex tools and techniques into simple and easy-to-understand "hacks" that further increase the accessibility of this work.
- Each "skill" is accompanied by realistic case studies and examples that illustrate how the technique or tool is useful in a "BLUF" (Bottom Line-Up Front) format, making the work efficient to consume.
Cons:
- Some "skills" inside the work are rather "gimmicky" and included to satisfy civilian curiosity in the world of special operations and espionage rather than for any everyday purpose. Examples include manufacture and deployment of audio-visual surveillance devices and crossing borders using maritime or aerial insertion techniques.
- The text explaining "how to" complete each of the "skills" can be overly descriptive, a function better achieved by more use of diagrams and graphics. The text could be used to explain case studies or the purpose of skill.
- A number of combative "skills", although proven and effective, rely heavily on textual explanations of what are really dexterous and co-ordination based skills that cannot be specified in a text format.
Rating: 7/10
October 14, 2015
disclaimer: When I say 'picked this book up', I mean 'requested from netgalley'.
I picked this book up for several reasons. Those who know my reviews won't be surprised to find I picked it up for the cover. But AFTER I looked at the cover, I thought it would be a cool book and I might find some things to try with my husband. I then thought further and hoped this would lead to practical application for women travelling alone, or adult women who have to travel at night, as my case sometimes is.
What I liked immediately about this book was Cliff's note to readers, making clear he's not interested in creating heroes or vigilantes, but in public safety. He stresses that the safest option will always, always be to escape or run.
What I found as I read this book was a really great reference for writers. There were plot bunnies abounding as I read this book. Yes, there are practical self defense ideas and even workout regimes (you thought being deadly was something you can do from the couch?) But all of that was mostly for entertainment and side knowledge that I might have learned from tumblr if I looked long enough. But the side tips, drawings, civilian application to every "violent nomad" skill, and PLOT BUNNIES EVERYWHERE made this book go from an average 4 to a 5 star book. Definitely something I would have for my shelves.
I picked this book up for several reasons. Those who know my reviews won't be surprised to find I picked it up for the cover. But AFTER I looked at the cover, I thought it would be a cool book and I might find some things to try with my husband. I then thought further and hoped this would lead to practical application for women travelling alone, or adult women who have to travel at night, as my case sometimes is.
What I liked immediately about this book was Cliff's note to readers, making clear he's not interested in creating heroes or vigilantes, but in public safety. He stresses that the safest option will always, always be to escape or run.
What I found as I read this book was a really great reference for writers. There were plot bunnies abounding as I read this book. Yes, there are practical self defense ideas and even workout regimes (you thought being deadly was something you can do from the couch?) But all of that was mostly for entertainment and side knowledge that I might have learned from tumblr if I looked long enough. But the side tips, drawings, civilian application to every "violent nomad" skill, and PLOT BUNNIES EVERYWHERE made this book go from an average 4 to a 5 star book. Definitely something I would have for my shelves.
June 9, 2023
I expected this book to be gimmicky — and to a degree it is — but it’s actually a pretty good round-up of modern combative techniques from a diverse group of specialists in different areas. The links to the companion videos are a neat addition. Seeing the action performed in reality after reading the explanation and following the pictures does underscore these are (for the most part) practical
movements. Is it a substitute for live instruction and practice? No way. An experienced instructor needs to take you through the techniques, and you have to practice with a partner (with increasing resistance), but it is a good gazette to brush up lessons you’ve had, or guide to skills you need to learn. Could’ve used a brief section on trauma medical care.
movements. Is it a substitute for live instruction and practice? No way. An experienced instructor needs to take you through the techniques, and you have to practice with a partner (with increasing resistance), but it is a good gazette to brush up lessons you’ve had, or guide to skills you need to learn. Could’ve used a brief section on trauma medical care.
September 13, 2017
Fun and informative!
September 9, 2021
I'm very much in agreement with the other negative reviews so I'll limit it to what else I can add: There is so little in here that would a) actually work and b) be practical even IF "SHTF" (eyeroll) that it's a waste of your money to buy it for that. The information that meets a) and b) is either common sense or can be found for free on the internet -- or for pity's sake, even an old Army Survival and Evasion Field Manual (which I have also read).
For what it's worth, if "SHTF" (eyeroll), your best bet as a civilian with no combat training is to work together with your community to share resources and skills, and help each other, NOT become a "violent nomad." That will get you killed. If you do have combat training frankly you should still join with your community and help out. Cooperation for the common good is what's allowed the human race to survive in the harshest of situations, not sociopathy.
I was kind of entertained by this book purely due to how laughably outrageous it is, but to be honest I felt like I'd been scammed. I expected more of a book of advice and information that civilians would find interesting and maybe useful, but there were enough things in there that I know for a fact are either outdated or flat-out wrong, I don't trust the rest of it. Don't even buy this for entertainment value.
For what it's worth, if "SHTF" (eyeroll), your best bet as a civilian with no combat training is to work together with your community to share resources and skills, and help each other, NOT become a "violent nomad." That will get you killed. If you do have combat training frankly you should still join with your community and help out. Cooperation for the common good is what's allowed the human race to survive in the harshest of situations, not sociopathy.
I was kind of entertained by this book purely due to how laughably outrageous it is, but to be honest I felt like I'd been scammed. I expected more of a book of advice and information that civilians would find interesting and maybe useful, but there were enough things in there that I know for a fact are either outdated or flat-out wrong, I don't trust the rest of it. Don't even buy this for entertainment value.
November 7, 2021
A quick, entertaining read loaded with tips (even some practical ones) for civilians to recognize how to surveil or if they're being surveilled, escape various abduction situations, AVOID abduction situations, and more. You even see how some of the maneuvers for quick 180s in a car are pulled off (and why you should only do it if the need is desperate).
I suppose I rated this only 3 stars because a lot of it is far-fetched, insofar as the layman will NEVER need most of this in a complete lifetime (like jumping from a helicopter in a wingsuit to enter hostile territory), and some of the more practical tips are only glossed over and further research would be needed to get the complete idea. From the author's perspective, it's probably wise not to go to deep into how to pick a lock or plant a bug...but I am grateful that I now know how to make a taser out of a portable camera.
I suppose I rated this only 3 stars because a lot of it is far-fetched, insofar as the layman will NEVER need most of this in a complete lifetime (like jumping from a helicopter in a wingsuit to enter hostile territory), and some of the more practical tips are only glossed over and further research would be needed to get the complete idea. From the author's perspective, it's probably wise not to go to deep into how to pick a lock or plant a bug...but I am grateful that I now know how to make a taser out of a portable camera.
Read
August 5, 2020Really disturbing? Useful, I think, but definitely illuminates some of the dangers in everyday life.
February 11, 2021
surprisingly helpful
June 28, 2021
An excellent compendium of operational skills.
January 28, 2023
Now I know how to escape/cover from a grenade blast and to disguise out of a place without using Groucho Marx glasses.
August 5, 2025
The book consists of a series (maybe 100, didn't count) of highly snackable, few paragraphs long tips and tricks pertaining to tactical defense, attack, espionage, and espionage avoidance. Given the format, it is very difficult to achieve a meaningful level of detail on any of the “skills” listed. Some hints are quite useful and crafty, and can be used right after reading them, but many of the tips are so absurd for a civilian (jumping out of helicopter, anyone?) or require such an extensive training (j-turns, anyone?) that putting them in such a book can hardly be anything more than a filler. Overall, it's not a complete waste of money, but I don't feel like I got a real actionable bang for mu buck.
August 7, 2025
Real skills that do not apply to the average person. If you're trying to be an actor in an action/spy movie, this book is for you.
February 26, 2024
Filled with fun-to-know and potentially useful information, plus illustrations that make learning the methods easy.
Read
October 31, 2021Fantastically disturbing and fascinating. Informative and eye opening. I loved it. It’s full of tips and information i hope I will never need in real life.
May 4, 2022
Disclosure: This book was provided to me by Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I went in expecting to be entertained and definitely was not disappointed. “100 Deadly Skills” is a quick and informative read and the illustrations are EVERYTHING. If I have one minor criticism, it’s that I wish that the techniques presented in “100 Deadly Skills” were geared more towards the “every man” rather than the Violent Nomad/Operative. I also felt that the content could have been organized better - the overall read felt very chaotic.
I went in expecting to be entertained and definitely was not disappointed. “100 Deadly Skills” is a quick and informative read and the illustrations are EVERYTHING. If I have one minor criticism, it’s that I wish that the techniques presented in “100 Deadly Skills” were geared more towards the “every man” rather than the Violent Nomad/Operative. I also felt that the content could have been organized better - the overall read felt very chaotic.
March 10, 2017
Interesting tips. Some very useful, some you'll never use. At least you hope you don't have to. Unless you find yourself in hostile enemy territory of course.
June 12, 2023
Good stuff for general awareness. Makes You think twice.
March 18, 2025
Instructions unclear, I died while trying to disarm the assailant holding a handgun to my back.
I suspect a good deal of this book - probably the reason it was written - feeds on the wannabe feds across the US, ranging from high schoolers to 40-year-old preppers. Don't get me wrong, knowing which building materials are more or less bulletproof or how to ensure you don't leave a digital trace in compromising situations are useful tricks to know. But the vast majority of these tricks are ridiculously unfeasible, even should you get your hands on the necessary materials to build a DIY lockpick, infrared flashlight, wiretap, scuba suit, gas mask, or, uh, rappelling harness.
Furthermore, some of this information is straight-up state-sanctioned terror, which in a backwards way is good to know, the best example found on tip 76, "Wage Psychological Warfare": “When long-term observation of a known criminal runs dry, operatives may resort to psychological warfare in order to provoke a reaction in the target.” (186) This advice is the philosophy of provocation undertaken by CIA, FBI, and municipal police officers against Black Panthers, American Indian Movement members, and everyday folks suspected of opposing state policy.
Also, gotta love Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged getting a shout out under Resources and References for "Mindset". Yikes.
Nonetheless, the illustrations were the highlight of the book thanks to Ted Slampyak, storyboard illustrator for Breaking Bad :)
I suspect a good deal of this book - probably the reason it was written - feeds on the wannabe feds across the US, ranging from high schoolers to 40-year-old preppers. Don't get me wrong, knowing which building materials are more or less bulletproof or how to ensure you don't leave a digital trace in compromising situations are useful tricks to know. But the vast majority of these tricks are ridiculously unfeasible, even should you get your hands on the necessary materials to build a DIY lockpick, infrared flashlight, wiretap, scuba suit, gas mask, or, uh, rappelling harness.
Furthermore, some of this information is straight-up state-sanctioned terror, which in a backwards way is good to know, the best example found on tip 76, "Wage Psychological Warfare": “When long-term observation of a known criminal runs dry, operatives may resort to psychological warfare in order to provoke a reaction in the target.” (186) This advice is the philosophy of provocation undertaken by CIA, FBI, and municipal police officers against Black Panthers, American Indian Movement members, and everyday folks suspected of opposing state policy.
Also, gotta love Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged getting a shout out under Resources and References for "Mindset". Yikes.
Nonetheless, the illustrations were the highlight of the book thanks to Ted Slampyak, storyboard illustrator for Breaking Bad :)
July 20, 2016
Before anybody gets the wrong idea, let me be clear. I'm not a "prepper", not planning to join the French Foreign Legion, not making arrangements for the collapse of American society and not intent on participating in any conflict.
I wanted to read this book for two reasons:
1. I like to write thrillers. While I might not have do the things in this book, my characters will.
2. I travel for work. A lot. There are many chapters in the book which can make me more safe.
The book itself is surprisingly well-structured. Broken down into logical groupings with clear illustrations. Covers a myriad of topics, some very useful ("How to Conceal Items in a Hotel Room") to less utilitarian ("How to Use Parawings When Entering Hostile Territory").
Oddly, I already knew some of the elements, but a lot was new to me. I'm not sure how useful the knowledge will be in the future, but I can tell you that I've got more than a few projects lined up for the weekends, based on what I read.
Informative, well-rendered and useful is a decent summary of this book.
I wanted to read this book for two reasons:
1. I like to write thrillers. While I might not have do the things in this book, my characters will.
2. I travel for work. A lot. There are many chapters in the book which can make me more safe.
The book itself is surprisingly well-structured. Broken down into logical groupings with clear illustrations. Covers a myriad of topics, some very useful ("How to Conceal Items in a Hotel Room") to less utilitarian ("How to Use Parawings When Entering Hostile Territory").
Oddly, I already knew some of the elements, but a lot was new to me. I'm not sure how useful the knowledge will be in the future, but I can tell you that I've got more than a few projects lined up for the weekends, based on what I read.
Informative, well-rendered and useful is a decent summary of this book.
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