Gray Man: Camouflage for Crowds, Cities, and Civil Crisis

by Matthew Dermody

The Gray Man is the antithesis of individual expression. He hides in the corners of conformity. He only flaunts a quotidian nature. He meanders through the mundane and occupies the ordinary. Individual expression and exceptionalism are his enemies. The Gray Man is the forgettable face, the ghost guy, the hidden human. Implementing the concepts is more than looking less tactical, less hostile, or less threatening. It is the willful abandonment of anything and everything that defines oneself as different. Using his unique "S" word conceptual approach featured in Appear to Vanish, camouflage and concealment expert Matthew Dermody discusses the concepts, tactics and mindset necessary to assimilate into any urban environment. From the safety-conscious international traveler to the SERE contingencies of the deep cover foreign operative, GRAY MAN is the definitive urban concealment resource.

Genres: Survival

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2017

Reviews

[Anne Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I found that this book had some salient features, the lack of exposition on some topics made me feel the book was lacking in areas. The book could also use some editing, as there are places where it's obvious the author's thought process was working faster than his fingers. The book could really use much more substance.

[William Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful and basic guide to avoiding unwanted attention.

The book could have benefited from more illustrations and examples of typical guises one could adopt. Overall it is a useful guide and a subject that is seldom covered in literature.

[Jack Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a deep tradecraft book but it is a good read to "remind" us how to pay better attention.

In this ever volatile world we live in it is more important than ever to pay attention. And know what you are advertising about yourself (intentionally or unintentionally.)

I can't say there was anything in here that blew me away or forced my eyes open but I would say it's something to read every year or so just to keep these type principles front and center.

In today's age you could easily find yourself in a situation and your level of awareness may be the one thing that allows you to navigate that most effectively.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A revised edition would be helpful

While the text is mostly comprised of non-actionable common sense items and subsequently leaves most serious readers finding limited utility, an updated edition with a focus on concrete, practical guidance may be warranted. The book did suffer from frequent "anti-PC" rants, including excessive heteronormative editorials. Transphobic tropes, anti-gay viewpoints, awkwardness with Muslims, and a prominent white male perspective truly impairs the credibility of the work. One would think that behind blending in Muslim cultures with beards would be assisted with further cultural awareness in order to truly practice stealth in the status quo of those circumstances. Those ignorant of other cultural practices give themselves away very quickly.
Given the extent of workplace inappropriate intolerance views, the book unfortunately excludes itself from being viable for corporate security training, a natural audience for this material. Perhaps a fresh update and editorial assistance to leave the editorial views on gender, race and religion can be accomplished in the future.

[Grant Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't quite what I expected. It was more philosophy than how to. The concepts seem sound and there is a fairly lengthy list of additional resources at the end. I would consider this book a primer on the subject.

[Ron Eberhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

This was a good book for blending in, that anyone who travels or lives in an urban environment should read.

[David W Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful and spot on!

[Josh The Elfo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poorly written book with little authority. Author takes frequent, implied jabs with his own political bias. Author even justifies biases and stereotyping in the first few pages. Whenever the author does go into the fundamentals, they ring hollow with either fallacies or basic truths that don't justify a written book whatsoever.

[Sean Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit long

The information was good. Clearly written. Certainly useful for many people. However, from my perspective it felt belabored and got hard to read as a result.