Title: Fight like the Wi
nd: Apache Knife
Author: Robert Redfeather with Stace Pitts
Published Date: 2019
Publisher: Lulu Books
Format: Softcover
Pages: 245
Cover Price: $25.00
I first encountered this author in an interview HERE on Martial Journal. I was intrigued by the idea of an extant combat system from the indigenous peoples of North America. So I decided to get the book and see what it was all about. I have to say, I liked what I saw.
Content
The book actually covers quite a bit of ground. The author begins by describing how and why he started to learn the Apache knife from his grandfather in the first place, including some history of the Apache peoples in general to give some context. Then he provides a description of how Apache knife training works. Mr. Redfeather also explains what equipment is needed for his training method, including what knives work well for the Apache way of fighting. He then continues on to show, with very good pictures and descriptions, the basic stances, grips, attacks, and defenses in his system. He concludes his book with a counterargument for people who would say that it isn’t an “authentic” Native American system. This last chapter is what really won me over.
Pros
I really enjoyed this book. Most of it involves the philosophy of how and why Apache knife fighting exists, as well as what it means to be in a knife fight. Even the section on techniques is really just an extension of the Apache philosophy of knife fighting. I also appreciate the honesty of the author. He starts the book showing the scar he got on his foot from getting stabbed. Later, he makes a diagram of all his “tiger stripes”—scars he received from knives.
The pictures are all pretty good. Thanks to the magic of print on demand, you can order this book in either a black-and-white version or a full-color version. In hindsight, I wish I would have splurged and gotten the color copy. The pictures are there to show the ideas presented in the text, and I believe they do that very well. They illustrate the grips, stances, attacks, defenses, and training methods in ways that are easy to understand and that allow you to reproduce the movements yourself.
(If you find that you need more instruction than what’s in this book’s text and illustrations, there are DVDs/videos available from Mr. Redfeather as well.)
Cons
There’s very little negative I have to say about Fight like the Wind. My only criticism is that I want a second book. I want more Apache history, more ideas, more stories, more techniques, and more tactics.
I don’t think this book contains any revolutionary ideas. There is no “greatest technique ever.” I do understand that it is intended to be a beginner’s instruction, so I take that into consideration.
Conclusion
Part of my problem with well-written martial arts books is that they act like gateway drugs for me. From this book I want to now read up on Apache history and culture. Oh well, back to the bookstore…
I enjoyed this book and hope there is a part two. The author speaks with honesty and frankness about the subject and the training of it. The narrative is recorded almost as if this was information gleaned from a series of conversations with Mr. Redfeather. If you have an interest in this sort of thing—either knife fighting or Apache culture—you should get this book. Again, it is presented as a beginner’s guide, so please keep that in mind as you read it. However, they do point that out to the reader several times in the opening chapters. Overall I’m going to give it 4 out of 5 Ninja Stars. I’m definitely going to keep this book as a reference, both for myself and also for lending to others.
Have you read this book or trained in Apache knife fighting? Share your experience in the comments below.
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