Jack Reacher's Rules

“Cocked and locked.”

1 Beretta M9 Over two decades of distinguished service in the U.S. Army

2 Glock 17 Extremely simple and extremely reliable

3 Heckler & Koch MP5K A submachine gun for law enforcement

4 M16 assault rifle For a long time the U.S. Army’s weapon of choice

5 SIG-Sauer P226 Swiss excellence

6 Smith & Wesson Military and Police revolver Old- fashioned excellence

“If you really want to know, one at a time is usually enough for me.”

A brave woman is one who stands up when she hears gunshots. She doesn’t dive under the desk.

Show a woman respect, and she’s yours.

Undressing a woman is one of life’s greatest perks. Especially Lycra—can’t beat it.

He smiled. “I was thinking about your dress.”

“You like it?”

“I think it’s great,” he said. “But it could look better. You know, maybe thrown in a heap on the floor.”

“I like women in uniform, possibly because I’ve known very few of the other kind.”

There’s nothing shameful about taking orders from a woman of superior rank.

Only have one affair at a time—that’s complicated enough.

“I don’t do permanent.”

Older women … are worth it.

Female police officers carry handcuffs, which can be handy in bed.

Accept no as an answer, if she’s crazy enough to turn you down.

“She was more than flawless. She was spectacular. She had a revolver in a holster on her right hip, and next to it was a shotgun stuffed muzzle-down in a scabbard mounted between the seats.”

“You like undressing women?”

“More than anything in the world,” I said. “And I’ve been staring at that particular button since a quarter past nine.”

If you can stand to watch her eat, that has to mean something.

Never hit a woman unless she’s trying to kill you.

Never make love in a car—they’re not usually wide enough.

If you’re guessing a woman’s age, always err on the side of caution and knock off a couple of years.

Only very experienced men should try to guess a woman’s bra size by her voice.

Love them and leave them.

“Your ass deserves nothing but the best. It’s a national treasure. Or a regional attraction at the very least.”

THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR REACHER SAY

Hey, babe, your place or mine?

HOW TO SLEEP IN A $350-A-NIGHT HOTEL ROOM FOR $50

*****

Start late, around midnight

Ask the night clerk for an available room

Tell him you need to check it out

Get him to come with you

Once you’re in it, offer him two twenties

And ten for the maid

He’s happy

You’ve got a cheap room for the night

FIND

the road out of town, stand by the side of it, and stick out your thumb.

or:

FIND

the bus station and get on the first bus out.

DON’T

look back.