Jack Reacher's Rules

Catch a guy by the throat: Do it hard enough, and fast, and numb the guy’s voice box before he can get going with any sounds. Then dig your fingers in and tap him on the top of the head, enough to send some shock down through his neck bones.

The best way to choke someone: from behind, using the thumbs on the back of the neck, and folding up the fingers so the pressure is applied from the knuckles, not the fingers, otherwise you’ll get your fingers broken and your butt kicked.

“Cutting a throat doesn’t take much time. Given a decent blade and enough weight and force, it takes as long as it takes to move your hand eight inches. That’s all.”

The combative grip. Right at the last split second pull your hand back a fraction and close around the knuckles, not the palm. The old Army trick is that they go to shake your hand, but they’re aiming to crush it. A macho ritual. The way out of it is to be ready. Pull back a fraction and squeeze back. Squeeze their knuckles, not the meat of their palm. Their grip is neutralized. They never stand a chance.

The campaigning politician grip. Fumble the handshake, and grip the back of the recipient’s hand, not the palm, creating a breathless “so much support here I’ve got to be quick” type of response. So it’s strictly the shaker’s choice when to let go.

Shake or squeeze. Your choice.

THE WIMBLEDON CUP

WHAT

The Marine Sniper School competition, the Marine Corps 1,000-yard invitational, is the U.S. High-Powered Long-Range Championship known as the Wimbledon Cup.

WHEN

Started in the 1870s, the competition’s name may originate from the fact that the British National Rifle Association met in Wimbledon, London, in the late nineteenth century. It is now held in August every year.

WHERE

Camp Perry, Ohio

WHO

The annual competition is open to shooters outside the Marines, who compete by invitation. It is a prone competition with a reputation for going to shoot-offs to decide the winner, who is regarded as the best shot in the world. Jack Reacher won the competition in 1988.

HOW

The Seven Characteristics of a Good Sniper: excellent marksman, good woodsman, emotionally stable, keenly observant, aware of his surroundings, good with a map, patient.

“It takes an awareness of the environment and total concentration at the moment you fire the shot. You have to be aware of the wind, which has a tremendous impact at 1,000 yards. You have to be aware of the sun, whether it goes behind a cloud or not. Then at the last millisecond you have to develop total concentration.”

Major Jim Land, Marine Corps (retired)

“A modern army scores one enemy fatality per 15,000 rounds expended by its infantry. For specialist snipers the result is better. Way better. Twelve and a half thousand times better—a sniper scores one enemy fatality for every 1.2 rounds.”

“Gas, grass, or ass—the price of hitchhiking?”

Set up base on a significant interchange.

Stand with one foot on the shoulder of the highway, and one in the traffic lane.

Stick out your thumb.

Stand in a way that suggests need but not desperation.

Try to look friendly (especially if you are overwhelmingly large and/or have an obvious facial wound, such as a broken nose).

Smile.

“As a mode of transportation, hitching rides was dying out. Drivers were less generous, more afraid. Because who knew what kind of a psycho you were …”

Be wary of: the strong smell of weed or bourbon.

Drivers can be more compassionate at midnight than at midday.

If you get a lift, give a destination. Saying “anywhere” sounds like you’re a drifter who wants to go home with them.

>>WHY DRIVERS STOP TO GIVE LIFTS

Because people used to give them lifts.

Because they’re charitable and kind.

Because they’re lonely.