The Truth about Self Protection

I am among those who recognize than I am my own worst enemy. More specifically, my own ignorance can get me killed. Massad Ayoob's "The Truth About Self Protection" helped me dispell some of my ignorance. This book was written more than two decades ago, and even back then it wasn't 100% accurate on the laws in every location worldwide--so check on these laws yourself. There is only one rule in self defense: SURVIVE. Ayoob helps with all aspects of surviving a self defense incident: pre-incident (avoiding the situation is nice when you can manage it), the actual attack, and the mental, physical, and legal nightmares afterwards. I liked the coverage of empty-hand and "less lethal" weaponry--and expedient weapons. Most of the time, you are prohibited from possessing loaded firearms. I travel a lot on business, and some of the world's garden spots are dangerous! Okay, sometimes my employer will issue me a machine gun and 800 rounds of belted ammunition, but that's an exceptional circumstance. Ayoob detailed options other than a trusty .45 in a shoulder holster. Newton's Law applies to self defense, too. Every action produces reaction. "The Truth About Self Protection" talks about the reaction from the media and the legal system when you use force. News media exists to entertain--and while you are being entertained, you get bombarded by advertising. Ayoob's advice, "don't talk to the press," is about as good as it gets without your own professional spin doctor to manage your media exposure. Expect to be arrested when you clobber someone who tried to kill you, even if you are unarmed and your attacker had an automatic weapon. Institutionally, the law enforcement agencies are geared towards arrest and gathering evidence. It is their job to get you to make damaging admissions that will result in your conviction. Besides, the police don't know what happened--the criminal will usually not commit his crime with police around because he will be caught. Law enforcement officers deal with criminals, politicians, members of the media, legal system professionals, and other people who lie, cheat and steal for a living. Ayoob tells you what to say, and how to say it--more importantly, you are advised to say as little as possible and talk mostly with the people in your corner--your defense attorney. Many people are emotionally devastated when they are involved in a confrontation--especially when they had to kill in order to survive. The primary factor in emotional devastation is failure to prepare in advance. Ayoob provides some of that preparation and advises seeking professional help to deal with the post-incident trauma. Buy a copy of "The Truth About Self Protection." It is cheap. Read it. The time you spend reading this book is less than the time you'll spend in the hospital and in prison when you get vitimized by an uncaring world. You cannot rely on others to protect you--you have to take responsibility for your own safety. Af

Has crime touched your life and driven you think about self-defense issues for the first time? You don't know who to listen to or what to believe? Has some so-called "expert" told you something that just doesn't sound right? Are you a woman who lives alone or are you a single parent with small children to protect? Are you afraid of GUNS but more afraid what might happen to you if attacked, robbed or victimized? Then "The Truth about Self Protection" is the one book that quite possibly will change your life and help you to become a more secure and confident person without being paranoid.Massad F. Ayoob is known and respected in the law enforcement and judicial community as the consummate authority regarding all aspects of self protection and defense issues including the moral, legal and psychological aspects. In his countless books and articles he explains (in terms anyone can understand) the psychology and physiology of what goes on in the human brain and body during a violent encounter. Ayoob was the one person who explained to me through science and physiology how and why things can appear to be happening in "slow motion" during a startling event such as in a violent encounter or perhaps when in a car accident. (Most of you have probably experienced that effect at one time or another in your life.) He is the man that the professionals turn to, including judges and lawyers because he knows what he is talking about. Ayoob is one of the most sought after court authorities on a myriad of topics that include shooting dynamics, judicial use of lethal force, neuro-linguistics (how the human body & brain reacts to being suddenly thrust into a life or death violent encounter). Educating you with the physics and science surrounding so many "tangible and non-tangible" aspects of a shooting or lethal force incident, he is the man you want on "your side" when he testifies in a court of law.Ayoob's dynamic, no nonsense writing style "grabs" the reader right from the start and doesn't let go. This book in particular covers the full spectrum of considerations regarding so many aspects of self-protection. He covers the pros and cons of various methods of defense with sound advise leaving the reader with "options" so that you can choose what works best for your situation. Right up front, in one of the first chapters of the book, Ayoob shows you "The Face of the Enemy". Through interviews he has done with hardened criminals in prison, he outlines for you, how they choose their victims. What they are afraid of regarding their victims. What they aren't afraid of, regarding their victims. (Hint: Everyone interviewed said they had targeted at least one victim in their career in which they "broke off" the attack at the last minute because they weren't sure if the victim was armed or not.) Please read all the reviews posted on this book! They are all correct and right on the money regarding The Truth about Self-Protection! I would like to post a W

This book is one of the best "self defense" books on th emarket. Massad Ayoob, a legend in the law enforncement and personal protection world, goes beyond the standard "tips" for self defense. He address many diferent things such as locks, martial arts, weapons, psychological stress, and much more.There are some draw backs such as poor illustrations on certain "hadn to hand" combat technquies, but overall, it does not effect the top notch presentation.This book is written for anyone, and especially the novice or the person who is trying to decide if "survivialism" (word used by Ayoob) is for them. Even if it isn't, there are tips that can still minimize the risk of being a vicrtim without learning how to be an expert combat killing machine. The book is realistic as he has chapters about the moral dilemas and psychological trama one may encounter when trying to defend themselves or someone else.Afetr working Law Enforcement for 12 years and being involved inthe martial arts for over 20, I can give someone searching for self protection ideas a confident nod that this book is one of the best!

If you own (or plan to own) a firearm for self-defense, want to debate gun control with antigun groups like Handgun Control Incorporated, or want to learn about non-firearm security measures, buy this book. The author is a police firearms instructor with expertise on both the legal and practical aspects of self-defense: you will learn not only how to shoot when you must (as much as you can learn from a book, you must practice on a firing range), but when you must NOT shoot. The book covers gun safety, martial arts, makeshift weapons, locks, alarms, and antitheft security methods too. -William A. Levinson

I bought this book thinking it would be mostly advice about handguns, since Ayoob writes columns in gun magazines. However, the book discusses a wide range of strategies and actions that one can take to defend oneself in this present time. Guns don't show up until the end of the book. I think the book is very well written if a bit dramatic at times. It describes a lot of things that can be done to avoid trouble in the first place. It evaluates such devices and approaches as fighting rings, knives, karate, judo and firearms of various descriptions. Unlike some other books that describe self defense or various weapons, guns included, this book goes into the legal consequences of beating off an attack. There is a lot of good advice throughout the book.