Must Read Books for Self Defense?

[orangeninja]

What are your must read books regarding self defense and/or tactics?


What'w the worst?


My best: Handgun Combatives by Dave Spaulding

My Worst: Effective Handgun Defense by Frank James

[boogalou]

I was thinking the same thing and was wondering what would be the best books to start out with. I thought these four looked pretty good.....

"In the gravest extreme" - Massad F. Ayoob.
"The truth about self-protection" - Massad F. Ayoob.
"Principles of personal defense" - Jeff Cooper.
"Armed Response" - David S. Kenik

Recommendations?

[mzmtg]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0965678415.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

The Concealed Handgun Manual : How to Choose, Carry, and Shoot a Gun in Self Defense by Chris Bird

It's not bad, not bad at all.

[dpote]

It's dated, but for a primer I liked No Second Place Winner by Bill Jordan. It showed me suggestions for equipment, practice techniques, and a bit, albeit tiny, of the psychological effects in the last chapter.

Be safe,
Dave

[LAK]

I would second Col. Cooper's books - and would add "The Art of the Rifle" and "A Rifleman Went to War" by Herbert McBride. Also "With British Snipers to the Reich" by Capt C. Shore.

I also second "No Second Place Winner" by Bill Jordan - still a very sound work in it's own right. As is "Ed McGivern's Book of Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting" by Robert McGivern.

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http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

[gunsmith]

The Concealed Handgun Manualhttp://images.amazon.com/images/P/0965678415.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Why is she holding the gun that way? is there a threat on the ceiling?

there was an earlier pic of exactly the same photo only she had her finger on the trigger! they must have photoshopped it.

[WT]

What 'boogalu' said.

[Jeff22]

Check out John Farnam and Defense Training International at www.defense-training.com.

Among his books are The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning, The Farnam Method of Defensive Shotgun and Rifle Shooting, and The Street Smart Gun Book. (I think he just came out with a revised version of the Defensive Handgunning Book)

(I can also recommend him HIGHLY as an instructor)

Also look at www.ayoob.com. That's the website for Massad Ayoob and the Lethal Force Institute. His 2 day class "The Judicious Use of Deadly Force" should be taken by anybody who wants a good understanding of the legal issues involved in self defense.

Ayoob's books In the Gravest Extreme and The Truth about Self Proctection are both excellent, although getting dated in some respects. ("Gravest Extreme" came out in 1980 and "Self Protection" in 1984). The legal issues raised in those books are still pretty valid and correct, but guns & equipment and ammunition has evolved a great deal since then. I know he may not have time, but updated versions of both of them would be greatly appreciated . . .

(Ayoob is also a good instructor. He does get fired up on some topics. Ayoob on too much caffeine is very entertaining . . . )

[Griff]

The Best, in no particular order
1. Real World Self-Defense: A Guide to Staying Alive in Dangerous Times by Jerry Vancook
2. Cheap Shots, Ambushes and Other Lessons: A Down and Dirty Book on Streetfighting and Survival by Marc "Animal" MacYoung
3. Real Fighting: Adrenaline Stress Conditioning Through Scenario-Based Training by Peyton Quinn
4. The SAS Self-Defense Handbook: A Complete Guide to Unarmed Combat Techniques by John "Lofty" Wiseman
5. Street Smarts, Firearms, And Personal Security : Jim Grover's Guide To Staying Alive And Avoiding Crime In The Real World
6. Armed and Female : "Twelve Million American Women Own Guns, Should You" by Paxton Quigley

[GEM]

Read Deadly Force Encounters by Arwohl (? sp) and Christiansen from Paladin Press.

All the above recommendations are mostly about shooting. Ayoob has some legal matters.

Deadly Force Encounters was written for cops but discusses the psychological aftermath of a shooting in a manner relevant to all. Good to know when it is all over but you and your family's psychological turmoil continues.

[Alfadog]

I'm really impressed with The Book of Two Guns by Tiger Mckee.

[4v50 Gary]

On the pic for The Concealed Handgun Manual, we're all spoiled by the work of Oleg Volk. He does much better.

[Ovid]

This book doesn't have a very strong RKBA stance IMO, but Sanford Strong's book; "Strong on Defense" is definately worth reading.
http://tinyurl.com/jgrga