If you could recommend one (maybe 2) books...

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BlackBearME

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No, this isn't a hypothetical. Well, OK, it is, I guess. But anyway..

I recently got a gift card to Border's for my birthday, my mother knows I love books almost as much as I love guns.
But, I've spent way too much money on fiction recently, and wanted something slightly more practical. I was wondering what book (or books - below $25) you would recommend, in the way of gun-related content. Specifically, I'm thinking something in the way of training/drills/mindset. I know that any book (or website, for that matter) is a poor substitute for hands-on real life training with a knowledgable instructor....but I don't have a lot of money and time, etc at the moment, and I firmly believe in having a good grasp on the mantalities before put things into action.

So, I leave it to you - what do you recommend?
 
I like 'The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning' by John S. Farnam. The book covers exactly what you'd get in his Basic/Intermediate class.
 
The Tactical Advantage:
A Definitive study of Personal Small-Arms Tactics

Garbriel Suarez
----------------------

One of the better books I've read on fire and movement. Suarez has extensive LEO experience and appears to really know the subject well. It outlines Cooper's Color Codes and goes into some detail on the tactical mindset. It has accurate diagrams to accompany each chapter on movement (e.g. corner clearing, stairwells, outdoor movement, etc). There are other books by Suarez which specifically address shotguns (The Tactical Shotgun), handguns, and carbines; this book serves as a good primer on small arms tactics. If your looking for a book specifically on mindset, Gravest Extreme, is a good choice. For the subtleties of marksmanship, Jeff Cooper's "The Art of the Rifle" is excellent.
 
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I give every friend who decides he or she needs a gun for self defense a copy of Massad Ayoob's In the Gravest Extreme.
Click to expand...
Its out of print and I doubt you'll find it at Borders (but look on their website since Borders is basically Amazon.com).

Another good choice is Principles Of Personal Defense by Col. Jeff Cooper.
 
http://www.paladin-press.com/detail.aspx?ID=1308

IMHO Cooper's Principles of Personal Defense is THE basic book for defensive shooters to start with. If the mindset isn't right, no amount of technical skill will suffice.

It's still in print, in a revised edition, from Paladin Press. See the link above...

lpl/nc (your one each retired Army librarian)

PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL DEFENSE
Revised Edition

by Jeff Cooper

Jeff Cooper is perhaps the nation’s foremost authority on defensive weaponcraft. He is renowned not only for his practical instruction on firearms marksmanship, mechanics and safety but also for his groundbreaking ideas on proper defensive mental conditioning. This new edition of Cooper’s classic Principles of Personal Defense – with a fitting tribute by firearms expert Louis Awerbuck and all-new drawings by renowned illustrator Paul Kirchner – presents his timeless theory of individual defensive behavior clearly, concisely and practically. All free people who aspire to stay that way should read, study and share the wisdom found within these pages. Considered by many to be one of the greatest books on combat mindset and proper defensive mental conditioning ever written, it deserves a place of honor in every library. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, softcover, illus., 80 pp.

Jeff Cooper is one of the true pioneers of weaponcraft in the United States. His numerous accomplishments include founder of Gunsite Ranch, editor at large of Guns & Ammo magazine, winner of the Outstanding American Handgunner award in 1995, Rangemaster Emeritus of the U.S. Practical Shooting Association and long-time member of the board of directors of the National Rifle Association.

Price: $14.00 PPD.2
 
I'd go with...

Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper for mindset
Surgical Speed Shooting by Andy Stanford for general skill building
Fight at Night by Andy Stanford for low/no light tactics & skills
In the Gravest Extreme by Mossad Ayoob for legal considerations (a lot of the gun/caliber choice info is outdated, rest is pretty good)

There are other good books out there as well, & I know you're only looking for one or two, but since I don't know where your priorities are I gave a few extra choices.;)
 
The Gift of Fear, Gavin Debecker

Armed Response, David Kenick

any Massod or Grossman book.
 
I would recommend "Bostons Gun Bible" by Boston T. Party (seriously, that is the man's pen name).
I believe it is through Javelin Press.
A little on the paranoid side, however it does have a great deal of personal defence insight (as well as a section for women on self defense), a TON of information regarding different firearms, and sections on legal ramifications.

Borrowed it from a friend a while back, (which reminds me, i still need to return it) and thought it was pretty good.
 
"If you could recommend one (maybe 2) books..."

The Bible and Lonesome Dove.

Oh, not what you were looking for?

Then try Cooper's Principles of Personal Defense and Applegate’s Kill or Get Killed. They are the two foundational books often cited as first and/or must reads for those concerned with self defense preparation.
 
Common Sense or The Federalist (papers)

I believe every American should try and read them (The Federalist is big). They will teach you more about how to think and how things are supposed to be.

I know they're not quite "COOL" like gun stuff but...
 
I think anything by any of the authors listed would be a good start.

applegate and cooper because they were so far ahead of their time.

massad because he was really the first to make a serious effort to teach people the consequences of self defense in an organised way.
 
The Concealed Handgun Manual:
How to Choose, Carry, and Shoot a Gun in Self Defense

51NNNSGXN9L._AA240_.jpg



http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965678415
 
I just got a few gift certificates from barnes and nobel and ordered lucifers hammer, unintended consequences, alas babylon, and patriots, surviving the coming collapse. :)
 
"If you could recommend one (maybe 2) books..."

The Bible and Lonesome Dove.

Oh, not what you were looking for?
Click to expand...

Not quite. I was hoping you'd suggest something I DIDN't already have. ;)

Also, I thought I'd update: I just got a card from my grandparents - with 50 dollars to Barnes & Noble. So.....not I get to try out several suggestions!

Thanks to everyone, great recommendations....the hard part now is going to be choosing.
 
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