I need a more up to date book than Massad Ayoob's "In the Gravest Extreme"

[JLStorm]

I was going to give a friend who is considering carrying a handgun my copy of "In the Gravest Extreme Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection" by Massad Ayoob, and last night I decided to read it once more since it had been a while and is a very quick read. I realized reading this time, years later than when I was first introduced to the book, that many of the laws Ayoob references have either been changed, overturned, or much more strictly enforced than when the book was written some 27 years ago, not to mention how much the political climate has changed since then.

Is there a book that is more relevant to todays laws, political climate and outlook on civillians and guns for personal protection? I love the book, but upon re-reading it, I think that it may no longer be as good a choice as it once was for those new to carrying a weapon.


Any ideas?

 

[Big Mike]

John Lott

I would start with two books by John Lott: More Guns, Less Crime and The Bias Against Guns. They are somewhat "academic (data tables and statistics)" but if you can wrap your head around that type of info, the books are an easy read. Mike

 

[pax]

Big Mike ~

Those are both good political books. Neither one is really good for developing the mindset and the legal understanding of when you can (and cannot) use a gun in self-defense.

I'd go ahead and use In the Gravest Extreme, but explain it's a little out of date and suggest your friend check out www.handgunlaws.us and www.gunlaws.com for up to date info about the specific laws in your state. The legal principles in Gravest Extreme are by no means outdated; only a few of the details have evolved.

I like Gila Hayes' Effective Defense, which was updated ... um, in 2000 or 2002? ... It's written 'for women' but covers absolutely everything a new gun owner needs to know in excruciatingly complete detail. Worth a look.

The other one I would suggest is Jeff Cooper's Principles of Personal Defense. It's a classic little book which discusses seven foundational principles without which a defender is unlikely to prevail. It is written in plain speech, with the Colonel's charmingly old-fashioned style. Many other personal protection books deal with the details and outward flourishes of firearms or defensive tactics. Cooper's little book is unusual because it cuts right to the heart of the issues, and instead discusses the foundational principles behind every successful defensive plan. Instead of giving the how's of personal defense, this tiny volume explains the why's of selecting one defensive tactic rather than another.

pax

 

[Robert Hairless]

I agree with Pax. She makes an important distinction between politics and principles.

 

[B36]

??

I first read 'In Gravest Extreme' about 25 years ago, and find all of the information on lethal threat management unchanged today.

Yes, some details have changed, but AOJ, use of lethal force, reasonableness, etc, all apply today.

Carry laws have changed, but you need to be aware of the laws in your state, and all states you visit.

Firearms have changed but there use has not.

Much of the stuff you read written by other people, is almost a direct copy of what Ayoob wrote almost 30 years ago when parts of IGE first started to appear in magazines.

I have many books by lots of very qualified people, yet if limited to one book to teach from, it would be In Gravest Extreme.

 

[Trope]

I had the previous version of "The Concealed Handgun Manual" by Chris Bird, and thought it was well written. It also made a big impression on my wife. She loaned it to her sister (hasn't made it back yet). I hear the new edition has some better, newer stories.

 

[WYO]

For a guy who has time to write 47 magazine articles a month, I can't believe Ayoob hasn't updated "In The Gravest Extreme."

 

[Jeff White]

It would be impossible to keep a book updated on the changes in the law. There is case law written almost weekly on the issues covered by In Gravest Extreme. The value of the manuscript is that the legal commentary will be applicable almost anywhere. I don't believe any of the laws that have changed, particularly the so called stand your ground or castle doctrine laws have significantly changed the rules about the use of force in defense of yourself or others. The Brady Center and the more vocal people in the gun rights movement are fond of saying that these new laws give someone the right to shoot another person who is not a threat. The truth is that the courts haven't weighed in yet, and the laws are unlikely to really mean what both their detractors and supporters claim they do.

Jeff

 

[Pilgrim]

The basis for lawful self defense comes from English Common Law, which is a lot older than Mr. Ayoob's book.

"In the Gravest Extreme" is I think timeless. I give a copy of it to every one of my friends when they first decide a firearm is going to be a part of their personal security plan. It addresses all the myths and legends people hear about using a firearm in self defense and debunks the falsehoods. It gives sound advice on what to do prior to using, using, and after using a firearm in self defense.

Pilgrim

 

[Tim Burke]

Details have changed, but the principles have not. In the Gravest Extreme is meant to cover the principles more than the details.

 

[Jeff22]

Recommended reading for the armed citizen:

THE STREET-SMART GUN BOOK by John. S. Farnam

THE FARNAM METHOD OF DEFENSIVE HANDGUNNING (new 2nd edition)by John. S. Farnam

THE FARNAM METHOD OF DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN & RIFLE SHOOTING by John S. Farnam

IN THE GRAVEST EXTREME: THE ROLE OF THE FIREARM IN PERSONAL PROTECTION by Massad F. Ayoob

THE TRUTH ABOUT SELF PROTECTION by Massad F. Ayoob

STRESSFIRE by Massad Ayoob

ARMED RESPONSE by David S. Kenik

THE LAW OF SELF DEFENSE: A GUIDE FOR THE ARMED CITIZEN by Andrew F. Branca (out-of-print and hard to find!)

FIGHTING SMARTER by Tom Givens

SURVIVAL SHOOTING by Tom Givens

DEFENSIVE USE OF FIREARMS by Stephen P. Wenger

IN SELF DEFENSE by Mike Izumi

HANDGUNS FOR SELF DEFENSE: A SOUTH AFRICAN GUIDE by Gerry Gore

COOPER ON HANDGUNS by Col. Jeff Cooper

SHOOT A HANDGUN: A MANUAL ON HOW TO SHOOT A HANDGUN by Dave Arnold