Books About Self-Defense

pax · March 15, 2001, 02:07 PM

What books about self defense are on your bookshelf?

What one book or set of books would you recommend to a new CCW holder?

pax

Jhp147 · March 15, 2001, 03:34 PM

In Gravest Extreme-by Massad Ayoob. The material about guns and cartridges is dated, but the overall idea of conflict avoidance, awareness, and responsibility is excellent, in my not so humble opinion.
Bulleyes Don't Shoot Back-Janich and Applegate. Good point shooting info, emphasizing short range and unexpected confrontation dynamics.
Later on, get Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights by Jim Cirillo. Makes you understand that handguns aren't very good fight stoppers, that practice is important, and also gives some enjoyable reading.
You will find detractors for Ayoob, but concentrate on the info, not the man. Do a search on this subject, I think it has been asked before. Good luck.

[Edited by Jhp147 on 03-15-2001 at 09:43 PM]

Hard Ball · March 15, 2001, 04:12 PM

I strongly recommend "Bulleyes Don't Shoot Back"-Janich and Applegate. It describes real world conditions which are likely to be encountered in an actual defensive shooting.

M1911 · March 16, 2001, 10:52 AM

Andrew Branca, "The Laws of Self Defense."

I second the nomination for Ayoob's and Cirillo's books.

I recommend some of Gabe Suarez's books as well -- in particular his books have good pictures that illustrate the points that he makes. Don't agree with everything Mr. Suarez says, but there's good stuff in there.

M1911

Joe Demko · March 16, 2001, 10:59 AM

"Kill or Get Killed" by Rex Applegate.

Jhp147 · March 16, 2001, 12:10 PM

Thanks Erick, forgot PPD. It is the most basic building block, THEN In Gravest Extreme.

LawDog · March 17, 2001, 03:38 AM

Don't forget No Second Place Winner by Bill Jordan.

LawDog

LBC · March 17, 2001, 06:51 AM

All excellent suggestions. May I be so bold as to suggest
"Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi? It is a book of strategy and offers many insights into the mindset of the
warrior. Read it three or four times and it all begins to sink in. Regards, LBC.

ACB777 · March 17, 2001, 08:56 AM

If I could only own one it would be "Kill or Get Killed" by Rex Applegate. This is the bible of CQC.
Other great ones; "Get Tough" by Capt. W.E. Fairbairn, "Shooting to Live" by Capt. W.E. Fairbairn & Capt. E.A. Sykes, "Quick or Dead" by William L. Cassidy.
Applegate and Fairbairn are "the real deal". Thier techniques are combat proven. In other word's they work. Most (not all) other alleged expert's are trying to "reinvent the wheel". They are only in it for the money. Buyer beware!

Glamdring · March 17, 2001, 10:32 AM

If only one book then Cooper's The Principles of Personal Defense. Provides instruction/advice for mental aspect of defense, only lacks specific technique [ie just how do you attack this 300 lbs goblin effectivly]

Next to buy would be Dead Clients Don't Pay: The Bodyguards Manual by Leroy Thompson. Covers the nuts and bolts techniques needed to avoid trouble, spot it comeing, or stack odds in your favor. Teaches the basics of home/building security very well. Covers the basic types of weapons [handguns, shotguns, SMG's, rifles] and what they are realistically suited for. Also covers vehical security.

IMO if you buy those two books and read them [many times] and apply them you will be well covered. They will give you enough understanding to determine what specific skills you need to master to satisfy your needs/wants for personal, home, & family security.

For more specific skills related to self defense, but that don't really deal with self defense holistically.

For guns/handguns get:

Gabe Suarez's The Tactical Pistol
And Suarez's The Tactical Advantage
Rex Applegate's Kill or Get Killed

As to Ayoob his stuff is not worth buying to be honest. Most of what he has to offer, that is worthwhile, deals with the legal issues involved with shooting. Those issues would be bettter addressed by a local lawyer or thru CCW classes that some states require. Because they will reflect your state's specific laws.

March 15, 2001, 03:34 PM	#2
Jhp147 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 1999 Location: Texas Posts: 597	book selection In Gravest Extreme-by Massad Ayoob. The material about guns and cartridges is dated, but the overall idea of conflict avoidance, awareness, and responsibility is excellent, in my not so humble opinion. Bulleyes Don't Shoot Back-Janich and Applegate. Good point shooting info, emphasizing short range and unexpected confrontation dynamics. Later on, get Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights by Jim Cirillo. Makes you understand that handguns aren't very good fight stoppers, that practice is important, and also gives some enjoyable reading. You will find detractors for Ayoob, but concentrate on the info, not the man. Do a search on this subject, I think it has been asked before. Good luck. [Edited by Jhp147 on 03-15-2001 at 09:43 PM] __________________ Sometimes...days are just something you get through.

March 16, 2001, 12:10 PM	#6
Jhp147 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 1999 Location: Texas Posts: 597	Principles of Personal Defense Thanks Erick, forgot PPD. It is the most basic building block, THEN In Gravest Extreme.

March 17, 2001, 03:38 AM	#7
LawDog Staff Emeritus Join Date: September 15, 1999 Location: Where am I going? Why am I in this handbasket? Posts: 4,194	Don't forget No Second Place Winner by Bill Jordan. LawDog __________________ "The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer." --The 13th Warrior Bona na Croin The LawDog Files

March 17, 2001, 08:56 AM	#9
ACB777 Junior Member Join Date: November 1, 2000 Posts: 7	Best Book's If I could only own one it would be "Kill or Get Killed" by Rex Applegate. This is the bible of CQC. Other great ones; "Get Tough" by Capt. W.E. Fairbairn, "Shooting to Live" by Capt. W.E. Fairbairn & Capt. E.A. Sykes, "Quick or Dead" by William L. Cassidy. Applegate and Fairbairn are "the real deal". Thier techniques are combat proven. In other word's they work. Most (not all) other alleged expert's are trying to "reinvent the wheel". They are only in it for the money. Buyer beware!

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March 15, 2001, 02:07 PM	#1
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	What books about self defense are on your bookshelf? What one book or set of books would you recommend to a new CCW holder? pax

March 15, 2001, 04:12 PM	#3
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,925	I strongly recommend "Bulleyes Don't Shoot Back"-Janich and Applegate. It describes real world conditions which are likely to be encountered in an actual defensive shooting.

March 16, 2001, 10:52 AM	#4
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,055	Andrew Branca, "The Laws of Self Defense." I second the nomination for Ayoob's and Cirillo's books. I recommend some of Gabe Suarez's books as well -- in particular his books have good pictures that illustrate the points that he makes. Don't agree with everything Mr. Suarez says, but there's good stuff in there. M1911

March 16, 2001, 10:59 AM	#5
Joe Demko Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2000 Posts: 1,143	"Kill or Get Killed" by Rex Applegate.

March 17, 2001, 06:51 AM	#8
LBC Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2001 Posts: 385	All excellent suggestions. May I be so bold as to suggest "Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi? It is a book of strategy and offers many insights into the mindset of the warrior. Read it three or four times and it all begins to sink in. Regards, LBC.

March 17, 2001, 10:32 AM	#10
Glamdring Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2000 Location: MN Posts: 1,388	If only one book then Cooper's The Principles of Personal Defense. Provides instruction/advice for mental aspect of defense, only lacks specific technique [ie just how do you attack this 300 lbs goblin effectivly] Next to buy would be Dead Clients Don't Pay: The Bodyguards Manual by Leroy Thompson. Covers the nuts and bolts techniques needed to avoid trouble, spot it comeing, or stack odds in your favor. Teaches the basics of home/building security very well. Covers the basic types of weapons [handguns, shotguns, SMG's, rifles] and what they are realistically suited for. Also covers vehical security. IMO if you buy those two books and read them [many times] and apply them you will be well covered. They will give you enough understanding to determine what specific skills you need to master to satisfy your needs/wants for personal, home, & family security. For more specific skills related to self defense, but that don't really deal with self defense holistically. For guns/handguns get: Gabe Suarez's The Tactical Pistol And Suarez's The Tactical Advantage Rex Applegate's Kill or Get Killed As to Ayoob his stuff is not worth buying to be honest. Most of what he has to offer, that is worthwhile, deals with the legal issues involved with shooting. Those issues would be bettter addressed by a local lawyer or thru CCW classes that some states require. Because they will reflect your state's specific laws.