The book starts with chapters on awareness and planning ahead, what you will do if confonted by a criminal. There is also practical advise on how to create witnesses. Second part of the book covers home and neighbourhood safety. There are some clear line drawings on how to make your home more secure for burglaries, for example. There is also practical advise on what to do in case of break-in, how to choose an alarm system, and so on. Part three covers armed self-defense, beginning from discussion whether you should have a gun in the house in the first place, and covering about all of the important issues. Part four handles car safety, and part five is devoted for rape prevention.

The information and advice is very practical and realistic. There are lots of hands-on advice on variety of issues, and the overall view of security is also covered from varied perspectives. Sadly, most of the time the advise is not as in-depth as I would have wished, therefore the claim that this book is "the most complete, practical guide on self-protection ever written" is somewhat exaggerated. The chapters where Christensen handles practical self defense are not as good as the ones that concentrate on crime prevention. This is surprising, since Christensen is a former police officer and well known author of martial arts books. As with other books by Christensen, the text is witty and easy to read. Perhaps there is not as much humour in the text as are in other books by Christensen, but still the book is fun to read.

This book gives very good and practical advise on variety of situations. Although you can't guarantee not being a victim by following the advise given in this book (of any other similar book), you can lessen the risks considerably.


THe best   February 7, 2000
 1 out of 7 found this review helpful

The first - and ONLY - guide to combine the most practical methods of self-protection in a single volume. Packed with proven safety techniques, expert tips, and survival methods you can use in your everyday life. For example . . .

Burglary: How burglars choose a home - how to choose an alarm system - what to do when a break-in occurs.

Making your Neighborhood Safe For Kids: How to talk to your kids about crime - how they should carry valuables - how you should survey your neighborhood for hot spots - safety rules every kid should know.

Walking The Sidewalks Safely: Should you make eye contact with suspicious persons? How you should dress for safety.

Automatic Teller Machines: The right time to use them - Picking the safest locations.

Street Gangs: What to do when confronted by gangs - what can you do when gangs come to your neighborhood?

Violence In School: Teaching your children What to do - what you can do in schools.

Discover the inside information used by security professionals. Here's what you'll find in other sections of this practical book:

Home Defense: Preparing yourself mentally to shoot - making a home defense plan - coming home to an intruder - answering the door - what to say when you got the drop on an intruder - how to search your house - what to do after you shoot an intruder. Chemical Sprays: The different types - how to effectively carry and use. Improvised Self-Defense Weapons: How to recognize... and use house hold items. Auto Theft: Two common things you should NEVER do - The Club - alarms. Carjacking: The most dangerous places in your city - 20 steps you can take to prevent a carjacking - common ploys most carjackers use.


From the author   January 26, 2000
 2 out of 4 found this review helpful

The first - and ONLY - guide to combine the most practical methods of self-protection in a single volume. Packed with proven safety techniques, expert tips, and survival methods you can use in your everyday life. For example . . .

Burglary: How burglars choose a home - how to choose an alarm system - what to do when a break-in occurs.

Making your Neighborhood Safe For Kids: How to talk to your kids about crime - how they should carry valuables - how you should survey your neighborhood for hot spots - safety rules every kid should know.

Walking The Sidewalks Safely: Should you make eye contact with suspicious persons? How you should dress for safety.

Automatic Teller Machines: The right time to use them - Picking the safest locations.

Street Gangs: What to do when confronted by gangs - what can you do when gangs come to your neighborhood?

Violence In School: Teaching your children What to do - what you can do in schools.

Discover the inside information used by security professionals. Here's what you'll find in other sections of this practical book:

Home Defense: Preparing yourself mentally to shoot - making a home defense plan - coming home to an intruder - answering the door - what to say when you got the drop on an intruder - how to search your house - what to do after you shoot an intruder. Chemical Sprays: The different types - how to effectively carry and use. Improvised Self-Defense Weapons: How to recognize... and use house hold items. Auto Theft: Two common things you should NEVER do - The Club - alarms. Carjacking: The most dangerous places in your city - 20 steps you can take to prevent a carjacking - common ploys most carjackers use.