The SAS Self-Defense Handbook

Very useful tips for self-protection, however, kindle edition could probably be modified to have html links to associated illustrations and graphics referred to in text.

The ideas in this book can be helpful in some aspects but the tactics for average people dealing with unexpected street violence are terribly unrealistic.After continuing to consider the FALSE security provided to someone who reads this book for real self defense tips, I can't help but downgrade my review a single star. Others books (e.g. Streetwise, Fight like a Girl and Win, etc.) give you better awareness defense knowledge also.Few Examples Proving The SAS Self-Defense Handbook's Most Glaring Mistakes:"If you find that you are pinned down, for held from behind, by a stronger assailant, and it is feasible to reach a lighter about your person, use it. Even the strongest hold will be broken by the flame."Unrealistic - Fumbling for a lighter to burn and break an assailant 's grip during seconds before unconsciousness paralyzes you is unrealistic to anyone who's remotely familiar with self defense. Such unhelpful tactics seem untested and poorly explained, which does more harm than good for those learning how to protect themselves."Silly as it may seem, a sock will make a very effective improvised weapon. Fill it with sand, chippings, or soil. In the home or street, use loose pocket change. Use it by swinging it hard at the assailant's head."Unrealistic - Unless a person plans to carry such a sock with him or her around everywhere and keep it in hand when entering a dangerous area, it IS SILLY to think that after 2 seconds of average shock freeze from the surprise of an attack, there will be seconds to spare for filling that sock with stuff while being pummeled into submission. It takes longer to fill a sock than to be knocked unconscious. Bad advice. If there's stuff to fill a sock, there's likely to be ANYTHING else nearby to use as a better weapon."Confronting a knife attacker> Look for a blocking object, such as a chair.>Get some protection--a jacket or coat around one arm.>Stay away from the knife if your attacker is slashing.>If he is using a stabbing action, take the blade on a briefcase or handbag.>Use a stick, broom, [or] umbrella to parry the knife hand.>Do not try to kick the knife hand; instead, go for the attacker's lower legs."Unrealistic - Fact. Knife attackers are fast. Time to look for anything or wrap anything isn't possible. What's more, do we really need to be told to "stay away from the knife?" Really?For realistic self defense, this book just doesn't cut it.

This is a book that will be of interest to anyone seeking a clear, concise and effective self-defense manual. The techniques and tactics presented in this text came from the elite British Special Air Service (SAS) system. The author is an eighteen year veteran of the British SAS. One of the first things you will notice is the very high quality slick paper this book was printed on, and the second thing will be the clear color photographs in this book. The explanations of the techniques and tactics are straight forward and easy to understand. However, as with any physical skills book, the techniques and tactics in this manual still require a hands-on lessons approach from a self-defense instructor in order for the movements to become spontaneous.The 12 chapters or sections cover an enormous amount of material. The first chapter identifies the problem. The book moves to the importance fitness and self-defense, the law when it comes to self-defense, basic self-defense principles and techniques, common attacks, defensive moves to counter various types of attacks, attacks on women, protecting your property, vehicle safety, travel considerations, attacks by animals and insects and dealing with medical emergencies. In the appendices section rape and victim supports information and martial arts governing bodies are listed.In summary, this short review cannot do this excellent book justice. At only $12.95 it is an excellent value. Martial artists, self-defense instructors and anyone interested in basic self-defense and self-protection will enjoy this bookRating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Karate Combatives Vol. 1, 2)

I have always wanted to know how to make my own pepper spray! Well not really but now I know how. I was more interested in this because I work in a retail chain that keeps having super bad things happen to its workers in various parts of the country and I wanted to know more then how to kill someone using a pen and a quarter. Now I know how to use the pen in much more useful ways and how to break a hand hold...and well how to break their arm that was covered too. the SAS is not pulling any punches in this book they want you to know how to avoid the fight avoid the problem and if that doesn't work how to make sure you're the one walking away.Ladies don't be squeamish they flat out tell you in the book to go for the sob's balls if all else fails, rip the hair outta their head box their ears. seriously no one is gonna screw with you.there's tips for better security of your home, tips the SAS officers use in their own lives including one that worked in Belfast during all the "troubles".and well we always wanna know that 70% of gunshots aren't fatal and if you don't fall on the ground immediately it isn't that bad keep runnin like serial killers were after you and weave like a drunk.If you can only afford a book and not a class in Self Defense, this is a nice one.

A quick view of the challenges that can mess up your day. Along with some of the better choices to deal with them. And a very good eye opener for anyone New to everyday life here on planet earth.

It isn't badly written, but it's not particularly new or exciting. Most of the material is common to any self-defense books. It was OK, but just that. The style seemed designed to fill space more than to convey information. I suspect that the author could probably give a good lecture, but the book is only so-so.

this book will give u some idle on what to do if u are faced with a person that wants to do u harm and the book will also give u an idle on what to say to defuse the prblum

Very informative and educational. Well illustrated.

Happy with item

The material is easily understood.

This book in my opinion was a complete waste of time and money.It had irrelevant information like a babysitter cutting off the hands and feet of the child they were babysitting. This has nothing to do with self-defence and is disturbing at best. Also, while discussing irrelevant information on self defence, this book is more on survival techniques like swimming with sharks (I shi! you not), what to do if someone is choking, bee stings, etc.The title is misleading, as well as the cover, and the pictures are poorly done. They actually show a picture of someone hitchhiking to explain the action; filling up pages with pictures like this to make it seem like a long valuable resource (if looking at page length).If you want a book on self-defence, you want to keep looking.

Le livre commence en précisant que l'on a bien plus de chance - dans nos pays aujourd'hui - de mourir d'alcoolisme ou de sédentarité que de violence physique. Le ton est donné. Très loin de l'agressivité testostéronée de ce genre de manuels, celui-ci prodigue en bon ordre des conseils pratiques clairs, très bien illustrés, et - pour autant que je puisse en juger - très pertinents, voire ingénieux. On ne vous y expliquera pas comment devenir le gros balèze de la pub "Invictus", mais bien comment se tirer des vrais mauvais pas avec des moyens vraiment disponibles, et sans devenir paranoïaque. Chapeau.