Dead or Alive: The Definitive Self-Protection Handbook

by Geoff Thompson

One of the few real self-protection guides on the market today, this book will teach you first and foremost how to avoid violent situations. But should you find yourself in one, it will also show you... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1840242795
• ISBN13: 9781840242799
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Geoff Thompson
• Length: 253 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Good book by a man who has experienced it.

You can tell he is a man who has been through what he describes. Very usefull considering some books written by some that haven't been in five fights their whole lives. I work in corrections and have seen many fights. They are quick and over before they even get started. Usually who lands the first shot and continues until it is over. He brings this out in this book and the ques that you look for that can give you an edge when fur is about to fly! I have seen these ques many times and could relate instantly when he described them. These bad people are predators, no different than animals. They pick out their victims by fear, weakness, and opportunity just like animals do. He really brings this out and how to carry yourself that will give the predators ques back that they better look for an easier target because you could be a problem they would be better off leaving alone. I have seen this in corrections alot. Just how you carry yourself. Not being aggressive yourself, but positive in your abilities and as a wolverine with a bear, "you might defeat me, but it will be a chore and not worth your time." He brings out things, especially fear that is worth the price of the book many times over. You can have all the training in the world, but if you can't control the adrenaline dump, you are in trouble! Good book. Highly recommended.

One of His Best!

Geoff is a pioneer in the field of self-defense. He actually paved the way for other more well-known reality-based self-defense instructors, whom I won't name. He stressed the importance of understanding the physiological and psychological effects of facing violent and dangerous situations. His "Fence" concept influenced self-defense practitioners worldwide. This book is essentially a compilation of material that is found in Geoff's other books on self-defense. While there is material in his other books that could have been included in this one, I still think that this is probably one of his best overall books on the subject of self-defense. I would recommend it to anyone interested in enhancing personal safety.

The definitive book for self-protection.

DEAD OR ALIVE is one of my favorite books in a very large library. One of the many places I underlined in this book was on page 4: "...in most cases, victims who do not resist their assailants suffer far more guilt and regrets afterward than victims who attempted to fight back. If you cannot avoid confrontation, fight back!" I was also happy to read his words on p. 95 (regarding the kubotan keyring), "This wonderful little weapon is both effective and legal (indeed a rarity!), with various facets. In the hands of an expert, its uses limitless." When I was young and fearful I used to carry a .32 automatic, but I gave it up long ago. Now, at age 71, I carry a kubotan wherever I go. I just learned that Geoff has a hardcover book out, called BOUNCER. I am ordering it at once, confident that it, too, will be not only instructional but unusually interesting!

Probably the best book on Self Protection available today.

If you never buy another book on self protection make sure you get this one. In the world of martial arts and self defence most of the emphasis is placed upon block and counter attack techniques but these simply do not come in to play when you don't see your attacker(s) coming. Today's attacker is a coward who will use deception to mentally disarm you quite possibly by stopping you to ask the time or directions and then drawing a weapon whilst you are distracted. Geoff's book explodes the myth that you can block, punch and kick your way out of a violent situation when attacked. If you are not aware then you are a victim regardless of size or experience. Geoff's style is, as always, to give the reader the whole, unadulterated truth about violent confrontation without unnecessary embellishment or side-stepping controversial topics. A veteran of over 300 fights working as a bouncer and in the street this man talks from experience and with an understanding of his subject few can equal. In some ways Dead or Alive is an amalgamation of Geoff's previous texts containing extracts from his own and other books but this only adds to the overall effect as it gives the reader a superb overview of the subject. Those of you who have read Geoff's other books will not be disappointed. Step by step he explains in lay terms how to avoid becoming a victim often repeating important points to get the message across and where necessary highlighting these with witness accounts of real crimes from the victim's and the attacker's perspective. Not for children, this book does contain disturbing interviews with serial killers, rapists and muggers and underlines not only the methodology of their attacks but also the shocking disregard they have for their prey, many believing that their victims deserve everything they get. Geoff's approach is if you want to know how a rapist chooses his victims you don't ask a psychologist, you ask a rapist! The main aim of the book is to make the reader a difficult person to target (Target Hardening). This is effectively achieved by awareness techniques, detailing the different methods and approaches used to select victims and how to spot and stop them in the early stages. Also pointed out is how by not being aware individuals can select themselves often resulting in an attack with no warning from an opportunist. Everything is covered here from the body language and fight rituals to adrenaline and it's effects as well as useful tips on tactics, deception, target areas, improvised weapons and a lot more. This is probably the best and most concise book on self protection you are likely to read. Not geared to exclude those without formal training it makes the perfect accompaniment to any serious training program and for those with no experience it offers a stark insight into the reality of violence worlds apart from the often romanticised celluloid variety. If you are looking for a book that will turn you into a killing machine

Probably the best book on self protection available today.

If you never buy another book on self protection make sure you get this one. In the world of martial arts and self defence most of the emphasis is placed upon block and counter attack techniques but these simply do not come in to play when you don't see your attacker(s)coming. Today's attacker is a coward who will use deception to mentally disarm you quite possibly by stopping you to ask the time or directions and then drawing a weapon whilst you are distracted. Geoff's book explodes the myth that you can block, punch and kick your way out of a violent situation when attacked. If you are not aware then you are a victim regardless of size or experience. Geoff's style is, as always, to give the reader the whole, unadulterated truth about violent confrontation without unnecessary embellishment or side-stepping controversial topics. A veteran of over 300 fights working as a bouncer and in the street this man talks from experience and with an understanding of his subject few can equal. In some ways Dead or Alive is an amalgamation of Geoff's previous texts containing extracts from his own and other books but this only adds to the overall effect as it gives the reader a superb overview of the subject. Those of you who have read Geoff's other books will not be disappointed. Step by step he explains in lay terms how to avoid becoming a victim often repeating important points to get the message across and where necessary highlighting these with witness accounts of real crimes from the victim's and the attacker's perspective. Not for children, this book does contain disturbing interviews with serial killers, rapists and muggers and underlines not only the methodology of their attacks but also the shocking disregard they have for their prey, many believing that their victims deserve everything they get. Geoff's approach is if you want to know how a rapist chooses his victims you don't ask a psychologist, you ask a rapist! The main aim of the book is to make the reader a difficult person to target (Target Hardening). This is effectively achieved by awareness techniques, detailing the different methods and approaches used to select victims and how to spot and stop them in the early stages. Also pointed out is how by not being aware individuals can select themselves often resulting in an attack with no warning from an opportunist. Everything is covered here from the body language and fight rituals to adrenaline and it's effects as well as useful tips on tactics, deception, target areas, improvised weapons and a lot more. This is probably the best and most concise book on self protection you are likely to read. Not geared to exclude those without formal training it makes the perfect accompaniment to any serious training program and for those with no experience it offers a stark insight into the reality of violence worlds apart from the often romanticised celluloid variety. If you are looking for a book that will turn you into a killing machine you ar