Another Good Read: The Gift of Fear

Stirling XD · December 21st, 2007, 01:29 PM

I have seen several posts on this site that mention instincts, gut feelings or the hairs on the back of the neck. A few years ago I came across a book that discusses those concepts. It’s called “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin De Becker. He discusses the fact that human beings are capable of picking up on signals or circumstances in our surroundings tell us we are not safe. What we do with those instincts often means the difference between a successful escape and becoming a victim (life or death). When we see a “sketchy” hanging around in the parking lot, we in turn watch him a little closer. The fact that we are watching him will indicate to him that we are probably not a soft target. He in turn decides to leave us a lone. Your standard sheeple will use logic to justify ignoring the potential threat. “This is a safe neighborhood.” “Bad things only happen to other people.’’ Or he is completely oblivious. The BG senses that and another police report gets created. He also discusses other types of threat assessments such as stalkers and disgruntled employees and gives recommendations for dealing with those situations. He discusses how restraining orders can be as useful as a brick wall or as dangerous as pouring gas on a fire. While this book does not address carrying a gun, it would be a very good read for those of us that do. I highly recommend it.

JohnKelly · December 21st, 2007, 03:51 PM

+1 I've read the book and agree completely.

Jeremiah · December 21st, 2007, 06:09 PM

Give some insight on how some people work, which makes it easier to deal with. Good read.

Captain Crunch · December 22nd, 2007, 01:41 AM

Quote:

While this book does not address carrying a gun.

Probably because de Becker is an "anti". He's against private citizens owning guns for self defense.

But it's OK for his employees who are armed and work for his firm's bodyguard & personal protection division.

The anti-gunners' typical double standard at work.

ccw9mm · December 22nd, 2007, 05:05 AM

It's a darned good book. First principles. First impressions. Basic tactics. Most of the points he brings up are elemental and simple. Do them right, and you've moved a step ahead in your own recipe for avoiding danger and sensing disaster when it's brewing. Nothing's perfect, but it covers a lot of the things we try to practice, here, in our own lives. Good stuff, to be sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stirling XD

While this book does not address carrying a gun ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Crunch

Probably because de Becker is an "anti".

It's also not a book about guns. It's about basic mindset, reading other people, reading situations. That applies to all times when one is walking out one's front door, whether armed or not.

He may well be an anti-gunner type. Doesn't detract much from many of the principles described in the book, though.

KevinInstructor · December 22nd, 2007, 07:09 AM

+1 on good book. Right from the start he describes a criminal act then has the woman work back thru the crime to see what she missed as warning signs.

riverkeeper · December 22nd, 2007, 02:27 PM

First rate book for the mind and the perfect antidote to the news media.

Is he an anti? It's been a while but recall that he is not strictly against armed citizens ... rather against loose cannons with guns. But I could be wrong. (Or was it citizens with loose cannons?)

matiki · December 24th, 2007, 01:53 AM

He's staunchly against guns, and if you re-read the book you should notice his stance that guns in the home are a detriment to the safety of your children.

I work in Corporate Security and we use GDB sometimes, especially to evaluate potential stalkers and any other threat that might boil down to some sort of psychosis or major mental defect. Ultimately, his recommendations always include to pay his company to protect us, because its not possible to protect yourself. It's a nice touch we're rather fond of.

If you really want to read an anti gun rant, pick up his other book, protecting the gift. He regurgitates his first book and adds anti gun hysteria inducing rhetoric.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good book to own because he's dead on in regards to how to assess most threats. You'd have to pick up three or four other books in order to cover as many bases as he does.

riverkeeper · December 24th, 2007, 03:25 AM

matiki--
Thanks for the correction.

KenpoTex · December 29th, 2007, 11:30 PM

I agree that his stuff on intuition is educational. However, I don't recommend the book to anyone without cautioning them...I don't want them adversely affected by his elitist anti-gun crap.

December 21st, 2007, 01:29 PM	#1
Stirling XD Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 152	Another Good Read: The Gift of Fear I have seen several posts on this site that mention instincts, gut feelings or the hairs on the back of the neck. A few years ago I came across a book that discusses those concepts. It’s called “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin De Becker. He discusses the fact that human beings are capable of picking up on signals or circumstances in our surroundings tell us we are not safe. What we do with those instincts often means the difference between a successful escape and becoming a victim (life or death). When we see a “sketchy” hanging around in the parking lot, we in turn watch him a little closer. The fact that we are watching him will indicate to him that we are probably not a soft target. He in turn decides to leave us a lone. Your standard sheeple will use logic to justify ignoring the potential threat. “This is a safe neighborhood.” “Bad things only happen to other people.’’ Or he is completely oblivious. The BG senses that and another police report gets created. He also discusses other types of threat assessments such as stalkers and disgruntled employees and gives recommendations for dealing with those situations. He discusses how restraining orders can be as useful as a brick wall or as dangerous as pouring gas on a fire. While this book does not address carrying a gun, it would be a very good read for those of us that do. I highly recommend it.

December 21st, 2007, 03:51 PM	#2
JohnKelly Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 277	+1 I've read the book and agree completely. __________________ Sig P239 SAS .40 (Avatar) S&W 642 .38sp S&W M&P .40 Ruger 22/45 MkIII .22LR Glock 19 9mm Last edited by Captain Crunch : December 21st, 2007 at 04:57 PM. Reason: Deleted OP's quoted post - unnecessary

December 22nd, 2007, 07:09 AM	#6
KevinInstructor Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oregon USA Posts: 187	+1 on good book. Right from the start he describes a criminal act then has the woman work back thru the crime to see what she missed as warning signs. __________________ Stay Safe, Kevin CSSDSD Instructor ACCJT Certified LEO DT Instructor NRA Instructor

December 22nd, 2007, 02:27 PM	#7
riverkeeper Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington's Olympic Penninsula Posts: 251	First rate book for the mind and the perfect antidote to the news media. Is he an anti? It's been a while but recall that he is not strictly against armed citizens ... rather against loose cannons with guns. But I could be wrong. (Or was it citizens with loose cannons?) __________________ Old Testament....Shooting to Live 1942 http://www.gutterfighting.org/files/...ng_to_live.pdf Newer Testament... Kill or Get Killed 1976/1987 http://www.gutterfighting.org/files/...Get_Killed.pdf

December 24th, 2007, 01:53 AM	#8
matiki Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: N.W. Posts: 1,493	He's staunchly against guns, and if you re-read the book you should notice his stance that guns in the home are a detriment to the safety of your children. I work in Corporate Security and we use GDB sometimes, especially to evaluate potential stalkers and any other threat that might boil down to some sort of psychosis or major mental defect. Ultimately, his recommendations always include to pay his company to protect us, because its not possible to protect yourself. It's a nice touch we're rather fond of. If you really want to read an anti gun rant, pick up his other book, protecting the gift. He regurgitates his first book and adds anti gun hysteria inducing rhetoric. Don't get me wrong, this is a good book to own because he's dead on in regards to how to assess most threats. You'd have to pick up three or four other books in order to cover as many bases as he does. __________________ That we are to stand by the president, right or wrong is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. ~Theodore Roosevelt The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. ~Tacitus

December 21st, 2007, 06:09 PM	#3
Jeremiah Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Monroe County, NY Posts: 169	Give some insight on how some people work, which makes it easier to deal with. Good read.

December 24th, 2007, 03:25 AM	#9
riverkeeper Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington's Olympic Penninsula Posts: 251	matiki-- Thanks for the correction. __________________ Old Testament....Shooting to Live 1942 http://www.gutterfighting.org/files/...ng_to_live.pdf Newer Testament... Kill or Get Killed 1976/1987 http://www.gutterfighting.org/files/...Get_Killed.pdf

December 29th, 2007, 11:30 PM	#10
KenpoTex Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 1,426	I agree that his stuff on intuition is educational. However, I don't recommend the book to anyone without cautioning them...I don't want them adversely affected by his elitist anti-gun crap. __________________ If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears. MOΛΩN ΛABÉ Matt K.

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