Learn how to be streetwise and how to protect yourself in unarmed combat with this guide by martial arts expert Geoff Thompson. The author outlines the latest techniques in self-defence and interviews criminals, askning why and how they target certain people for attack.
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About the Author
Geoff Thompson’s incredible journey has transformed him from a bullied weakling to a best-selling writer, columnist, ambassador for the Martial Arts, BAFTA winner and the hardest club doorman in the country. He has published over twenty-five books, several of which detail his nine years as a nightclub doorman and include the best-selling autobiography Watch my Back. Geoff is also the author of a popular series of self-help books. Geoff’s work has been translated into seven different languages. Summersdale published his debut novel, Red Mist, in September 2003.
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41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By mr_ska
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This is a very special book. Second only to Peter Consterdine's "Streetwise: Manual of Personal Security and Self Defence" in terms of giving you all around and essential information on self protection, this book is an absolute 'must have'.
Whilst "Streetwise" gives you almost everything you need, this book complements it perfectly and supplies the few missing pieces necessary to round out the picture. The author, Geoff Thompson, has a background as a doorman, and has put in a great deal of effort to study and learn both the 'street' skills of combat and the academic and intellectual tools to understand violent situations.
Combining elements of academic psychology with interview evidence from a range of violent criminals, from muggers to rapists, even murderers, Thompson shows the mindset and attack rituals of these criminals. This vital information combined with the simple but not simplistic self protection ideas that Thompson explains enable you to fully understand how to firstly, avoid and evade trouble and dangerous situations, and secondly, how to stand a chance of dealing with a potential assailant that you have been unable to escape from.
This is no fools advice though. Thompson does not attempt to fill your head with unworkable super techniques. His advice is based on his own experience that the simple and 'scruffy' stuff is what works. Indeed it is all you will be capable of doing if you are caught in a situation where it is all kicking off, and far from being the coward's way, Thompson proves that running away is by far the better option.
The best thing about the book though is Thompson's discussion on the law as regards self defence. This will prove to be a real eye opener to many readers and certainly forces you to adopt realistic attitudes to the world. Make no mistake, YOU are responsible for your own self protection, not the police and the courts, and Thompson does an excellent job of getting this across.
In essence, this book with it's focus on giving an insight into the mindset of the violent offender, and it's excellent approach to making you sit up and take responsibility for your own self protection and defence, forms the perfect companion for the all around information contained in Peter Consterdine's "Streetwise". Get hold of both and give them some serious study and you will be much safer and wiser.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
`Dead or Alive' is a self defence book written by one of the UK's most well known martial artists. Whilst it has much sound advice and suggests you run away before you attempt to fight in any confrontation, it doesn't shy away from telling you what needs to be done to protect yourself, however ugly or scary it may seem. This looks at attacker and victim mindsets and also interviews various attackers to gauge how they choose victims and when they will walk away. The chapters showing the various techniques are illustrated with clear black and white photography and there are chapters on the law and how alcohol affects conflict. The early chapters look at physiological responses to conflict and how you can best control them to protect yourself. Some of the accounts are quite shocking and even scary to read, but if you want to protect yourself you have to know the truth of confrontation. I think this book would be best if used in conjunction with a self defence course and as such would provide an excellent reference book. Overall the advice is clear and sensible and whilst this is sobering reading, it is also required if you take personal protection seriously.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Andy
Format:Paperback
This book is one of the best in this range that I have read. Having studied martial arts for years, and having experienced that the 'street' and 'real life attacks' are very different to 'dojo' training, i finally got round to reading this. Its a very down to earth approach to staying alert on the street, and being aware of the real monster... adrenaline.I experienced a real attack scenario, where a thug threatened me on a train, and we had a face off, with the potential of violence.I had read the section in this book about 'adrenaline dump', 'signs of violence', the 'aggressor bluffing' and confidence etc...This enabled and warned me on how to get over the shock, and fear, of the initial verbal assault, while my adrenaline dump and brief weakness hit me, I held my ground against this person so THEY ended up backing down. (although Geoff Thompson recomends flight before fight.... sometimes you have to stand your ground....especially when like me you were on a train!!!)So read this book wether you 'know' kung fu - or not!Very helpful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a MUST READ!!
Anyone interested in Self Defence MUST read this book. It contains essential information that will help you spot trouble and avoid it before you ever get to the stage of have to... Read more
Published 13 months ago by RNE02
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book may save your skin
I brought this book years ago when I first got into martail arts and competitive fighting. Having read some of the 1 and 2 star reviews, all I can say is that those that have rated... Read more
Published 14 months ago by The Wonk
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dead good
Dead or Alive is well written and packed with useful information whether your a Psychologist looking into aggressive behavior or a martial arts enthusiast, Geoff does however seem... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Stevie Wevie
4.0 out of 5 stars
To most part, highly valuable expert advice
This book tells you how to avoid falling victim of a violent crime. Mr. Thompson is a former nightclub bouncer who has been in many physical conflicts. Read more
Published on 3 April 2011 by Printul Noptilor
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unique insights into a grim world
Having trained martial arts for the better part of my life, I have in recent years taken an interest into how violence happens "in the real world". Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2011 by Thomas Jensen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reality check and a really good read for martial artists and...
This great book is about the mechanisms of violence and how to deal with it, physically as well as mentally. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2010 by Simon Birksø Larsen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Real self defence
Far better than most books written on this topic. A lot of great advice on how to avoid trouble.
It really does emphasise this, which is a welcome change from many similar... Read more
It really does emphasise this, which is a welcome change from many similar... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2010 by The Emperor
5.0 out of 5 stars
The choice is yours
I have read many so called books on self-protection and i must say this is by far the best. It is filled with so much good solid common sense advice its unbelievable! Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2010 by S. o'brien
1.0 out of 5 stars
A "common sense" guide to self-defence
I am new to the world of self-defence but I found nothing in this book which isn't obvious common sense. Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2008 by Stephen Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best self defence book I've read
Having read a few self defence books, this is by far the best that I've encountered. It contains straight forward practical advice which could potentially save you from serious... Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2008 by Mr. M. K. Egan
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