Self Defense Books

Showing 1-50 of 1,619
The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence (Paperback)
by (shelved 55 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.18 — 52,860 ratings — published 1997
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Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence (Paperback)
by (shelved 36 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.33 — 1,891 ratings — published 2008
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Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected (Paperback)
by (shelved 30 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.25 — 1,048 ratings — published 2011
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The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable Guide to the Armed Citizen The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable Guide to the Armed Citizen (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 18 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.63 — 433 ratings — published 2013
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When Violence Is the Answer: Learning How to Do What It Takes When Your Life Is at Stake When Violence Is the Answer: Learning How to Do What It Takes When Your Life Is at Stake (Hardcover)
by (shelved 15 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.25 — 1,461 ratings — published
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Principles of Personal Defense Principles of Personal Defense (Paperback)
by (shelved 14 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.53 — 867 ratings — published 1972
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Complete Krav Maga: The Ultimate Guide to Over 230 Self-Defense and Combative Techniques Complete Krav Maga: The Ultimate Guide to Over 230 Self-Defense and Combative Techniques (Paperback)
by (shelved 13 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.10 — 460 ratings — published 2007
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In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection (Paperback)
by (shelved 13 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.28 — 406 ratings — published 1980
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On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace (Paperback)
by (shelved 13 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.29 — 4,559 ratings — published 2004
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Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 11 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.97 — 3,197 ratings — published 2014
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Deadly Force - Understanding Your Right To Self Defense Deadly Force - Understanding Your Right To Self Defense (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 11 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.60 — 561 ratings — published 2014
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ConCom: Conflict Communication A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication ConCom: Conflict Communication A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 9 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.23 — 382 ratings — published 2014
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Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision Making Under Threat of Violence Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision Making Under Threat of Violence (Paperback)
by (shelved 9 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.40 — 173 ratings — published 2012
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Cheap Shots, Ambushes, and Other Lessons: A Down and Dirty Book on Streetfighting and Survival Cheap Shots, Ambushes, and Other Lessons: A Down and Dirty Book on Streetfighting and Survival (Paperback)
by (shelved 9 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.22 — 110 ratings — published 1989
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The Little Black Book Violence: What Every Young Man Needs to Know About Fighting The Little Black Book Violence: What Every Young Man Needs to Know About Fighting (Paperback)
by (shelved 9 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.06 — 352 ratings — published 2009
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Becoming Bulletproof: Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, and Live Fearlessly Becoming Bulletproof: Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, and Live Fearlessly (Hardcover)
by (shelved 8 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.14 — 9,831 ratings — published 2020
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How To Be Your Own Bodyguard How To Be Your Own Bodyguard (Paperback)
by (shelved 8 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.10 — 144 ratings — published 2011
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On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society (Paperback)
by (shelved 8 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.11 — 12,437 ratings — published 1995
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Knives, Knife Fighting, and Related Hassles: How to Survive a Real Knife Fight Knives, Knife Fighting, and Related Hassles: How to Survive a Real Knife Fight (Paperback)
by (shelved 8 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.05 — 105 ratings — published 1990
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Violence, Blunders, and Fractured Jaws: Advanced Awareness Techniques and Street Etiquette Violence, Blunders, and Fractured Jaws: Advanced Awareness Techniques and Street Etiquette (Paperback)
by (shelved 8 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.16 — 45 ratings — published 1992
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Violence of Mind: Training and Preparation for Extreme Violence Violence of Mind: Training and Preparation for Extreme Violence (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 7 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.27 — 493 ratings — published
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Dirty Ground: The Tricky Space Between Sport and Combat Dirty Ground: The Tricky Space Between Sport and Combat (Paperback)
by (shelved 7 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.67 — 36 ratings — published 2013
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Dead or Alive: The Choice is Yours - The Definitive Self-Protection Handbook Dead or Alive: The Choice is Yours - The Definitive Self-Protection Handbook (Paperback)
by (shelved 7 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.87 — 126 ratings — published 1997
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How to Win a Fight: A Guide to Avoiding and Surviving Violence How to Win a Fight: A Guide to Avoiding and Surviving Violence (Paperback)
by (shelved 7 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.74 — 77 ratings — published 2011
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The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery (Paperback)
by (shelved 7 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.26 — 140 ratings — published 2002
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A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy (Hardcover)
by (shelved 7 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.94 — 63,925 ratings — published 1645
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The Art of War The Art of War (Paperback)
by (shelved 7 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.94 — 587,491 ratings — published -500
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Strong on Defense Strong on Defense (Paperback)
by (shelved 7 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.34 — 94 ratings — published
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The Fence: The Art of Protection The Fence: The Art of Protection (Nook)
by (shelved 6 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.06 — 95 ratings — published 1998
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The Truth About Self Protection The Truth About Self Protection (Mass Market Paperback)
by (shelved 6 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.21 — 107 ratings — published 1983
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Tao of Jeet Kune Do Tao of Jeet Kune Do (Paperback)
by (shelved 6 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.36 — 8,527 ratings — published 1975
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The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry (Paperback)
by (shelved 6 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.23 — 391 ratings — published 2008
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Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion (Paperback)
by (shelved 6 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.83 — 6,955 ratings — published 1993
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Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault (Paperback)
by (shelved 6 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.92 — 143 ratings — published 2000
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The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense (Paperback)
by (shelved 6 times as self-defense)
avg rating 3.78 — 736 ratings — published 1980
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Get Tough! How to Win in Hand-to-Hand Fighting, As Taught to the British Commandos, and U.S. Armed Forces Get Tough! How to Win in Hand-to-Hand Fighting, As Taught to the British Commandos, and U.S. Armed Forces (Paperback)
by (shelved 6 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.23 — 177 ratings — published 1942
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Training for Sudden Violence: 72 Practice Drills Training for Sudden Violence: 72 Practice Drills (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 5 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.20 — 106 ratings — published
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In the Name of Self-Defense:: What it costs. When it's worth it In the Name of Self-Defense:: What it costs. When it's worth it (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 5 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.33 — 48 ratings — published 2014
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Stressfire, Vol. 1 (Gunfighting for Police: Advanced Tactics and Techniques) Stressfire, Vol. 1 (Gunfighting for Police: Advanced Tactics and Techniques)
by (shelved 5 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.23 — 82 ratings — published 1986
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Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighter, and Ambusher Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighter, and Ambusher (Paperback)
by (shelved 5 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.05 — 66 ratings — published 1990
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Kill Or Get Killed: Riot Control Techniques, Manhandling, and Close Combat for Police and the Military Kill Or Get Killed: Riot Control Techniques, Manhandling, and Close Combat for Police and the Military (Hardcover)
by (shelved 5 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.09 — 138 ratings — published 1976
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Spotting Danger Before It Spots You: Build Situational Awareness To Stay Safe (Head's Up) Spotting Danger Before It Spots You: Build Situational Awareness To Stay Safe (Head's Up)
by (shelved 4 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.44 — 164 ratings — published
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SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea (Paperback)
by (shelved 4 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.25 — 5,683 ratings — published 1986
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Safe in the City: A Streetwise Guide to Avoid Being Robbed, Raped,Ripped Off, or Run over Safe in the City: A Streetwise Guide to Avoid Being Robbed, Raped,Ripped Off, or Run over (Paperback)
by (shelved 4 times as self-defense)
avg rating 4.04 — 27 ratings — published 1994
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Rory Miller
“One of the hardest concepts about explaining deadly force is that so few people have a frame of reference. The cannot really grasp what it is to use deadly force or what it will be like to exist even for a few seconds in the conditions that would justify it.”
Rory Miller, Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision Making Under Threat of Violence

Millie Florence
“The best defense is to never get into a fight.”
Millie Florence, Apprentice Alliance

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