Ayoob Files: The Book

Massad Ayoob

For the connoisseur of real-life, not Hollywood, gunfights. This book reprints 15 cases from the author's series in American Handgunner magazine detailing actual gunfights and describing what went down: the weapons used by both criminals and those defending themselves, their mindsets, who survived the gunfights, who didn't and why. Ayoob looks closely at what happened and tries to analyze both sides' tactics. Included are an interpretation of the Rodney King incident and its aftermath that runs counter to the prevailing wisdom, and a very close analysis of a massacre in Miami on April 11, 1986, when a gun battle between two heavily armed professional criminals and FBI agents left both the bad guys and two agents dead, three agents permanently crippled, and others wounded. MC

Publisher: Police Bookshelf
Paperback: 223 pages
Illustrated

Defensive Tactics With Flashlights: Official Manual

John G. Peters

A comprehensive, illustrated training manual for using a police flashlight as a defensive weapon. Includes selecting a flashlight to fit one’s practical and defensive needs, flashlight holding and carrying techniques, basic blocking, and using the flashlight against punches and kicks, knives and weapons. Shows control and restraint techniques against aggressors, including chokes and vehicular extractions using flashlights. Includes ancillary subjects such as flashlight maintenance and the legal ramifications of flashlight use. A practical manual for police and security guards, as well as the interested amateur. MC

Publisher: Police Bookshelf
Paperback: 179 pages
Illustrated

Fundamentals of Modern Police Impact Weapons

Massad Ayoob

This book was written to give police officers a realistic understanding of the less-lethal, nonchemical subduing impact weapons available. Ayoob describes nightsticks, short billies, saps, sap gloves, yawara sticks, riot batons, nunchakus, flashlights, handcuffs and makeshift impact weapons such as key rings and belts. Two classic baton approaches are described—“The Lamb Baton Method” and “The LAPD Method.” The book also covers how to carry the baton and when to draw it; its use against multiple unarmed opponents and the legal parameters of using lethal and less-lethal force. MC

Publisher: Police Bookshelf
Hardback: 158 pages
Illustrated

In the Gravest Extreme

Massad Ayoob

Discover the difference between the reality of personal protection and dangerous fantasy. This book covers the use of the firearm in personal protection, dealing with legal, ethical, and practical considerations. It was written to provide practical advice and remove many misconceptions by trying to define what self-defense really means, and what conditions actually let someone apply lethal force legally. Ayoob dispels the myth of citizen's arrest, and explains how and when firearms can be used in stores, homes, cars and on the street. Here is common sense information on the deterrent effect of defensive handguns, gun safety and tactical techniques for defense shooting. The book examines what can happen legally, physically and psychologically in the aftermath of a shooting and what to be prepared for even in a case of justified self-defense. MC

Publisher: Police Bookshelf
Paperback: 131 pages
Illustrated

In Self Defense

Michael Izumi

This is an updated and more comprehensive version of Massad Ayoob's In the Gravest Extreme. This book is excellent in that it really tries to dispel the myths many people have about self-defense. Expanding on Ayoob's book, In Self Defense gives a realistic look at self-defense from both practical and legal angles. The author aims to educate people and clarifies issues in the use of deadly force while addressing the psychological mindset of dangerous criminals and the mental awareness and preparation one must attain in order to defend oneself from violent crime.
Here is practical information for selecting firearms and using them for home defense: how to determine the reliability of weapons, safety devices for handguns, the proper and legal methods of transporting weapons, and holster selection. There's a whole chapter on defense cartridge selection, including shotgun and handgun loads for self-defense and why factory-loaded ammunition is important. Discusses the use of dogs for home security, as well as tactical material on dealing with attackers, the use of cover and concealment, returning fire from barricaded positions, and why not to even attempt a housecleaning if you suspect intruders. Includes material on proper verbal commands, the proper method of holding a criminal at gunpoint, and why a warning shot is not a good idea. There is a good discussion on the mental trauma that can occur during and after armed conflict, including definitions of these types of traumas. The book tells how to properly call the police and how to effectively interface with responding law enforcement.
There is a good amount of information concerning the legal aspects of self-defense, and how complicated things can become after a shooting. Includes practical and common- sense advice on understanding the mantle of confidentiality, what to do if the police throw you in jail for defending yourself, what information should be conveyed on your phone call, and how to deal with criminal and civil lawsuits resulting from a deadly-force encounter. Advises on how to find attorneys who are experienced in self-defense cases. MC

Publisher: Police Bookshelf
Paperback: 105 pages
Illustrated

Police Nonlethal Force Manual

Bill Clede

The author offers a solution to law enforcement officers who don't want to kill their prisoners or suspects—but want them to do what they're told. Featuring a variety of techniques which often hurt a lot but leave little bruising or scarring, the manual describes the options available to the police officer, including asserting dominance in such basic ways as using a firm tone of voice and the proper posture. Illustrates both hand-holds and tools (including everyday objects such as flashlights and the sap glove, as well as more unusual martial-arts weapons such as the Yawara stick) that can be used to gain cooperation through pain-compliance, and allow the law-enforcement professional to assert his or her authority with a minimum of danger to themselves. Extensive illustrations demonstrate techniques and weaponry. NN

Publisher: Police Bookshelf
Hardback: 128 pages
Illustrated

StressFire

Massad Ayoob

Deals with gun-fighting for police under actual stress situations. Includes chapters on the principles of stress and techniques for coping with it. Discusses body positioning, proper ways to hold weapons, drawing and reholstering weapons, weak-hand shooting, kneeling, point shooting, sitting and prone- position shooting as well as StressFire reloading of revolvers and automatics. Shows how much handgun training a gun owner really needs. MC

Publisher: Police Bookshelf
Paperback: 150 pages
Illustrated

The Truth About Self-Protection

Massad Ayoob

This book, written by an expert in providing practical, truthful information on self-defense, talks about the dangers of crime and what to expect. It recommends all types of practical solutions and dispenses common sense counsel about locks, alarms, safes, tear gas, car security and attack dogs. Some basic street-fighting self defense techniques are illustrated, such as the neck twist, takedown, eye attacks and martial arts. The author also discusses such makeshift weapons as flashlights for self-defense, and offers extensive information on guns: who should have them, types of training, the selection of handguns, combat firing techniques, the storing of firearms, and the physiological and psychological aftermath of violence. Includes advice to the elderly and handicapped, and covers what to do about legal problems that can arise out of the use of self defense, including finding a lawyer. MC

Publisher: Police Bookshelf
Paperback: 420 pages
Illustrated