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 are going to be disappointed, stick to Rambo films and good luck to you but if you want sound advice and are prepared to face reality then if the worst should ever happen, this book might one day save your life.
Speaking of which, Thompson's section on techniques is the only weak point in this book, and why I'd give it 4 not 5 stars. Closed fist punches to the head and chambered side kicks do not belong in a book that's supposedly geared for the general untrained public that just wants some basic basic self-defense ability. I would've expected open-palm strikes, elbows and knees, perhaps some basic sweeps and low leg kicks instead.
My advice is, read this book for its psychological training, and get your hand-to-hand training from a self-defense or reality-based martial arts school. (Meaning: avoid Tae Kwon Do and most schools of karate. Wing Tsun, Muay Thai, Penjak silat, Brazilian jujitsu, or any form of Mixed Martial Arts would be more useful.)