Posted: 2/6/2008 5:24:52 PM EDT
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How about a thread of training/tactics books that you have found valuable? Either for yourself, to increase your knowledge base, or for beginners, to introduce them to concepts and techniques? I'll start out with a couple books I often suggest. Several of them are not "shooting" books, but more related to mindset. Shooting is the easy part--it's the mental side of things that generally needs more work, I think. Defensive Handgunning. I think the author is a genius.  Basic to intermediate shooting techniques, combined with many of the mental aspects that a lot of people seem to overlook. Another reviewOn Killing, Dave Grossman. Classic, no library is complete without it. On Combat, Dave Grossman. This is a great overview and nicely summarizes about 5 other books I've read. This isn't as in-depth as the books it summarizes, but this book delves deeply enough to get a useful understanding of the topics covered more exhaustively elsewhere. Deadly Force Encounters. Largely covered in "On Combat", but this is the original. The Gift of Fear, Gavin deBecker. A nice addition to situational awareness training that emphasizes the power of subconscious. Blink, Malcolm Gladwell. Interesting read related to situational awareness, particularly how we perceive and judge our environment. Verbal Judo, George Thompson. Great de-escalation resource. The Survivor Personality, Al Siebert. Mental thought processes and how they affect our approach to challenges. |
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Inside the Jihad, My life with Al Qaeda, A spy's story. By Omar Nasiri Story is about a muslim spy that infiltrated the Afghanistan training camps and explains Al Qaeda's training and tactics. It was a good book, and good way to find out more about our enemies tactics. After the Echo, by Russ Clagett A story about a Police sniper that had to take the shot, and what it is like legally and mentally afterwards. Also talks about many ways to train to prepare the mind to take that shot. The one that got away, by Chris Ryan A story about a SAS soldier whos team was compromised and captured but Ryan got away by walking nearly 180 miles with barely no food or water. One of the greatest books i have read, and is great for mindset. |
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I have three copies of Tiger McKee's Book of Two Guns. Like the "Green Eyes Black Rifles" review notes of that text I will say that there are numerous spelling errors and grammatical errors. However, Tigers' text is a pretty thorough treatment of the "modern technique" of the pistol and Ar15 for that matter. Further, it is consistent throughout and flows logically. It is worth the money, especially for those who refuse to get in person training. |
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I found Andy Stanford's "Surgical Speed Shooting" after I attended a course that taught pretty much the same techniques. The course had shown me the light regarding the Modified Isoceles over the Weaver and Andy's book covered in detail a lot of the material that I got in the course but couldn't write down because I was too busy shooting. I highly recommend it. |
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I spent the summer reading W.I.N. Critical Issues in Training and Leading Warriors. Edited by Brian R. Willis from Warriorspiritbooks.com . The book is a collection of essays from 25 LEO trainers arranged in 6 chapters. The Mind of a Warrior The Warrior spirit Warrior trainers Leading warriors Tactics for warriors Training warriors I find there is alot of good information from the LEO perspective that can be applied to training citizens. if you are a student then understanding some of the concepts and ideas will definitely help your training methodology. There are alot of different subject topics to digest, 25 of them, and it makes for a growing todo list when it comes to my further study. On the same note, I have to gloss over some of the 'tactical' application presented in the book because little of that is relevent to my training. My next project is to start at chapter one and google each author and see how the book compares to what other information or articles are available on the web, if any. When I am researching I get many interesting hits that I am locked out of due to no creds. I appreciate what the authors have put forward in the book and hope that they will encourage others to share more. c361 Stan ETA: W.I.N. stands for What's Important Now? |
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Quoted:
"Leadership and Training for the Fight" by Paul Howe One of the best books on prepping for a fight I have ever read... definitely the best "mindset" book Hotlink Leadership and Training for the fight - Paul Howe1 Just got The Book of Two Guns by Tiger McKee. Awesome book.
Probably the best introductory weapons handling book I have ever read... also some good mindset stuff and a little tactics Hotlink Book of Two Guns - Tiger McKee |
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I also loved Grossman's "on killing" as interesting reading. on killing
I also highly recomment lawrence Kanes book surviving armed assaults This book details alot of examples of what went went wrong and how to avoid it. |
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To add to the above...
Tactical Pistol Marksmanship by Gabe Suarez is a good starter text & the dry fire drills in the back are very helpful for establishing a baseline skillset. Fight at Night by Andy Stanford is the Surgical Speed Shooting of low light tactics. A lot of physiological info as the "why" backdrop to the info in the book. Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer. Damn good example of what every leader should strive to be. |
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Nothing to do with shooting, but I recommend Professional Driving Techniques, by Anthony J. "Tony" Scotti.
Tony Scotti is the founder of Vehicle Dynamics Institute and basically the godfather of security driving in America. I attended his Vehicle Dynamics and Exercise Design course last year, and picked up his book. It clearly explains a lot of techniques for driving safely, effectively and defensively that people don't pick up from Dad or the basketball coach in high school driver's ed. |
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'Meditations on Violence' , Rory Miller
A superb look at the reality of violence vs. generally held perceptions, the psychology of violence and realistic vs stylized training. It's intended to address unarmed defense but IMHO is a 'must read' in preparation for any violent encounter. 'Defensive Handgunning - A treatise on handgun Carry and Usage' - Glenn Rehberg A 'soup to nuts' look at the defensive handgun. This is the book that I gave to a close friend when she bought her first handgun. 'The Gift of Fear' Gavin Debecker i don't agree with everything the author has to say, but his take home message regarding "instinct" and the need to trust it is extremely important. 'Defensive Living' - Lovett and Spaulding Almost a booklet rather than a book, but an excellent look at situational awareness. <EDIT> Oops, on second read, looks like I duped several books already listed by Glenn. What can I say - I taught him every thing he knows. 
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http://www.amazon.com/T-P-S-Tactical-Application-Practical/dp/1440109591 Kinda short if you don't count all the drills that are displayed, but a good book for the price. |
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Verbal Judo is good especially for LEO's.
I feel Ed Lovette and Dave Spaulding's Defensive Living and Dave Spaulding's Handgun Combatives are both good although underestimated. Real world survival by Walt Rauch is now dated but still good. Tiger McKee The book of two guns was good. Jeff Gonzales Combative Fundamentals was good and about 300any pages if you like to read. |
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Some of these are old but still worth reading and this is only a partial list:
No second place winner bill Jordan Too close for complacency -- Don't remember the author. Tactical Reality 1 and 2 by Louis Awerbuck Kill or get Killed Col Rex Applegate Sharpening the Warriors Edge Bruce Siddle the Art of the Rifle Jeff Cooper The Snubby Revolver Ed Lovette In the Gravest Extreme Massad Ayoob |