This is a mildly interesting book about the methods the author uses to keep himself safe in the Holy Land. You will not learn much that is of practical value in the USA. I'm not even sure I believe that he goes always armed with several pistols and knives. If you follow his recommendations you would find yourself under arrest for a variety of felonies in most US jurisdictions. Other than those caveats, it's a decent book!

Sockut covers a wide range of subjects; mind-set, "cold" weapons, "hot" weapons, vehicle defense, home defense, riots, etc... Although not applicable to most situations in the U.S., it does give insight into a worst case scenario.

Many of the case studies involve settlers in the occupied territories as well as Unit 101 and the Israeli Paratrooper Brigade covering the exploits of Ariel Sharon, Schlomo Baum and Eugene Sockut.

Although written in 1995, it could use an update to cover events since 9/11. My impression is the updated version would start with the phrase; As I way saying earlier..."

Great book on how to survive in a civilian war zone for those interested in survival, self-defense, conflict in the Middle East, Israli history, etc...

I found this book extremely informative. Illustrations, personal stories and philosophy of self defense all make up this great book. This book hands down is one of the most informative books. The author doesn't come across arrogant or a know it all. However he does give over information that can save a persons life. From how to survive a riot to how to respond to a mugging it covers it all. The book draws from experience in Israel and shows you how you can implement those same life saving techniques where ever you find yourself. As I said before the book covers philosophy,mind set of a survivor all the way to what weapons to use. I recommend this book to everyone serious about self defense and street survival.

Outdated. Poor quality typical of paladin press. If you really want to learn combat, attend one of those gun camps run by ex-operators. Better than Army training!

This is a book that one would have to call paranoid if the situations involved hadn't become so commonplace around the world. Here in the United States there are an awful lot of streets that I don't want to walk down. And there are times which seem to happen when going outside is downright risky.

This book concentrates on stories from Israel where a security expert, especially one working for the Government can get a lot of practice. This book talks about three aspects of survival in bad situations.

First it talks about mental attitude. The ability to enter a situation where people are shooting guns, throwing Molotov coctails, and the like is simply different for the average civilian, the new solder and the combat vet.

Second it talks about equipment, particularily knives and guns. Not only the equipment itself, but how to carry it, when to use it, what to do with it. The nature of the writing speaks of a lot of testing, a lot of practice in actually carrying weapons ready for use.

Third is a set of interviews where the author reports on the first hand experience of people actually engaged in situations where force, sometimes deadly force was used.

I certainly hope to never be in a situation like the ones described. Then again, I saw the pictures coming from New Orleans after the flood. And an article in the paper the other day said that the area in Houston where the majority of New Orleans refuges moved has become the highest crime rate area of the city. It's a strange time we live in.

It's difficult to find good self-defense information. That's probably because personal preferences/strengths/weaknesses play such a large part in determining what works for you.

It's also because many "experts" have not lived in the trenches and back alleys of life.

This author has been there and done that. There are some real gems to take away from this book.

Ah ha! Now this book caught my eye in a way you wouldn't believe! Most of you already know that I live in a city called Ferndale in Michigan. I live by 9-mile road, which is exactly one mile from...you guessed it: the dreaded 8-Mile road. 8-mile is a very long road that spans a huge distance. On the north-side of it, where I live, it is relatively calm and easy-going. But on the Detroit side, Whoa man! Crime and homeless people EVERYWHERE! Apparently people can just come up to a building and paint their name on it, and break glass all over the street, and even come up to your car at a red-light and ask for money and rides and cigarettes. Basically it seems to me that there are NO rules and NO sense of order, thus making it: A Civilian War-Zone, just like the title of this book.

Basically this book has changed the way I look at the world now. I realize that I must constantly be prepared for immenant danger whenever I'm near the war-zone. I am aware of my surroundings much more now, and everywhere I go I am scoping out EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY. For example, if I take a walk now, or go up to a store, I look at every single item around me and think "I could get attacked RIGHT NOW, so how could I use this (any item in question) as a weapon?" I use this thought proccess now, not only when I'm close to 8-mile, but every single place I find myself during the day. I'm going to make a statement now that I am 100% confident in: I can find a way to make anything, and I mean ANYTHING into a deadly weapon if I so choose. If I can't find a way to smack you to death with it, or grind it into your pressure-points, I will find a way to gouge you in the eyes with it or put it down your throat or ANYTHING I want. Now believe me, I'm not trying to scare you guys AT ALL. I'm just preparing myself for the inevitable tangle with a mugger (a simple rope on the ground could be used to strangle him/her) or a car-jacker (try a hot-coffee to the face and then slashing at him/her with something as simple as a compact disc), things of that nature.

Other things I do that have become second-nature thanks to this book, are things like checking my VW Cabrio everyday for car-bombs. Also, whenever I'm around a crowd I size it up because this book teaches you "the psychology of a riot" so I will be prepared when one breaks out around me. It also teaches you sword-fighting and axe-fighting techniques which could be extremely useful, depending on the situation. The only thing I can't relate to is about how to conceal fire-arms on-you and in your car. I don't own any because I'm more of a close-quarters combat kind of guy (like Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse or Steel Dawn).

In conclusion, I feel much safer now that I am able to view every single situation in my day-to-day life as a likely threat to my life. Everyone I come across now is a potential enemy. Once again, not trying to scare you guys, but you probably don't live as close to the legendary 8-mile as I do. It's hard-living sometimes when you think about the urban crime zone that is right across the street from you (literally!) Sorry if this was hard for you to relate to, I don't expect you guys to understand. Check out this book if you do though. It will save your life someday, guaranteed. Later.

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