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Summary: Protecting the Gift surprised me...
Review: Those jumpy about facing the subject of threats to children's safety might actually find some strength in this book. Somehow, Gavin de Becker overcame an extremely violent childhood to become an expert not only on accurately predicting violence, which he illustrates ingeniously, but on when and where to feel safe, and whom to trust and why. This network of safety is so much more valuable than just teaching paranoia, a big mistake in De Becker's view. The last of his 12 succinct points for safety, the warning not to let a potential abductor lure or threaten a child (or anyone) into going along to a second location - ALWAYS - more beneficial to the abductor is worth the price of the book.
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Summary: If you care about kids, you should read this book!
Review: Gavin De Becker's new book is a valuable and important extension of his excellent "The Gift of Fear." I teach high school psychology and had my classes read TGOF, which proved to be an eye-opening, empowering tool for teenagers. "Protecting the Gift" expands on these ideas by specifically focusing on child and teenager safety. While I agree with some minor criticisms that the new book repeats some older material, the repeated material is worth hearing again, and the new book provides the most thoughtful and specific advice I have heard on how to talk to children about self-protection. As I new parent, I am grateful for De Becker's instructions. My own parents are wonderful, but as I suspect is true of the vast majority of families, they never talked to me as a child about how to recognize, prevent, and report sexual abuse--or how to trust my intuition and say no to adults in any number of questionable circumstances. By teaching us how to engage in this dialogue, De Becker is doing the public a great service!
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Summary: If you have children, this is a MUST read. VERY INFORMATIVE
Review: I thought I had a pretty good idea on how to raise my children in regards to protection and safety. But after reading this book, I realized some of "my ideas" needed updating and even changed (Do talk to strangers). I can't tell you how much I appreciate this book. If you are a parent, this is an absolute must read. It will scare you to see how much you did NOT know, after you read this book! I DEEPLY appreciate this book.
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Summary: This book is a must read for all parents; especially moms.
Review: I really got so much out of this book! It is really easy to read and I can't believe how much I need to teach my kids, and myself! I have always had a fear about guns, and I need to not worry so much about offending someone when "protecting my gifts"; my children. I highly recommend this book and it will be passed around through all your friends and family!
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Summary: Pathetic just got a new definition
Review: I read this book because I thought the subject sounded interesting...How wrong i was.... Gavin De Becker Suceeds not only in feeding the irrational fear and paranoia, he also does this in an extremely superficial manner. This book skould be listed under the "Exploting irrational fear for bucks" section. It seems like hte author is a skilled writer in the pop-psychology genre.
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Summary: A must-read for those who want to help keep children safe.
Review: Mr. De Becker's advice made me feel confident that I have what it takes to protect myself and the children in my life. He does repeat some passages from "The Gift of Fear", but I think that the lessons he's trying to teach are worth repeating. I will read and reread this book.
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Summary: Excellent, practical information
Review: Highly recommend this book to anyone, not just for parents. He has a way of saying things that make you say, "I feel that way too, but felt silly" Shows how intuition/gut feelings are not some magical message, but a highly developed cognitive process that always has our best interests at heart.
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Summary: The best, most reassuring information for parents
Review: I read this author's last book and this one, and I read them back to back. A couple of chapters of The Gift of Fear talked about keeping children safe, but the new book is about keeping kids safe for all 16 chapters. And every chapter held my attention, taught me something new, sometimes amazed me, always reassured me. I saw the author on three different Oprah Shows, but it only took me listening to him for 5 minutes before I knew I wanted this book. My kids will be safer because of these two books, and I have recommended Protecting the Gift to everybody I know.
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Summary: "The Gift of Fear"...rehashed
Review: I am a big fan of Gavin De Becker. I found "The Gift of Fear" helpful, intelligent and, often, frighteningly insightful. I have recommended it many times. That said, I am sad to report that I think it extremely misleading to present "Protecting The Gift" as a new book. Anecdotes aren't just warmed over, they're served up word for word. Whole chunks of chapters are identical to the first book, with only subjects changed to refer to parents and children rather than to adults. I rushed to buy this book and my advice is, if you have the first one, don't bother. As honorable as De Becker's mission seems to be, I'd say his editor and publisher are responsible for a pretty major consumer rip-off. Only the appendices seem new
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Summary: A priceless gift for our priceless gifts: Our children.
Review: I read Gavin's first book, "The Gift of Fear," when it was originally published. Ever since then, I had hoped that he would write another. It must've been kismet when I had turned on "Oprah", (daytime television is not something I normally do), and there he was discussing "Protecting the Gift."This book is absolutely priceless in the information it provides. Gavin's writing style is easy to comprehend and makes for a quick read. The real life incidents cited here are often moving, but more importantly, they are examples of everyday folks who proved to be the strongest of survivors. I commend those who bravely told their stories to Mr. de Becker so that others could learn.I only wish that someone had written this book many, many decades ago, so that close friends of mine and dear family members could have protected themselves against the violence and sexual abuse that they endured for so many years. Or those around them could have noticed the tell-tale signs and intervened. But now I have a copy and when the day comes for me to be a Mother, I intend to give MY gift this important one.
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