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Rating: 
Summary: Preaching to the choir
Review: An endemic problem with instructional books is that while the information given is technically correct, it only makes sense to someone who is already expert in the issues being discussed.Aimed at the novice concealed gun carrier, it is billed as "How to choose, carry, and shoot a gun in self defense." The book starts off with a long treatese on different types of home defense pistols--far more information than can be of possible use to a novice. Weaving in and out between expert advice (advice for experts) and advice than can only be appreciated by doing, the book is neither fish nor fowl. Beginners do not need to be presented with the criterion to select between dozens of different home defense guns, but they do need to know, for example, how to clean a gun. The problem with so many defensive handgun books is that the authors cannot make up their minds who they are writing for. Is for the experienced hunter/policeman/ex-military? That audience does not need an excess of fundamentals. Is it for the novice who is thinking about buying a gun? they need far more fundamentals than expert authors will bother with. Nevertheless, there is some interesting information in the book. An analysis of the percentage of concealed weapons permists by state is new, and the discussion about the enormous emotional stress of getting involved in any situation in which guns are drawn for real is a much-needed antidote to the utter horse-pucky one sees on TV.
Rating: 
Summary: Best book for getting started. Must have.
Review: For someone new to handguns and/or conceal carry this book is a wonderful introduction with lots of good insights, practical suggestions on everything from what gun to buy to stance, grip, self defense issues, and lots of real life, true stories of people who have had to defend themselves or loved-ones with a gun. I suspect that even those who "already know all that stuff" could learn a few things from this fine book. Thank you Chris Bird for a great learning tool for all gun owners.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent guidebook for new handgun owners
Review: This is perhaps the most complete book for new, or even experienced, handgun owners I have seen. Former crime reporter Chris Bird covers the subject of firearms, their efficacy in reducing crime, techniques for concealing them, when to use them and not to use them, and the ethics, responsibilities and legalities involved in their use for self-defense. The book is replete with dozens of anecdotes of people who have had experiences where the use of a handgun saved them or their friends or family from serious injury or death, the massive effects of adrenalin and ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone secreted by the pituitary gland) usually present in life or death situations like gunfights, and instances like the one at Luby's Cafeteria, where a single armed person could have saved many lives. Bird covers the operation and nomenclature of both revolvers and semi-automatics, and discusses the pros and cons of the desirability of one over the other for self protection. He also discusses at minimal length the requirements of the various states with "shall issue" concealed weapons laws, and tells you where and how to get more information directly from the state involved. Gun-control arguments, pro and con, are discussed, although clearly the author is dismissive of the arguments in favor of more gun control laws, and ascribes the effort to disarm the public to people who know nothing about firearms or their use and are afraid of them as a result of their ignorance. Their arguments are usually emotional, anecdotal, resort to ad hominem attacks, and are dismissive of the facts and statistics. I agree with him in that evaluation. Altogether, this is one of the most informative, valuable books on how to choose, carry, and shoot a gun in self-defense around. The author mentions several others that are also very useful. One he does not mention, however, is one by the late George L. Tooley, "George Tooley's Beginner's Book on How to Handle Firearms Safely." Tooley spent 45 years in law enforcement and corrections, and taught generations of officers how to shoot and handle their weapons. His book is also available on Amazon.com. Joseph H. Pierre
Editor: George Tooley's Beginner's Book on How to Handle Firearms Safely
author, Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
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