Rating: 
Summary: Especially good for folks for whom guns aren't a hobby.
Review: A most excellent primer on the carrying and use of handguns for self defense. Even though much of the information in the book may be otherwise available to people who read gun magazines and have owned firearms for years, the book is an excellent summary of the topic. There is a "mindset" to carrying a firearm for self defense, and Chris Bird accurately and calmly discusses this mindset. The gun magazines preach to the choir - Mr. Bird speaks to others. It is especially refreshing to find that a person who has lived in countries that abhor the notion of self defense can so strongly advocate this view. Maybe I will send copies of the book to my Canadian cousins...
Rating:
Summary: Great primer for those for whom firearms are not a hobby.
Review: A most excellent review of all the issues surrounding the concealed carrying of handguns. It is especially good for folks who don't read gun magazines or who are not otherwise "gun people." It is also refreshing that Mr. Bird has such an enlightened view of self defense since he was raised in or has lived in countries where self defense is not a valid reason for owning firearms. Maybe I will send copies of this book to my Canadian cousins...
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: A good start
Review: I found the book very informative and it has motivated me to dig deeper into the area of concealed carry. I've kept a gun handy around my business for years, but never REALLY considered all the possibilities of potential danger and the subsequent ramifications. I'm grateful to the authors for opening my eyes. Now a whole new range of potential scenarios run through my mind as I consider how I should be physically and mentally prepared to meet any threats. I will also take seriously the need for regular practice.
The stories in the book were great (tragic, yet informative) and they are what really opened my eyes. In reference to other critiques here, I never got the impression that the author was prejudiced or concerned about race at all. His descriptive comments about people were simply the detailed observations of a reporter and given in the context of the narrative, NOT so that he could say something about a group, or race, of people. Also, I did not get the feeling that he wanted to glorify violence at all. If anything he is adeptly explaining the reality of the consequences of violence. In fact, I'd advise you to totally disregard the review from the Michigan lady.
It is really an excellent read and will help you to help yourself by giving you some great info. Like so many other crucial issues in life, you need to read broadly in order to get a well-rounded education. The author never claimed to know it all, so this may not be a comprehensive work, but I'd say it is a darn good try. So, now I'll go check out some other authors on the topic and get some other expert viewpoints. Hopefully the day will never come when I'll need this knowledge, but if it does then I should be ready.
Rating:
Summary: A good start
Review: I found the book very informative and it has motivated me to dig deeper into the area of concealed carry. I've kept a gun handy around my business for years, but never REALLY considered all the possibilities of potential danger and the subsequent ramifications. I'm grateful to the authors for opening my eyes. Now a whole new range of potential scenarios run through my mind as I consider how I should be physically and mentally prepared to meet any threats. I will also take seriously the need for regular practice.
The stories in the book were great (tragic, yet informative) and they are what really opened my eyes. In reference to other critiques here, I never got the impression that the author was prejudiced or concerned about race at all. His descriptive comments about people were simply the detailed observations of a reporter and given in the context of the narrative, NOT so that he could say something about a group, or race, of people. Also, I did not get the feeling that he wanted to glorify violence at all. If anything he is adeptly explaining the reality of the consequences of violence. In fact, I'd advise you to totally disregard the review from the Michigan lady.
It is really an excellent read and will help you to help yourself by giving you some great info. Like so many other crucial issues in life, you need to read broadly in order to get a well-rounded education. The author never claimed to know it all, so this may not be a comprehensive work, but I'd say it is a darn good try. So, now I'll go check out some other authors on the topic and get some other expert viewpoints. Hopefully the day will never come when I'll need this knowledge, but if it does then I should be ready.
Rating: 
Summary: Self Defense Basics
Review: I just finished the second edition (year 2000 printing) of Chris Bird's "The Concealed Handgun Manual." The book is VERY well written, providing real life examples for Bird's major points. I'm not providing a glowing review just because the author and I live in the same city, but I am aware of most of the examples that were San Antonio events and his telling of the events conforms to my recall. The section that had the greatest impact on me is his discussion of the results of actually USING deadly force. I'm not talking about the emotional impact, but the legal and financial consequences. The first two reviewers took Bird to task on several issues to which I want to respond. No, the book is not racist in any way. I suspect his writing is probably influenced by his reporter skills. Greater details improve the accounting of any factual event. I don't recall Bird writing that the woman was correct to enter her home while burglars were in action. Bird was just telling the reader what happened...the book is not fiction, he just reported the events. I feel certain that Bird would not recommend any one use his book exclusively to select a weapon and strap it to his hip. Much can be discovered by renting various handguns for an hour at the range. Further more, I doubt if he would think it proper to decide to carry concealed without ever having spent time practicing at the range and taking some lessons. Also, if a person practices, he will quickly learn about cleaning a firearm. If you are don't own a handgun, but are thinking about it, or even if you already own a weapon and have a concealed carry permit, this book is beneficial.
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: If you are interested in the subject, this is well worth the buy. The features that convincd me to buy it were the appendices that list carry laws state by state, including various reciprocity agreements. I liked the real life stories sprinkled throughout.
Rating: 
Summary: Third Edition - Take It With a Grain of Salt
Review: The chapters on safety and handling; basic shooting; and advanced shooting are particularly worthwhile for the novice. (Note, the graphic on the front cover shows a woman with her revolver aimed upward which violates the principle that one should never point a gun in a direction he or she doesn't want to shoot ... what goes up must come down, including bullets. Do as the book says to, not as it pictures.)Experienced shooters take note: Mr. Bird contends that the .38 Special and 9 MM are adequate choices for a concealed carry handgun when paired with hollow-point bullets. If you think anything smaller than a .40 Cal. S&W lacks sufficient stopping power you won't find what you're looking for here. Better you should check out Chuck Taylor's book on Combat Handgunnery.
Rating:
Summary: Defensive use of handguns - a great place to start
Review: The Concealed Handgun Manual caught me by surprise. Most books purporting to be a guide to acquiring a gun for defense, or training for handgun defense become either an exercise where the author promotes his personal choice for a handgun, or a defense technique book for someone who has been in police or other law enforcement service for 20 years. This book is a valuable exception. What The Concealed Handgun Manual has to offer is knowledge, knowledge that would suit anyone considering a defensive handgun purchase, as well as 90% of the people who have already purchased a gun for self defense and have had a difficult time initiating proper training. There is an early section dealing with the types of situations where a defensive handgun was, or could have been helpful. I don't think the author was selling, I think this was intended to be affirmation of the notion that guns can, in a very practical setting, save lives. This is followed by a large section addressing the question, "Why carry a gun?". Then immediately after this section is the best chapter possible for this type of work, a chapter covering how to stay out of trouble and the use of nonviolent resolution. There is very complete and balanced coverage of pistols and revolvers; pro's and con's, application, caliber and relative value. No pushes or shoves, just some very objective information the reader can pick and choose from, more than "This is the best of what each has to offer", rather than "This is the type you should pick". There is a good section on holsters, holster types and manufacturers, as well as other vehicles for concealed carry. Shooting methods and alternatives under various situations are covered extensively; basic and advanced techniques are both covered. This rolls into an overview of what it's like, and how to conduct yourself in a gun fight, then how best to practice, and finally the handgun concealed carry laws in each state. No, you can't read this book and become an expert in these areas, but you could read this book and be set in the right direction for developing this expertise. Summary - valuable book, well thought out, wish there were many more like it.
| 
