The Book of the Month for July is Gavin de Becker’s bestselling book “THE GIFT OF FEAR.”

De Becker’s book was published in 1997, (387 pages, Hardcover) and made the New York Times bestseller list for four months. Since that time, it has been published in 13 languages and in 2006 an abridged Audio CD was produced. (FYI For those of you who don’t like to read!) It has been endorsed by every major women’s magazine, and has been featured numerous times on the Oprah show and other television programs. Time and Newsweek has also run stories on the book.

The book’s primary purpose is to demonstrate through stories (drawn from De Becker’s life and his decades studying violence) that violent acts are NOT random and unpredictable. He believes there are distinct warning signs–we just need to learn to see them and appropriately decipher these signs.

Specific topics “THE GIFT OF FEAR” addresses:

* Recognize the survival signals that warn us about risk from strangers

* Rely on their intuition

* Separate real from imagined danger

* Predict Dangerous Behavior

* Evaluate whether someone will use violence

* Move beyond denial so that their intuition works for them

ALSO included are “higher-risk” situations and solutions:

What is the best way to respond to threats?

* Will the employee I must fire react violently?

* How should I handle the person who refuses to let go?

* What are the dangers posed by strangers?

* How can I help my loved ones be safer?

This book is a must-read for anyone in the Executive Protection field, and one to share with clients so they can help you to protect them!

Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion
by George J. Thompson & Jerry B. Jenkins
Published March, 2004   224 Pages

Verbal Judo is the martial art of the mind and mouth that can show you how to be better prepared in every verbal encounter. Listen and speak more effectively, engage people through empathy (the most powerful word in the English language), avoid the most common conversational disasters, and use proven strategies that allow you to successfully communicate your point of view and take the upper hand in most disputes.

I think this is one of the best books I’ve read in terms of using communication as the first tactic in diffusing conflict. Shortly after reading this book, I had the opportunity to “field test” the techniques in a real-world setting. I was working a detail and had to mediate a conflict between a (6’10″ 300-pound) extremely angry man and the principal. The principal was, unfortunately, very confrontational, and was inciting the man’s rage. I found myself in the unique position of using the “Verbal Judo” methods to manage both individuals. I can say from personal experience that the information in this book helped me to resolve the conflict without needing backup from the police, and without harm coming to either individual.

Providing Protective Services
By Jim King

Providing Protective Services by Jim King a former director for the IBA and founder of IAPPA is a comprehensive guide that gives specific details on every aspect of the bodyguard profession. It includes chapters on analysis of a threat, advance work, protection driving, counter surveillance, site and conference security, bomb threats and devices, communications, and paramedicine. In addition, Providing Protective Services has an extensive reference section which includes a glossary, index, bibliography, resources, and checklists for advance security, building survey, known threat data sheet, executive profile, bomb threats and more. This book will help anyone who wants to succeed in the bodyguard field.

Mark Lonsdale is a tactical trainer and has authored several books geared to the Special Operations community. BODYGUARD – A Guide to VIP Protection is an in-depth study of the methods and training required to be a successful executive protection specialist. This extensive work is a huge reference and training manual for all types of bodyguards and executive protection services.
If you have a limited budget and not very much time to dedicate to research this is a excellent book.

Executive Protection Specialist Handbook
By Jerry Glazebrook, Larry Nicholson

The Executive Protection Specialist Handbook is the quintessential book on advance checklists. It is an absolute must for those who provide protective services for executives, dignitaries, officials, witnesses, and other high-risk individuals. It covers nearly every contingency you will face.