Self-Defense for Women: Fight Back

For more than 60 years I have been seriously involved in numerous martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate etc.) and self-defense systems (Krav Maga, Combatives, Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics etc.). I have also read and written reviews on hundreds of books on these topics. Many of them by the same author who wrote this manual. This book (Fight Back) is one of the best I have read lately on the subject of women's self-defense, which I also have taught for many years. The author is well-known (Loren W. Christensen) in the self-defense field and the co-author (Lisa Place) has been training with him from 2003. This excellent volume is well-written and has nothing but practical and effective techniques and advice for women.This book is organized into two sections with thirteen chapters. Section one covers the physical power issues and section two deals with using the mind for power. The first section begins with a forward by Gavin De Becker (Author of The Gift of Fear) and a brief introduction. Chapter one explains the nature of threats. The second chapter deals with methods of de-escalation. The third chapter is very important because it deals with the 7 basic techniques all women should know to defend themselves. This is the least you need to know. Chapter four introduces some other excellent techniques that you may want to add to your training. Weapons all around you are covered in chapter five. Chapter six shows some miscellaneous scenarios. How to get stronger physically is taught in chapter seven and chapter eight explains how to practice self-defense techniques. Chapter nine explains how to assess a threat. Mental Imagery practice is taught in chapter ten. Chapter eleven explains using imagery on live people. Dealing with fear is taught in chapter twelve and the final chapter briefly tells about Reality-Based training.In conclusion, this is a book every women who is concerned about learning practical and effective self-defense needs in their personal library. However, like any book on the martial arts or self-defense, real hands-on training with a qualified self-defense instructor is strongly recommended along with reading this book. This is also an excellent book for martial artists or anyone who teaches women's self-defense programs.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Co-Author: The Monadnock Defensive Tactics System)

Very practical and good pictures to illustrate moves. I wish they had a appendix on classes you can take, but that's just extra.

Fight Back by Loren Christensen and Lisa Place is an EXCELLENT book on women's self-defense. It is 13 chapters long, filled with lots of photos and examples, and doesn't skimp on any information that women need to know in order to keep themselves safe and defend themselves if necessary. This book leaves nothing out! It covers everything from recognizing a threat and de-escalation techniques, to basic self-defense techniques and mental training.Fight Back is divided into two parts: Physical Power and Mind Power - both are equally important, and both sections are excellent. The authors have done a wonderful job explaining the techniques and the multitude of photographs make it very easy for the reader to comprehend exactly what the authors are trying to get across. Fight Back also has a great index for quick look up of different subjects when you are ready to go back and revisit different techniques or subjects. This is very handy!I honestly can't think of anything that is missing from this book. And although it is subtitled "A Woman's Guide to Self-Defense that Works," don't let the title fool you, everyone can learn something from this book. It is obvious that the authors know what they are talking about and know how to convey the information to their readers in a way that is easily grasped. I can't recommend this book highly enough! Get it and be safe! 5 Stars!!Bohdi Sanders, award winning author of Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

I teach self defense to women, college students, and kids. Over the years, I've read well over 100 books on the subject. A few of those books stand out, and this is one of them. The information is spot on and the writers' style is enjoyable to read and effectively communicates concepts, particularly in the way they use real-life vignettes to support their material. The techniques presented are exactly what you want in a self-defense course: simple to learn and retain, devastatingly effective, and reliant upon gross-motor instead of fine-motor skills.Mr. Christensen's experience in martial arts and police work give him a great background for authoritatively informing readers about awareness, avoidance of conflict, and, when necessary, the effective use of force to neutralize a threat and escape. This book is now the #1 recommended reading for my classes.

Loren and Lisa have produced a very good book of how any woman can physically fight for herself. Woman should certainly read this book if she never takes any self-defense course. However, if she does or even if she is a martial art practitioner, she will find that this book provide countless of valuable information necesary to protect one's safety effectively. One more book I recommended to read along is Fight Like a Girl...and Win: Defense Decisions for Women [Paperback], which will provide necessary psychological preparation for women. Coming back to this great "Fight Back" book, Loren is an ex-cop and a former soldier as well as a martial art teacher and a police trainer. His books on martial art subjects are very informative and I own so many of them! Lisa is a martial art expert, with many black belts, who thoroughly did the good job of showing women how to defend for themselves!

It showed realistic life self-defense situations coupled with interesting real life stories. The pictures really helped out when reading it.