Self-Defense Tips Everyone Should Know by Neil Martin is the compilation of the views and thoughts of Neil Martin, a martial artist and doorman. I think the title is actually a little misleading, to the book’s detriment. The content is so much greater than that.

I said in a previous review, self-defense oriented books tend to go either with the physical aspects of training, or focus more on teaching avoidance, awareness, and de-escalation tactics. This e-book is an exception, not falling into either of these categories.

This book isn’t a list of tips for self-defense, but more of a compilation of the author’s blog into a single coherent methodology for how to approach developing a full self-defense strategy and mindset.

Unlike most books I review, I ended up reading it through twice, as I received a draft version of the book originally, so in order to give it a fair shake, I read it again and I’m glad I did. 

With the spelling mistakes corrected, and the layout in much better shape, I was able to look past the superficial stuff that distracted me in my first read through, and really discover the fantastic content. There are still some odd turns of phrase, and sentences which left me a little confused, and a couple of times he belaboured a point in a manner that managed to get under my skin, but I’m admittedly over-sensitive to that sort of thing, and I can’t say that another reader won’t benefit from the added emphasis.

While the layout of the book does looks self-published, the content is excellent. Some of the topics that he goes into great depth, which are generally glossed over in other books, include:

• The realities of the effects of adrenaline & fear
• The paralyzing affect of our socialization against the use of violence
• Not letting the law stop from defending yourself

It’s clear from the book that Martin has really thought about violence and his encounters, and has dissected his responses, thoughts, and feelings. As I read the book, I found parallels to my own journey into the use of violence as a security professional and the mindset changes I’ve had to make.

At $4.15 on Amazon, it’s hard to argue with the price, and for anyone who has been in a violent encounter and is questioning their resolve, skill, or why they’ve reacted the way they have, it’s an excellent book that will help explore your mindset.

For those who are truly serious about self-defense training, it goes to some places most books don’t go, and will get you thinking about your own training. Yes, there are some tips for physical training and some light technical stuff, but the value in this book is its introspective methodology and its attempts to get you to face yourself and engage you in self-discovery, especially in your ability vs. your capacity for inflicting violence when you need to defend yourself.

As with all books, there were a couple of things with which I disagreed, most of them sweeping generalizations in regards to self-defense instructors and teaching methods, but they’re small points. There’s so much good stuff in there that’s not found in other books that it’s very easy to look past.

Like the author advises you to do in your self-defense training, the book is worth reading through, thinking about it, taking what you like and agree with, and discarding the rest. Anyone who trains for the purposes of self-defense would be well served in skipping on an expensive coffee for one day in order to pick up this e-book. The benefit will certainly last longer.