Gavin de Becker is the authority when it comes to understanding true warranted fear, intuition, indicators and survival signals that keeps us alive. There is no better way to tune into your intrinsic situational awareness than the knowledge contained in this book.

A critical additional volume to The Gift of Fear, this time focusing on women, children and parents and the tools necessary to further develop natural intuitive protection.

Another critical book that sets the foundation for effective personal security. Left of Bang is the concept and practical understanding of how we can anticipate, avoid and effectively de-escalate risks.

Furthering our understanding of how we think under pressure is Robert Meyer's Ostrich Paradox which covers 6 psychological biases that prevents our effectiveness when faced with potential disaster.

A 2017 release which is essentially a detailed version of much of our personal security seminar with a focus on violence. World experts agree on key concepts: accept (as opposed to denial), be pro-active, trust and act on intuition, know your instincts, use situational awareness, consider stress factors and gross motor skills reactions.

IGNORANCE IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

We all read it at least twice! Meyli Chapin's firsthand account of her experience of the DusitD2 terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya in 2019. So many elements in this book tie into our Personal Security Training: Stress, Fear, Tactical Thinking, Hotel Security...

Now if only the Brits could allow the release of Christian Crainghead's (Obiwan Nairobi) book "One Man In"

We Want To Negotiate explains what happens with governments when their citizens get kidnapped. The staggering variety of tactics employed is impressive and invites a self-discussion into what you would expect for support and reality.

Canadian reporter Amanda Lindhout clearly recounts her intuition, experience and resiliency in this "hard to get through" account of her kidnapping in Somalia. A necessary read however to gain a better understanding of the risks and perils of a kidnapping in the world's "Avoid All Travel" zones.

A refreshing story compared to the others on this page. Jessica Buchanan's story is gripping and offers her husband's perspective and the story of her family and the US government for an epic conclusion conducted by some of the best!

Canadian veteran diplomat Robert Fowler recounts his kidnapping by Al-Qaeda in Maghreb. His analysis of the situation and strategies he engaged in are a model to understand the reality of being held hostage by an extremist organisation.

Great book from the perspective of both the kidnapped American Journalist David Rhode and his wife Kristen Mulvihill dealing with this ordeal from New York. David clearly explains his mistakes but the story ends surprisingly well!

In 1997, Doctors Without Borders administrator Christophe André was kidnapped by armed men and taken away to an unknown destination in the Caucasus region. His is a beautifully illustrated tale submission, mind-games and determination over three months with a successful escape!

CBC correspondent Melissa Fung recounts her 28 days held hostage after trying to fight off her armed kidnappers.

Lt Col Dave Grossman is the authority in offering a deeply researched understanding of the human capability of combat. Some call it the warrior gene, we call it killer instincts, but it's not that natural to all or any. The importance is realizing mindset and how it should take priority in training. Whether you're civilian, Law Enforcement, Soldier or Veteran, these books are necessary reads. While you're at it, pick-up the latest "On Hunting", trust us, you don't know jack about hunting until you read this one!

Clearly explaining the absolute realities of violence, differentiating social challenges "Monkey Dance" from actual violence as well as the differences between a resource and process criminal.

Trough recounting experiences, Tim makes us understand the conditions and reasons why sometimes violence is the only answer.

Wow Varg Freeborn is something else all together, but... he's right! This one is an "in your face" look at real violence, extreme violence!

A personal favourite book, author and person of ours and it goes by saying we live, lead and teach by the principles contained in this fantastic book. Jocko Willink and Leif Babin recall their hardest lessons learned in one of modern times hottest war zones Ramadi to apply principles to life and business.

Jocko Willink and Leif Babin have done it again in somewhat of a sequel to Extreme Ownership to explain that everything in life like in the previous book's principles, balance is key.

Thinking in the blink of an eye, how? why? instincts, intuition and instant situational evaluation and decisions explained brilliantly by Malcom Gladwell. The more you know how your brain works in extreme situations, the more you increase your effectiveness.

If you can get beyond the "spy" title, you discover a fun book with a variety of great tips and tricks from prepping to general all-around good life tricks.

The chilling yet inspirational story of Viktor Frankl's struggle to hold on to hope during his years as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps. Frankl's training as a psychiatrist informed every waking moment of his ordeal and allowed him a remarkable perspective on the psychology of survival. He solidifies one of our Core Concepts that, no matter what, we always retain the ability to chose our attitude.

Actually, the books at the top of the list under "ESSENTIAL" are your best bet for situational awareness. BUT, if you want to go albit deeper into human behaviour and understanding (detecting), Joe Navarro is the authority when it comes to profile individuals through their most telling truths: non-verbal language... this is the required knowledge and science to properly interacting and reading (listening) to people not just for your own security but for any interaction whether it be business, family, friendship.

There are psychological predators out there, the emotional predators. Knowing how to profile one is PROACTIVE! It'll allow you to avoid being invested with the wrong person no matter what level or interaction.

Yes!

PROACTIVITY and INTUITION!

That's the key! You were born with that skill, just gotta refine it a bit,

How does a child learn to overcome their fears? In this captivating and spirited rhyming story, a boy named Mikey, learns to overcome his fears by reading a story.

EMPOWERING KIDS! This series covers the story of Marc from 5th grade to 8th with lessons beneficial for ALL AGES. Marc was the wimpy kid and saw himself as such. Not doing great at school, bullied, out of shape and no confidence. Good thing his uncle Jake shows up to give him a hand. The leadership, cognitive development, the depth of human interactions and de-escalation tactics, emotional and self-control, the inspiration... it's all in there!