You're no idiot, of course! You know it's not wise to venture into a dark alley alone late at night, and you always tell your kids not to talk to strangers. But when it comes to preventing--and handling--an attack against yourself, your home, or your family, you feel closer to the Cowardly Lion than Braveheart. Don't buy a bulletproof vest just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Self-Defense is your best bet for maximum protection, short of hiring an NFL lineman as your bodyguard. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you
Everyone should read this. There are sections specifically for elderly or otherwise disadvantaged people, as well as advice on staying safe in pretty much every situation. A lot of this book is aimed at prevention, with a couple sections on blocks and strikes. There are also sections on home, car, and personal protection devices. It is a very reader-friendly book, and I absolutely recommend this to anyone.
I was looking for technique s and strategies and found little until the end on how to handle a personal attack. At times the book seemed to go overboard bordering on paranoia. My suggestion is read the last chapter and skim through the rest that you find interesting.