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Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life: A Former CIA Officer Reveals Safety and Survival Techniques to Keep You and YourFamily Protected
When Jason Hanson joined the CIA in 2003, he never imagined that the same tactics he used as a CIA officer for counter intelligence, surveillance, and protecting agency personnel would prove to be essential in every day civilian life.
In addition to escaping handcuffs, picking locks, and spotting when someone is telling a lie, he can improvise a self-defense weapon, pack a perfect emergency kit, and disappear off the grid if necessary. He has also honed his “positive awareness”—a heightened sense of his surroundings that allows him to spot suspicious and potentially dangerous behavior—on the street, in a taxi, at the airport, when dining out, or in any other situation.
In his engaging and empowering book Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life, Jason shares this know-how with readers, revealing how to:
prevent home invasions, carjackings, muggings, and other violent crimes run counter-surveillance and avoid becoming a soft target recognize common scams at home and abroad become a human lie detector in any setting, including business negotiations gain peace of mind by being prepared for anything instead of uninformed or afraid
With the skill of a trained operative and the relatability of a suburban dad, Jason Hanson brings his top-level training to everyday Americans in this must-have guide to staying safe in an increasingly dangerous world.
From the Hardcover edition.
In addition to escaping handcuffs, picking locks, and spotting when someone is telling a lie, he can improvise a self-defense weapon, pack a perfect emergency kit, and disappear off the grid if necessary. He has also honed his “positive awareness”—a heightened sense of his surroundings that allows him to spot suspicious and potentially dangerous behavior—on the street, in a taxi, at the airport, when dining out, or in any other situation.
In his engaging and empowering book Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life, Jason shares this know-how with readers, revealing how to:
prevent home invasions, carjackings, muggings, and other violent crimes run counter-surveillance and avoid becoming a soft target recognize common scams at home and abroad become a human lie detector in any setting, including business negotiations gain peace of mind by being prepared for anything instead of uninformed or afraid
With the skill of a trained operative and the relatability of a suburban dad, Jason Hanson brings his top-level training to everyday Americans in this must-have guide to staying safe in an increasingly dangerous world.
From the Hardcover edition.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
737 people are currently reading
2801 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
April 1, 2016
Did you ever deal with a car salesman who left you feeling just a bit icky? You know the guy is selling you something useful, but he's doing it so smooth and slick you can't help but feel you're being taken? That's sort of the feeling I had while reading this. Mr Hanson comes across like a snake oil salesman, never missing a chance to refer you to his blog or website and remind you that he is the CEO of this and the seller of that and has been such a great operative who can dive deeper and come up dryer than anyone else in the business. Maybe it's just me, but that's how I feel on finishing the book.
Let's face it: the book is full of useful information...kinda...I guess...if you're a youngster starting out in the world and basically require a primer in common sense self-protection and threat assessment. Anyone with any military or law enforcement background will get very little benefit from it, except possibly as a refresher. And the book should have been edited because there are a few potentially embarrassing slip-ups. On Page 162, for example, Hanson writes:
To take a baseline measurement during a polygraph test, you'll be asked a series of simple questions that you obviously know the answer to: "What's your name?" "Where do you live?"
No polygrapher I have ever seen at work will ask questions that require anything but a "yes" or "no" answer. Hence the question would be "Is your name Joe Blow?" or "Do you live at 123 Appletree Road?"
And he has trouble keeping his story consistent sometimes, as on page 172: He was asking me a ton of questions. I had my story planned. When she asked me about my job.... He should have planned this story a little better, because one of the characters changed sex on us in the space of three short sentences. Other advice he gives to readers is region specific; on page 212 he advises the reader involved in a fender bender to remain in their vehicle, put on their flashers and call police, remaining in the car until an officer arrives. Try that in this city and they'll find your skeleton in the car some day - police here will not attend a minor accident.
Another major shortcoming is that Hanson has chosen not to include a single photograph, sketch or diagram to illustrate any of the chapters of this book. He describes escape methods, survival driving, and self-defence tactics without a single illustration. Some things, particularly self-defence moves, are better displayed than explained. You know the old saying.
Overall, the book is written in plain language, easy to read, and does contain some useful information. I didn't personally learn a lot from it, but others might. I found it a reasonably sound refresher on a few points, but I feel that this publication is basically an exercise in self-promotion to focus reader attention on the author's other interests. And I still can't figure out the Acknowledgments on Page 235...he censors every name and tribute by blanking them out, so it's really no acknowledgment at all: "I'd like to thank (censored) for (censored) and for (censored)"... that sort of thing. I hope it's a joke on the reader because if it isn't, then Hanson has no sense of the ridiculous.
Let's face it: the book is full of useful information...kinda...I guess...if you're a youngster starting out in the world and basically require a primer in common sense self-protection and threat assessment. Anyone with any military or law enforcement background will get very little benefit from it, except possibly as a refresher. And the book should have been edited because there are a few potentially embarrassing slip-ups. On Page 162, for example, Hanson writes:
To take a baseline measurement during a polygraph test, you'll be asked a series of simple questions that you obviously know the answer to: "What's your name?" "Where do you live?"
No polygrapher I have ever seen at work will ask questions that require anything but a "yes" or "no" answer. Hence the question would be "Is your name Joe Blow?" or "Do you live at 123 Appletree Road?"
And he has trouble keeping his story consistent sometimes, as on page 172: He was asking me a ton of questions. I had my story planned. When she asked me about my job.... He should have planned this story a little better, because one of the characters changed sex on us in the space of three short sentences. Other advice he gives to readers is region specific; on page 212 he advises the reader involved in a fender bender to remain in their vehicle, put on their flashers and call police, remaining in the car until an officer arrives. Try that in this city and they'll find your skeleton in the car some day - police here will not attend a minor accident.
Another major shortcoming is that Hanson has chosen not to include a single photograph, sketch or diagram to illustrate any of the chapters of this book. He describes escape methods, survival driving, and self-defence tactics without a single illustration. Some things, particularly self-defence moves, are better displayed than explained. You know the old saying.
Overall, the book is written in plain language, easy to read, and does contain some useful information. I didn't personally learn a lot from it, but others might. I found it a reasonably sound refresher on a few points, but I feel that this publication is basically an exercise in self-promotion to focus reader attention on the author's other interests. And I still can't figure out the Acknowledgments on Page 235...he censors every name and tribute by blanking them out, so it's really no acknowledgment at all: "I'd like to thank (censored) for (censored) and for (censored)"... that sort of thing. I hope it's a joke on the reader because if it isn't, then Hanson has no sense of the ridiculous.
December 13, 2015
I received a review copy of this book in audio from the publisher. I accepted because I was thinking of Jason Matthews, a longtime CIA operative who wrote a very compelling spy novel Red Sparrow. This is not the same guy but I finished it anyway!
I had a goal for my reading in 2015 to read more spy books - fiction and non-fiction, but I haven't done as much of it as I would have liked. When this one came along I thought why not? The author was in the CIA for a time, but chose to leave to live back in Utah and spend more time with his family. He operates Spy Escape and Evasion, which offers security training for people and corporations. He's been on the tv show Shark Tank, but I do not know him from that. Is this his 15 minutes? Definitely possible.
I really wish the author had put fewer mentions of his training and product endorsements in this book because in the end it just reads like one big advertisement. True, the information seems solid, and I can now escape from duct tape, zip ties, and the trunk of a car; I can [allegedly] hot wire a car and know where to keep my fire safe safe; I can identify social engineering and do a little of my own just for fun; so okay! That's all in here! But so are offers for your own spy knife, flashlight, and tactical pen. How do you get these items? Well, you provide your MAILING ADDRESS. It seems shady, right? A guy teaching spy secrets getting the gullible public to reveal their identities for free stuff? I wonder if people who fill that form out get a letter with a severe chiding from a former CIA officer who wasn't able to teach them anything in the end.
Still, a fun read, one with information I hope to never need. But true spies know - don't give your address to a stranger, not even if he seems legit.
Sincerely,
Your favorite super spy
I had a goal for my reading in 2015 to read more spy books - fiction and non-fiction, but I haven't done as much of it as I would have liked. When this one came along I thought why not? The author was in the CIA for a time, but chose to leave to live back in Utah and spend more time with his family. He operates Spy Escape and Evasion, which offers security training for people and corporations. He's been on the tv show Shark Tank, but I do not know him from that. Is this his 15 minutes? Definitely possible.
I really wish the author had put fewer mentions of his training and product endorsements in this book because in the end it just reads like one big advertisement. True, the information seems solid, and I can now escape from duct tape, zip ties, and the trunk of a car; I can [allegedly] hot wire a car and know where to keep my fire safe safe; I can identify social engineering and do a little of my own just for fun; so okay! That's all in here! But so are offers for your own spy knife, flashlight, and tactical pen. How do you get these items? Well, you provide your MAILING ADDRESS. It seems shady, right? A guy teaching spy secrets getting the gullible public to reveal their identities for free stuff? I wonder if people who fill that form out get a letter with a severe chiding from a former CIA officer who wasn't able to teach them anything in the end.
Still, a fun read, one with information I hope to never need. But true spies know - don't give your address to a stranger, not even if he seems legit.
Sincerely,
Your favorite super spy
March 5, 2016
If you ever want to look paranoid out in public, like FOR REAL, then live by this book. I mean, it might save you life one day but most likely it will just get you pointed at and maybe even the cops called on your butt. Crazy times if you want to live like a spy.
December 30, 2017
Well, this one was underwhelming.
How could I resist such a book? Doesn't almost everybody like espionage and spies, and wouldn't almost everyone be lured in when a book promises to share spy secrets? I know I did, and I was looking forward to reading it for a long time.
But I was very underwhelmed. There were some useful tips in the book, but I felt like most of the advice was common sense. There were hardly any self defense tips (which were the ones I was most looking forward to), and mr. Hanson sounded a wee bit paranoid at times. He also took every opportunity he could to advertise his site, which grew tiring after the first few pages.
Honestly, there were no "spy secret techniques" here. Mostly common sense and being very careful, something everybody should practice. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually IS too good to be true. The next time a book promises to reveal spy secrets, I don't think I'll bite.
How could I resist such a book? Doesn't almost everybody like espionage and spies, and wouldn't almost everyone be lured in when a book promises to share spy secrets? I know I did, and I was looking forward to reading it for a long time.
But I was very underwhelmed. There were some useful tips in the book, but I felt like most of the advice was common sense. There were hardly any self defense tips (which were the ones I was most looking forward to), and mr. Hanson sounded a wee bit paranoid at times. He also took every opportunity he could to advertise his site, which grew tiring after the first few pages.
Honestly, there were no "spy secret techniques" here. Mostly common sense and being very careful, something everybody should practice. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually IS too good to be true. The next time a book promises to reveal spy secrets, I don't think I'll bite.
February 20, 2017
The come-on is irresistible: learn about secret spy self-defense techniques, described by a former CIA operative. After all, most everyone daydreams once in a while about being James Bond or Sydney Bristow. But you may find that what was promised and what you get aren't the same things. Don't be surprised -- the spy's most valuable talent is deception.
The premise behind this book is valid. CIA field officers need to know how to protect themselves in hostile environments and stay away from people who mean them harm. Civilians, too, sometimes find themselves in hostile environments, facing people who mean them harm, and so can also profit from knowing what to do.
Author Hanson offers a wide but not very deep survey of self-defense topics: personal escape (from handcuffs and such), hardening your home, travel safety, social engineering, "survival driving," and so on. In each, he introduces the reader to a few concepts or actions germane to the topic. His writing is simple and clear; there's very little jargon to deal with.
But an introduction is all you get. You won't learn how to do any of these actions or use any of the tools he mentions simply by reading the book. The descriptions aren't nearly detailed enough to be followed successfully, and it's quite possible you'll get yourself into deeper trouble if you try. This material screams for illustrations and drawings, but there isn't a single one to be found. Other reviewers have already remarked on this. There's a reason for their absence, which I'll get into shortly.
The single most valuable chapter in the entire book is the second one, about situational awareness. The author makes a number of good points that add up to one directive: "Pay attention." If you don't get your nose out of your phone and look around, you'll walk into the middle of situations that won't work out well for you. If only iOS and Android would flash this advice on phone screens every few seconds...
Very little of the rest is new or particularly startling, though. His advice about travel safety has shown up in travel magazines for years. The social engineering secrets are secret only if you haven't read a consumer magazine in the past twenty years. Much of the rest is simple common sense or variations on the "pay attention" dictum. As I've mentioned, very little of it is developed in enough detail for you to learn how to actually do any of it.
Why is this? Because in addition to being a former CIA field officer, the author is a serial entrepreneur. He mentions Shark Tank nearly as often as he does the CIA. He wastes no opportunity to promote the thicket of websites he operates and the classes he teaches. The missing pictures and diagrams? You can get them on spysecretsbook.com as long as you don't mind giving up your email address. Then again, you can also get similar material on YouTube.
Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life isn't a bad book as far as it goes. If you've led a sheltered life, some of the advice the author offers (such as "pay attention") is valuable. Just keep in mind that what you're getting is, in essence, the lecture notes for one of the author's classes, or an extended pitch for his many business endeavors. You won't finish this book as James Bond; you may not even come out as Johnny English. But you may learn an important spy secret: how to promise more than you deliver.
The premise behind this book is valid. CIA field officers need to know how to protect themselves in hostile environments and stay away from people who mean them harm. Civilians, too, sometimes find themselves in hostile environments, facing people who mean them harm, and so can also profit from knowing what to do.
Author Hanson offers a wide but not very deep survey of self-defense topics: personal escape (from handcuffs and such), hardening your home, travel safety, social engineering, "survival driving," and so on. In each, he introduces the reader to a few concepts or actions germane to the topic. His writing is simple and clear; there's very little jargon to deal with.
But an introduction is all you get. You won't learn how to do any of these actions or use any of the tools he mentions simply by reading the book. The descriptions aren't nearly detailed enough to be followed successfully, and it's quite possible you'll get yourself into deeper trouble if you try. This material screams for illustrations and drawings, but there isn't a single one to be found. Other reviewers have already remarked on this. There's a reason for their absence, which I'll get into shortly.
The single most valuable chapter in the entire book is the second one, about situational awareness. The author makes a number of good points that add up to one directive: "Pay attention." If you don't get your nose out of your phone and look around, you'll walk into the middle of situations that won't work out well for you. If only iOS and Android would flash this advice on phone screens every few seconds...
Very little of the rest is new or particularly startling, though. His advice about travel safety has shown up in travel magazines for years. The social engineering secrets are secret only if you haven't read a consumer magazine in the past twenty years. Much of the rest is simple common sense or variations on the "pay attention" dictum. As I've mentioned, very little of it is developed in enough detail for you to learn how to actually do any of it.
Why is this? Because in addition to being a former CIA field officer, the author is a serial entrepreneur. He mentions Shark Tank nearly as often as he does the CIA. He wastes no opportunity to promote the thicket of websites he operates and the classes he teaches. The missing pictures and diagrams? You can get them on spysecretsbook.com as long as you don't mind giving up your email address. Then again, you can also get similar material on YouTube.
Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life isn't a bad book as far as it goes. If you've led a sheltered life, some of the advice the author offers (such as "pay attention") is valuable. Just keep in mind that what you're getting is, in essence, the lecture notes for one of the author's classes, or an extended pitch for his many business endeavors. You won't finish this book as James Bond; you may not even come out as Johnny English. But you may learn an important spy secret: how to promise more than you deliver.
December 12, 2015
Most readers would never follow half of these suggestions. But I do think because of the 7 points in the first chapters- there is some worth to get out of this book.
People who disdain some of these habits, like the pen protocol? They must live in cozy, safe, and statistically lucky locations. And they must never travel outside of those, either.
Beyond the tricks you must practice with the duct tape, ties etc. (which so few people do, even if given the free classes)- the best aspect of this book was to constantly repeat that you need to be aware of all around you. Not between texting and the ice cream you're eating. But constantly.
If you can develop the sight and habits of awareness to your own physical environment on a continual basis- this book has been worth some attention, IMHO.
The writing is 2 star and some of the driving and other extreme weapons suggestions would not work for many people. They just don't have the skill, knowledge, or aptitude for developing correct use-IMHO.
If you have ever been stranger assaulted, mugged, stabbed, shot- you probably know most of these criteria already. For those of you who have NOT been (any of those)- I would suggest the walking awareness sections. Especially upon noting all eye contact, routes of your path (never between two glaring pacers - as described)or placements in a crowded venue.
A key works as well as a pen. The kind your car USED to have. Not any electronic button type.
People who disdain some of these habits, like the pen protocol? They must live in cozy, safe, and statistically lucky locations. And they must never travel outside of those, either.
Beyond the tricks you must practice with the duct tape, ties etc. (which so few people do, even if given the free classes)- the best aspect of this book was to constantly repeat that you need to be aware of all around you. Not between texting and the ice cream you're eating. But constantly.
If you can develop the sight and habits of awareness to your own physical environment on a continual basis- this book has been worth some attention, IMHO.
The writing is 2 star and some of the driving and other extreme weapons suggestions would not work for many people. They just don't have the skill, knowledge, or aptitude for developing correct use-IMHO.
If you have ever been stranger assaulted, mugged, stabbed, shot- you probably know most of these criteria already. For those of you who have NOT been (any of those)- I would suggest the walking awareness sections. Especially upon noting all eye contact, routes of your path (never between two glaring pacers - as described)or placements in a crowded venue.
A key works as well as a pen. The kind your car USED to have. Not any electronic button type.
February 1, 2016
This reads as if someone had googled various topics and then put all the information they found to pad out the chapters. I started getting suspicious when it confidently stated that 60% of rapes occur during home invasions (I can point you to a US Department of Justice study showing that 82% of rapes are committed by non-strangers), and said that statistic came from the FBI. Good luck finding any of the statistics mentioned along with it - they seem to have come from dubious postings by security companies selling alarm systems. The chapters on picking handcuffs tells you how to do it using a pair of pliers, which I'm sure a lot of kidnapping victims have access to. There's a section on how to run surveillance that is great if you have a team of people and are in law enforcement, probably not so practical or even useful for normal people. I had hoped to learn some things I could use in my books, but I found almost all of the information to be common sense or not really very informing.
March 4, 2016
Great book! Everyone should read this, especially women. Hanson teaches us about situational awareness: maybe you should stop using your smart phone in public, especially in shopping malls and concentrate on what's happening around you. Also, what are the pre-incident indicators, signs that someone will be attempting to hurt you. How to avoid dangerous situations, what to carry in your bag, how to escape duct tape, social engineering... Some of these advices might seem too much but there's a lot you can learn. You'll do yourself a great favor by reading 'Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life' (because they will save your life) 5/5 stars.
October 26, 2018
Very useful and also a fun read. I think it's a must-read for everyone. Like Jason says, It's unlikely any of this will happen to you but it does happen every day and you just never know.
I like to say I'd rather be prepared for nothing than not prepared for something.
Jason teaches situational awareness, how to escape from duct tape,rope, zip ties (it's surprisingly easy), how to make burglars avoid your home, how to avoid a carjacking, staying safe while traveling, some self-defense and more.
I like to say I'd rather be prepared for nothing than not prepared for something.
Jason teaches situational awareness, how to escape from duct tape,rope, zip ties (it's surprisingly easy), how to make burglars avoid your home, how to avoid a carjacking, staying safe while traveling, some self-defense and more.
February 15, 2016
Interesting and informative, but a loud and distracting sales pitch far more than a helpful book. Innumerable references to the author's website, and exhortations to view his videos etc., detracted from any true learning from the book.
It is telling, for an ex-spy from the Ceee Ieeye Aaaa, that the author fails to adequately mask details of an incident while casually changing the name of a victim to 'Danny.' It does not take much to determine that this particular incident the author uses to support his messages is the car-jacking by the Tsarnaev brothers that eventually led to their kill/capture. But this too may have been an insidious effort by the author, to raise the profile of his work, without due copyright credits given or permissions obtained, to further sensationalize his delivery.
There are numerous editing errors in the book. Overall, a book of low quality, one that is primarily an advertisement for the author's pecuniary schemes exploiting his government training.
It is telling, for an ex-spy from the Ceee Ieeye Aaaa, that the author fails to adequately mask details of an incident while casually changing the name of a victim to 'Danny.' It does not take much to determine that this particular incident the author uses to support his messages is the car-jacking by the Tsarnaev brothers that eventually led to their kill/capture. But this too may have been an insidious effort by the author, to raise the profile of his work, without due copyright credits given or permissions obtained, to further sensationalize his delivery.
There are numerous editing errors in the book. Overall, a book of low quality, one that is primarily an advertisement for the author's pecuniary schemes exploiting his government training.
March 26, 2019
Great book full of useful and and important information along with precise and clear techniques. Pick a lock, hotwire an old car, execute a 180 while driving, fend off a knife attack, it's all here. Some things are common sense to most people, but there is plenty of information that most of us have probably never considered such as the usefulness of a small tactical pen, or how to effectively ram a vehicle (it's not like the b.s. you see in movies).
Some parts were more entertaining rather than useful for myself anyway. The author describes in detail how to effectively make yourself completely disappear, (from a dangerous boyfriend, the government, family, everyone) and invent a new identity.
covertbelt.com
spysecrets.com
spysecretsbook.com
tacticalspypen.com
November 2, 2015
I wasn't expecting much when I found this book, but... just... wow.
The amount of self-aggrandizing propaganda and marketing fit into the book, especially the first chapter, was impressive. It felt like every other sentence started out with "As a CIA officer..." or something similar.
It just felt very hard to relate to the author, especially when he brags about the fact that he's never sent a text message.
I agree with his overall statement about too many people today being so focused on their mobile devices that they might not be fully aware of their surroundings... however... To avoid using a 'smartphone' because it could potentially distract you is a bit silly. It's just a tool. How you use it is completely up to you. While I'm sure he does have some additional concerns about the privacy of a smartphone, that -- again -- can largely be controlled by the user.
Overall, I'd recommend this book for tin-foil-hatters, doomsday-preppers, or really anyone who finds themselves with too much time on their hands and not enough paracord and tactical pens.
The amount of self-aggrandizing propaganda and marketing fit into the book, especially the first chapter, was impressive. It felt like every other sentence started out with "As a CIA officer..." or something similar.
It just felt very hard to relate to the author, especially when he brags about the fact that he's never sent a text message.
I agree with his overall statement about too many people today being so focused on their mobile devices that they might not be fully aware of their surroundings... however... To avoid using a 'smartphone' because it could potentially distract you is a bit silly. It's just a tool. How you use it is completely up to you. While I'm sure he does have some additional concerns about the privacy of a smartphone, that -- again -- can largely be controlled by the user.
Overall, I'd recommend this book for tin-foil-hatters, doomsday-preppers, or really anyone who finds themselves with too much time on their hands and not enough paracord and tactical pens.
September 10, 2015
Read this book and Gain Awareness
Many of us walk through life unaware of our surroundings. Our heads are down and focused on our cell phone or some other distraction. Former CIA officer Jason Hanson encourages awareness and sensitivity to your surroundings and that message is central to this well-written book. I don’t plan to disappear or pick a lock but I found the information insightful and helpful.
As Hanson writes in the first chapter, “My mission in writing, SPY SECRETS THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE and starting the Spy Escape and Evasion training school is to help people live a safer and happier life…We’re living in frightening and unpredictable times, but I believe you should not live in fear. Knowledge, skill, and awareness will give you peace of mind that you can handle any event that might arise.” Page 7
I recommend this well-written fascinating book.
Many of us walk through life unaware of our surroundings. Our heads are down and focused on our cell phone or some other distraction. Former CIA officer Jason Hanson encourages awareness and sensitivity to your surroundings and that message is central to this well-written book. I don’t plan to disappear or pick a lock but I found the information insightful and helpful.
As Hanson writes in the first chapter, “My mission in writing, SPY SECRETS THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE and starting the Spy Escape and Evasion training school is to help people live a safer and happier life…We’re living in frightening and unpredictable times, but I believe you should not live in fear. Knowledge, skill, and awareness will give you peace of mind that you can handle any event that might arise.” Page 7
I recommend this well-written fascinating book.
June 15, 2018
This book was interesting. Former CIA agent Jason Hanson shares some secrets used by the CIA
how to get out of being tied up with rope, zip ties and duct tape, to how to be aware of your surroundings and what to do if you are being followed and how to keep yourself safe while in a foreign country. He also shares stories of how people easily get scammed and manipulated by social engineering.
how to get out of being tied up with rope, zip ties and duct tape, to how to be aware of your surroundings and what to do if you are being followed and how to keep yourself safe while in a foreign country. He also shares stories of how people easily get scammed and manipulated by social engineering.
December 8, 2020
If you can get past some of the hokie terms (the author teaches a class called “Spy Escape”), this seems like a solid source of good information about how to protect yourself and others. The two most important things I learned from this book in terms of looking out for your own safety are:
1. Situational Awareness: keep aware of your surroundings and what’s going on. This means no staring into your smartphone while you walk, no noise-cancelling headphones preventing you from picking up audio cues, don’t get lost in thought while you are in a vulnerable location, and no having your nose buried in a book on the train. I knew this one, and while I used to love listening to music while I walked to and from school, these days I can’t bring myself to turn off that awareness. It’s not practical to always be aware (I love reading on the train to and from work when I am more safely embedded in a seat with limited access by other people), but you are increasing your risk when your attention is occupied.
2. Move: this one I didn’t know. My own instinct is generally to stay in place unless I know I need to move, but apparently you are more likely to get into trouble if you remain where you are when trouble starts. The author refers to it as “moving away from the X”, where you identify where bad things are likely to start happening and you get away from that location.
There are many other pieces of information that are useful (about carrying a tactical pen as a non-weapon you can use to defend yourself, breaking out of duct tape bindings and zip ties, etc.). The author may be a little overboard in terms of reasonable life (he doesn’t allow anyone to come to his front door to deliver things), but I think you can probably find a happier, more aware medium for your own life.
There’s also a chapter about detecting when people are lying. Fortunately, the author talks about establishing a baseline of a person’s behavior before you start detecting, which is the only way this kind of thing would be at all effective. He also mentions some techniques I’d forgotten, such as asking someone what punishment a perpetrator ought to receive (the perpetrator will tend to give a lighter punishment than others who are innocent).
1. Situational Awareness: keep aware of your surroundings and what’s going on. This means no staring into your smartphone while you walk, no noise-cancelling headphones preventing you from picking up audio cues, don’t get lost in thought while you are in a vulnerable location, and no having your nose buried in a book on the train. I knew this one, and while I used to love listening to music while I walked to and from school, these days I can’t bring myself to turn off that awareness. It’s not practical to always be aware (I love reading on the train to and from work when I am more safely embedded in a seat with limited access by other people), but you are increasing your risk when your attention is occupied.
2. Move: this one I didn’t know. My own instinct is generally to stay in place unless I know I need to move, but apparently you are more likely to get into trouble if you remain where you are when trouble starts. The author refers to it as “moving away from the X”, where you identify where bad things are likely to start happening and you get away from that location.
There are many other pieces of information that are useful (about carrying a tactical pen as a non-weapon you can use to defend yourself, breaking out of duct tape bindings and zip ties, etc.). The author may be a little overboard in terms of reasonable life (he doesn’t allow anyone to come to his front door to deliver things), but I think you can probably find a happier, more aware medium for your own life.
There’s also a chapter about detecting when people are lying. Fortunately, the author talks about establishing a baseline of a person’s behavior before you start detecting, which is the only way this kind of thing would be at all effective. He also mentions some techniques I’d forgotten, such as asking someone what punishment a perpetrator ought to receive (the perpetrator will tend to give a lighter punishment than others who are innocent).
July 4, 2020
Я поставив низьку оцінку, тому що більше половини розділів цієї книги для мене досі не актуальні (я не живу у приватному будинку, не маю автомобіля і дозволу на користування зброєю і таке інше). В цілому, для більшості українців вони актуальні відсотків на 60. Найцікавіші техніки автора стосуються облаштування свого будинку для уникнення пограбування, а також контрспостереження за зловмисниками і прийомів вивільнення від клейкої стрічки.
June 1, 2024
Alright you definitely don’t need to do any of this but it’s fun to learn about. There are a few good tips in here. This book is exactly what you think it’ll be. Not god, not bad. 3.3 stars
March 31, 2022
Думаю, що найважливіша в цій книжці фраза «рух рятує життя». Ну і постійна уважність та допитливість до ситуації навколо.
Мабуть за інших обставин я б скептично була налаштована, але через війну і все те, що вона з собою несе, тут було чимало вдалих і вагомих порад (як вибратись з полону, розірвати скотч на змотаних руках, не стати жертвою викраденої машини, тощо).
Мабуть за інших обставин я б скептично була налаштована, але через війну і все те, що вона з собою несе, тут було чимало вдалих і вагомих порад (як вибратись з полону, розірвати скотч на змотаних руках, не стати жертвою викраденої машини, тощо).
September 25, 2015
My mind is bursting from all of the knowledge I've learned in reading this book cover to cover! I now know how to escape if bound with duct tape, rope, or zip ties. I have the basic knowledge of how to hot-wire a car, pick many types of locks, get out of handcuffs, and flat out put a major physical hurt on anyone dumb enough to grab me from any angle. Roadblock.. pfffffft.. child's play. I'll drive right through it!
I know that this is going to be one of those rare books that I will insist every person I know read and digest. I am so excited by this book that I'll probably buy a box of them just to give away to all loved ones that I feel can benefit from reading the various survival skills taught in this easy to read and follow lifesaving book.
It will also be a book that I would recommend to anyone who wants some insight into basic survival skills when confronted by criminals. It is a MUST HAVE BOOK for research libraries.
A must read book for all humans who want to SURVIVE most any type of assault one may encounter. Rarely does a book captivate and hold my attention as much as Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life: A Former CIA Officer Reveals Safety and Survival Techniques to Keep You and Your Family Protected
by Jason Hanson.
You MUST buy this book! It WILL give you the basic skills you need to survive in this crazy world we live in today. Seriously, why are you still reading?? BUY IT!!
I know that this is going to be one of those rare books that I will insist every person I know read and digest. I am so excited by this book that I'll probably buy a box of them just to give away to all loved ones that I feel can benefit from reading the various survival skills taught in this easy to read and follow lifesaving book.
It will also be a book that I would recommend to anyone who wants some insight into basic survival skills when confronted by criminals. It is a MUST HAVE BOOK for research libraries.
A must read book for all humans who want to SURVIVE most any type of assault one may encounter. Rarely does a book captivate and hold my attention as much as Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life: A Former CIA Officer Reveals Safety and Survival Techniques to Keep You and Your Family Protected
by Jason Hanson.
You MUST buy this book! It WILL give you the basic skills you need to survive in this crazy world we live in today. Seriously, why are you still reading?? BUY IT!!
April 9, 2020
My biggest issue with this book was how the author continues to plug away products throughout the entire book. "Go here to this website to buy this product" ... "I was on this TV show" ... "This is my website/blog." I have never read a book in where I felt like the author was trying to hard sell me on something, and then be so bold as to even provide the links. I was honestly expecting to see a chapter on his gofundme or his Amazon wishlist if we felt generous and wanted to buy him something from there too.
On top of that, the "tactical" information within this book was also empty and disappointing. If you have any sort of military, law enforcement, heck... I would say even boy scouts, or watched a couple episodes of cops, you would probably be around the same skill level as you walked away from this book.
This book was hard for me to finish, but I made it through.
I do not recommend this book.
On top of that, the "tactical" information within this book was also empty and disappointing. If you have any sort of military, law enforcement, heck... I would say even boy scouts, or watched a couple episodes of cops, you would probably be around the same skill level as you walked away from this book.
This book was hard for me to finish, but I made it through.
I do not recommend this book.
January 5, 2016
I won this book on Goodreads but I never received it so I can't review it. I really wanted to read it too.
Nov. 23- two months later and I just got the book in the mail. I will read it and review soon. Thank you
Well, I finally got a copy of this wonderful book. Actually I ended up with two copies and gave one to someone else.
It was fascinating. The ideas in it were easy to utilize and very helpful. I think every single person should read this. The stories he used along with his tips and recommendations were interesting and so powerful. I have signed on to his website and am looking to buy some of the items he recommended as well.
In this day and age we must learn to care for ourselves in crisis and this book will tell you what you need to know in a straight forward and intelligible manner.
Nov. 23- two months later and I just got the book in the mail. I will read it and review soon. Thank you
Well, I finally got a copy of this wonderful book. Actually I ended up with two copies and gave one to someone else.
It was fascinating. The ideas in it were easy to utilize and very helpful. I think every single person should read this. The stories he used along with his tips and recommendations were interesting and so powerful. I have signed on to his website and am looking to buy some of the items he recommended as well.
In this day and age we must learn to care for ourselves in crisis and this book will tell you what you need to know in a straight forward and intelligible manner.
April 17, 2017
I was afraid this would be super cheesy, but it is a decent collection of (fairly standard) security and safety advice, told by a former CIA guy who now has a business teaching people these skills.
The one funny part is his extreme aversion to smartphones; a lot of older CIA people got burned in Italy from featurephones, but in general I'd say no one is going to sacrifice smartphones for security, so it would be more useful to describe how to use a smartphone safely. There are a lot of obvious advantages (having a camera, having alternative ways to call for help, etc) with such a device, and for most people, the benefits will outweigh disadvantages.
Nothing in the book was particularly novel or really life changing, but it was well presented and a decent introduction to the topic.
The one funny part is his extreme aversion to smartphones; a lot of older CIA people got burned in Italy from featurephones, but in general I'd say no one is going to sacrifice smartphones for security, so it would be more useful to describe how to use a smartphone safely. There are a lot of obvious advantages (having a camera, having alternative ways to call for help, etc) with such a device, and for most people, the benefits will outweigh disadvantages.
Nothing in the book was particularly novel or really life changing, but it was well presented and a decent introduction to the topic.
February 8, 2017
Not enough details on actual Trade Craft. It is mainly common sense personal safety measures from a man who is clearly somewhat paranoid, and feeding off people's fears from all the stories they read on the internet, which amplify the sense that their lives are more insecure now than 20 years ago, when that statistically isn't the case. When you advise stocking food for 1 year you are in survivalist territory. That said, some of the advice for travelling abroad and having basic equipment for emergencies in your car, on your person or at home isn't bad at all.
April 14, 2019
This was a fun and light read by a legit agent. The tips and tricks that anyone begin to use at anytime is helpful and practical. He explains simple and probable scenarios that can change lives, and how you can be prepared for them. For example, one thing I immediately did was buy a pack of water, and a first aid kit, and a flashlight and put it in the trunk of my car.
Getting off the "x" is key too. Highly recommend it.
Getting off the "x" is key too. Highly recommend it.
December 1, 2015
Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life is a dumb book. The author continually tries to lure you to his web site to sell you something. His advice is ridiculous. Tactical pens -- hidden guns on your body -- I got to three chapters before I ditched it--
I am going to return it for my money back --
I am going to return it for my money back --
February 8, 2017
Complete rubbish.
It's clear this is one long advert to buy the authors ridiculous tools and devices. Believe anything in this crap book and you'll never leave your home again.
It's clear this is one long advert to buy the authors ridiculous tools and devices. Believe anything in this crap book and you'll never leave your home again.
February 7, 2024
3.5 stars
This was an interesting read. Lots of hands on things that you can put into practice or learn how to do to keep yourself safer. Things like how to escape from duct tape and zip ties. How to find out if someone is following you and what to do about it, as well as just some fun information for your inner spy. He also shares about things you can carry with you to defend yourself.
There is one chapter that made me hesitant to share this book with any teen boys and took half a star off. It talks about girls who have been “socially engineered” into a life of sex with men, a story of a married woman who was having an affair with a teen boy and got him to kill her husband, as well as a story of a lady distracting one man while her husband robbed his house. (These were not descriptive but there was enough to put images in someone’s head.) If it weren’t for those stories (all in one chapter) I’d recommend this to anyone who loves spy things or who just wants to learn some ways to escape if something happened, or ways to stay safe.
This was an interesting read. Lots of hands on things that you can put into practice or learn how to do to keep yourself safer. Things like how to escape from duct tape and zip ties. How to find out if someone is following you and what to do about it, as well as just some fun information for your inner spy. He also shares about things you can carry with you to defend yourself.
There is one chapter that made me hesitant to share this book with any teen boys and took half a star off. It talks about girls who have been “socially engineered” into a life of sex with men, a story of a married woman who was having an affair with a teen boy and got him to kill her husband, as well as a story of a lady distracting one man while her husband robbed his house. (These were not descriptive but there was enough to put images in someone’s head.) If it weren’t for those stories (all in one chapter) I’d recommend this to anyone who loves spy things or who just wants to learn some ways to escape if something happened, or ways to stay safe.
August 1, 2017
I listened to the audio version. Over all some interesting techniques but some were just common sense. But overall gave me some ideas on how to protect myself.
December 24, 2017
Read for research so not sure about star rating...
March 31, 2020
This book includes lots of plugs for the author's personal protection products and training. This should be a really interesting subject, but after reading this book, I didn't care about it.
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