Martial arts and self-defense books that show methods of blocking, striking, breaking choleholds, etc. are a nickel a dozen. This book is something else entirely: it is one of the two best collections of useful drills in print. (The other one is Rory Miller's _Drills: Training for Sudden Violence_.) _Attack Proof_ begins with some basic close-combat drills that are immediately applicable to self-protection, and then progresses into drills that develop looseness, body unity, balance, freedom of movement, and so on. If you buy one martial arts or self-defense book this year, buy this one.