Like many of you, I'm interested in learning how to increase my knowledge & skills. I take as many classes as I can but I also read a great deal because it's less expensive and I can fit it into whatever time I have available. The following is a list of books that I feel offer value. Hope it's of some use to you.
General:
Fighting Smarter by Tom Givens. If you were to only buy one book, this would be the one. It doesn't go into great detail but covers just about all pertinent areas well.
In the Gravest Extreme by Massad Ayoob. Another excellent all-around reference on the subject of personal defense. While it was first published 30+ years ago most of the information is still relevant.
Technical:
The "Some of the Answer" series by Jim Crews. They are available for pistol, carbine & shotgun and all have intricate detail. I know of no other books that do as good of a job at the technical aspects of shooting a firearm.
Gunhandling and Tactics:
Combative Fundamentals by Jeff Gonzales
Handgun Combatives by Dave Spaulding
Modern Technique of the Pistol by Greg Morrison
All of these are outstanding but Gonzales' is the most universal as it covers both sidearms & longarms. His descriptions are great but the book could use more pictures or illustrations. Honorable mention goes to the Tactical series by Gabe Suarez with his Tactical Advantage being the best.
Mindset & Mental Conditioning:
Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper has to be #1 as it provides the cornerstone on which most other books are based. At only 44 pages, it has more valuable information than any other book available.
On Killing by Dave Grossman. I don't agree with everything he has to say but most of the book is very well done and worth the read.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Kecker makes some valid points and although he has some fairly anti-gun sentiments, I'd still suggest it.
Deadly Force Encounters by Artwahl/Christensen is a case study analysis of real confrontations and the effects on the participants. It's the real story of several people who have "been there."
Breakout by Martin Russ. This is the story of the Chosin Reservoir campaign in the Korean War and although it's clearly biased to favor the USMC, those guys prevailed in the face of truly overwhelming odds.
Speed and Accuracy:
Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos
Surgical Speed Shooting by Andy Stanford
Both do an excellent job of providing information about increasing your speed (even if biased toward isoceles stance)
(I also really like Matt Burkett's DVD's on this subject)
Know your Enemy:
Inside the Criminal Mind by Stanton Samenow is an excellent piece on why criminals behave in the manner they do.
Specialty books:
Fight at Night by Andy Stanford is the authoritative text on dealing with low light conditions.
That's enough rambling from me. If you have some favorites, I'm sure we would all like to hear about them.
General:
Fighting Smarter by Tom Givens. If you were to only buy one book, this would be the one. It doesn't go into great detail but covers just about all pertinent areas well.
In the Gravest Extreme by Massad Ayoob. Another excellent all-around reference on the subject of personal defense. While it was first published 30+ years ago most of the information is still relevant.
Technical:
The "Some of the Answer" series by Jim Crews. They are available for pistol, carbine & shotgun and all have intricate detail. I know of no other books that do as good of a job at the technical aspects of shooting a firearm.
Gunhandling and Tactics:
Combative Fundamentals by Jeff Gonzales
Handgun Combatives by Dave Spaulding
Modern Technique of the Pistol by Greg Morrison
All of these are outstanding but Gonzales' is the most universal as it covers both sidearms & longarms. His descriptions are great but the book could use more pictures or illustrations. Honorable mention goes to the Tactical series by Gabe Suarez with his Tactical Advantage being the best.
Mindset & Mental Conditioning:
Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper has to be #1 as it provides the cornerstone on which most other books are based. At only 44 pages, it has more valuable information than any other book available.
On Killing by Dave Grossman. I don't agree with everything he has to say but most of the book is very well done and worth the read.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Kecker makes some valid points and although he has some fairly anti-gun sentiments, I'd still suggest it.
Deadly Force Encounters by Artwahl/Christensen is a case study analysis of real confrontations and the effects on the participants. It's the real story of several people who have "been there."
Breakout by Martin Russ. This is the story of the Chosin Reservoir campaign in the Korean War and although it's clearly biased to favor the USMC, those guys prevailed in the face of truly overwhelming odds.
Speed and Accuracy:
Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos
Surgical Speed Shooting by Andy Stanford
Both do an excellent job of providing information about increasing your speed (even if biased toward isoceles stance)
(I also really like Matt Burkett's DVD's on this subject)
Know your Enemy:
Inside the Criminal Mind by Stanton Samenow is an excellent piece on why criminals behave in the manner they do.
Specialty books:
Fight at Night by Andy Stanford is the authoritative text on dealing with low light conditions.
That's enough rambling from me. If you have some favorites, I'm sure we would all like to hear about them.