Recommended reading for the EP agent

[Local Talent]

I confess to not owning any EP books, as I seem to never get around to at least getting the ESI "bible". A buddy recommended me Oatman's The Art of Executive Protection, but this one seems a little general, like a primer. Maybe Mata-Leão could chime in there.
Our very own usabodyguard, also has what looks like an extensive EP manual out (see BTI).

I'll start with my own "required reading" list:
On Killing and especially On Combat, by Lt.Col. Dave Grossman. Grossman is a pioneer in the field of warrior psychology. His 2% theory will blow your mind.
Into the Kill Zone, by David Klinger. Eye opening accounts of OIS. Illustrates a lot of the perception distortions and psychological issues experienced by cops who faced "the elephant".
The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. A classic on military strategy full of wisdom that everyone quotes from, so it's good to know the source.

What's yours?

[Shockley]

I just finished reading Gavin de Becker's "The Gift of Fear". I found it to be eye opening. It deals with predicting violence and overcoming fear so one is intone with ones natural instincts. There are a lot of stories in it about celeb stalkers and violent behavior. I'm also going to read his book " Just 2 Seconds ". In this book he talks about assasination. Should be a good read.

[Local Talent]

Yes, GDB's books, esp. the famous The Gift of Fear are on my list too. Glad to hear some feedback on it from a fellow pro.

[Sumo]

i liked EXECUTIVE PROTECTION
A Professional's Guide To Bodyguarding
by Benny Mares

[Sumo]

and if your not hip to www.paladin-press.com yet you should get acquainted with some of their stuff its good

[Local Talent]

I got a bunch of books from them. Some classics from Ayoob or Cooper, some from obscure or even anonymous authors. Sometimes, you gotta buy 4-5 books on one subject to get decent info, unfortunately. Lotsa fluff and rehash jobs.
BUT, this is one company that keeps publishing books on subjects others won't touch, so that makes them very valuable in my view. Plus the day I feel like writing myself, I'm pretty sure I can get them to take my manuscript... :D

[Dhernandez2319]

The Gift of fear, WOW! it's a window into our Profession. I have read it and reread it I have two others from Gavin-deBecker and another I got at a conference in Vegas. I am E.S.I. Alumni So we get some insight into our profession and one hot topic is to read everything you can and learn from the experts. You can go to Barnes and Noble or Borders and find an entire section of great books written by great authors.

[usabodyguard]

Our EP manual regularly sells on our website for $199.95, however for site members if you call us and order the manual over the phone we knock $50 bucks off, as a discount to the members.

www.usabodyguards.com for more information

[billbrogan48]

I thoroughly enjoyed The Gift of Fear. I would surely recommend it as worthwhile reading. De Becker is one interesting guy.

[Local Talent]

Dusting off this old thread because I just finished Security Consulting, by Charles Sennewald. It's not as in-depth as I had hoped, but I did learn enough to make it worth owning.
I also enjoyed the business advice. I'll share this from a list that can easily be applied to us in bodyguarding (p. 142):

"Don't scare the clients", "Act like an invited guest", "Take all garbage with you", "Don't discuss assignments with outsiders... ever!", "Give the clients more than they expect", "Call as soon as you know you are going to be more than 10 minutes late", followed by "Don't be late", and "Take lots of notes".

Worth pondering, guys. Those get violated daily on my current detail. :rolleyes:

[MOrozco]

Plus the day I feel like writing myself, I'm pretty sure I can get them to take my manuscript... :D

When you fell like writing?!?!? LT I was sure you had a published manuscript out there already! ;) Thanks for bringing this thread back to life too.

I've been looking into reading some books myself. I own The Gift of Fear but must admit that I have not read it.

Thanks for the tips on all the others.

[LMT]

I am reading GDB "just 2 seconds"

not that far into it but it seems good. i also picked up gift of fear but got just 2 seconds in the mail first so started in on reading that.

any one ever herd of the video "body for hire" ?

i just ordered it. seems to be the only video out there.

[Local Talent]

LT I was sure you had a published manuscript out there already! ;)
Ha! Ha! No, I do enjoy writing (and repeating myself :D), but I have no ambition to get published, bro. Man's gotta know his limitations...
any one ever herd of the video "body for hire" ?

i just ordered it. seems to be the only video out there.
First I hear of it. Let us know how you like it.

[Dhernandez2319]

I got it last year at an E.S.I. Alumni Conference in Las Vegas. It's really well written. Enjoyed all of his written work.

[sean todd]

on killing and on combat were required reading by my platoon sergeant prior to my first deployment to iraq. i would highly recommend it to any gun fighter. another great book is "green eyes black rifles" i am a boot when it comes to the EP field so i'm not quite sure how often or at all you guys have used optics and rifles on details but its a great book if you want to truly understand ballistics for various weapon systems optics employment and rifle/ optic BZO. it'll teach you alot more than just this many clicks moves the round this far at this distance. maybe some of you will have no use for it but just throwin my 2 cents in on a great book if anyone was looking for something like that

[sean todd]

also "the mission, the men, and me" Lessons from a former Delta Force commander by Pete Blaber and "Leadership and Training for the fight: A few thoughts on leadership and training from a former special operations soldier.

i love these two books not only for the military aspect but the training and combat mindset it put me in. i definetly would recommend it for professionals in the EP field especialy leadership and training for the fight. sure its military oriented but it may give you a different view on training or how to train your team. an EP agent would definetly add some tools to there tool box reading these books

[sean todd]

"Leadership and training for the fight" was written by Msgt Paul Howe sorry forgot to add that in there. i'm sure you guys remember him from the movie "black hawk down" he was the delta operator who cut everyone in the chow line and when questioned by a captain about his weapon being on fire he responded "this is my safety sir" as he pulls an imaginary trigger with his finger, ya the book is written by that guy.

[Local Talent]

[...] i'm not quite sure how often or at all you guys have used optics and rifles on details [...]
Not very often would be an understatement... :D A lot of what is taught in the military or law enforcement does apply to EP one way or another, though, as long as one can look at the big picture.