How To Fight Back And Win

Former military intelligence officer Fein has a black belt in tae kwan do. She brings her own self-defense program to readers through step-by-step lessons illustrated by photos that demonstrate stances and moves. She covers the basics of physical self-defense and of preventing rape and sexual assault, escaping from multiple assailants, and defending against armed attackers. As important as the physical techniques, she says, are the psychological elements involved (as in both fear of fighting and successfully fighting), the legal aspects of self-defense, preventing domestic violence, being protected at home and on the road, and the other skills women need to be streetwise. Key to her whole presentation is seeing self-defense skills as survival skills and that self-defense begins with self-esteem. As an increasing number of women come to fear assault and seek freedom and empowerment in the face of its threat, Fein's manual is sure to find a large audience. - Whitney Scott-