• The Gift of Fear

  • Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence
  • By: Gavin de Becker
  • Narrated by: Gavin de Becker
  • Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,601 ratings)

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The Gift of Fear

By: Gavin de Becker
Narrated by: Gavin de Becker
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Publisher's summary

A special edition of The Gift of Fear, with a new foreword by the author.

A stranger in a deserted parking lot offers to help carry a woman's groceries. Is he a good Samaritan, or is he after something else? A fired employee says "You'll be sorry". Will he return with a gun? After their first date, a man tells a woman it is their "destiny" to be married. What will he do when she won't see him again? A mother has an uneasy feeling about the nice babysitter she's just hired. Should she not go to work today?

These days, no one in America feels immune to violence. But now, in this extraordinary, groundbreaking book, the nation's leading expert on predicting violent behavior unlocks the puzzle of human violence and shows that, like every creature on earth, we have within us the ability to predict the harm others might do us and get out of its way. Contrary to popular myth, human violence almost always has a discernible motive and is preceded by clear warning signs.

Through dozens of compelling examples from his own career, Gavin de Becker teaches us how to read the signs, using our most basic but often most discounted survival skill - our intuition. The Gift of Fear is a remarkable, unique combination of practical guidance on leading a safer life and profound insight into human behavior.

©1997 Gavin de Becker; 2021 Gavin de Becker (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

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What listeners say about The Gift of Fear

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Profoundly impactful

This book was mentioned in a true crime podcast that I had listened to: ‘Stalked’
Every woman should read / listen to this book. It changed my awareness of my senses. I am so much more attentive to the subtle nuances of potential danger, but also, it made me think about my unfounded fears in a clear sober way! Thank you Gavin de Becker!

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11 people found this helpful

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Excellent content - this will save lives!

Even with pretty significant experience in the field, I can honestly say I learned a lot from this book and opened up to new perspectives. I realize the points about Gun safety in the epilogue may stir some emotions, but as a certified firearms instructor, having trained thousands of gun owners over many years, I can confidently say there are many gun owners out there that should not have access to firearms in any normative society. I also all heartedly agree with the points made about gun manufacturers product liability. All in all, highly recommended!

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7 people found this helpful

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Every Woman should read!

I am not a woman, however, I can understand the vulnerability and fears they can have over a man. This book gives you an understanding of following your natural instinct in certain situations so as to best proactively protect yourself. He is a little antigun for my taste as I think a firearm is a woman's best defense, but overall the book is very interesting.

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Worth the credit !

Excellent book! I learned a lot! I am buying a copy for my daughter. I think every woman should read it!

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True crime nerds/Criminal Justice Majors must listen.

This is an incredible book written by a very smart man. Audiobook format was great and narrated by the author himself. I learned many new things listening to this and it wasn’t event catered to my gender. Absolutely worth a listen/read.

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amazing

I learned a lot from this book and will use the lesson he talked about and applied them to my life.

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Excellent read

I liked the stories, the author's voice, and the knowledge shared. I came to know about Gavin on Joe Rogan's podcast and he was a hell of entertaining; making me want to keep reading about him. Gaving is smart, well-lived, and insightful. Highly recommendable!

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Every woman should read

This book is profound. It is informative, well written, and unbiased. I was entranced at every step, and I feel I have learned more from this book than most college classes I took, and about the most important topic of all, personal safety.

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  • 06-22-23

Will Listen Again

Highly recommend. One of the few books I feel compelled to listen to again, almost as soon as I finished it.

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A MUST READ for dv (any type) victims, attorneys, judges, family, doctors, caregivers of etc

This should be required reading for all above. PROFOUNDLY impactful. DO NOT HESITATE. It’s amazing!

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