Fight Like a Girl...and Win: Defense Decisions for Women

When I was in my thirties I had occasion to need all my physical and mental power. I won't go into detail. Suffice it to say that in three seconds I had slung a very big, very strong, very drunk man across the room with one very powerful right leg. He hit his head on my exercise bike and was out like a light. I don't take crap. No woman should.The time to make decisions about what you would do and how you would do it is before you have to make that decision. That's the main point behind this book.While it's true it helps to be young and strong, it's also true that every woman has weapons built on her body. Unfortunately, as we age, we slow down. We get physical issues. We may not be able to inflict the same pain as when we were younger. At that point, older women have to use other weapons and make other choices. They have to be even harder and, if necessary, meaner.The weakness in this book is that it assumes all women will know what a hammer fist is and that all women can hit and kick the same. Each woman must know her own limitations and her own strengths and then develop her own defense system based on that. The truth is, most fights last a mere twenty seconds. Just about any women can summon the energy to put a scum bag down within that length of time.Having said that, this is a very valuable book and all women should read it.-- Susanna K. Hutcheson

I’ve trained martial arts for years now. I teach women’s self defense with a focus on empowerment I’m always on the lookout for books or research to expand my knowledge base. This was great. It really focuses on the realistic issues women face in the realm of self defense. I’ve been recommending it to my students and fellow instructors ever since I got half way through it. My copy is now highlighted and tabbed with sticky notes.

Perhaps I'm being a little harsh with a 2-star review, but I honestly don't like this book. The author takes a very triumphant, aggressive, almost self-aggrandizing tone (going on about her karate experience and how she will NEVER BOW DOWN to an attacker and whatnot) which just rubs me the wrong way... especially considering the fact that she actually admits to never having been attacked. =P Pardon me for nitpicking, but I'd prefer to learn about self-defense from a woman who actually knows what it's like to be victimized. That changes things.The other major complaint I have is that she seems to be a proponent of this very aggressive, fear-based, even paranoid form of women's self defense. She gives frequent examples of attacks which are simply extremely unlikely to ever occur, especially without ample warning signs. She ends up giving the impression that you might be attacked at any time, and must be constantly vigilant in order to protect yourself. I used to believe this... and trust me, it's not a fun way to live. Neither is it healthy or reality-based. The VAST majority of violence is PREDICTABLE and PREVENTABLE. It doesn't just happen randomly out of nowhere.I recommend reading instead The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Bekker. This book gave a very rational and straightforward look at the realities of violence without being fear-mongering or overly emotional. It has already helped me a lot with dealing with my own paranoia issues. I am still working to educate myself and learn self-defense techniques, of course, but I no longer believe I need to be hypervigilant in order to protect myself.I don't think that the author of Fight Like A Girl intends to encourage women to be paranoid... I just think that, as a clearly very strong-willed 'fighting' woman who has never actually experienced victimization, she doesn't understand the effect this kind of approach is likely to have on women who have not been so lucky. 'Self defense' is a tricky subject, where some people tend to unconsciously develop unhealthy obsessions. Be wary of approaches that appeal strongly to your emotions; nothing about self-defense should get you feeling excited, vengeful, or self-righteous. And you do NOT have to be hypervigilant in order to be safe.Safe travels!

I love this book because it does what so few other self-defense books do: gives tips to AVOID BEING TARGETED FOR CRIME TO BEGIN WITH!! It is not dry and boring, but is full of anecdotes of real situations and reads almost like a novel. Gervasi's voice comes across as both that of a strong woman and a friend. I appreciate her choice not to include the stereotypical pictures of people in frozen positions supposedly demonstrating fighting skills that no beginner can really benefit from. Instead, she gives down to earth advice that encourages you to think about defending yourself in a realistic manner. She gives you permission to 'go nuts' to protect yourself and those you love if necessary. Personally, having always been taught to behave 'like a lady', just being told it's okay to be 'impolite' to the bad guy is a gift in itself. I wish I had read this book years ago! Immediately after finishing it, I bought copies for my mom and best friend. I have put into practice the tips given in the book, and while the world is still a crazy place, I feel more alert and empowered as I make my way through life. Who doesn't want that? If you are a woman, do yourself a favor and read this book! I promise you will not regret it.

the book is really good and useful, a lot of things to learn in it when you're a woman, arrived on time and in a good state