Left of Bang

Easier to follow when read

What does Danny Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Danny Campbell is an excellent narrator. I've listened to several other books he has narrated and I'm always impressed.

Any additional comments?

First let me say this, I've read and marked up both my physical copy and e-book of Left of Bang. In addition, I've completed the fantastic Basic and Advanced training course for the program. I decided to also grab the audiobook so that I could further my learning and listen to the concepts again and again as I drive. However, while listening to the audio I found it hard to follow along and stay engaged.

The main issue I have with the audio version is that the content of the book doesn't lend itself well to an audio format, through no fault of the highly skilled authors, or the talented narrator. The content is so rich, and requires such careful study, that simply listening to the audiobook leaves the listener with the sense they've missed something valuable.

That being said, do study this book, learn from it, apply the skills to enhance your safety.

skip first 25%

The first 25%, literally, is a commercial for this book. The rest is good.

The how to spot unsafe conditions

I found it very good to know spot unsafe conditions . I was in Vietnam and I used some of the techque in combat. It saved my butt.

Read this book

I own the paperback, kindle and now audio editions of this book and have read them all. Yes it's that good! Packed full o information on how to recognize and interpret patters of conflict.

Common Sense Presented as a Unique Concept

The book doesn't really cover anything useful to anyone who understands situational awareness. The government paid a group to train our Soldiers and Marines to actually pay attention and practice situational awareness. Any combat arms MOS already does this. The book discusses how we need to be aware of anomalies such as entering an area that's too quiet when it's normally bustling with activity. The remaining examples are mostly redundant examples of reading body language that anyone with any level of social skills already knows- detecting signs of nervousness or confidence, etc. I wish I could say that it's a surprise to think that the government paid some civilian agency for this training, but it's not. In my career, I've seen millions wasted on similar programs.

Good or advertising?

Only actual 10% content, the rest is just advertising for the book itself. Really annoying.

Another must read

I’ve gone through a plethora of books since I took CCW to a more serious level. I’m 58, found this book quite interesting & easy to enjoy. Verbal performance was also top notch.
Thanks guys!

Left me wanting the training course!!!

You can't really learn self-defense from a book. But this book outlines quite a few things you can look for to be more aware of your surroundings, and more prepared to blow the whistle, protect yourself, or take down a bad guy.

There is lots of science here, from military studies of Marines as well as enemies, to the social sciences and on. It incorporates principles from various types of profiling, interrogation, surveillance, and even plain old corporate posturing. This is knitted together with anecdotes from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the US to show how paying attention to specific signals can pick the bad guys out of a crowd. This course should be given to ALL our military personnel, not just a small percentage of those being deployed to dangerous places.

The best part is that it provides vocabulary to take you from "something just felt wrong," "he was acting hinky," and "it didn't look right" to being able to specifically pinpoint the aspects of situations or behaviors of people that pose a threat. It is more than just a body language book, but it has that too.

This is a good place to start if you are interested in self-protection. I don't know if there is anywhere outsides the Marines you can get the actual course, but right after my shooting practice, I want this!

Excellent, quick listen that everyone MUST have.

This book breaks down the surroundings around you to be more aware and more prepared to identify a threat in an ever growing complex world. This book provides practical solutions for civilian, military, and first responder alike.

12% Content

What disappointed you about Left of Bang?

Lacks Content & Very Repetitive

Would you ever listen to anything by Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley again?

No

How did the narrator detract from the book?

No

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Any additional comments?

Try "Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life" its 100% better.