Customer Reviews

Ayoob Files: The Book

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but their effects last a lifetime. I have read Ayoob's column for many years and I would be hard-pressed to pick the best. The ones listed in this book are all well-written, but that's not saying much, as most of his work is well-written and "page turning."

The actual gunfight is only a small part of each tale. What the author focuses on is the aftermath - how the GOOD GUY was treated by the system: the police, the courts, the press, etc. And this is what makes his column so important; that in many instances when you legally defend yourself, you are still suspect.

I recommend reading this book for examples of how to handle yourself after the unthinkable happens. Also, read it to see how brave some ordinary citizens can be, as well as the men and women in blue.

I agree with all others here. It is very hard to put this book down. Ayoob writes dramatically, occasionally a bit too dramatically for my taste, but these were real incidents and real people. The book is fascinating and disturbing at the same time. It drives home the point that gunfights are not what they are portrayed to be on TV. Ayoob manages to put you "right there" in these life and death events. There is much to be learned from reading this book, not the least of which is the incredible risk our law enforcement officers take every day. I believe this is a must-read for anyone who owns a defensive gun, not because it teaches tactics, more that it plainly reveals the seriousness of considering the use of lethal force.

As you can probably tell, with another of his books recommended here at Defend University, I am a big fan of Massad Ayoob.  This is not one of his excellent "how to" books, but a collection of his detailed analysis of actual gunfights.  The lessons learned are dramatic.  See how tactics, different weapons, and different mindsets affect actual deadly encounters.  Included is the FBI shootout in Miami as well as riveting accounts like the cabby battling it out with an armed robber in his own cab or the rookie cop who fought for his life with a crazed suspect on PCP. If you carry, or are thinking about carrying a firearm, this is a book you should own.

For those who don't know, Massad Ayoob is one of the preeminent authorities on gun battles and the use of deadly force in law enforcement and civilian realms. He is frequently called as an expert witness in high-profile trials, but is best known as an author in several firearms magazines. He also runs the Lethal Force Institute, one of the premier training facilities where law enforcement and civilians train for defensive firearms use. He is extreme, to say the least. For one of his highest skill level classes, he had a nurse withdraw a pint of blood from each student before they entered the final simulator to simulate blood-loss.
At times he is controversial, but his opinion and knowledge are well-respected, even by his critics.
This book is a collection of his earlier articles his magazine column: The Ayoob Files. In each article (chapter) he dissects a gun battle, and draws lessons on how to better prepare for self-defense. The writing is standard magazine fare, brief, easy reading designed to keep your interest. He is a good writer and the editing is good, so you can find yourself breezing through several chapters before you realize how much time passed.
Some of the battles covered include the infamous Miami FBI shootout where Platt and Matix (thugs extraordinaire) took on 8 FBI agents and nearly won. Others include the California Highway Patrol shootout near Newhall, and the Rodney King incident.
Like many magazine articles, there is a lot of product placement and insertion. The subject doesn't just have a .38 Special Revolver, he had a Smith & Wesson Model 64 Stainless Steel .38 Special with plastic finger-grooved Rogers grips loaded with Federal 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter hollow-point at +P velocity. He also usually describes the make and type of carry rig. Sometimes this is relevant and interesting, if it highlights the advantage or disadvantage of a product in real close quarters battle use. In most of these incidents, it is just product placement - this is what so and so used, buy more. No doubt the magazines charged a premium for ads to be placed right next to the story where their product was mentioned. Personally, I find this annoying, but it is a minor issue.
One of his current more popular columns concentrates on problems 2 and 3, criminal and civil liability after the use of deadly force in self-defense. While those columns are great, they are not covered in this book.
The book is well-worth the price, and is interesting reading, whether you just seek true-crime stories, or whether you seek to be better prepared for self-defense.

Ayoob has detailed some stunning accounts of real-life shootouts and the aftermaths. Some of these incidents are well known and received much publicity at the time.

The attention to detail was so captivating that I couldn't help feel as if I was standing on the sidewalk observing all of these scenes. This book is more entertaining than the best episodes of TOP COPS.

The other stunning aspect is the reality of each account. You are also made more aware of the consequences of people's actions. As with all of the Ayoob works, there are some lessons to be learnt here as well.

I recommend it highly.

I had already read "In the Gravest Extreme", so I was familiar with the Author's excellent writing skills. This book really showcases those skills though. Massad puts you right smack into the middle of the situations. I just couldn't put the book down, nor could I recommend the book more.

This book is sort of a "debrief" of self defense incidents, both LE and civilian. Almost a dozen and a half are covered. "American Hangunner" features a column "The Ayoob Files", several incidents recounted herein are previously unpublished. This is an excellent book for any one who is self protection oriented, making it as thoughtful for civilians AND police officers. If you wear a firearm, you should read this book, and as many of his others. It is well worth the investment of 15 dollars.

This book does something that not many others do. This book is both entertaining and informative. I'm really hoping to see an Ayoob Files II: The Second Book sometime soon. This book examines a series of case studies about actual shootings. Ayoob's writing style makes these case studies into good short stories as well as critical examinations of serious real events.
The case studies provide an excellent and illustrative way to present some complex information about self-defense, shooting, and gun handling.
His case study about the PCP crazed felon attacking the police officer is so vivid! It kept me up at night thinking about what I might have done in the same situation.

This is a wonderful book that, to use a worn out cliche, you can't put down. You finish one story and you are compelled to read just one more, and then one more after that.

Ayoob writes conversationally and with knowledge of the subject. His stuff is not only entertaining, but educational and thought provoking, too.

Highly recommended.

Loren W. Christensen, author of DEADLY FORCE ENCOUNTERS

"Ayoob Files, The Book" is a collection of articles regularly written for American Handgunner magazine. These articles each detail and dissect an incident involving armed self defense.

The book is now thirteen years old, and many of the events detailed in it happened in the 70's and 80's. The information is still helpful and valid, although in recent years Ayoob has begun to analyze and evaluate not only the events and tactics, but the aftermath of dealing with the legal system as well.

This book is excellent reading for anyone who keeps a firearm for self or family defense. The age of the material, however, indicates that Volume Two is due and needed.

Ayoob's articles are so good that his publishers couldn't go wrong if they were simply to save Mass' articles and from American Handgunner, edit and bind them, and put out a new volume every two years.

Given the tags under which this book is normally found, perhaps this goes without saying, but it's not for the faint of heart, nor for those easily disturbed by the realities of crime and violence.