A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do [Paperback]

Kathleen Baty (Author), Gavin de Becker (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2003

Sassy single gal, high-powered exec in high heels, carefree college co-ed, harried soccer mom-- no matter who you are, you deserve to feel secure doing your own thing anytime, anywhere. With a little help from the Safety Chick, it's a cinch. Sharing lessons she's learned--the hard way--along with proven tips from a battery of experts in street smarts, Kathleen Baty gets specific about what to pack for a business trip, where it's safe to shop online, when to report a creepy co-worker, and how to tell that guy who's bothering you at the bar to get lost-- for good. Complete with step-by-step instructions on how to stop an assailant dead in his tracks with your words, your hands, or, if necessary, a few easy-to-use self-defense weapons, this book is a master class in personal safety for women of all ages.

"Many women believe that violence is a mystery that can be understood only by men, but Kathleen Baty knows better. Throughout this book she shows that intuition is deep, brilliant, and powerful."--Gavin de Becker, from the Foreword

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kathleen Baty succeeds in turning her own experience as a victim of a terrifying stalking into an extremely useful guidebook on safety for women. Bravo!"--Susan Herman, Executive Director, National Center for Victims of Crime

"At last, a practical guide to personal safety for women living in today's world!"--Gregory S. Boles, President, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, and Director, Global Threat Management, Kroll Inc.

"Kathleen Baty's book is a must-read for every woman who wants commonsense advice about how not to become a crime victim. I highly recommend it."--Jill Schall, President, Women Prosecutors of California

From the Back Cover

a girl's gotta do ...

Sassy single gal, high-powered exec in high heels, carefree college co-ed, harried soccer mom-- no matter who you are, you deserve to feel secure doing your own thing anytime, anywhere. With a little help from the Safety Chick, it's a cinch. Sharing lessons she's learned-- the hard way-- along with proven tips from a battery of experts in street smarts, Kathleen Baty gets specific about what to pack for a business trip, where it's safe to shop online, when to report a creepy co-worker, and how to tell that guy who's bothering you at the bar to get lost-- for good. Complete with step-by-step instructions on how to stop an assailant dead in his tracks with your words, your hands, or, if necessary, a few easy-to-use self-defense weapons, this book is a master class in personal safety for women of all ages.

"Many women believe that violence is a mystery that can be understood only by men, but Kathleen Baty knows better. Throughout this book she shows that intuition is deep, brilliant, and powerful."--Gavin de Becker, from the Foreword

"Kathleen Baty succeeds in turning her own experience as a victim of a terrifying stalking into an extremely useful guidebook on safety for women. Bravo!"--Susan Herman, Executive Director, National Center for Victims of Crime

"At last, a practical guide to personal safety for women living in today's world!"--Gregory S. Boles, President, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, and Director, Global Threat Management, Kroll Inc.

"Kathleen Baty's book is a must-read for every woman who wants commonsense advice about how not to become a crime victim. I highly recommend it."--Jill Schall, President, Women Prosecutors of California

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
On her mission to make the world safe for womankind, Kathleen Baty has appeared on Good Morning America, Larry King Live, Leeza, and Extra, and has been featured in such publications as Glamour, Redbook, Woman's Day, and
dn0 USA Today. After helping to get the nation's first anti-stalking law passed, she now conducts seminars on personal safety and counsels victims of violent crime.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 2002. Corr. 2nd edition (March 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579546390
• ISBN-13: 978-1579546397
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,318,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hi my name is Kathleen Baty and I am the CEO of SafetyChick Enterprises. Caring about your personal safety translates into every aspect of your life. Learning to live with strength, courage, and common sense is the greatest gift that you can give yourself. With this motto, SafetyChick Enterprises was born.

As an author, journalist, and motivational speaker, I was the victim of a kidnap attempt at knife-point by an obsessive stalker.

After fifteen years of living like a hunted animal, I came to the realization that living weak and in fear was going to destroy me, if I didn't turn the negative into a positive. That meant becoming proactive. I decided to use my hard-won knowledge and trial-by-fire skills as a lesson for women everywhere. If I could prevent just one woman from becoming a crime victim, like myself, it would all be worth it!

Teaming with U.S Congressman Ed Royce, we set out to change the system. Within a few months, Congressman Royce and myself played a key role in the passage of the first national anti-stalking law. We now actually have a law that can prevent more serious crimes from happening. I think it's wonderful that law enforcement now has the tools to prevent a sexual assault, a rape, a murder, or another violent crime. In the years since, I have gladly assumed my role as a dedicated and articulate victims' rights advocate. I am honored to have had the opportunity to speak to millions of people through appearances on, The Today Show, The Montel Williams Show, America's Most Wanted, Inside Edition, Good Morning America and ABC World News Tonight, as well as features in publications, People Magazine, Time Magazine, Glamour, Redbook, Women's Day and USA Today.

My new book, College Safety 101: Miss Independent's Guide to Empowerment, Confidence and Staying Safe was written for one reason, and one reason only-to help young women learn "Street Smart" before they have to learn it the hard way. As I said earlier...I believe that caring about your Personal Safety is the greatest gift that you can give yourself. Making SMART Personal Safety Choices is the way to go! It's not about being Paranoid...it's about being SMART!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Hardly an expert, March 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do (Paperback)

I agree with the other "thumbs down" reviewers. This book is full of old info. and I detest its incessant cutesy girl talk demeanor. Frankly, I was shocked that Gavin de Becker endorsed this book. Safety Chick has great PR. That's the main thing I can say she has going for her, at least in terms of this book.

Moreover, taking a few self defense lessons from a self defense pro hardly qualifies one as an expert. Some of her information, particularly regarding self defense, is downright dangerous and shallow - clearly the mark of someone with little experience.

If you want good information on safety and self defense, read Sanford Strong's "Strong On Defense." I also recommend Gavin de Becker's book "The Gift of Fear." If you want to learn practical self defense and rape defense tactics for women, check out the Dr. Ruthless videos - Fierce and Female.

29 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - I bought it for my wife, May 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do (Paperback)

I am a self defense instructor and i recently bought this book for my wife. It's advice is excellent and presented with humor and in a very accessible manor.

I disagree with the other reviewer who said that this is all stuff "we've heard before". It may seem like common sense stuff, but the problem with common sense is that it isn't too common.

In my classes I encounter highly intelligent, educated, professional women who still jog alone at dusk wearing a walkman. I have spoken to countless women who own mace and keep it in their bedroom drawer where they will never get to it in time.

These women are not dumb, and this level of unpreparedness is not unique to females either. It's just that we are not used to thinking about, "what would i do if..." scenarios. This book makes you think about these things in a very non-threatening way.

If you get one thing out of this book, and that one thing eventually saves your life - how much would the book be worth then?

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, May 28, 2006

By 

N. Cutrell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do (Paperback)

This book covers all the basics of women's safety. I am a woman that teaches self-defense seminars to women in local businesses in my area. I always recommend everyone to read this book. There are helpful resources in there for anyone. Not every word will pertain to every person. But if you just get one thing out of the book, then it was worth it. I read negative reviews of this book. For those people, you do not grasp the importance of safety. You are the ones that think "it can never happen to me."
Every woman should read this!