Real World Survival : What Has Worked For Me [Paperback]

Walt Rauch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 14, 1998

A book about the hard choices we may have to make to survive in the world today. The author examines the importance of proper mindset and being aware of the world around us. He describes some of the characteristics of the bad guys and the various weapons they may use against us. He covers various types of self-defense tools, along with the importance of getting the proper training and offers some suggestions on where to get such training. Also included are sections on firearms that the author has used throughout his career in law enforcement, as well as the pros and cons of "customizing" a self-defense handgun.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...Walt Rauch asks, "Do you fear death?" as he begins this "must-read" book for anyone concerned with surviving... -- American Guardian (NRA), July, 1998

...how can you identify if you are being threatened?...What should you do?...These are all questions answered in full... -- Petersen's Handguns, Nov., 2000

There is so much great material in this twelve-chapter book that this review cannot do it justice. -- The Law Enforcement Trainer Magazine, Sept./Oct, 1998

About the Author

Upon receiving his BS degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology and completing service as a Special Agent in U.S. Army Intelligence, Walt Rauch was a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service and an investigator with the Philadelphia (PA) Fugitive Squad (where he made over 2,000 felony arrests). He now operates a consulting firm, Rauch & Company, Ltd., and provides firearms training as well as expert witness testimony on firearms use and tactics.

Rauch is also a writer and lecturer in the firearms field. He is published regularly in national and international publications, including Combat Handguns, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement and other Harris Publications specialty magazines, Emap/Petersen's Handguns, Guns & Ammo specialty magazines, S.W.A.T. Magazine, Police and Security News, Cibles (France) and Visier (Germany).

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rauch & Co Ltd; 1 edition (May 14, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966326008
• ISBN-13: 978-0966326000
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,180,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real World Survival, What Has Worked For Me, November 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Real World Survival : What Has Worked For Me (Paperback)

An excellent primer for those who anticipate, and more importantly, those who have not anticipated, the necessity for real survival skills in today's environment. The author presents useful information in a pragmatic manner, which highlights realistic challenges which most of us have encountered, but may have not noticed. Refreshingly, this is not a typical "gun" book which dictates what, when, how, or why you must defend yourself. The author does not present hypothesis or conjecture, but practical information which is taken from first-hand experience. Having been exposed to the "hype" of self-defense sophistry, I was delighted to discover that Mr. Rauch presents practical information in his book which does not rely upon the "special effects" of the latest technological advancements in the self-defense industry. His writings demonstrate how practical skills, combined with the knowledge of how your attacker thinks, provide the ultimate tools of survival. If you are concerned with ensuring your ability to identify, avoid, and survive life-threatening situations in any environment, then this book should be read by you and your loved ones.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "must read" for anyone considering or buying a handgun, November 11, 1999

By 

BigCitySid (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real World Survival : What Has Worked For Me (Paperback)

Walt Rauch writes a very simple, straight shooting book on what it means to be an armed cilivan in todays America. Both pros & cons, and this is very necessary to know. But this book is not only about choosing your weapon and learning how to master it. You will also get basic insite about what to expect legally if you are involved in a shooting, how to travel smarter and safer, along with learning how to avoid trouble in the first place. Mr Rauch has carried a handgun for over 40 years in various occupations, he obviously has a wealth of knowledge to share.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 'Real World Survival' works for me!, January 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Real World Survival : What Has Worked For Me (Paperback)

'Real World Survival' works for me!

As the reviewer from Costa Rica notes, the first two chapters are quite good. I also thought that the rest of the book was well done. This is an excellent book for beginners, and covers many of the basics in a straightforward and no-nonsense manner.

Sure, as a Gunsite graduate, much of the book was perhaps a little too basic for my tastes. I don't need advice choosing a sidearm, for example. Like the reader from Costa Rica, I would have preferred a more advanced treatise, and I hope this book is successful enough to entice Walt Rauch to write a followup book, with more advanced topics.

That said, I believe this is an excellent book for people who are considering whether they should own a firearm for self protection, and don't quite know where to start, or even what questions to ask. It's also great for people who HAVE made the decision to defend themselves and their loved ones, but need some solid guidance from a more experienced individual... a person like Walt Rauch. For people in either category, I would suggest ALL the following books:

1. Real World Survival by Walt Rauch

2. The Truth About Self Protection by Mas Ayoob

3. Drive to Survive! by Curt Rich

More experienced shooters can certainly benefit from those three aforementioned books, and for them, I would add to the list... Jim Cirillo's book, some of Mas Ayoob's books, some of Jeff Cooper's books, and all of Gabe Suarez's books.

Bottom line... Walt Rauch wrote a damn fine book!