The Power of Awareness: And Other Secrets from the World’s Foremost Spies, Detectives, and Special Operators on How to Stay Safe and Save Your Life

In this gripping guide, Schilling (Alone at Dawn), an Air Force special operations and combat control veteran, advises on how to stay safe in the face of danger. The power of intuition, he argues, is the most important tool one can use, particularly learning to read body language and facial expressions, which can set off subconscious alarms. The ins-and-outs of forming plans, acting decisively, and being prepared are fleshed out. For instance, Schilling recommends carrying hidden money in the event of being robbed, always holding possessions in one’s lap, never using back pockets, and carrying a tactical pen (an inconspicuous steel pen that can be used as a baton). Tips on securing private homes and data are particularly thoughtful, as is a sadly necessary section about surviving a mass shooting: gather with others, subdue the assailant if possible, and “if you can’t escape, begin evading.” Real-life anecdotes, such as Schilling’s actions during the Battle of Mogadishu or the story of a CIA agent being stalking by Kuwaiti spies, break up chapters and add a sense of tension. Readers will gain essential insight on self-protection from Schilling’s eye-opening manual. (June)