Books The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence  by Gavin de Becker (Author

"The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence" by Gavin de Becker is a groundbreaking and practical guide on how to trust and interpret fear as a valuable survival instinct that warns us about danger before violence occurs. De Becker, an expert in threat assessment, explains that fear is not something to be dismissed or suppressed but a gift that can alert us to real threats by sending pre-incident indicators (PINS).

Key concepts include:

Pre-incident indicators include behaviors such as forced teaming (pretending shared goals), excessive charm, too many details (lying), typecasting (insults designed to elicit reaction), loan sharking (unsolicited help creating obligation), unsolicited promises, and discounting "no."

He stresses the importance of listening to intuitive feelings and trusting internal alarms that warn of danger.

The book discusses common tactics used by potential perpetrators to manipulate and gain control.

De Becker encourages recognizing the difference between genuine fear signals and irrational anxiety or paranoia.

The book provides strategies for using fear to make safer decisions in situations like dating, domestic abuse, workplace violence, and everyday encounters.

De Becker’s MOSAIC Threat Assessment System is highlighted as a tool used to predict and prevent violence by understanding these early warning signs.