Showing posts with label Yourself. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yourself. Show all posts

Thursday, October 8, 2015

The SAS+ Security Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Yourself

The new and fully updated and expanded edition of the bestselling security classic. Written by renowned ex-SAS security expert Andrew Kain, this handbook provides the most reliable, authoritative and respected security information on the market. Don’t leave home without it on your smartphone, laptop or ereader! Andrew Kain served in the SAS for 11 years, leaving in 1990 to set up AKE Group, a world leader in the field of risk mitigation. In this fully updated edition he shares his much sought-after security experience, knowledge and techniques – preparing you for anything, anywhere in the world. In the SAS+ SECURITY HANDBOOK the insight and expertise that has made the SAS respected throughout the world has now been applied to every aspect of personal security: SECURITY IN THE HOME SECURITY IN THE STREET SECURITY IN THE CAR SECURITY ABROAD GAP YEAR TRAVEL TERRORISM BUSINESS SECURITY WORKING IN HOSTILE REGIONS Whatever your security concerns, the SAS+ SECURITY HANDBOOK will ensure you get the basics right. Featuring valuable case studies and security scenarios, it teaches practical lessons that will reduce your chances of becoming a victim, to help you reassert control over your life. “Don’t wait to be a victim of crime. Do yourself a favour – read this book.” Andy McNab


Andrew Kain joined 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment – 2 Para – in 1973. Five years later, he passed SAS Selection, going on to spend the next eleven years as a Special Forces soldier. He saw active service in theatres as diverse as the Falklands, Northern Ireland and Middle East; he was an instructor on the SAS counter-terrorist team and also worked with other government and law-enforcement agencies, developing specialist techniques still in use today. After leaving the Special Air Service, Andrew worked as a security consultant and later founded AKE Ltd in 1991, providing security services and advice based on SAS methods to clients ranging from small NGOs to industrial giants. In 1993 he designed and delivered the world’s first Safety in Hostile Regions course for journalists operating in war zones. The SHR course celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2013 and has grown to become the benchmark for training that has now become mandatory for the industry. In 1996, the SHR (Surviving Hostile Regions) course proved its worth when video footage in Zaire captured a correspondent from TV4 Sweden saving his colleague’s life under gunfire. In 1998, Andrew was able to demonstrate to specialists within the insurance industry that training could diminish the risk to people operating in high-risk environments and war zones. In the same year, he began working with insurers from the floor of Lloyd’s delivering political risk intelligence. He also designed and delivered the first safety course for journalists operating in war zones delivered on behalf of BBC World Service and The Freedom Forum to Albanian journalists in Tirana just prior to the Kosovo war, and trained Radio B292’s Serbian journalists in Montenegro under the noses of Milosovic’s Serbian military. In the immediate aftermath of the NATO Kosovo campaign, Andrew and AKE took the lead – and were successful – in tracking down and safely returning two engineers who had gone missing. From 9/11 and its aftermath, which saw Andrew and AKE supporting CNN in Tora Bora, Afghanistan in the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, right up until today, he has demonstrated that the basic principles set out in this handbook, developed with their foundations in the SAS, do work and can save lives.

Most helpful customer reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
5The best, most practical guide to personal safety on the market
By Eamonn Gearon
The SAS Security Handbook by Andrew Kain is the best guide to personal safety on the market.

One of the nicest things about this book is its down-to-earth, human voice. Andrew Kain is a great guide, and this book benefits enormously from the fact that his advice is based on hard-won, first-hand experience. Both as a former member of the SAS, and as the founder of the highly regarded, Hereford-based (home of the SAS, in the UK) security firm AKE, this is a man knows what he is talking about. Just ask any one of the hundreds of journalists and other professionals who are alive today because of his advice.

In the interests of full disclosure, years ago, when I was a free-lance journalist, I was lucky enough to take an AKE training course in Surviving Hostile Environments. The practical, easy to remembered lessons I learnt in that course have helped me on many occasions over the years. I’m pleased to see that those lessons have made an easy journey to the pages of this book.

Instead of bunch of “war stories,” Andrew Kain provides a wealth of practical advice, which is written in such a way that it really can help anyone who reads it.

This book is just as useful for housewives and househusbands, as it is for students of all ages, and office-bound professionals, in the city or travelling abroad.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
5The most practical and intelligent security guide out there
By Mike Hanna
Andrew Kain is the real thing. He basically invented a model of security training for journalists and others operating in hostile environments. I have worked with him and his team in the field and have witnessed how the skill sets of highly trained soldiers can be focussed on civilian needs, and that is what he does in this book. It is comprehensive, intelligent and should be on the bookshelf of every family. Its more than just a "how-to" though- it's also a fascinating insight into the special forces community and people like Andrew Kain who were and remain part of it.

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Download The SAS+ Security Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Yourself Safe at Home & Abroad Now

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Break Into Travel Writing (Teach Yourself)

Getting paid to go on holiday may sound like a great lifestyle. But there's a lot of hard graft involved - particularly, breaking into this industry in the first place. Few industries have changed as rapidly as publishing, and within publishing few areas have changed as rapidly as travel publishing. This book will bring you up-to-date with the latest trends in blogging, social media, magazines, websites, travel guides, and travel books. It provides specific advice for each sector, on how to write and, just as importantly, how to get published. Written by Beth Blair, an American travel writer who has been published in books, magazines, and online, this book is full of practical and inspiring advice that will help you broaden your horizons and turn your travel writing into cash.


Beth Blair is a Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota-based travel and lifestyle writer. Her articles have been featured in Aviation Security International, St. Paul Pioneer Press, AirTran Airways GO, Midwest Meetings, Toastmasters, Savvy.MN, CBSMinnesota.com, FoxNews.com, Prime Kansas City, HerLife, State Farm's Good Neighbor, Hybrid Mom, Draft, Arizona Star, Tucson Citizen, Tucson Newcomer and Tourist Guide, Arizona Bride, Tucson Bridal, Desert Leaf, Oro Valley/Marana, Association News, Christian Science Monitor, Central Penn Parent, Long Island Mothers Journal, SheKnows.com, BabyZone.com and  numerous anthologies, including the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She was named first-place winner in the 2010 Writer's Market "Freelance Success Stories" contest and most recently her blog TheVacationGals.com won Gold in the prestigious 28th annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition (2012).
Beth is a member of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers).

Most helpful customer reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
5A Great Guide for Beginners
By Amazon Customer
If you have the travel bug and want to share your stories with a wide audience but just don't know how to do it, this book was written for you.

No nonsense and not condescending, this handy guide shares the truth about travel writing, from the ground up. It's not easy- but it is rewarding.

Written by Beth Blair, and filled with loads of first had accounts from other travel writers, this little book will lead you in the right direction. Whether you want to begin publishing a travel website or wish to write for print, you'll find helpful tips and real-life experiences. A great guide for beginning travel writers.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
5Want to be a travel writer? This book is a solid investment!
By JetWithComfort
I was delighted Beth wrote this book. She has great advice and practical tips for understanding the ins and outs of the travel writing niche. (I know this because I hired her as a consultant years ago!) Beth is passionate about travel, writing, and helping others achieve their dreams.

It can be overwhelming to figure out the fast-changing travel writing industry. Beth provides in this book practical steps and insight into what works and where to put your energy "breaking into travel writing". I instantly downloaded the book when I heard she had written it. I also paused half-way through to write Beth an email with some initial feedback and gratitude. I just realized I forgot then to post an Amazon review - and so will just copy/paste my email to her:

"Dear Beth,

I am so happy you wrote this book! I have not finished reading it yet, but had to pause to offer you this feedback.

Your guidance is not only practical, but inspirational. New writers (and even those veteran writers who are having to change their focus to stay with the times) will appreciate your concrete steps on where to look for opportunities, what to avoid, and where to focus their energy. When people focus on their niche, their passion, dedication, and enthusiasm will lead them to their dreams. The key is to focus on what aspect of travel they enjoy telling their friends and colleagues about - this is usually a great start. And I loved your tip to start in their backyard - so many overlook that because it doesn't feel like travel to them, but to many it is a "foreign place"!

You worked hard writing this book and pulled in some great quotes - nicely done!"

Does her advice work? Well - look at what she has accomplished! Learn from the experts to avoid wasting time. I appreciate this book for the practical, concrete steps provided to become a sought after travel writer!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
5Useful for a newbie!
By Elizabeth D. Knight
Beth gives practical tips for starting out in this business, from pitching to publications to finding topics and taking family on work trips. She assumes you already know how to write, which I appreciated. Hopefully you do, too, if you're considering this career! The fact that she is located in Minnesota, has a family, and yet has forged a successful career as a travel writer for national and international publications is quite inspiring! She has a friendly, practical writing style and she will make you feel like you can do it (if you work hard).

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Download Break Into Travel Writing (Teach Yourself) Now