Has anyone read "Concealed Carry Class: The ABCs of Self-Defense Tools and Tactics" by Tom Givens? If so what do you think of it?
I've read both the ABC's and Givens' first book Fighting Smarter.
Easiest to use an analogy. Where I live, the CHP/CCW class is pretty basic. They spend most of the time discussing pistol safety and legal aspects of carrying a pistol. There's only a short section where you actually fire the pistol. I think it's only 30 rounds.
Most places that do training offer a couple follow on courses. The first is usually a two day weekend course called something like "Pistol I", but a better name might be "Everything we should have taught you in CHP class, but weren't required to." — That's the ABC's book.
Then they usually offer a follow on one day course called "Pistol II" or "Intermediate Pistol." Basic tactics. Shooting behind cover. etc. IMO, Givens' "Fighting Smarter" is the book version of Pistol I and Pistol II.
From a writing style standpoint - The ABC's is written way better. Probably used a professional copy editor and graphic artist. Fighting Smarter, not so much.
To add another brick to the pile. Places like Gunsite and Front Sight offer one week courses that are (IMO) the combo of Pistol I plus Pistol II plus more advanced things like moving through buildings. IMO content wise, the Mann and Rayburn books mentioned above, would be analogous to a Gunsight/Front Sight one week course.
BTW, I'm not saying reading a book is the same as attending an in-person course with a comptent instructor. I'm comparing the level of content between the various books.
