The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker (2004, Paperback, Reprint)

Many years ago, my daughter and I took a very hard-core self defense class. This is one in which you learned to maim/kill potential attackers with a pencil, an umbrella, or whatever you had on hand. (My daughter was written up in local papers for using a Barbie doll as a lethal weapon.)

This was a book recommended by the 5'4 (female) instructor with multiple black-belts in various martial art disciplines, and also teaches corporations/military personnel on how to keep top executives safe, not just in the US, but throughout the world, in hostile zones.

The idea is not to be Rambo, or a martial arts hero; which 99.9% of either male or females cannot accomplish without years of training.

This book is meant to teach you to listen to your inner "warning bells" -- if something doesn't seem right: Don't go there; don't do that. Get security to escort you to your vehicle, whether it's a hotel or the post office. If there's too many people on your portion of the sidewalk, cross the street.

It also teaches you to recognize warning signs -- AKA: "the helpful guy" - if you're in a new place, and someone wants to help you carry up some bags, kindly decline, and close the frigging apartment door. If he lives there, he will have a key; if he's a guest, his friend will buzz him in; otherwise, he's stalking you, or someone else in the building.

This is an excellent book when you realize the actual world we live in. It was especially written with females in mind, to take advantage of your "fear" because you're probably right when you feel it. Most women have an exceptional sense when something is not right. Don't ignore it.