I have been a defensive firearms instructor for nearly a decade. During that time, I have trained with some of the best instructors in the nation, including Travis Haley, Mike Seeklander and Gary Quesenberry. My personal library contains dozens of books on the topic of situational awareness and the defensive mindset. I have incorporated much of the content of those books into my class presentations and curricula. If this book had been around 10 years ago or even 5 years ago, it would have saved me a significant amount of effort.

Gary Quesenberry has put forth an easy-reading, knowledge-packed book that should be the basis for any civilian, concealed carry permit holder, law enforcement officer or military person to start their journey on understanding when dangerous people use a threat. This book focuses on how you can identify dangerous predatory behavior from other people, as well as assess the vulnerabilities you and your loved ones might have. This book puts you ahead of the curve in preventing violence from happening to you and yours.

To get the amount of knowledge in the concise format Gary has written, I have had to read and internalize the information the following books:

Mediations on Violence by Rory Miller
Facing Violence by Rory Miller
The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker (who is highly over rated in my opinion)
On Killing by Lt. Col. (ret) Dave Grossman
On Combat by Lt. Col. (ret) Dave Grossman
Left of Bang by Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley
Sheep No More byJonathan Gilliam

Gary has given us a gift in this book. If you are a defensively minded individual, it is a must read.

This is an excellent book. It is so informative that I read it in one sitting. This book is a Wake Up call for everyone. Parents should share it with their children. There couldn’t be a more appropriate time (2023) to start focusing on your surroundings. In todays world, we MUST be AWARE to keep SAFE. Without a doubt this book was a 5 STAR read for me. Thank you for writing a book that makes you thnink about SAFETY!

There’s information here covered elsewhere, and covered in greater depth; The Gift of Fear, and Meditations on Violence come to mind.
However, this book has additional material and focusses well on situational awareness.
It is worth buying, reading and re-reading.

Spotting Danger Before It Spots You: Build Situational Awareness To Stay Safe makes extensive use of the author’s 19 years of experience as a Federal Air Marshal and instructor.
There are numerous books of preparing for violent encounters. What I like about Gary Quesenberry’s book is that he gives a variety of practical exercises and tests to actually improve and implement the all important situational awareness.
My one niggle is that, like several American writers, he labels the venerable Kim’s Game observation exercise as “Keep in Mind”, rather that acknowledging the actual Kipling origin.
That aside, this is a valuable addition to the literature of self protection.

“Spotting Danger Before it Spots You” by Gary Quesenberry is a book that aims to help readers understand how to recognize and avoid potential threats in their everyday lives. Quesenberry, a former Federal Air Marshall, shares his knowledge and experience to provide practical advice on assessing and mitigating risks.

The book covers various topics, including situational awareness, travel safety, home security, and personal protection. Quesenberry emphasizes the importance of being proactive and prepared, rather than reactive, to stay safe in today’s increasingly complex and unpredictable world.

Throughout the book, Quesenberry provides real-life examples and scenarios to illustrate his points and offer actionable insights. He also includes exercises and checklists to help readers develop safety plans and strategies.

Overall, “Spotting Danger Before it Spots You” is a comprehensive guide to personal safety for anyone looking to enhance their awareness and preparedness.