4 out of 4 stars
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As a psychologist with impressive experience as a threat and behavior analyst for nearly all U.S. intelligence and military agencies, Gary M. Jackson, PhD puts his decades of practical knowledge to the benefit of all. In his book, Surviving Mass Victim Attacks, Jackson takes the unique approach of addressing acts of terrorism with a focus on victims rather than the perpetrators. The book is broken into three parts, providing insight ranging from what to do if you are caught in an attack, to the physical and psychological after-affects of a mass attack.
Jackson's book looks at past attacks and touches on the various stages a perpetrator goes through to carry out their plan. Types of weapons used, victim targeting, and location are all important factors. Jackson details strategies for specific scenarios, including whether to try to escape, hide, stay in place, or attack the attacker. He also goes into detail on the importance of having a personal security plan and how it can be applied to different age groups during an attack. Using his own experience working on mass victim cases, Jackson reveals the necessity of being observant and advises what to do if you encounter suspicious activity or witness warning signs. Truly comprehensive, this book also discusses post-attack effects on individuals, including physical, emotional, and psychological ramifications.
Although the theme of this book covers sensitive and terrifying material that most of us would rather not focus on, it relays very practical information that has the potential to save lives if the unthinkable were to happen. The book was exceptionally organized, presenting information clearly and concisely, with repeated emphasis on key points. This book was immaculately edited, and Jackson writes with a professional yet compassionate tone. The data in the book is current, citing attacks as recently as the Parkland, Florida school shooting in February of 2018.
This book left nothing to be desired as far as expectations one would have when choosing to read it. In addition to being filled with valuable resources, including pertinent contact numbers, statistics, and informational websites, it is also packed with footnotes and a lengthy list of citations. Jackson even provides graphs, charts, and tables for those of us who learn better with the assistance of visual aids.
I would recommend this book to any adult. While it is not probable to find ourselves in a mass victim attack, it is increasingly possible in this day and age. And because the prevention of mass attacks is the ultimate goal, the information contained in this book can help everyone know what to look out for and how to act preemptively. It is without hesitation that I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars for its invaluable tips and insights, as well as the author's stellar presentation.
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Surviving Mass Victim Attacks
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