Book excerpt: Fighting Smarter is the result of over 40 years of specialized training, education and experience in using handguns for self defense. Consisting of 40 chapters and over 300 pages, this book is full of vital information for anyone concerned about personal security.The first half of the book deals with the "software" issues, such as developing your awareness skills, building a winning mindset, and your legal rights and responsibilities. There is also a great deal of information about crime and how criminals operate, to help you see problems as they develop.The "hardware" section deals with selecting the right gun, holster, and ammunition and proper training to take control of your life.The author has been carrying a gun professionally for over 40 years and has been conducting training for over 35 years. Givens serves as an expert witness on firearms and firearms training issues in both state and federal courts all over the US. He is a former champion competitor in both IPSC and IDPA competition, and he holds an IDPA Master rating in CDP, ESP, and SSP divisions. Givens has written well over 100 published magazine articles in Combat Handguns Magazine, SWAT Magazine, Concealed Carry Magazine, Soldier of Fortune, and other publications. This is his fifth published textbook.