Massad F. Ayoob

2.75 stars. Ayoob has a lot to teach, even for those of us who went to law school, have been in trials, and are familiar with the law of self defense. If you haven’t read anything on these topics you could do worse than to read this book. There are important concepts here armed citizens need to master and learn. The teacher isn’t as important as the content.

If you do read it, though, be prepared for lots of filler of the sort you’d fault in a high school student (Wikipedia and online show more dictionary quotes, anyone ?) reprints of articles, self aggrandizement, and above all, smug privilege - especially in the discussion of the Trayvon Martin case. For him to say the case had nothing to do with race,and to gloss over Zimmerman’s provocation and escalation of the situation by following him, feels like it’s implausible credulousness or straight up disingenuousness. His discussion of the “real meaning “ of the civil rights movement, or his nauseating assertion that persons of color no longer have to worry about lynchings or overt racially motivated violence and their real concern is violence within their own community - reveal exactly what kind of blind spots and privileges this man has. Again I say this with due deference to his lifetime of work in the criminal justice field.

In this he is much like many other conservative authors who speak on gun rights. I wish there were more pro second amendment voices from LBGTQ people, women, and people of color - marginalized people for whom taking responsibility for our own defense in appropriate circumstances is every bit as or more critical as it is for the populations doing the marginalizing.

If I find a better book on the topics here I’ll amend this review. Until then, hold your nose at times, but read and learn. You don’t have to agree with all of it - I certainly don’t - but it’s worth reading. show less

Yes, this book is a classic. I've seen it referred to in many articles I've read. But why hasn't it been updated? It's 35 years old and is woefully out of date. The guns discussed, the calibers discussed, the role women play or do not play in self defense -- all of these and more are beyond outdated. There's good information on the legal and literal implications of using your weapon in self defense, and frankly, it's pretty sobering. You can't shoot people who are attacking you unless you show more are firmly in belief that your very life is in danger. So people who are attacking you with non-lethal methods (ie, pepper spray to rob you...) are off limits, even though your life COULD be in danger. And if you do shoot someone, prepare to go bankrupt as you're sued through the roof. It's really depressing. And be prepared to be charged with murder and get horrible press, even if it was completely in self defense. It's crazy! It almost makes me want to not carry at all. May as well get killed if I'm going to spend my life in prison and go bankrupt defending myself. I'm sad to say I can't recommend this book. It needs to be made current and I don't know why the author or publisher hasn't done so. show less

In the Gravest Extreme is a must-have book for the private gun owner. Written by Massad Ayoob, a well-respected law officer, champion marksman, and firearms instructor, the book contains valuable information on such topics as the legality of defensive shooting, when to shoot, what guns are better for self defense, gun safety, and other related topics. Though written in an American context, lessons in the book is applicable to lawful gunowners from other countries.

The author makes it clear show more that using a gun in a self-defense situation must not be taken too lightly. As he repeatedly points out, it is only legal and moral to do so when there is imminent and unavoidable danger of death or grave bodily harm. I do hope that loudmouthed, braggart gun owners in internet forums and rightwing websites would heed his exhortation. A gun in the hands of an incompetent person is just as dangerous as in a drug-crazed homicidal maniac.

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Even though it is dated in it facts and laws this is still a great teaching about how to be aware of your surroundings and how to defend yourself and better yet protect yourself and your property from crime.