The Gift of Fear
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Gavin de Becker |
| Products | Self-help publication |
The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence is a self-help publication from 1997 authored by security expert Gavin de Becker. The work underscores the importance of relying on one's intuitive "gift" for detecting threats, portraying these instincts as essential tools for successful self-protection.
The Gift of Fear remained on The New York Times Bestseller List for a duration of 16 weeks.
Summary
De Becker explores recurring patterns in violent and abusive behavior, illustrating their predictability in environments such as workplaces, homes, educational institutions, and dating scenarios. He introduces the concept of pre-incident indicators (PINS), which are behavioral signs that frequently precede violent acts, allowing individuals to foresee potential dangers and respond appropriately. Additionally, the book details de Becker's MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems, a methodology employed by celebrities and government bodies to anticipate and avert violent incidents.
Notable pre-incident indicators include:
- Forced teaming: Creating a false sense of partnership by implying shared circumstances, frequently using collective pronouns like "we."
- Charm and niceness: Politeness deployed strategically to lower suspicion and influence others.
- Too many details: Overloading with information to enhance perceived credibility, often by deceivers.
- Typecasting: Using derogatory remarks aimed at eliciting a reaction from the target.
- Loan sharking: Offering unsolicited assistance that generates a sense of indebtedness.
- The unsolicited promise: Promises given without request, often signaling impending harm or broken trust.
- Discounting the word "no": Disregarding refusals to exert pressure on the recipient.
Reception
The book held a place on The New York Times Bestseller List for 16 weeks.
A review in Time praised the section addressing stalking as especially insightful. An FBI Academy instructor acknowledged its usefulness for law enforcement professionals, describing it as providing "tools for assessing potentially violent encounters." In The Boston Globe, Zachary Dowdy characterized it as "a how-to book that reads like a thriller." Julie Barlow of The Gazette referred to it as "surprisingly credible" and "strangely reassuring." Even two decades post-publication, Carolyn Hax continued endorsing The Gift of Fear in her widely syndicated advice column.