Soft Targets: A Woman's Guide to Survival

by Michael L. Varnado and Detective Michael Varnado

"Varnado offers up truly invaluable lessons from his work on the front line of crime scene investigation."--The Midwest Book Review

Violence against women has reached epidemic proportions in America. Now, a twenty-year veteran detective shares hard-won lessons from the front line of crime scene investigation. Using actual case studies from his own career, Detective Michael L. Varnado advises women on how to avoid becoming "soft targets" for...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1589801989
• ISBN13: 9781589801981
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

From date rape to purse-snatching and kidnapping

Women are typically easy targets for violent predators. In Soft Targets: A Woman's Guide To Survival, veteran police detective Michael L. Varando offers up truly invaluable lessons from his work on the front line of crime scene investigation, using case studies from his career to advise women on how to avoid becoming 'soft targets' for predators. From date rape to purse-snatching and kidnapping, chapters discuss why and how predators choose their targets - and what makes them 'soft' and desirable over others.

Best resouce available!

Detective Mike Varnado has done it again! Similar to "Loss of Faith: Victims of Dead Man Walking", he has taken true to life crimes, not those of the Hollywood version mind you, and detailed them in an easy to understand format to protect yourself and others from from tragedy. This book not only explains the backgrounds of the criminal acts and victims of crime, but also explains what could have and should have been done to best avoid the worst case scenario. While this book may not save every person in the world from the criminal mind, it will most certainly make you a harder target to be taken advantage of. This is a MUST READ book for anyone within the criminal justice system, homeland security, and even those of a most passive mindset. Criminals DO exist. Please don't think you may never be a victim. Read the book, and your chances of becoming a victim of crime are reduced significantly. Detective Mike rocks! I've never met the man, but it is clearly obvious he knows what he's talking about. Don't be fooled by Hollywood granduer - learn it from the source. A man who's spent a lifetime making sure everyday citizens do not have to fall prey to crime.

Excellent information for protecting your loved ones.

Soft Targets by Michael Varnado is a must read for anyone who really cares about protecting their loved ones. It is well written in language easily understood. If you want to keep your family safe, don't miss this one. Sheriff's Deputy John William Bell

Excellent Criminal Justice Resource

As a recent Criminal Justice degree graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans, I would gladly recommend Detective Varnado's new book to be utilized as a textbook within the university's curriculum. It is the first book that I have encountered both as a student and a consumer that focuses on true life crime stories, self-defense techniques, and portrays a Christian viewpoint of law enforcement. It is an easy read and a must-read for all Criminal Justice majors and professionals as well as all of the "soft-targets" mentioned in the book.

A Must Have Book

Wow!!!!!!! This is one of the greatest books I have ever read! The true stories of real life crime and how the author relates them to help the readers learn to be more aware of situations that put them in danger is a must have for every man, woman, and child. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I was quick to realize, how often I have put myself in the position as a "soft target". It was very eye opening!!!