At Home in the Real World: A Manual for the Modern Woman in an Unstable World

When it comes to home security and defense, nobody takes on the topics of Awareness, Prevention and Defense like Suzy Meyer. In At Home in the Real World: A Manual for the Modern Woman in an Unstable World, she uses personal narrative and illustrations, to capture her transformation from Queen of Denial to a stronger, more grounded individual capable of defending her home and herself.

Meyer boldly exposes 5 dangerous myths about police protection and restraining orders, and uncovers the shocking extent of unreported crimes against people and property. Each reader is shown how to assess the safety of her or his home and how to strengthen weak areas. These lessons are based on three tenets: Eliminate Surprise, Deter Access, and Have a Plan!

Meyer also encourages each person to tap into their primal instincts and get strong, both physically and mentally. In Defense, she gives careful consideration to unarmed self defense, improvised weapons, pepper spray, and firearms. The treatment on guns for home defense is deeply researched, thoughtful and articulate. The combination of narrative, images, quotes and humor make it a compelling read that’s been called ＂a manual to live by.＂

The book includes:

• 5 Dangerous Myths
• 3 ＂Think Like a Predator＂ Exercises
• 20 Home Security Products; 3 DIY Projects
• 4 Case Studies on Strengthening Doors & Windows
• 4 Lessons in Badassery
• 12 Improvised Weapons
• 10 Body Weapons & 15 Body Targets
• 3 Considerations for New Gun Buyers
• 3 Recommended Firearms for Home Defense
• 8 Legal Terms Home Defenders Need to Know
• and more.

I didn’t set out to write At Home In the Real World, the need for it found me. My architect husband and I bought a handsome bungalow on a nice street in Pittsburgh in 2011. As a landscape architect, I was outside on our property every day-learning to grow healthy food. That’s when I heard the gunfire and learned that burglaries nearby ranked in the City of Pittsburgh’s top 10%. I felt vulnerable and uncertain. A year later, shocked by an incident close to home, I decided to learn how to strengthen our home and how to defend it and my family if I had to. This can-do, how-to manual is the result of five years of research, writing, practice and tough lessons from great mentors (including a trainer of elite Navy Seals, and a retired Law Enforcement Office of 26 years). It’s my roll-up-the-sleeves journey into the willingness and mindset necessary to understand home security and home / self defense. I’m a stronger person for it; more grounded, aware, and calmly prepared. Life doesn’t come with manuals for the tough things we all face, so I wrote this one, because you want prevention more than defense. And you need to be ready for both.