THE MANUAL TEACHES WOMEN HOW TO FIGHT. RATHER THAN EMPHASIZING TRICKS OF ESCAPE OR SET RESPONSES TO MODEL SITUATIONS, IT EXPLAINS HOW TO ANALYZE AN ASSAULT, CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE, AND EXECUTE THE RESPONSE. THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILL TO BE LEARNED FROM THE BOOK IS MENTAL RATHER THAN PHYSICAL. EACH CHAPTER EXAMINES ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES (AND THEIR INJURY-CAUSING POTENTIAL) FOR VARIOUS KINDS OF ASSAULT, DEALS WITH A NUMBER OF MULTIPLE-ASSAILANT SITUATIONS, AND PRESENTS PROBLEMS (WITH ANSWERS) THAT GIVE THE READER AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK OUT DEFENSE STRATEGIES. THE OPENING CHAPTER DISCUSSES THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT OF SELF-DEFENSE, PARTICULARLY AGAINST RAPE. OTHER CHAPTERS DEAL WITH KARATE PUNCHES, KICKS AND BLOWS, HOW TO BREAK A HOLD (AND MOUNT A COUNTERATTACK AFTER THE BREAK), TAKE-DOWNS, DEFENSE FROM WEAPONS (KNIVES OR GUNS), THE USE OF IMPROMPTU WEAPONS, AND SPECIAL SITUATIONS (DEFENSE FROM BEDS, CARS, STAIRS, THE GROUND). SUGGESTIONS FOR PHYSICAL CONDITIONING TO BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH, AND ENDURANCE ARE OFFERED. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO EXERCISE FOR DEVELOPING STRENGTH IN THE UPPER AND LOWR BODY. THE TECHNIQUES DESCRIBED HAVE BEEN TESTED IN FEMINIST KARATE UNION CLASSES AND HAVE PROVED EFFECTIVE AND EASY TO LEARN. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. (LKM)