Book: The Tao of Survival

If you tend to walk around with your face buried in your cell phone, oblivious to the world around you, then The Tao of Survival (Gibbs Smith, $19) is not for you. According to author and former Special Forces soldier James Morgan Ayres, only one out of ten people are able to effectively think and act their way out of a survival situation; this book is for those who wish to become part of that 10%. Ayres’s approach is different than most, focusing more on mindset than specific physical skills—which is where the Tao comes in. Awareness, alertness, composure, sensory perception, mental acuity: all these are part of “the way,” the ancient Chinese principle of being in harmony with the natural order of the universe. Ayres reminds us that survival situations can occur anywhere, anytime—not just when you’re lost in the woods—and being mentally prepared not only prevents you from becoming a victim, but enables you to help others. Whether you’re into Eastern philosophy or not, the message is clear: the most powerful weapon in any survival situation is your brain.