Becoming Bulletproof

Starred review from March 2, 2020
In this illuminating debut, former Secret Service agent Poumpouras lays out a road map for ensuring one’s personal safety in any situation. Her advice is hard-won, garnered from stints in the New York Police Department and working in the security details of former presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Poumpouras proves she’s adept at self-protection as she counsels that fear (“and its crazy cousin, panic”) can paralyze even the most confident—and that facing it head-on is the key to becoming “bulletproof.” She divides her strategies into three topics: protection, reading people, and influence. The first illustrates the importance of mental resilience during fast-moving, dynamic situations and offers strategies for planning for all eventualities. She also gives tips on situational awareness, trusting intuition, and taking concrete steps to ensure personal safety. Part two gives readers tools for detecting lies and for how to read people while keeping one’s own emotions under control. Part three brings everything together, with advice on influencing (but not changing) people, earning respect, and harnessing the power of empathy. Poumpouras’s wise direction and actionable lessons will be relevant to audiences of all ages. Those looking for a shot of confidence will love this.