Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training and Real World Violence [Illustrated] [Paperback]

 

 

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At the beginning of this exceptional book is a black and white photograph of a bathroom with a swirl of sticky-looking muck on the floor and a few little droplets splattered across the side of the toilet. Since there is no color it takes a moment to realize what you are looking at, but this mess is clearly human blood, a LOT of human blood. You don't know what happened but it was obviously something awful. A slowly drying pool of blood is not what one might expect to find at the beginning of a typical martial arts book, but then again real-life violence is not a subject that martial artists typically understand or write about.

Like a pool of blood, violence is a very sobering subject; one that must be treated seriously in order to do any good. Meditations on Violence certainly fits that bill. It is a refreshingly frank, honest, and in-depth assessment that teaches readers how to think critically about the subject, determine how to evaluate sources of knowledge, and understand how to identify strategies and select tactics to deal with violence effectively.

As a corrections officer and tactical team leader Miller regularly tangles with hard-core predators. He describes his job this way: "I beat people up for a living. I can pretty the phrase up a lot, but in the end I get paid (and paid well) to go into a situation, usually alone and usually outnumbered by sixty or more criminals, and maintain order."

This is a guy who routinely survives brutal encounters that would leave the average person physically and emotionally shattered. Unlike most martial arts instructors, he has first-hand experience that separates longstanding myths and heroic fantasies from merciless reality. Using interesting personal vignettes backed up by solid research and undisputable logic he conveys this hard-earned wisdom in a highly effective manner. His insights on how to make self-defense work and overcome subconscious resistance to meeting violence with violence could very well save a reader's life one day.

While the author's no-nonsense tone can be a bit "street" and his examples a bit graphic at times, his psychology degree shines throughout the writing as well. This combination makes for a fascinating read. One of the best features of the book is an informative matrix that addresses various types of violence, demonstrating how they differ from each other and how the lessons from one type may not apply to the needs of another. Other important topics include the dynamics of violence, predator mindset, adapting training to the realities of violence, making physical defense work, and the after-effects a sudden assault or long-term exposure to a violent environment.

Miller's book is extraordinarily well written. Packed with interesting, informative and, most importantly, useful information, Meditations on Violence should be required reading for all serious martial artists, law enforcement officers, security professionals, and anyone else who might have to deal with violence in some capacity. It is illuminating and very likely lifesaving as well.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults and Martial Arts Instruction; co-author of The Way of Kata, The Way to Black Belt, and The Little Black Book of Violence

Note: this review first appeared in the Jul/Aug issue of ForeWord Magazine.

I must admit at the outset, that I hesitated before writing this review. I'm not a martial artist or to be honest even that physically fit. Something however, for some reason drew me to this book, and as I explain, I will always be glad that it did. Whilst this book will have obvious appeal to those practicing martial arts and self-defence already, it's also an essential read before taking anything up. This book is the ultimate reality check. It explains the nature of violence itself and the mindset of the type of people who would be most likely to attack you. This is a very sound approach. It was the great Roman General and philosopher Marcus Aurelius who said, (in his own book titled 'Meditations'), that before addressing any problem, the first stage should be to ask what is its nature in and of itself. That is the approach Rory Miller takes with regard to explaining the nature of violence and attackers. As an approach it is highly effective, and he executes it well in an intelligent witty and engaging style.

The answer to his question about the nature of violence, is not pretty. The imagery he employs will stay with you for some time, and is frankly disturbing and shocking. It's never gratuitous however, because it has the purpose of waking-up anyone labouring under false pretences about what violence is and how it occurs. One such person was myself. Fortunately, I read this book before encountering my own attacker.

He was a drug addict in his late twenties and had confronted my 71 year old disabled step-father on his own doorstep. Only my step-dad's decorative iron gate he keeps locked kept them temporality separated. I arrived on the scene to drop off shopping, when I came face to face with this crazed and desperate attacker. Now, before reading 'Meditations on Violence', I have to admit I would probably have prevaricated. I would have stood thinking that I could reason with this individual. That would have been a bad thing to do. Understanding that the man before me was what Rory Miller describes as 'a hustler', I knew where he was coming from, and that I couldn't let him take the initiative. Just as he went to headbutt me I was moving to his side, and got him down and managed to restrain him until the police arrived. He later pled guilty to breach of the peace and assault.

Any martial artist or competent self-defence practitioner would have laughed at my effort. It was clumsy disorientated and had no technique or finesse at all. My point though, is that even a small built softie approaching middle-age like myself was able to deal with this, and prevent anyone getting hurt, including the attacker, because I understood the nature of the threat, and the attacker, and the appropriate response. And I knew that, purely because I had read this book. I knew not to stand still. If I hadn't had that awareness, and attempted to deal with it by my old approach, I dread to think what might have happened. I would almost certainly have been head-butted to start with. I don't intend to sound self-indulgent in offering this little recital of events, rather I am trying to demonstrate how the principles of this book can be readily taken on board, and are at the crux of defending yourself. Nor am I suggesting that this book's message can replace technique, that is not what Miller himself argues. Grasping the message of this book won't guarantee your safety. But not grasping it, could put you in danger, even with good technical self-defence skills.

I have now decided to find a reliable and realistic system of self-defence, which I will build on top of this awareness obtained from this book. I apologise to knowledgeable martial artists for my not so knowledgeable review. This is an appeal though to my fellow softies everywhere. Get this book! It demonstrates like no other, that being able to defend yourself effectively doesn't start with technique, important though that is. It starts with what's going on between your own ears, and especially on how realistic your understanding of violent confrontation is. Whether you are a softie like me concerned for your own, or your loved ones safety, or a technically advanced practitioner of the martial arts, I would suggesst this book is essential reading. Rory Miller has writen what I expect will become a minor classic. I personally will always be grateful that he did.

My first review for Amazon i think, and I have to say how much I enjoyed this tome.
Turned up Saturday lunch time & i had finished it by 3 that afternoon.

If you are a martial artist then i believe this book is of genuine service to you. Rory Miller has to utilise acts of force in his day job & teach these attributes to others. There is a palpable air to this book that what is being discussed is real & valid

Confrontations are not as the average martial arts practioner believes them to be. they are nasty, brutish, quick & surprising. Mr Miller talks us through some past experiences & provides insights & observations on violent incidents.

The book deals with the mindset, situation & aftermath of a violent assault & I think covers more ground than the usual self defence related material. Mr Miller's real life role (Now training U.S. armed forces in theatre, according to his blog) adds substantial weight & realism to the topics he discusses.

I found this book to be a real gem & will look forward to any new work with interest.

Rory, been reading the blog for a few months, excellent & bought this off the back of it, best wishes & you take care.

Matt Richards

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5.0 out of 5 stars There's more to self defence than learning a martial art!
Whilst in no way suggesting I am an experienced martial artist, I have trained with 4 different styles of JuJitsu/Jutsu and at 1 Judo club across a period of 20 years. Read more

Published 8 days ago by Mr. C. D. Wilcox

5.0 out of 5 stars very well written
a very good thought provoking book written in a good clear manner i recommend anyone who studies the martial arts or even those who are thinking of doing so to read this Mr Miller... Read more

Published 10 days ago by malcolm

5.0 out of 5 stars a thorough analysis of the subject
the subject of violence is rarely being analyzed in such a great detail, to give a regular person a way to understand it's complexity, roots and dynamics
the book is also a... Read more

Published 4 months ago by M. V. Volgin

5.0 out of 5 stars Meditations on Violence
An excellent book that should be read by anyone who wants to explore martial/self defence and its 'realationship' with the real world of violence. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Kravman

5.0 out of 5 stars Not an easy read but a necessary one IMO
This book is a must-read in my opinion for anyone who has any interest in TRUE self-defence whether they be a security professional/LEO, martial artist or just an average person... Read more

Published 6 months ago by A. Murdoch

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what you call REAL martial arts
I urge every martial artist out there to read this book. I feel that any sensi,Guro, instructor will benefit from this mans experinence and thoughts. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Sinan Beratli

5.0 out of 5 stars Meditations on Violence
Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training and Real World Violence
I think this book a really good one in this topic. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Magyar Attila

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
This book re-confirmed to me many things that I thought were true but had never had much experience of. Read more

Published 11 months ago by M. Ball

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read!
This book is very well laid out and is genuinly interesting to read whether you have an interest in martial arts or not. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Georgia H1

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
A must have for anybody in security or martial arts or anybody who wants the best knowledge on how to handle violent situations.

Published 15 months ago by Karl

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