Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision Making Under Threat of Violence [Paperback]

Before I was a journalist, I was a police officer. I graduated from a police academy and had a 4.0 in criminal justice for almost two years. This book is fantastic for cops and security guards, but more so for anyone who wants to learn about self-protection. ANY good martial artist will tell you the best way to win a fight is to walk away from it. Sometimes you don't get that option. This is where this book comes in -- Rory and Lawrence tell you HOW to recognize the signs (breathing rates, talking/not talking, posture, etc.) that signal potential violence.

If you're not familiar with the concept of the "victim interview," they do an excellent job describing what that is and how to avoid passing the interview! Essentially bad guys will test potential victims (mugging, rape, assault etc) by testing (interviewing) them first. They may ask you for change, or the time. They may walk too close and see if you stop and confront them... Just as sharks will "bump" a swimmer to determine if they can attack with success, human sharks will do the same, subtly evaluating or "interviewing" you to see if you'll fight back, or lay down and give up. DISCLAIMER: I interviewed Lawrence about this very issue several years ago and that's how I know him. He sent me this book to review since that's what I do now, (in addition to being a ghostwriter).

What makes this such a "hard to put down," book is that both Rory and Lawrence obviously draw on their history of personal encounters and experience with violence and responses to it. I LOVE the case studies, the "actual event" descriptions and the way they use actual incidents to explain the concepts they're teaching. Just a fun read even if you don't do anything with it. You'll learn stuff just by reading.

They point out that a lot of violence is caused by, or prevented by "presence" (the art of "skillfully doing nothing") and attitude, and then go into how to develop that.

Practical, practical, practical. They talk openly about the consequences of violence (lawsuits, bodily harm) and give very matter-of-fact things to consider BEFORE escalating a situation.

Who should buy this book?

College students
Women
Cops
Social Workers
ANYONE with a concealed carry permit who does in fact, carry
House parents
Teachers
Lawyers and judges and anyone in a bail bonds office
Hospital and psychiatric workers
Anyone who works with the homeless
Anyone who works with addicts
Anyone who works in security
Anyone who works in a bar or restaurant
Anyone who works in a hotel or other public place where people get drunk and stupid

Seriously. The BEST book I've ever read on this topic. These guys put it all into one book, practical, easy-to-read, no BS insights, suggestions and information about how to protect yourself against the nutjobs, criminals and angry people in this world.

This book is simply incredible. Rory Miller takes his years of experience and training, combines it with excellent training tips and stories that will make you laugh and other times bring you to the edge of tears.

Teaching proper threat escalation is a vitally important part of martial arts and self defense, one that is too often passed over. Rory Miller should be considered a must read author for anyone who deals with violence in any situation, being a martial artist, a police officer, or a club bouncer. This book will save your life, and your life savings if you have to defend yourself in the courtroom. Stop reading this review and buy this book, now!

Rory Miller and Lawrence Kane have put their heads and collective experience together to author a new book available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Scaling-Force-Dynamic-Decision-Violence/dp/1594392501/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349277482&sr=8-1&keywords=scaling+force

It's titled 'Scaling Force', and it's jammed full of good information and advice that will surely help many understand the LEGAL definition of the legal term 'self-defense', and will guide ANY martial artist through the legal maze that may result from the use of your chosen art in an altercation.

This book will also clearly define the many variables that are involved, and the pitfalls that you may face if you choose to use your training - it can come back and bite you! I don't mean to discourage anyone - this is going to be a great read, and for many it will be a revelation! Reading through the who's-who of forewords and beta-reader's quotes will clue you in to the seriousness of the subject matter - quotes from many notable martial artists, including Marc MacYoung, Alain Burrese, Loren W. Christensen and Ian Abernethy get right to the heart of what you have in store for you to consider.

The reality of 'self-defense' as you may be currently taught in the dojo is anything but the reality! Your MA training is incomplete without this text - you are being taught wrong. Simple as that. If your MA dojo is teaching you about the legal implications, they are doing YOU a disservice. Period.

This book will tell you WHY, and teach you about something that used to be called The Force Continuum in Law Enforcement circles. In today's society we believe too much of what we see on T.V. or read on the internet forums. Self-Defense is a buzzword used by many to take your money and in turn provide you with an incomplete program. It's taken me personally a few years to get to this mindset, and trust me - I've invested a lot of hard earned funds into developing solutions that would work for me and with my given set of circumstances. I was lucky to find Rory a few years ago, I own and have read and or re-read ALL of his output to date. I encouraged him to publish a book last year that I felt was important, and that would help many in my field break some new ground. I connect with Rory's writing and experience - he's got an easy manner of expressing difficult concepts and/or ideas. He doesn't sugar coat things, but slaps you in the face with what the reality is - often in a very humorous way, but often with no B.S. or glossing over.

If you even anticipate being in a situation where you're likely to have to use your training, save yourself GRIEF> BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT. It'll save you money, heartbreak, and untold anxiety. This book is another in a continuing series of books about VIOLENCE - as authored by both Rory and Mr. Kane. They've put out some of the best books on VIOLENCE that I've found on a subject that I thought I knew something about - until I read THEIR books. Now I KNOW differently. I was only kidding myself, and was also steeped in what T.V. has provided me with over a lifetime of exposure. Do yourself a HUGE favor - BUY THIS BOOK - but you better read it and more importantly UNDERSTAND what you are reading!

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Defend yourself FIRST by being well-informed - and this book will set you on that path. Read the quotes provided by many from the MA community and those from the LEO community as well - they pull no punches. Read/consider/re-read, let it all sink in, and read it again. Understanding violence, understanding 'self-defense' as you currently think you know it are likely totally wrong. Really.