Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected

Finding this book was very timely. Since being the recipient of an verbal assault with a provocation toward physical violence by an individual outside of a moving theater 2 years ago, I've wondered what the "right thing" to do was? Try to have a conversation with the fellow? Have a smart, verbal response? Fight? Flee? or Freeze? That incident opened a series of conversations with friends and peers related to the illusion, perhaps even myth, of peaceful life in this culture, or any historical culture for that matter. It wasn't that I had no concept of the potential for violence surrounding everyday life, ...the watershed event for me was actually the culmination of several 'events' over the course of a lifetime that forced me to finally confront the reality and make a lifestyle change. It also led me to filter through several thousand pages of material related to violence, personal defense, legal implications, and aftermath considerations and preparation, not necessarily for the inevitable, just preparation...in case. Perhaps the most important information communicated to me was the importance of making up your mind where the 'line' is concerning your willingness to save your own life or the life of your loved ones and to make that decision now, rather than in the midst of the crisis. Good information in this book, and apparently backed up by a career of experience.

This book has a wealth of sound practical advice. Its about understanding the causes and types of violence, and learning to aviod them or defuse them and where necessary protect yourself. Highly recommendable to students of self defence.

Not only does the author discuss how confrontations begin, how to resolve them and how to avoid them, but also what to expect after a confrontation is over. Although Miller does not offer legal advice, he does strongly recommend you prepare for legal issues before you need it. Solid information, council and means to protect yourself including how to avoid a confrontation in the first place.

As a Martial Artist and retired military member, I found this book to be a fantastically informative volume. The legal aspects of a street fight are rarely discussed in training and I have known individuals who thought that in defending themselves they were justified in actions that severely debilitated their attacker. They were disappointed and frustrated to learn that was not the case. We have a Legal System not a Justice System and this must be covered. The De-Escalation tactics and the types of assailants one can encounter offers a lot of good information as well as the Escape portion. We should all know not to be in certain places that ooze threat but there is always someone who finds out too late. Recommended for teachers of Self Defense.

This book is excellent for men and women alike. Helps you determine when there is a real emergency at hand and what to do about it while you still can. Recommend for anyone and everyone, because violence can strike anywhere.

The sections on different types and motivations for violent behavior were excellent. Miller breaks things down well and gets you to think about their role as behavior...not just violence. If you expecting a book on defensive tactics, this is not it. It is much more about the mental aspect of what it means to use force to defend oneself.

Describes the types and levels of violent threats. More importantly, it offers ways to avoid a physical confrontation based on the type of threat that is encountered. A chapter titled "The Fight" focuses more on mental preparedness than physical, which is just as important but typically given inadequate attention elsewhere.

This book has some great data points about attacker motivations and types of attacks. If you can avoid an attack that is ideal, however understanding what the attacker wants could and should impact your reaction.

I found Rory millers book "Facing violence:preparing for the Unexpected" a brilliant explanation of the way the human mind works when it comes to violence - not only the victims mind but also the "threats" mind.Although the legalities of the situations explained are seen with the american legal system in mind, i can see how the situations would play out in an Australian court. A great read and i am about to start Rory's other book "Meditations on Violence".

This book offers a perspective I've never seen elsewhere, and causes you to be more aware of your surroundings to avoid violence if at all possible and to prepare to defend yourself if there is no alternative.

When reading the review for this book I noticed the first element addressed was "Legal and ethical implications." That caught my attention. Few instructors lead out with mention of real world considerations. That got me to purchase the book.

When I started reading this book, in my opinion, I found it to be a street level version of "On Killing" by Dave Grossman.

I've been a use of force instructor since 1982. Law enforcement officer for 32 years. I have purchased a couple books for my department instructors over the years and this is one of them. Three copies, one each to the instructors with suggestions that after they finsih it's passed along to the SWAT officers.
Bought additional copies for a good friend and my daughter who lives out of state.
Needless to say I was impressed with this work.

Every person who is in a profession which may involve violence or who teaches self defense or martial arts needs to read and apply the information Rory Miller presents. To often one dwells on the best art or technique not the consequences or what happens when it hits the fan of realism. Many martial arts instructors have only limited knowledge of this which could be a good thing or not. Violence has consequences, by reading this book you will learn that best consequence could have been just not to be their. Trust your instincts. Practice, practice, practice and for many martial art techniques the best that can happen is that you never have to use them. Reading this book will empower that thought.

I have been a martial artist, actually more martial than artist and find the word from Mr Miller to be timeless. Obviously an experienced and wise man in the ways of the world, a world that is ever changing. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to be read and reread, for the world is full of monkeys.

great explanation of the messiness of violence and self defense. Coming to an understanding of the legal and emotional repercussions is just as important as know when or how to throw a strike. I appreciate especially the viewpoint in the writing that escape is the most important result desired.

The author talks a lot about situational awareness and avoidance. However, the long discussions and pictures about certain self defense moves contradicts his theory that training in a martial art never prepares you for a situation. Also, learning self defense moves in a book is not the correct approach.

The books starts off good, then goes into a lull, then picks back up with 'useful' information towards the end.