Other Resources

Annotated Bibliography

This is provided from Beyond Technique in the Dojo: The Art of Training Warriors, which is due out by the Fall of 2021.
Books on Managing Fear and Anger and Preparing to avoid and respond to Violence:  

Asken, Michael J and Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. 2010. Warrior Mindset:

Mental Toughness Skills for Nations Peacekeepers. USA: Warrior Science Publications.
Two experts who started the scientific study, killology, the effects of violence on people.

Clark, Taylor. 2011. Nerve: Poise Under Pressure, Serenity

Under Stress, and the Brave New Science of Fear and Cool. New York: Little, Brown and Company.
The explanation of the science and applied to stories of real people in real stressful situations, and advice on dealing with stress in your own life.

Eagleman, David. 2011. Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. New York: Pantheon Books.

A practical explanation of how our brains really work as opposed to the way most of us think that they work. How emotions hijack our logic.

Gardner, Daniel. The Science of Fear. 2008: New York: Dutton.

A very readable explanation on why we fear things we shouldn’t and how that puts us in danger.

De Becker, Gavin. 1977. The Gift of Fear: and Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence. New York: Dell books.

An expert who contracts with the CIA, FBI, Secret Service, and military explains the body’s responses to danger, warning signs, and techniques to use fear.

Gilmartin, Kevin M. Ph. D. Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement. 2002. Tucson, Arizona: E-S Press.

Having served over 20 years in law-enforcement, Dr. Gilmartin became a behavioral specialist and does national level seminars help police officer survived the emotional trauma of their jobs.

Grossman, Dave, Lt. Col. and Loren W Christiansen. 2008. On Combat: Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and Peace. USA: Warrior Science Publications.

Excellent coverage of the titled topic.

Miller, Rory, Sgt. 2011. Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected. Wolfeboro, New Hampshire: YMAA Publication Center

A high-level martial artist, corrections officer, and trainer of special response teams. Provides practical advice on physical and emotional responses.

Miller, Rory, Sgt. 2008. Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training and Real-World Violence. Boston, Mass.: YMMA Publication Center.

A high-level martial artist, corrections officer, and trainer special response teams. A must read for all martial arts instructors.

Miller, Rory, Sgt. 2016. Training for Sudden Violence: 72 Practical Drills. Wolfeboro, New Hampshire: YMAA Publication Center.

Everything he writes is excellent and this book provides exactly what it says.

Books on Ethics and Legalities in a Violent World

Ayoob, Massad. Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self-Defense. 2014. Iola, WI: Krause Publications.

Along with Mr. Branca’s book listed below, this is one of two books that are mandatory reads for the ethics and legalities of defending ourselves and others.

Ayoob, Massad. In Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Self Protection. 1980. USA: Police Bookshelf

One of the best books on the legalities of the use of deadly force in self-defense. Mr. Ayoob call on years of experience in law enforcement, as a law enforcement trainer, and as an expert witness to put together an easily readable explanation of the laws for non-lawyers.

Branca, Andrew. The Law of Self Defense Principles. 2020. United States: Self Published

A nationally known criminal law attorney. This book along, with Ayoob’s books should be mandatory reading for any US martial arts instructors.

Driver, Janine. You Can’t Lie To Me. 2014. New York: Harper Collins.

A former DEA agent and now a national consultant and trainer in interrogation.

Hopkins, Greg.  A Time to Kill: The Myth of Christian Pacifism. 2013. Florence, Alabama: Mindbridge Press.

An excellent study of Biblical passages referring to use of force in self-defense situation.

Lewis, Don. Beyond Technique in the Dojo: The Art of Training Warriors.

Scheduled for publication in January of 2021, this book provides five courses in the soft skills of becoming a Warrior. The five courses are Violence and Self Protection, Managing Your Fear and Anger, Ethics in a Violent World, Principles of Teaching Physical Skills, and Fast Track Meditation for Busy Martial Artists.

Lewis, Don. Sundays in the Dojo: The Making of a Warrior-Priest. 2011. Stanardsville, VA: 22nd Century Institute, LLC.

Written in story form, this book explores the causes, symptoms, and need for treatment of PTSD. Along with The Warrior’s Codex, this book was purchased in bulk by the US
Army for use with their chaplains.

Lewis, Don. The Warrior’s Codex: Sayings from the Heart of a Warrior. 2011. Stanardsville, VA: 22nd Century Institute, LLC.

Sayings and proverbs which can be used by sensei to provide short lessons as a part of developing the inner spirit of their students. Along with Sundays in the Dojo, this book was purchased in bulk by the US
Army for use with their chaplains.

Lewis, Don. What to Do While Waiting for Peace to Come: Conversations on Violence, Power, and the Difficult Art of Being Civilized.

Upcoming in 2021.

Books on Meditation:

Christiansen, Loren W. Meditation for Warriors: Practical Meditation for Cops, Soldiers, and Martial Artists. 2013. Portland, Oregon: OWC books.

Excellent book on practical uses of meditation in preparing for and in combat situations.

Mann, Jeffrey K. 2012. When Buddhist Attack: The Curious Relationship between Zen and the Martial Arts. Rutland, Vermont: Total Publishing.

A Ph.D. in Religious Studies and a practicing Black Belt, Dr. Mann has a very readable and accurate portrayal of the role of Zen Buddhism meditation and its practical application for a warrior culture.

Wise, Anna. Awakening the Mind: A Guide to Mastering the Power of Your Brain Waves. 2002 New York: Jeremy P Tarcher/Putnam.

This is both a practical guide to meditation as well as an explanation of the scientific bases for it. Excellent book if you want to go deeply into meditative/altered states.