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.