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The Art of Fighting Without Fighting: Techniques in Personal Threat Evasion
Book by Thompson, Geoff
- GenresMartial ArtsNonfiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2014
8 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Thompson
134 books56 followersGeoff Thompson is a BAFTA-winning writer, filmmaker, spiritual teacher, and martial artist with a prolific career spanning multiple disciplines. He has authored books on self-help, spirituality, self-defense, and martial arts, while also writing for film and stage.
Beginning as a martial artist, Thompson specialized in reality-based self-defense, drawing from his experiences as a nightclub doorman. He co-founded the British Combat Association and taught seminars internationally, including for Chuck Norris. His self-defense innovations include "The Wall" and "The Fence," practical techniques for real-world confrontations.
His transition into filmmaking brought critical acclaim. His short film Bouncer (2002), starring Ray Winstone, earned a BAFTA nomination, and Brown Paper Bag (2003), inspired by his brother’s struggles with alcoholism, won the BAFTA for Best Short Film. He later wrote the feature Clubbed (2008), based on his autobiography Watch My Back, as well as The Pyramid Texts (2015) and Romans (2017), starring Orlando Bloom.
Beyond martial arts and filmmaking, Thompson has established himself as a spiritual teacher and self-help author. His works, including The Divine CEO and Live Your Dreams, focus on personal transformation and overcoming fear. He has delivered a TED Talk on conquering fear and hosted a popular podcast on spiritual growth.
In 2020, he released his autobiography Notes from a Factory Floor, chronicling his journey from factory worker to internationally recognized author and teacher. Through his writing, coaching, and filmmaking, Thompson continues to inspire others in the pursuit of self-improvement and personal mastery.
Beginning as a martial artist, Thompson specialized in reality-based self-defense, drawing from his experiences as a nightclub doorman. He co-founded the British Combat Association and taught seminars internationally, including for Chuck Norris. His self-defense innovations include "The Wall" and "The Fence," practical techniques for real-world confrontations.
His transition into filmmaking brought critical acclaim. His short film Bouncer (2002), starring Ray Winstone, earned a BAFTA nomination, and Brown Paper Bag (2003), inspired by his brother’s struggles with alcoholism, won the BAFTA for Best Short Film. He later wrote the feature Clubbed (2008), based on his autobiography Watch My Back, as well as The Pyramid Texts (2015) and Romans (2017), starring Orlando Bloom.
Beyond martial arts and filmmaking, Thompson has established himself as a spiritual teacher and self-help author. His works, including The Divine CEO and Live Your Dreams, focus on personal transformation and overcoming fear. He has delivered a TED Talk on conquering fear and hosted a popular podcast on spiritual growth.
In 2020, he released his autobiography Notes from a Factory Floor, chronicling his journey from factory worker to internationally recognized author and teacher. Through his writing, coaching, and filmmaking, Thompson continues to inspire others in the pursuit of self-improvement and personal mastery.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 5, 2012
“The Art of Fighting Without Fighting: Techniques In Personal Threat Evasion” by Geoff Thompson is a good little book on how to deal with conflict without becoming physical. It's written by a man, Thompson, who's had a fair amount of fighting and violence in his life, and then some. Through the years of sweat and blood, and teaching others physical means to defend themselves, Thompson has come to realize (as many of us in the fighting, martial art, and self-defense arenas do) that there really is a better way than cracking skulls and bashing heads. We can avoid the physical violence altogether. That's what this short book is about. Thompson says it took him nine years of constant violence and many more of soul-searching to realize that violence is not the answer. Maybe this book will shorten the learning curve for many readers. I sure hope so.
The title, obviously taken from the famous scene in “Enter the Dragon” where Bruce Lee describes his style as the art of fighting without fighting, and when the instigator insists on learning more of this style, Lee tricks him into getting into a smaller boat from the larger one they are on and sets him adrift, thus “winning” without fighting. That's what Thompson shares here. Way to win without actually going physical.
After a short introduction, there are five chapters. Avoidance, Escape, Verbal Dissuasion, Posturing, and Restraint. Throughout these chapters, Thompson shares excellent advice, personal stories, and various strategies to to resolve situations without going physical. To beat someone with guile rather than force.
I don't totally agree with Thompson's chapter on Restraint. I will give him that sometimes restraining a person is not as easy as some would want you to believe, but I also have restrained people and don't think it is as “dodgy” as Thompson says. It really does depend on the situation and the person doing the restraining. I do agree with him that trying to restrain one person by yourself when he has friends can be suicide. You don't want to be tied up with a person and have his buddies take it too you.
I liked Thompson's discussion on the flight instinct, and how we can train ourselves and our students to overcome this natural instinct when perhaps running away is not in our best interests. And I really liked how he talked about ego and not letting your ego get you into trouble.
Anyone who is into “fighting” should read this book. Might keep a person or two out of trouble or from being hurt or killed by continuing down that path. Those that don't want to engage in physical encounters should read this book too. There is some great advice on avoiding violence in this little gem of a book.
The title, obviously taken from the famous scene in “Enter the Dragon” where Bruce Lee describes his style as the art of fighting without fighting, and when the instigator insists on learning more of this style, Lee tricks him into getting into a smaller boat from the larger one they are on and sets him adrift, thus “winning” without fighting. That's what Thompson shares here. Way to win without actually going physical.
After a short introduction, there are five chapters. Avoidance, Escape, Verbal Dissuasion, Posturing, and Restraint. Throughout these chapters, Thompson shares excellent advice, personal stories, and various strategies to to resolve situations without going physical. To beat someone with guile rather than force.
I don't totally agree with Thompson's chapter on Restraint. I will give him that sometimes restraining a person is not as easy as some would want you to believe, but I also have restrained people and don't think it is as “dodgy” as Thompson says. It really does depend on the situation and the person doing the restraining. I do agree with him that trying to restrain one person by yourself when he has friends can be suicide. You don't want to be tied up with a person and have his buddies take it too you.
I liked Thompson's discussion on the flight instinct, and how we can train ourselves and our students to overcome this natural instinct when perhaps running away is not in our best interests. And I really liked how he talked about ego and not letting your ego get you into trouble.
Anyone who is into “fighting” should read this book. Might keep a person or two out of trouble or from being hurt or killed by continuing down that path. Those that don't want to engage in physical encounters should read this book too. There is some great advice on avoiding violence in this little gem of a book.
November 11, 2012
Five Stars because I followed it's advice this day last week in Dublin City Centre when accosted by an aggressive & mindless low life type & managed to walk away with self respect & self esteem intact!
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August 29, 2013
If yoiur interested in self protection or the martial arts this book is one you should read and Geoff thompson the person to listen too.
October 12, 2012
Not a bad book. It is a bit short and I would have liked more details. A lot of the book, with the exception of 'the fence', is common sense stuff:
1 Drop your ego
2 Avoid dangerous places
3 Avoid stupid people
1 Drop your ego
2 Avoid dangerous places
3 Avoid stupid people
Read
May 16, 2025*The Art of Fighting Without Fighting* centers on the philosophy and practical techniques of avoiding physical conflict through awareness, strategy, and psychological readiness. Inspired by the idea that true strength lies in evasion rather than aggression, the book provides methods to prevent and de-escalate confrontations before they become violent.
It emphasizes situational awareness, teaching readers how to recognize threats early and make quick, intelligent decisions to remove themselves from danger. Communication plays a key role, with a focus on verbal de-escalation, posture, and calm demeanor to diffuse tension and project confidence.
The book also explores the mental aspect of self-defense, including staying emotionally balanced, managing fear, and maintaining control under pressure. Practical strategies such as positioning, avoiding vulnerable locations, and understanding human behavior patterns are detailed as part of a holistic threat-avoidance toolkit.
Rather than promoting physical combat, the approach prioritizes dignity, safety, and responsibility. The ultimate goal is to empower individuals to handle dangerous encounters through wisdom, not force.
It emphasizes situational awareness, teaching readers how to recognize threats early and make quick, intelligent decisions to remove themselves from danger. Communication plays a key role, with a focus on verbal de-escalation, posture, and calm demeanor to diffuse tension and project confidence.
The book also explores the mental aspect of self-defense, including staying emotionally balanced, managing fear, and maintaining control under pressure. Practical strategies such as positioning, avoiding vulnerable locations, and understanding human behavior patterns are detailed as part of a holistic threat-avoidance toolkit.
Rather than promoting physical combat, the approach prioritizes dignity, safety, and responsibility. The ultimate goal is to empower individuals to handle dangerous encounters through wisdom, not force.
June 1, 2019
The number one authority on Real self-defence!
May 26, 2020
A decent read for sure
Good tips
Good tips
March 22, 2021
I'm ready now to get some street cred
March 20, 2023
useful
Some useful ideas that I think self defense instructors should use, but it’s hard to get these ideas out of a book
Some useful ideas that I think self defense instructors should use, but it’s hard to get these ideas out of a book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews