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Violence of Mind: Training and Preparation for Extreme Violence
A book covering the topic of self-defense from a shocking, first-hand perspective. The subjects of criminal violence, self-defense, lethal force, mindset, firearms training and concealment have never been introduced so comprehensively in one place. Having successfully sold world-wide in its independently published and distributed paperback form, it is now available on Kindle. "A powerful, gripping, and self-reflective roller-coaster that's part cautionary tale, part how-to book on building the counterpart to the high-order predator, Varg makes no apologies for it being an in-your-face look at real violence from the perspective of that rare someone who can speak from deep personal experience, from both sides of the fence. In an industry littered with those often driven by ego, fantasy, and disconnected from reality, there are a vast number of people in this industry that NEED to read this. A book only an authentic leader in the industry could produce, fully-recommended. Read this book if you're serious about personal protection." D.P. Friesen, CLTP, Costa Rica Varg Freeborn is an author, fitness coach, violence educator and lethal force instructor widely known for his unique background in the violent criminal underworld. His breadth of experience is unmatched in criminal violence education and self-defense training.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2018
765 people are currently reading
682 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 14, 2018
It's a good book. Not a well written book but a good one nonetheless. It's at it's best when it covers the nature of violence, the authors own experiences, training for violence and the various misconceptions normal people have about it. It's at it's worst when it veers into repetitive ramblings about the self-defence industry or why obviously wrong organisations are obviously wrong. A few good extracts:
"
Our house was a drug house. With so many aunts and uncles all under the age of 30, the house was a hangout for all of their friends. That was a lot of criminals under one roof every single day. Drugs and alcohol were daily props, and all of the bad that comes with that. This pretty much created the atmosphere I grew up in. Daily parties, sex, violence, friends and family dying or going to prison; I was never a fan of rap but looking back retrospectively, if you listen to any 2Pac song and just imagine a white version of that life and you pretty much have the correct mental image of what life was like in the late 80’s and early 90’s for some of us. To give just one example, I was 6 years old the first time I nearly became a murder victim. This is a question I often ask when someone begins to expound about how much they know about violence, “How old were you the first time you almost became a murder victim?” For me it was 6, and it was just the beginning. The memories of how it began are long gone, but I’ll never forget the moments of terror during the event. There was a drug-fueled knife attack in our house. My family members were being stabbed, but my aunt and mother had managed to get the three of us into grandpa’s bedroom and put his big blue tool chest in front of the door. Thank God it was an inward swinging door (push door!). What happened next is something I will never forget. The hollow core door began to split, and the knife blade was visibly stabbing through. The attacker was shouting, “I’m going to kill all of you motherfuckers! Especially that little bastard in there with you; I’m going to chop him up into little pieces!”
"
"
One of the most important things that is overlooked by nearly everyone who carries a knife for self-defense is that fact that there are not many cases where self-defense with a knife does not lead to criminal charges. We are hear stories everyday about citizens who defend themselves with guns, and often are never charged. This means that police determined not to arrest them after the incident, and that the prosecutor further declined to press charges. It really has become socially acceptable to shoot someone with a gun in self-defense. This is not true of the knife. The knife is brutal. Savage. Incredibly bloody. You become the butcher of another human. It’s up close and personal… The perception of knife violence is one of brutality and extremism. Watch any number of available surveillance videos of people being stabbed. It takes numerous stab wounds before someone even slows down. What this means is that you will likely have to stab someone several times, and by several, I mean 15, 20 or 30, to get them to stop their attack on you. The incredible problem that this poses for you becomes clear the moment the police roll up and there you are, completely soaked in this guy’s blood looking freaked the fuck out, and there he is, on the ground with an insane number of holes in him. Do you really, honestly believe that any rational cop is going to be like, “OK, we can see who’s the good guy here. Go ahead home and wash all that blood off and we’ll call you if we have any questions”? No. It doesn’t happen like that. When that level of violence has been used, everyone goes to the station and the investigation starts. If the other guy is dead or unconscious, they are certainly not going to let a freaked out, blood-soaked knife wielder tell his version and then just go free. Are you serious? So, they’ll charge you, hold you, and begin an investigation. You just cannot cite knife defenses where the defender was not taken into custody and charged. If you find any at all, compare that with the frequency of how often it happens with firearms. The guys who do get off from knife defense cases only do so after enduring massive court proceedings, charges, and often trials. Which is where that other problem, the brutality perception, will beat you senseless. How do you stand and explain why any rational and peaceful person would stab another human being 15, 20 or 30 times? And you will have to explain this to people who have no idea what it takes to stop a human from violence, and how much the body can take before it drops. These are the same people that say things like, “Why didn’t the cop just shoot him in the leg, or shoot the gun out of his hand?” When police have public shootings. What do you think they see a stabbing as? On TV, you stab someone once and they fall! They learned about violence from TV. “20 or 30 times is murderous hate and aggression”, they’ll say. Let’s not forget that whole thing about 95% of charges ending in plea bargains in the U.S. It’... (less)
"
"
Our house was a drug house. With so many aunts and uncles all under the age of 30, the house was a hangout for all of their friends. That was a lot of criminals under one roof every single day. Drugs and alcohol were daily props, and all of the bad that comes with that. This pretty much created the atmosphere I grew up in. Daily parties, sex, violence, friends and family dying or going to prison; I was never a fan of rap but looking back retrospectively, if you listen to any 2Pac song and just imagine a white version of that life and you pretty much have the correct mental image of what life was like in the late 80’s and early 90’s for some of us. To give just one example, I was 6 years old the first time I nearly became a murder victim. This is a question I often ask when someone begins to expound about how much they know about violence, “How old were you the first time you almost became a murder victim?” For me it was 6, and it was just the beginning. The memories of how it began are long gone, but I’ll never forget the moments of terror during the event. There was a drug-fueled knife attack in our house. My family members were being stabbed, but my aunt and mother had managed to get the three of us into grandpa’s bedroom and put his big blue tool chest in front of the door. Thank God it was an inward swinging door (push door!). What happened next is something I will never forget. The hollow core door began to split, and the knife blade was visibly stabbing through. The attacker was shouting, “I’m going to kill all of you motherfuckers! Especially that little bastard in there with you; I’m going to chop him up into little pieces!”
"
"
One of the most important things that is overlooked by nearly everyone who carries a knife for self-defense is that fact that there are not many cases where self-defense with a knife does not lead to criminal charges. We are hear stories everyday about citizens who defend themselves with guns, and often are never charged. This means that police determined not to arrest them after the incident, and that the prosecutor further declined to press charges. It really has become socially acceptable to shoot someone with a gun in self-defense. This is not true of the knife. The knife is brutal. Savage. Incredibly bloody. You become the butcher of another human. It’s up close and personal… The perception of knife violence is one of brutality and extremism. Watch any number of available surveillance videos of people being stabbed. It takes numerous stab wounds before someone even slows down. What this means is that you will likely have to stab someone several times, and by several, I mean 15, 20 or 30, to get them to stop their attack on you. The incredible problem that this poses for you becomes clear the moment the police roll up and there you are, completely soaked in this guy’s blood looking freaked the fuck out, and there he is, on the ground with an insane number of holes in him. Do you really, honestly believe that any rational cop is going to be like, “OK, we can see who’s the good guy here. Go ahead home and wash all that blood off and we’ll call you if we have any questions”? No. It doesn’t happen like that. When that level of violence has been used, everyone goes to the station and the investigation starts. If the other guy is dead or unconscious, they are certainly not going to let a freaked out, blood-soaked knife wielder tell his version and then just go free. Are you serious? So, they’ll charge you, hold you, and begin an investigation. You just cannot cite knife defenses where the defender was not taken into custody and charged. If you find any at all, compare that with the frequency of how often it happens with firearms. The guys who do get off from knife defense cases only do so after enduring massive court proceedings, charges, and often trials. Which is where that other problem, the brutality perception, will beat you senseless. How do you stand and explain why any rational and peaceful person would stab another human being 15, 20 or 30 times? And you will have to explain this to people who have no idea what it takes to stop a human from violence, and how much the body can take before it drops. These are the same people that say things like, “Why didn’t the cop just shoot him in the leg, or shoot the gun out of his hand?” When police have public shootings. What do you think they see a stabbing as? On TV, you stab someone once and they fall! They learned about violence from TV. “20 or 30 times is murderous hate and aggression”, they’ll say. Let’s not forget that whole thing about 95% of charges ending in plea bargains in the U.S. It’... (less)
"
January 15, 2019
In preparation for writing my next novel, "Black Friday," I'm reading a series of books about violence, war, combat zones, and veterans. One of my main characters is a former Iraq vet -- any book that can help me better understand a man's POV is helpful. This is to say I'm not reading these books in preparation for Armageddon nor do I have a survivalist bent.
My personal proclivities aside, this book was unexpected. I thought I'd gain a better understanding of how to cultivate a violence of mind. Similarly, I wanted to know what goes on in that type of mind. The author solidly argues that one can only get to this place through engaging in violence or by spending time as an inmate in jail. Given the fact I have no intention of engaging in either of these activities, I'm not sure how well I can simulate this mindset for my novel. That being said, I learned other things that were quite useful, such as the difference between criminal violence and non-criminal violence. All of it is quite thought provoking and leads me the conclusion I need to do more research, perhaps take a SWAT course or some other training to be better equipped to write my next book. All and all, food for proverbial thought.
For readers who seek a book free of grammatical errors, the author states, upfront, he writes how he speaks, i.e., he's OK with the text not being very clean. Given how thoroughly he studied and understands violence, part of me wished he approached language with the same rigor. It's a tool, just like a gun or a knife or a fist. When used with precision and discipline, language is more powerful. Because Mr. Freeborn has so much valuable information to teach, I wish he had allowed his editor to be harder on him, so as to sharpen his message. All that aside, I got a lot out of the book and recommend it to readers who either to better understand in violence or who want to defend life/property when attacked at home or in a public setting.
My personal proclivities aside, this book was unexpected. I thought I'd gain a better understanding of how to cultivate a violence of mind. Similarly, I wanted to know what goes on in that type of mind. The author solidly argues that one can only get to this place through engaging in violence or by spending time as an inmate in jail. Given the fact I have no intention of engaging in either of these activities, I'm not sure how well I can simulate this mindset for my novel. That being said, I learned other things that were quite useful, such as the difference between criminal violence and non-criminal violence. All of it is quite thought provoking and leads me the conclusion I need to do more research, perhaps take a SWAT course or some other training to be better equipped to write my next book. All and all, food for proverbial thought.
For readers who seek a book free of grammatical errors, the author states, upfront, he writes how he speaks, i.e., he's OK with the text not being very clean. Given how thoroughly he studied and understands violence, part of me wished he approached language with the same rigor. It's a tool, just like a gun or a knife or a fist. When used with precision and discipline, language is more powerful. Because Mr. Freeborn has so much valuable information to teach, I wish he had allowed his editor to be harder on him, so as to sharpen his message. All that aside, I got a lot out of the book and recommend it to readers who either to better understand in violence or who want to defend life/property when attacked at home or in a public setting.
May 19, 2019
Writer’s IQ level very low.
This book is so full of “blathering” and nonsense BS it is hard to get any meaningful wisdom out of it. Could not finish it or even get very far in the book.
This book is so full of “blathering” and nonsense BS it is hard to get any meaningful wisdom out of it. Could not finish it or even get very far in the book.
January 2, 2023
This book is useful for anyone interested in self-defense and preparation (-for worse-case's scenario's) while fully respecting the law. It's written simply, to the point, easy to understand, and without pretention by an author who had lived-out his words. Despite some of the negative reviews, I personally had enjoyed it and found it to be resourceful; although I find that the book is not an end-to-all for your preparation and training but it's an addition to it. Don't expect to win a rendezvous with being in-the-wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time or predators only through reading this one book. To reiterate the author's own advice, self-control and discipline are key components and being able to remain calm under pressure; the skillsets previously mentioned cannot be acquired merely through reading but by being tested by real-life-experiences and forged through fire in itself. Again, I still appreciate that someone had shared his wisdom and story from the situations he had gone through so that a reader, like myself, would not have to learn from the hard-way. My favorite chapter has to be on how a predator think and how a predator chooses a target, tough-luck for all women out there. Thankfully the author does offer solution on how we can appear as less of a target.
February 5, 2019
This book should be required reading for all those concealed gun carriers and/or martial artists, especially those who practice knife and other sharp weapon arts. The author's background puts in perspective both the legal and physical consequences and expectations of actual weapon fights. He also argues against carrying a knife for "self-defense" as it leads to higher emotional, legal and physical damage to those who survive than a gun. A gun shot is more understandable by a jury than 20+ knife wounds. Those who train in "shooting" need to take in consideration other aspects of fighting, stances, physical conditioning, and proper awareness. I especially liked the section on "being a hard target" and the misconception that being strong and armed would be less of a target. Being unpredictable is perhaps more important.
Mr. Freeborn makes a strong case for learning from those who have been on the dark side and points out that the most well trained and dangerous characters will not be ex-military or LEOs, but those who do not care if they live and do not live by any rules. All forms of instruction and training have limitations and skills need to be pressure tested. Another section that I enjoyed was on "The lost art of Wood Shedding" which gave me a name to what I like to do.
Mr. Freeborn makes a strong case for learning from those who have been on the dark side and points out that the most well trained and dangerous characters will not be ex-military or LEOs, but those who do not care if they live and do not live by any rules. All forms of instruction and training have limitations and skills need to be pressure tested. Another section that I enjoyed was on "The lost art of Wood Shedding" which gave me a name to what I like to do.
May 21, 2022
Good book but not about what you think it is.
This material grants a unique perspective on assesing one's capabilities in the real world , assesing standards and guidlines and also mentors. Just because someone has done something for a great deal of years does not mean he ia competent and able to teach you what he professes in the present moment.
Some things to take with you: always practice fundamentals until they become your second nature . Specialized training does not mean learning "specialized" moves or using specialized dleivery platforms (guns, knives, kicks..etc) , but more like being able to analyze your environment and perform sequences of the fundamentals in the same sure and secure manner as in any other circumstance.
When going full in, think that the other participant most certainly has a total different set of values and most probably is certain to escalate the hierarchy of assault.If you are monkey dancing , are you ready for the other dude to become assaultive or even homicidal ?
This was more a book about formal violence , the psichology of the participants , predator and prey , and most inportantly the mindset. The mindset altering is what we are all after in some way or another.
Easily could've been a 4 if he would stop repeating himself so much , though i reckon that was also a part of him trying to get it to stick in the reader's head.
This material grants a unique perspective on assesing one's capabilities in the real world , assesing standards and guidlines and also mentors. Just because someone has done something for a great deal of years does not mean he ia competent and able to teach you what he professes in the present moment.
Some things to take with you: always practice fundamentals until they become your second nature . Specialized training does not mean learning "specialized" moves or using specialized dleivery platforms (guns, knives, kicks..etc) , but more like being able to analyze your environment and perform sequences of the fundamentals in the same sure and secure manner as in any other circumstance.
When going full in, think that the other participant most certainly has a total different set of values and most probably is certain to escalate the hierarchy of assault.If you are monkey dancing , are you ready for the other dude to become assaultive or even homicidal ?
This was more a book about formal violence , the psichology of the participants , predator and prey , and most inportantly the mindset. The mindset altering is what we are all after in some way or another.
Easily could've been a 4 if he would stop repeating himself so much , though i reckon that was also a part of him trying to get it to stick in the reader's head.
April 1, 2019
What I got from this book:
Get clear
1. On my mission regarding violence
2. On my values regarding violence
3. Give myself permission for violence
4. Mindset and orientation toward violence
5. Train the body, mind, and spirit for the real deal. Force on force is high;y recommended.
#1 take away for me was: give myself permission regarding extreme violence. I've never encountered extreme violence. Probably because I don't hang out in stupid places with stupid people.
Get clear
1. On my mission regarding violence
2. On my values regarding violence
3. Give myself permission for violence
4. Mindset and orientation toward violence
5. Train the body, mind, and spirit for the real deal. Force on force is high;y recommended.
#1 take away for me was: give myself permission regarding extreme violence. I've never encountered extreme violence. Probably because I don't hang out in stupid places with stupid people.
October 30, 2020
Useful information but somewhat verbose and redundant
Good perspective from someone with firsthand knowledge, but I found myself reading many paragraphs and wondering aloud "Didn't I just read those very same lines about 3 times before in previous chapters". The book could have been about 50 pages shorter and gotten across the same points. That said, I'm not sorry I read it; it had informative points.
Good perspective from someone with firsthand knowledge, but I found myself reading many paragraphs and wondering aloud "Didn't I just read those very same lines about 3 times before in previous chapters". The book could have been about 50 pages shorter and gotten across the same points. That said, I'm not sorry I read it; it had informative points.
March 21, 2019
What I noticed is that author says he doesn't like talking about himself and his personal experiences and immediately starts talking about himself and his personal experiences
July 14, 2025
While I didn’t agree with everything in the book, I found many of the points to be well made. This is the only book I’ve read listened to where I took notes.
The writing is a little weak, but the message is strong. I’d highly recommend this one.
The writing is a little weak, but the message is strong. I’d highly recommend this one.
January 4, 2023
Mostly aimed at the American gun owner
This book contains some nuggets of information, but ultimately I found it to be a little obvious and repetitive. Its main focus seems to be the American market, primarily gun owners and weekend warriors. If you are a martial arts enthusiast who has spent a long time training, who lives outside of the USA, then this book is not for you.
This book contains some nuggets of information, but ultimately I found it to be a little obvious and repetitive. Its main focus seems to be the American market, primarily gun owners and weekend warriors. If you are a martial arts enthusiast who has spent a long time training, who lives outside of the USA, then this book is not for you.
May 10, 2025
The author says that he won't tell war stories or boast about what a badass he is but for the first part, that is all he does; he also goes on and on about it throughout the entirety of the book too.
Cutting out his "what do I know about violence" section would make the book more palatable, because it's just the author establishing what a BAMF he is.
The author derides those who call themselves "sheepdogs" and the movement by talking about how stupid and cringe they are, yet goes on about how he's a wolf because he was "raised by wolves."
Again, not just in one part, but throughout the entirety of the book.
One of his "tests" to see how legit and from Da Streetz another instructor (not peer, because clearly he doesn't see anyone in "the industry" as a peer) is, he asks "When was the first time someone tried to kill YOU Huh, HUH?! I was SIX you don't measure up to ME!!!"
It simply illustrates how insecure the author is and how caught up in his own life drama he is. So doesn't warrant an actual answer, since he just wants to one up everyone by claiming how much harder he had it for showing how tuff he is.
The author talks about avoiding fights and how EVERYONE in the "industry" but him are wrong about this, but then goes into detail about how he has almost gotten into fights with people because they looked AT HIM wrong.
He calls a story in the section "Criminal Combat Culture" an example of a "personal story of restraint", because he didn't beat and attempt to kill someone he owed money to, $35 to be exact. Varg had thoughts of killing someone for them pointing out that Varg owed him money, but because Varg "wasn't past due" on that debt, Varg felt that the guy is lucky that Varg didn't assault and murder him for rightly pointing out that Varg owed him money.
Varg makes every attempt to point out that the guy he owed money to was the a-hole bad guy, not Varg who had "murder in his veins" and who wanted to "stomp his fucking guts out, and cave his face in until physically exhausted and get drunk on the terror pouring out of his eyes." "fuck fuck fuck shit fuck stab the fucker shit fuck."
Watch out guys, We got us a badass over here...
He literally thinks some people should be GRATEFUL to him because he DIDN'T assault and attempt to kill them. You know, a basic principle shared among humanity, that you shouldn't fear assaultive violence or attempted murder from some random person, he thinks people should be grateful that he chooses not to do that because of his magnanimous nature and "restraint".
He literally thinks that because he went to prison that he's tougher than military special forces.
He goes on how what works in combat/warfare won't necessarily apply to Da Streetz, and that what works in prison won't necessarily work in warfare. However, he won't use this same logic applied to his own premise, ie what works in prison being applied to civilian self-defense. Because he knows his own logic will delegitimize everything he's teaching, regardless of how much cred he has and tuff he is.
Everything else is about 'Merica and gun gunnie gunz, which if he was any good at teaching self-defense he would recognize that you're better off moving somewhere where you don't need to worry about carrying everyday or being shot at.
He goes on about people theorizing about stuff but have no experience in, but then extrapolated about weapon retention as it pertains to guns from his experience with weapon retention as it pertains to knives because it's the same principles.
Everything that's not about 'Merica and gunz is him going on and on and on about why everyone else is wrong, or him boasting about how experienced and tuff of a BAMFer he is compared to everyone else.
He's just like all the people in the "industry" he rails against, but is so self-righteous and narcissistic that he doesn't see it, because everyone is wrong but him.
"we can't have nice things because someone has to show how smart they are and put things down in a different context." - The author, said without any self awareness.
I gave one additional star because his section on knife defense training is absolutely spot on, though that may be due to confirmation bias from my own experience regarding knives.
Even Marc Macyoung didn't put it so succinctly in his book "Knives, Knife Fighting, and Related Hassles: How to Survive a Real Knife Fight".
Cutting out his "what do I know about violence" section would make the book more palatable, because it's just the author establishing what a BAMF he is.
The author derides those who call themselves "sheepdogs" and the movement by talking about how stupid and cringe they are, yet goes on about how he's a wolf because he was "raised by wolves."
Again, not just in one part, but throughout the entirety of the book.
One of his "tests" to see how legit and from Da Streetz another instructor (not peer, because clearly he doesn't see anyone in "the industry" as a peer) is, he asks "When was the first time someone tried to kill YOU Huh, HUH?! I was SIX you don't measure up to ME!!!"
It simply illustrates how insecure the author is and how caught up in his own life drama he is. So doesn't warrant an actual answer, since he just wants to one up everyone by claiming how much harder he had it for showing how tuff he is.
The author talks about avoiding fights and how EVERYONE in the "industry" but him are wrong about this, but then goes into detail about how he has almost gotten into fights with people because they looked AT HIM wrong.
He calls a story in the section "Criminal Combat Culture" an example of a "personal story of restraint", because he didn't beat and attempt to kill someone he owed money to, $35 to be exact. Varg had thoughts of killing someone for them pointing out that Varg owed him money, but because Varg "wasn't past due" on that debt, Varg felt that the guy is lucky that Varg didn't assault and murder him for rightly pointing out that Varg owed him money.
Varg makes every attempt to point out that the guy he owed money to was the a-hole bad guy, not Varg who had "murder in his veins" and who wanted to "stomp his fucking guts out, and cave his face in until physically exhausted and get drunk on the terror pouring out of his eyes." "fuck fuck fuck shit fuck stab the fucker shit fuck."
Watch out guys, We got us a badass over here...
He literally thinks some people should be GRATEFUL to him because he DIDN'T assault and attempt to kill them. You know, a basic principle shared among humanity, that you shouldn't fear assaultive violence or attempted murder from some random person, he thinks people should be grateful that he chooses not to do that because of his magnanimous nature and "restraint".
He literally thinks that because he went to prison that he's tougher than military special forces.
He goes on how what works in combat/warfare won't necessarily apply to Da Streetz, and that what works in prison won't necessarily work in warfare. However, he won't use this same logic applied to his own premise, ie what works in prison being applied to civilian self-defense. Because he knows his own logic will delegitimize everything he's teaching, regardless of how much cred he has and tuff he is.
Everything else is about 'Merica and gun gunnie gunz, which if he was any good at teaching self-defense he would recognize that you're better off moving somewhere where you don't need to worry about carrying everyday or being shot at.
He goes on about people theorizing about stuff but have no experience in, but then extrapolated about weapon retention as it pertains to guns from his experience with weapon retention as it pertains to knives because it's the same principles.
Everything that's not about 'Merica and gunz is him going on and on and on about why everyone else is wrong, or him boasting about how experienced and tuff of a BAMFer he is compared to everyone else.
He's just like all the people in the "industry" he rails against, but is so self-righteous and narcissistic that he doesn't see it, because everyone is wrong but him.
"we can't have nice things because someone has to show how smart they are and put things down in a different context." - The author, said without any self awareness.
I gave one additional star because his section on knife defense training is absolutely spot on, though that may be due to confirmation bias from my own experience regarding knives.
Even Marc Macyoung didn't put it so succinctly in his book "Knives, Knife Fighting, and Related Hassles: How to Survive a Real Knife Fight".
December 25, 2019
The author gives an authentic somewhat cerebral autobiography of what had happened to him and how his life experiences gives him a tactical edge which can be shared for the growth of all those also seeking tactical enlightenment. First and foremost I would conclude there is a great degree of braggadocious flavor in most if not all of this book. I have never been in jail/prison, as in inmate but know from my own anecdotal knowledge the worst thing about incarceration is being caged with those of the same cut. Yea, Varg that was your cut, denial ain't a river in Egypt. Time completed a study of the most egotistical and narcissistic groups in society. Not lawyers, not politicians but those individuals and groups whom are incarcerated, yea that's right criminals. Why does America have so many of the population in prisons, ask why we have so many narcissist in the same discussion. Point is, "Varg Freeman" has a inmate like view and that turned me off from some of his message. However, cops and criminals both have one intrinsic value in common, they both hate the idea of being a victim. It is in this core belief that gives this book its ideology worth.
May 14, 2024
This book is incredibly thought provoking and gives the regular citizen a lot to meditate on. I highly recommend anyone who has taken self defense classes or carries a weapon for self defense, read this book. If you thoughtfully read it, trying to be open minded, you’ll come away with a changed mindset about something.
As a man who grew up in a violent home and has endured violence first hand, as a non LEO or military, Mr. Freeborn discusses all matters of self defense, including but not limited to: avoidance, the importance of concealing(weapons and abilities), and the aftermath of the violence(when the law becomes involved). Mr. Freeborn uses his own personal experiences to show readers what happens in a real criminal attack but also admits that he continues to study and train in martial arts and weapons fighting. He writes from a humble stance but knowledgeable and confident in his abilities to be a “wolf” and to train others to be “wolves”.
If you are looking for an eloquently written book, this is not the book for you. But if you want passion, vulnerability, and to feel like you are listening to a real everyday person, I think you will enjoy this book.
As a man who grew up in a violent home and has endured violence first hand, as a non LEO or military, Mr. Freeborn discusses all matters of self defense, including but not limited to: avoidance, the importance of concealing(weapons and abilities), and the aftermath of the violence(when the law becomes involved). Mr. Freeborn uses his own personal experiences to show readers what happens in a real criminal attack but also admits that he continues to study and train in martial arts and weapons fighting. He writes from a humble stance but knowledgeable and confident in his abilities to be a “wolf” and to train others to be “wolves”.
If you are looking for an eloquently written book, this is not the book for you. But if you want passion, vulnerability, and to feel like you are listening to a real everyday person, I think you will enjoy this book.
December 25, 2024
For the most part, I agree with the author and being brought up in a violent environment that we tend to normalize when we don't know any better. However, unlike the author, I haven't stabbed anyone nor gone to prison. Nevertheless, I have been stabbed, shot at, and threatened to be killed countless times. Also, I have fought over 2 dozen men at the same time after being threatened to be cut in pieces. Not to mention the violence under my own roof from my own mother. I think that because of my upbringing, the biggest challenge for me in my military service was to sustain self-control when, in reality, at times all I wanted to do was to sink in someone's face. However, most people now a days don't know my dark side, which I still battle to control.
The only thing I did not enjoy that much about this book was the need of the author to, in my opinion, over-emphasize the crimes he committed due to his uncontrollable violent impulses. However, he did say that regardless of his editor's advice, he decided to express certain things the way he wanted it. Whether you are a violent person or not, he touches some very valid and useful points about human behavior and legal perspectives.
The only thing I did not enjoy that much about this book was the need of the author to, in my opinion, over-emphasize the crimes he committed due to his uncontrollable violent impulses. However, he did say that regardless of his editor's advice, he decided to express certain things the way he wanted it. Whether you are a violent person or not, he touches some very valid and useful points about human behavior and legal perspectives.
August 8, 2020
Very easy read. Topic of the book is basically to stay focused. There are a lot of things that can happen if you let your ego in the way and think you need to respond. The author was sent to jail for a few years because he acted in self defense. More context to that? He used a knife in self defense. His attacker didn’t go down in one stab. He had to stab his attacker 20+ times. Jury didn’t like that and sent him to jail even if attacker said he was waiting to ambush him with intent to cause bodily harm in court.
Context out of the way the primary focus of the book is that you may be put in a situation where violence is the answer. But you do your best to avoid it because even if you are in the right, you may be sent to jail. Author calls out bs mindset like being a sheep dog or a “hero”. If your mission is to get home to your family or keep your family safe, stay in your lane. Don’t stick your neck out and save a random person. Sounds selfish I know. But if you want to save another person in a violent encounter, become a police officer.
Context out of the way the primary focus of the book is that you may be put in a situation where violence is the answer. But you do your best to avoid it because even if you are in the right, you may be sent to jail. Author calls out bs mindset like being a sheep dog or a “hero”. If your mission is to get home to your family or keep your family safe, stay in your lane. Don’t stick your neck out and save a random person. Sounds selfish I know. But if you want to save another person in a violent encounter, become a police officer.
July 6, 2018
Straight between the eyes
This may very well be the best book on the subject of self-preservation among the many I have read. It delivers critically important information in a manner of wake up call, while dispelling many harmful myths and challenging the reader's understanding of interpersonal violence, as well as their training (or lack thereof) for dealing with it. This is one of those potential game changers, but, as the author says, only if you act on it. Otherwise, and his honesty here is refreshing, it is full of worthless information.
The book would have received 5 stars if Mr. Freeborn had found a proofreader as adept in text correction as he is in his own professional domain. Still, if you have any interest in this often misunderstood topic, this is a must read treatise.
This may very well be the best book on the subject of self-preservation among the many I have read. It delivers critically important information in a manner of wake up call, while dispelling many harmful myths and challenging the reader's understanding of interpersonal violence, as well as their training (or lack thereof) for dealing with it. This is one of those potential game changers, but, as the author says, only if you act on it. Otherwise, and his honesty here is refreshing, it is full of worthless information.
The book would have received 5 stars if Mr. Freeborn had found a proofreader as adept in text correction as he is in his own professional domain. Still, if you have any interest in this often misunderstood topic, this is a must read treatise.
December 26, 2022
Book provides a critique of those who build their personality around preparedness and toughness. The author’s perspective is highly practical and about using violence or learning about violence only to obtain the life one wants, which is largely one of safety and contentment.
The author provides some description of his own experiences with violence, which he doesn’t want to make the book about, but which provide enlightenment: those who engage in criminal violence have a frame that is outside the pale and to have a safe life with respect to this one must orient oneself with respect to this, one has to understand this framing, and it’s radical difference.
The book has some broad strategies similar to what one might find in the book of the five rings or in the letters of Takuan Soho.
The author provides some description of his own experiences with violence, which he doesn’t want to make the book about, but which provide enlightenment: those who engage in criminal violence have a frame that is outside the pale and to have a safe life with respect to this one must orient oneself with respect to this, one has to understand this framing, and it’s radical difference.
The book has some broad strategies similar to what one might find in the book of the five rings or in the letters of Takuan Soho.
December 20, 2020
Reality Check - violence
How much would it be worth to you to have a conversation with a really violent man about how to think about criminal violence? I’ll bet that it is more than $10! It takes a lot more to kill a person than society thinks it does. That is, unless you are from that very small part of society that thinks about killing every day. Read this book if you want a very first-hand view of the differences in the mind sets of those two societal elements - with some very difficult, but realistic, behavior modifications required for every-day people to truly prepare for the once in a lifetime chance encounter with a bad guy.
How much would it be worth to you to have a conversation with a really violent man about how to think about criminal violence? I’ll bet that it is more than $10! It takes a lot more to kill a person than society thinks it does. That is, unless you are from that very small part of society that thinks about killing every day. Read this book if you want a very first-hand view of the differences in the mind sets of those two societal elements - with some very difficult, but realistic, behavior modifications required for every-day people to truly prepare for the once in a lifetime chance encounter with a bad guy.
September 3, 2025
No real advice, very red-pill content.
Mostly this guy boasts about how dangerous he is and keeps repeating stuff like "Even if you have a black belt in karate - don't f*cking think you are anything! If you have to fight in real life, someone like me would kill you", "If you think that you're good at gunfights you are bullshitting yourself" (and then proceeds to give no advice), or describes how badly he wanted to k1ll a guy who said something rude to his wife, and then goes on and says how brutally he would k1ll him, take a break to have a snack, and then keep on k1ll1ing him, but he let him live and now "every day that man is alive is a gift from me".
Do not recommend.
Mostly this guy boasts about how dangerous he is and keeps repeating stuff like "Even if you have a black belt in karate - don't f*cking think you are anything! If you have to fight in real life, someone like me would kill you", "If you think that you're good at gunfights you are bullshitting yourself" (and then proceeds to give no advice), or describes how badly he wanted to k1ll a guy who said something rude to his wife, and then goes on and says how brutally he would k1ll him, take a break to have a snack, and then keep on k1ll1ing him, but he let him live and now "every day that man is alive is a gift from me".
Do not recommend.
January 16, 2019
Straight forward and honest
A must read for anybody who is interested in improving self-defense mindset.
Being myself from one of the most violent cities in the world, I can say that the insights this book gives on crime and violence are very real and accurate... very far from the ideas of the average Joe gun owner or prepper.
Finally a decent book on the topic.
Strongly recommended!
A must read for anybody who is interested in improving self-defense mindset.
Being myself from one of the most violent cities in the world, I can say that the insights this book gives on crime and violence are very real and accurate... very far from the ideas of the average Joe gun owner or prepper.
Finally a decent book on the topic.
Strongly recommended!
June 9, 2022
I was already intrigued by this book by simply looking at the cover. I became more intrigued after reading Freeborn's "What do I know about fighting anyway" section. Freeborn is one bad dude who tells it how it is. Most of his writing is merely perspective and experiential, but it makes you think (or re-think) how you approach violence and self-defense. This book helped me better form my mission, values, and mindset regarding violence.
March 26, 2018
Destined to be a "Classic" on the subject
This book will do for Varg Freeborn what the " Book of Five Rings" did for Miyamoto Musashi and make him a Legend in the field of understanding violent confrontation . A brilliant book .,wrote by a man that knows his subject intimately and writes with an honesty and intelligence that is badly needed in the field .
This book will do for Varg Freeborn what the " Book of Five Rings" did for Miyamoto Musashi and make him a Legend in the field of understanding violent confrontation . A brilliant book .,wrote by a man that knows his subject intimately and writes with an honesty and intelligence that is badly needed in the field .
June 15, 2019
A Unique and Valuable Perspective
Told from the perspective of someone who has worked extensively on both sides of the law, this is a unique look into the world of self defense. Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in taking responsibility for their own wellbeing and that of their loved ones.
Told from the perspective of someone who has worked extensively on both sides of the law, this is a unique look into the world of self defense. Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in taking responsibility for their own wellbeing and that of their loved ones.
January 29, 2023
Exceptional fresh perspective on an aspect of war fighting that is seldom considered, street and prison violence has a different set of rules, yet anyone can come face to face with a very proficient fighter and only think they are prepared. The book challenges you to consider the threat and prepare for it. A significant contribution to the topic.
July 24, 2018
Super knowledgeable narrative on violence!
Varg runs the gamut on this topic in its simple form. Mindset being the central theme and lead character. Awareness, avoidance & preparation playing supporting roles. Well written. Great book.
Varg runs the gamut on this topic in its simple form. Mindset being the central theme and lead character. Awareness, avoidance & preparation playing supporting roles. Well written. Great book.
December 3, 2018
A well written and truly relevant read
An excellent book for anyone interested or involved in self defence. The author has seen both sides of the track and uses his knowledge to educate on the subtleties and nuances of real life and self defence. Would highly recommend
An excellent book for anyone interested or involved in self defence. The author has seen both sides of the track and uses his knowledge to educate on the subtleties and nuances of real life and self defence. Would highly recommend
June 21, 2019
Must Read
As a martial artist, I want everyone of my students and instructors to read this book. As a husband and a father, I want my family to read this book. A very realistic view of real-world violence and training
As a martial artist, I want everyone of my students and instructors to read this book. As a husband and a father, I want my family to read this book. A very realistic view of real-world violence and training
September 13, 2019
Textbook
This book is a textbook, and with this textbook, Varg Freeborn has delivered a manual for self defense that I will revisit again and again. It should be mandatory for anyone even thinking about defending themselves.
This book is a textbook, and with this textbook, Varg Freeborn has delivered a manual for self defense that I will revisit again and again. It should be mandatory for anyone even thinking about defending themselves.
January 23, 2020
Some sense in the world of senseless
Informative, thought provoking, and a must read for the armed citizen!
Will enlighten individuals as to the importance of getting more training, choosing the right trainer and possibly keeping ones self alive!
Informative, thought provoking, and a must read for the armed citizen!
Will enlighten individuals as to the importance of getting more training, choosing the right trainer and possibly keeping ones self alive!
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