The Gift of Violence

"""Violence as a 'gift'? Sounds topsy-turvy--and yet Matt Thornton presents his contrarian take at a moment when society itself has gone topsy-turvy. Writing amid a shocking uptick in violent crime and anarchic calls to defund the police, Thornton lays out a proactive regimen for negotiating a world that increasingly feels like 'every man for himself.' Or too often, sadly, every woman. This is not just some warmed-over martial-arts primer; it is a seamless mindset with anthropological and sociological underpinnings. And if anyone is qualified to write such a book it's Thornton, as even a glance at his resume confirms. Consider this a survival textbook for a troubling new era in American life."" --Steve Salerno, New York Times best-selling author of Sham ""There is an evolutionary logic to violence that makes it part of human nature. The sooner we understand this fact the better we will be at knowing when and where to apply violence in the most moral and practical manner, both politically and personally. To the latter end, this may be one of the most important books ever written on self-improvement, inasmuch as the lessons imparted within will make you stronger, smarter, and safer. Read it and grow."" --Michael Shermer, founder and publisher of Skeptic Magazine ""For many years Matt Thornton has been one of the most passionate ambassadors of the martial art of Jiu-Jitsu. His new book, The Gift of Violence, examines violence in the twenty-first century. Matt encourages his readers to apply lessons he has learned in Jiu-Jitsu to every aspect of their lives. Above all, The Gift of Violence makes it clear that Jiu-Jitsu is not just a sport; it is also a philosophy that makes one strong enough to forgive, and when necessary, confident enough to fight."" --Rickson Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts legend"