Violence of Mind: Training and Preparation for Extreme Violence

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 1,182 ratings

Price: 17.46

Last update: 12-23-2024


About this item

A book covering the topic of self-defense from a shocking, firsthand 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 worldwide in its independently published and distributed paperback paperback and Kindle formats, Violence of Mind is now available in audiobook form.

"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, Costa Rica)

Varg Freeborn is an author, strength and fitness coach, violence educator, and a lethal force instructor widely known for his unique background in the violent criminal underworld. Having grown up in a violent criminal atmosphere, beginning as a teen he spent five years in prison for a self-defense stabbing gone wrong. Varg later achieved a legal restoration moving forward to train, lecture, and instruct in the tactical firearms and law enforcement communities. His breadth of experience is unmatched in criminal violence education and self-defense training.


Top reviews from the United States

Fitchburg78
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2024
This should be required reading for anyone who carries a gun, or has one in the home for self defense. If you think you have it all figured out and know what your "rights" are, think again. As the author says, there are more people in prison because of pride and ego than anything else. get the book!
Blake
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect primer for REAL self defense.
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2021
In an industry over-saturated with social media hype men, the "tacticool" crowd and a myriad of other gurus and teachers constantly vying for attention to sell you their latest thing, it's refreshing to come across something that's refreshingly practical, realistic, and written by someone with experience in the criminal element.
Although brutal at moments (the author is a reformed ex-con who grew up in the midst of the 80's drug scene in one of the worst cities plagued by it - and he pulls zero punches delving into his own doings and the overall nastiness) it is a brutality that needs to be read and acknowledge for what it is: the raw truth behind self defense.
Though sincere in their efforts and well-meaning, many instructors and trainers have actually never encountered life-or-death violence, let alone having had to deal it out and survive the penitentiary system. I by no means advocate for for anyone to do such for themselves (Varg, as any honest coach would do, spends a lengthy first quarter of the book on proper orientation and pragmatic avoidance) but we all need to know the nasty, bare-bones truth of what it is ACTUALLY like, what it can do to you, and most importantly, HOW to survive it.
With a background in the underworld having lived in an environment permeated by pure psychopathy and then triumphantly overcoming it, Varg Freeborn provides us with insight on what to avoid, what to do, how to prepare, and most importantly, how to THINK like a predator.
It's not pretty and it's (thankfully) not politically correct but none of us live in a utopia or perfect world and immersing ourselves into this primal worldview is, IMO, mandatory for emboldening ourselves so as not to be a statistic should the situation ever call for such.
The book is filled with very practical insights into orientation, mental conditioning and insights into the fluidity the real world has and how to adapt to it and stay on the correct side of the legal system. This could be used (and easily have been written by) former operators, undercover police and others in fields directly related to self defense and survival and although a book like this will be more of a sell for that kind of crowd, everyone interested in the fundamentals, psychology and basics should add this to their shelf. It's easily on par with the classic "Deadly Force" by Massad Ayoob (which I also highly recommend as well)
Remember, there are people out here who play by no rulebook. And this book is the perfect way for one to promptly discard *theirs* should it ever come to that.
Nick Masao
5.0 out of 5 stars If you read just one self defence book...this is it!
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2018
This book is wisdom. Every paragraph is full of useful and practical knowledge that you can put to use right now in the real world. The book is the most well written book I have read and clearly demonstrates that the author KNOWS what he is talking about.
This book should be mandatory reading for anyone who carries or plans to carry any weapon or to anyone who has any skills or ability to harm anyone else in self defense or otherwise.
This is inside knowledge about violence. The author clearly understands the violent criminal mindset so well and he writes in a way that anyone reading the book will have a very well informed understanding into that mindset. I have read many books in this category and nothing comes close to even a quarter of the knowledge contained in this book.
I can't recommend the book enough. You wont regret reading it.
Robert Mefford
4.0 out of 5 stars Essential read for everyone interested in self defense
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022
This is a fantastic book. There are countless books on self defense. I recommend this as the First stop on your journey. Understand the criminal mindset first then plan your training. It will save you so much wasted time and effort. Varg is providing a priceless resource based on his experience and life lessons. This book may hurt the feelings of a lot of trainers who think they know how the criminal mind works. In my 25 years of law enforcement experience I have not seen a book on self defense that rings true as VoM.
Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars Insitefull
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2024
Gives insite onto things ive never considered on topics of self defense and conzequences to be considered for ones actions.
Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read!
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2020
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this book to anyone who is engaged in, or thinking of engaging in, the study of defending themselves, and those around them.
This is not a how-to manual with cool photos, tips and tricks, or other forms of your standad badassery. It is a guide to understanding the kinds of conditioning required to function effectively in what is almost guaranteed to be a split second situation where massive violence may occur, be it you, or an aggressor.
More importantly, Mr. Freeborn constantly drills into the reader’s head the fact that the effects of using extreme violence do not end with the elimination of the threat. In the aftermath, one may be dealing with legal, social, and psychological issues for years after, possibly for the rest of one’s life. Just because someone stopped a legitimate lethal threat using in kind force, does not necessarily mean that they will be vindicatd in the eyes of the law. There are an immense amount of variables that could come in to play in the judicial system. One could walk out clean, or on the other end of the spectrum, one may be walking into a jail cell for years, as happened to the author. He reminds the reader, through example, that justice is not so cut and dried.
Lastly, Mr. Freeborn spends considerable amounts of time emphasizing the most important tool in a person’s self defense arsenal is their mind. Mindset is the key foundational component in preparation for defending oneself from a would-be attacker, and the ability to keep a clear mind while making life or death decisions in real-time in a constantly changing high stress environment is of paramount importance. In fact, it is the most important piece of a puzzle one must solve in split seconds.
This book never gives you step by step instruction. Instead, it gives you the foundations and principles needed to effectively respond to any and all situations where you may be faced with an aggressor intent on hurting you or your loved ones. How you use that knoweledge will be decided by two things: your situation, and you.

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