Crouching Tiger: Taming the Warrior Within [Paperback]

Loren W. Christensen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 2002

We all have within us a crouching tiger, that is, a warrior spirit that may be aggressive, intense, easily unleashed, or it may be quiet and rarely show itself. Within some it is buried deeply, the result of profound religious beliefs, psychological factors or other influences. Though deep, it is nonetheless there, waiting. With the majority it lies in wait just under the thin veneer of today's societal graces. These people are soldiers, police officers, martial artists, street thugs, athletes, hunters, barroom brawlers, corporate executives, politicians, mothers and fathers. Loren W Christensen - soldier, policeman, martial artist - has called upon his warrior spirit in a wide range of violent encounters: gruelling karate and jujitsu matches, brutal barroom brawls and street fights as a military policeman in Saigon, Vietnam, shootings, riots, and gang warfare as a police officer in Portland, Oregon, and fights in the mean streets.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Loren W Christenson

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Turtle Pr (January 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880336693
• ISBN-13: 978-1880336694
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,559,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mr. Christensen began training in the martial arts in 1965 and continues to this day. Over the years he has earned a total of 11 black belts, eight in karate, two in jujitsu and one in arnis. As a result of his tour in Vietnam and nearly three decades in law enforcement, Mr. Christensen's focus in the martial arts - writing, teaching and training - has always been on street survival, not competition. He has starred in seven martial arts training videos.

In August of 2011, Mr. Christensen was inducted into the martial arts Masters Hall of Fame in Anaheim, California, receiving The Golden Life Achievement Award.

As a professional writer since 1978, Mr. Christensen has penned 46 published books with five publishers, dozens of magazine articles, and edited a police newspaper for nearly eight years. He has written on the martial arts, missing children, street gangs, school shootings, workplace violence, riots, police-involved shootings, nutrition, exercise, prostitution, and various street subcultures. His first first fiction--Dukkha: An Eye for an Eye--was recently published by YMAA Publications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An aid to assist one in discovery of their 'Warrior Spirit", August 26, 2002

By 

Anthony Cataldo (Jupiter, Fl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crouching Tiger: Taming the Warrior Within (Paperback)

Christensen writes in a self-deprecating style, which allows the reader to feel at ease with his humor and anecdotalic stories. The stories are written in an attempt to help one achieve or discover their own "Warrior Spirit" which we all possess and may not even be aware of, or are unable to utilize.

The book is easy to read and it can be read in one evening. If the reader reflects on these anecdotal stories it may help them to better understand their own "Warrior Spirit", which is what I think was the author's intent. The stories in and of themself are enjoyable and somewhat enlightening, especially into the background and persona of Christensen.

This was an enjoyable book, yet my personal quest was better met by reading the book "Living the Martial Way" by Forrest Morgan. Although, I truly did enjoy reading "Crouching Tiger" my goal was better served by the purchase of Morgan's book.

I would recommend this book to all begining martial art students in an attempt to help them along their path. It would also be beneficial to the intermediate level as well as the black belt student who has yet, been able to discover their own "Warrior Spirit". I would like to recommend another book by Christensen, "Far Beyond Defensive Tactics" which is an excellent book on self-defense for police officers as well as all those interested in practical realistic self-defense.

Please, refer to my "Listmania" suggestions for other self-defense books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Honest!, June 3, 2003

By 

Daniel Christensen (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crouching Tiger: Taming the Warrior Within (Paperback)

Whenever I read a book from an author claiming to be a warrior, I automatically become very skeptical. All too often, the book turns out to be more a Hollywood fantasy than anything else. These authors tend to write of their exploits in an overly heroic manner, describing in detail how they overcame incredible adversity or got out of the most dangerous situations by using their tremendous skills. The only thing missing is a cape and an "S" on their chest.

Crouching Tiger: Taming the Warrior Within is not that kind of book. On the contrary, it is a refreshingly and honest one. It takes a look at all the different aspects of what makes a warrior. Yes, there are amazing stories. Tales of courage and success. But there are also chapters about fear, failure, mistakes and even revenge.

Warriors are human too and author Loren Christensen gives you the full range of emotions and experiences a warrior encounters. Not just the ones people like to hear about.

I literally read the book in one stretch and then re-read it the next day. It was hard to put down because I always wanted to know what was next. If you are a soldier, law enforcement officer or a martial artist, then you should definitely read this book. If you just want to know what a warrior's life really looks like, then look no further.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for warriors, May 25, 2003

By 

Have Powerpoint Will Travel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crouching Tiger: Taming the Warrior Within (Paperback)

Loren Christensen is a master of that most ancient and still one of the most powerful of human learning tools: powerful story telling with a message. As a lifelong warrior in multiple roles, Christensen had ample opportunity to demonstrate his physical courage and prowess. Now he demonstrates his emotional courage in personal stories of searing honesty. This includes stories about the types of episodes that most of us want to forget and hope no one finds out about. Instead, he shares them with us so that we might learn some of the painful lessons he learned about the warrior role and spirit.

He also lets us share some his triumphs and role models the humility and gratitude we should all have about those all too rare but delicious moments in life.

This book is short, beautifully written, and easy to read. The lessons are profound. You won't learn physical tactics but something even more important: How critical it is to find, nurture, and tame your own warrior spirit. What does being a warrior mean to you? The mental, emotional, and spiritual answers are the foundation on which all else stands. Christensen's journey to find those very personal answers may help you on yours.