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The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Matt Thornton (Author, Narrator), Peter Boghossian (Author, Narrator), Salome Thornton (Narrator),
4.4 out of 5 stars 129 ratings

In today's modern world, we are largely isolated from the kind of savagery our ancestors faced on a daily basis. Although violence was as natural to our evolutionary development as sex and food, it has become foreign to most of us. At once demonized and glamorized, but almost always deeply misunderstood.

Our hard-earned and hard-wired instincts—our evolved and trained ability to survive and overcome violent encounters—have been compromised. Yet, as even a cursory look at news headlines or a police blotter will reveal the threat of violent crime is ever-present, and those we've entrusted to protect us cannot always be relied upon.

The Gift of Violence tells the story of this vulnerability, providing the average person with all the knowledge they need to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of violence and to increase their chances of surviving a violent encounter. Based both on the author's decades of experience teaching everyday people how to defend themselves and on a rational approach to the scientific data, The Gift of Violence offers clear, easy-to-remember lessons for people of all ages and abilities. It is designed to empower those who've been affected by violence or are concerned that they or their loved ones could be—in short, it was written to help good people become more dangerous to bad people.

Every listener will be armed with the necessary knowledge to harness the power of violence for themselves, and in the process, not just smarter and stronger, but also safer.

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Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    9 hours and 27 minutes
  2. Author
    Matt Thornton, see all
  3. Narrator
    Matt Thornton, see all
  4. Audible release date
    June 15, 2023
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Pitchstone Publishing
  7. ASIN
    B0C822NN8G
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
Next slide of product details

Product details

Listening Length 9 hours and 27 minutes
Author Matt Thornton, Peter Boghossian
Narrator Matt Thornton, Salome Thornton, Peter Boghossian
Audible.com Release Date June 15, 2023
Publisher Pitchstone Publishing
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0C822NN8G
Best Sellers Rank

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
129 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book's wisdom positive, with one noting its deep understanding of the material. The book receives praise for its readability, and customers appreciate its content, with one highlighting its relevant anecdotes and detailed statistics.

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WisdomReadabilityContent
10 customers mention "Wisdom"8 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the book's wisdom, with one describing it as a treasure trove of insight and another noting its deep understanding of the material.

"...This book answers quite a few questions for me, longtime puzzles of physicality, but also mental and philosophical challenges with which a serious..." Read more

"...Matt Thornton gives very practical and sensible advice. I came away with lots and lots of notes...." Read more

"A treasure trove of insight and well articulated wisdom on a topic far too many get wrong...." Read more

"Just bashes martial arts in general, forgetting people train for health, recreation, fun & then bash guro Inosanto, lol" Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one mentioning it's a must-read for new fighters.

"Great book! Matt is so knowledgable about this topic." Read more

"Great book for men." Read more

"I thoroughly appreciate this book. For years I pursued traditional martial arts searching for the one true one...." Read more

"...Must read for a new fighter. Helps to point the mind and the heart before the humility of losing begins." Read more

3 customers mention "Content"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the content of the book, with one review highlighting its extensive notes, relevant anecdotes, and detailed statistics.

"...Highly recommend. Super flow. Terrific footnotes." Read more

"...I came away with lots and lots of notes. This is my favorite book on the topic of self-defense by far!" Read more

"...Matt expands on his ideas with detailed statistics, relevant anecdotes, and important details...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well thought out
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Great book for men.
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  • Lynda Roy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fighting for Real
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2023
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I thoroughly appreciate this book. For years I pursued traditional martial arts searching for the one true one. In whatever the system, it seemed to me the successful fighters were not using the kata or the patterns or the techniques in which we were drilled — loved the workout and the time spent absorbing them, but few were practical in a match. Somehow until now I never bumped up against Thornton or the Gracie JJ. This book answers quite a few questions for me, longtime puzzles of physicality, but also mental and philosophical challenges with which a serious student might come to grapple. Highly recommend. Super flow. Terrific footnotes.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jordan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended
    Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I didn't know what to expect going into this book and was extremely pleasantly surprised. Matt Thornton gives very practical and sensible advice. I came away with lots and lots of notes. This is my favorite book on the topic of self-defense by far!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Rob
    5.0 out of 5 stars Practical wisdom
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A treasure trove of insight and well articulated wisdom on a topic far too many get wrong. By putting data before ideology Matt gives sound advice on how to prepare, both mentally and physically, to the threat of violence.
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  • Blaine Henry’s The Fight Library
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read with different approach to violence
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Being a martial arts enthusiast, I expected the gift of violence to be very different from what it was. While it set up with the subject matter I assumed it would be, we took a left turn to societal problems with crime, fatherlesness, and a unique side of self defense.

    The turn was a welcome one. Thornton provides a source for every fact he pulls and weaves them together in a way that makes the books conclusion payoff worth the entire read.

    Even if you aren’t a fan of martial arts, you can get something from this book to change how you view the world.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Brenton Rose
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I don’t have time to write a long enough review to do Matt Thornton’s work justice. As the founder of Straight Blast Gym, Matt’s writings about functional martial arts and “Aliveness” have been critical to my thinking on the subject. Matt expands on his ideas with detailed statistics, relevant anecdotes, and important details. He is vulnerable and honest about where he falls short, increasing his credibility. Anyone interested in martial arts or keeping yourself and loved ones safe in a dangerous world should read it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dfreric
    3.0 out of 5 stars Stick with Thornton
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2023
    Format: Hardcover
    If the book ignored philosophy, or at least the unnuanced kind of philosophical ideas proposed, it would be great. But I grew weary of having to be lectured by a positivist every chapter and ultimately returned the book knowing that more very self-assured philosophical sermons by Boghossian were on their way. That said, whenever the book got to Thornton and his takes on violence--how to predict it, and how to avoid it--I loved it.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Michael Scully
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wonderful pragmatic book that is deeper than the title suggests. Must read for a new fighter. Helps to point the mind and the heart before the humility of losing begins.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Parsec
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr lesenswert!
    Reviewed in Germany on January 4, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    THE GIFT OF VIOLENCE von Matt Thornton deckt inhaltlich ein breites Feld ab, aber im Kern geht es um das Überleben der Gefahren, die von Menschen ausgehen – sprich um Gewalt, effektive Vorbereitung und praxisbezogene Selbstverteidigung, um dieser Gewalt zu begegnen. Nicht nur im Namen hat THE GIFT OF VIOLENCE einen Bezug zum bahnbrechenden „The Gift Of Fear“ von Gavin de Becker (auf welches Thornton auch immer wieder und unter Benennung des Werkes Bezug nimmt), auch inhaltlich findet sich eine deutliche Schnittmenge der behandelten Themen. Anders als de Becker widmet sich Thornton dem Thema allerdings mehr (aber keineswegs ausschließlich) aus einem Martial Arts Aspekt, was hinsichtlich seiner Vita nicht verwundern muss.

    Thornton geht, gerade in der ersten Hälfte des Buches, viel auf psychologische und kriminologische Aspekte ein, und arbeitet hier klar heraus, welche Gefahren in der Realität tatsächlich mit signifikanter Wahrscheinlichkeit eintreten können… und die Realität unterscheidet sich deutlich von der subjektiven Wahrnehmung vieler Menschen.

    Mir gefällt dieser Ansatz ausgezeichnet: jegliche Strategie zum Selbstschutz kann nur effektiv sein, wenn sie zunächst einmal real bestehende Gefahren analysiert und adressiert. Es bringt relativ wenig, sich mental (und meinetwegen auch physisch) auf unwahrscheinliche Szenarien vorzubereiten und dabei die wirklich plausiblen Bedrohungen zu ignorieren… das ist ähnlich abstrus, wie wenn im Meer schwimmende Personen sich primär auf (in der Realität, anders als in Hollywood, äußerst seltene) Hai-Angriffe vorbereiten würden und viel realistischere Gefahren wie beispielsweise Ertrinken oder Strömungen ignorieren.

    Thornton widmet sich außerdem Techniken, mit denen man potentielle, von Menschen ausgehende Gefahren, sei es auf der Straße oder im persönlichen Umfeld, erkennen und vermeiden kann – wobei er auch gut fundiert über die Gründe schreibt, aus denen Menschen überhaupt zu gewalttätigem Verhalten neigen. Auch hier mag mancher Leser erstaunt sein, und dieses Wissen um die Gründe für Gewalt ist ebenfalls wichtig, wenn man eine gute Strategie für den Umgang mit den sich ergebenen Gefahren entwickeln möchte.

    Neben der Analyse der möglichen Gefahren geht Thornton auch viel auf realistische Selbstverteidigung ein. Wie zu erwarten vertritt er als langjähriger Lehrer im Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) die Philosophie dieses Systems. Thornton differenziert allerdings prinzipiell nicht zwischen BJJ und allen anderen Systemen, sondern primär zwischen den Trainingsmethoden – und empfiehlt klar, dass ein System, welches zur Selbstverteidigung in der Realität wirklich nutzen soll, realistisches Training mit Sparring gegen einen aktiv handelnden, nicht kooperierenden Partner beinhalten muss. Dieses Systeme sind für ihn beispielsweise Boxen, Muay Thai, BJJ, Judo, Ringen… eben alles, was man auch im praktischen Sparring übt.

    Ich halte Thorntons Ansatz für völlig richtig: reines Training mit der Luft oder einem kooperierenden Partner ist schön und gut, aber für den Ernstfall meiner Ansicht nach schlichtweg nicht genug… zumindest nicht für durchschnittlich begabte Menschen, die keine Ausnahmetalente sind.

    Es ist gerade die Dynamik eines Kampfes und die Anwendung der Techniken unter Stress gegen einen widerstehenden Gegner, die man im Sparring verinnerlicht, und ohne dieses praxisbezogene, „auf die harte Tour“ erworbene Wissen, ist man meiner Meinung nach auch als technisch hochqualifizierter Kampfkünstler einem simpel gestricktem Schläger haushoch unterlegen. Letzterer hat vielleicht nur ein sehr begrenztes Repertoire an Techniken und führt diese wahrscheinlich auch noch unsauber aus, aber er hat diese "Technikern" schon mal in der Praxis angewendet und ist halt viel vertrauter mit dem Stress und dem Chaos eines Kampfes... er hat insofern „realistisch trainiert". Die Realität zeigt leider immer wieder, dass körperlich und technisch unterlegene Gegner versierten Kampfkünstler ohne grösseren Aufwand schwer zusetzen können - vermutlich, weil Letztere in manchen Systemen auch nach Jahren des Trainings nie (oder allenfalls kaum) realistisch mit einem Partner gesparrt haben. Sich nur rein theoretisch auf die Praxis vorzubereiten (und viel mehr als Theorie ist reines Training mit der Luft häufig nicht) ist nie eine gute Idee, und in der Selbstverteidigung ist es besonders gefährlich.

    Allerdings sei bemerkt: auch wenn man sich Thorntons Schlussfolgerung zu realistischen Selbstverteidigungs-Training nicht anschließen möchte ist THE GIFT OF VIOLENCE sehr lesenswert, und es beinhaltet viele Denkanstöße für alle Leser, die sich mit dem gesamten Themenkomplex „Gewalt“ auseinandersetzen wollen.

    Alles in allem: Thorntons THE GIFT OF VIOLENCE ist ein sehr lesenswertes, gut geschriebenes Buch mit hochinteressanten Schlussfolgerungen.

    Klare 5 Sterne.
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  • T. J. Browning
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I've teetered on the edge of starting BJJ and this book couldn't have come at a better time. Matt has taken a tricky (and controversial) subject and created a fascinating accessible read.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful but a bit long
    Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a fantastic read by someone who is clearly an expert on the topic of martial arts and human violence. Although I thoroughly enjoyed this, it could easily be a 300 page book. Some of the points are needlessly reiterated multiple times. A little too much filler yet it remains a great book that I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone.
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  • Jack Burton - Pork Chop Express
    5.0 out of 5 stars Matt Thornton is one of the best martial arts thinkers of this century
    Reviewed in Australia on July 30, 2023
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I’ve been following his work for over 20 years and as expected his long awaited book is nothing short of astounding, useful, informative and a captivating read.

    Highly recommended for parents, martial artists, Law enforcement etc.

    My only complaint is…I wish he would hurry up with his next book
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