To my mind, “must-read” is a greatly over-used term in book reviewing, so I use it as sparingly as I can. 

When the first edition of “Deadly Force Encounters” came out, I considered it a must-read. The Portland (Oregon) Police Bureau has produced many fine alumni.  Two of them are Dr. Alexis Artwohl, who was their police psychologist, and Loren Christensen, a legendary street cop who spent much of his career in the worst, toughest part of town.  Their combined insights were what made the book great.  Alexis’ most important contribution was her insight into the perceptions and the emotional aftermaths of officers she debriefed and treated after they were forced to shoot people in the line of duty, and occasionally got shot themselves.

I’ve corresponded with Loren though we’ve never met face to face.  Alexis and I have taken one another’s classes and served on some of the same boards and professional discussion panels. I can tell you they are both The Real Deal, and yes, those capital letters are warranted.

Last year they brought out their long-awaited updated version: “Deadly Force Encounters, Second Edition: Cops & Citizens Defending Themselves and Others.”

And it’s even better than the first one, in no small part because this edition embraces the armed citizen as well as the law enforcement officer.  I’ve always considered the two to be natural allies, despite the forces on both ends of the political spectrum which have so long tried to set them against each other…something I see occasionally happening here in the commentary section.

If you read this blog, I think I can assume you are an armed citizen (or a past or present peace officer).  It would be very much worth your time to have this book on hand to share with friends who aren’t.  Alexis is quite possibly the most respected police psychologist in the nation, and Loren is one of the most highly respected practical martial arts and police defensive tactics instructors.  People need to hear from them.

More “Must-Read” than ever, and available from Amazon.

8 COMMENTS

  1. I’d be very interested in hearing what both have to say about Portland’s leniency on crime and where they think their city is headed as a result.

    • If either is still employed by that twisted city, I rather doubt they would go on record with their real thoughts on whats going on and why. That mayor is quite the piece of work, and would not take kindly to any “underlings” (for so they are in that mayor’s “sight”) speaking openly against current policy and its certain results. There are parts of Portland I will no longer go into, armed or otherwise, , and parts I will no longer enter at night, which “list’ includes some of the bikepaths that used to be useful ways of limiting risk from traffic at night. no longer, I’ll take my chances on Portland’s “wonderful” roads at night to avoid those extreme risk danger zones on the bike paths. I canno tcarry a gun big enough on my bike to deal with what could easily happen along those corridors…….. and would rather ride my bike in peace and take my shots at the range without mixing the two activities.

      • Tionico,

        What you say about Portland’s mayor is sad but true. Our form of government was erected to prevent tyrants from getting into office, staying there a long time, and doing a lot of damage to the people. As you know, kings were born into their office and held it for life. Kind of similar to Kim Jong Un in North Korea. That’s the kind of situation our Founding Fathers were trying to avoid. However, our system relies on voters who educate themselves so they can vote intelligently. Because of bad parenting, infiltration of our schools and culture by lovers of big government, laziness on the part of voters, and lies spread by politicians, media and teachers, we no longer have an informed citizenry.

        So, by being neglectful, many of our fellow citizens are tearing down the wonderful country which was built, maintained and handed off to us by those who went before.

        Reminds me of Proverbs 14:1 (NIV) “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

  3. Okay uncle Mas,on your word I will order this, and hope Sgt. Maj. Mommy will see it my way lol. Seriously, I’ve been an armed citizen for many years, in four states, have been reading you for over three decades, and have learned that the more I learn the more learning there is to be done. Kudos from us in Idaho.

  4. I’m considering getting a second copy to send to Bloomberg. Think I could get a bulk discount for the whole party?

    • Ralph,

      I handwrote a respectful letter to Bloomberg on lite-blue resume paper. Mailed it in a 9″X12″ manila envelope so I didn’t have to fold it. I basically told him he was a business genius who should stay out of politics. I underscored the need to LEAVE OUR GUNS ALONE and expressed amazement as to how two Jews like himself and Soros could be for disarming citizens.

      Please send him “Deadly Force Encounters.” Can’t hurt. How can a person be so smart in some areas of life, and so stupid in other areas? It’s like being a genius and a dunce at the same time.

      • Thanks to TN_MAN, I know that Michael Bloomberg suffers from Leftist delusion. He’s attracted to an ideology that allows him to be god-like, making his own decisions, obeying his own desires and acquiring power. He believes he’s on the road to utopia.

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