When Violence Is the Answer

Learning How to Do What It Takes When Your Life Is at Stake

By: Tim Larkin

Narrated by: Tim Larkin

Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

This book could save your life: Protect yourself from violence and learn survival skills for dangerous situations with this essential guide from a former military intelligence officer.

In a civilized society, violence is rarely the answer. But when it is - it's the only answer.

The sound of breaking glass downstairs in the middle of the night.

The words "move and you die".

The hands on your child, or the knife to your throat.

In this essential new book, self-protection expert and former military intelligence officer Tim Larkin changes the way we think about violence in order to save our lives. By deconstructing our assumptions about violence - its morality, its function in modern society, how it actually works - Larkin unlocks the shackles of our own taboos and arms us with what we need to know to prevent, prepare for, and survive the unthinkable event of life-or-death violence. Through a series of harrowing true-life stories, Larkin demonstrates that violence is a tool equally effective in the hands of the "bad guy" or the "good guy"; that the person who acts first, fastest, and with the full force of their body is the one who survives; and that each and every one of us is capable of being that person when our lives are at stake.

An indispensable resource, When Violence Is the Answer will remain with you long after you've finished listening, as the bedrock of your self-protection skills and knowledge.

©2017 Tim Larkin (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"I love books that challenge conventional wisdom. This book makes us confront issues most of us do our best to ignore. Tim Larkin has written a necessary and important book that gives a good hard look at topics - violence, chaos, fighting - that most people don't want to think about. You should read it - and then you should give it out as a gift to the people you care most about because this book could very well save their lives." (Tony Robbins, number-one New York Times best-selling author of Unshakeable and Money: Master the Game)

"Excellent! In every way - from the opening, to the conclusion, to all the solid lifesaving, life-changing information in between - this book is solid gold." (Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, author of On Killing and Assassination Generation)

"A timely survival manual for life in a strange era....Just the attitude to adopt...Larkin provides some useful nuggets for these fraught times." ( Kirkus)

excellent production.

well written and provided a positive way to address subject. recommending to fellow corrections
officers

Excellently done!

Excellent book...really good info and perspective. Concise and engaging from start to finish. Recommend for anyone in martial arts or beginning their journey into concealed carry.

A sane, straightforward guide

What did you love best about When Violence Is the Answer?

This was a clear, concise, brilliantly-crafted guide for what to do if the unthinkable happens - you are faced with asocial violence. While the topic may make someone uncomfortable, the understanding this book provides is vital.

What did you like best about this story?

Having the author present the material was like being personally instructed. It is clear that he knows this information down to its core. That made this information very real and connected with me in a way that was beyond merely having information read to me.

Have you listened to any of Tim Larkin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. The information provided about criminals' cold, single minded use of violence gave me an understanding I never knew growing up in suburbia. The information about how you can survive even if the attacker is bigger, stronger, and faster helped replace my fear with information I can use. The stories of how smaller, weaker people used their brains to prevail gave me a new confidence.

Any additional comments?

What is deceptive, is that many people may think this is just a manual for ass-kicking. It is not. In fact, some of the best information may be about when and how to step away from violence. I am getting copies of this for all of my family members. The hope is that they never need this information. But, if they do, I believe that they can survive to tell me about it.

THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE

Very knowledgeable and useful book. As a student of the martial arts, this book is an invaluable supplement to my training. It is simple, yet enlightening. Bonus: the end is one of the most eloquent manifestos on the need for peace and civility I’ve ever heard.

Excellent job sir. This is my favorite audible purchase to date.

hell of a book.

Very precise and informative. Even if you've heard some of this before, the breadth and systemic approach to the material will add value to even the most seasoned students of combat arts/self defense, etc. This is not a book of techniques, it is a conceptual framework of how to approach violence and its use for optimal effectiveness across all scenarios. -More simply put, the best way to train personal defense for maximum effective in minimal time by using specific principles of human anatomy and pyschology.

Amazing insight. Just what I needed.

This is a great book. Exactly what I have been trying to convey to my son and family members. Unfortunately for some of us, we walk around with blinders on. I keep my head on a swivel but can always use more knowledge. I have no military training but a little martial arts training and self defense. This book gives a different perspective on violence and it's necessary use to save your life. Awesome book. Thank you Tim.

Profound and informative

I found the information and the philosophy behind it profound and educational. I have been trained in some hand to hand techniques but was not fully aware of the philosophy behind it. This gave me pause to ponder my short comings in trading and realize where I need to improve. I consider myself lucky that I have never had an encounter prior to this knowledge because I may have erred in judging the encounter.

Thank you.

A must read on this topic

When Violence is the Answer is a well written book on a sometimes sensitive subject. I heard about it on a podcast, bought 2 hardcovers and this audio book which I love. I’m going to listen again so I can take notes! I like the tone and speed of this book. The topic is fascinating and so eye opening. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to take their training to the next level or believes these types of skills are only for military or big bruiser guys!

Essential

I've had the pleasure of attending one of Mr. Larkin's live training seminars and own most of his video material which I've practiced on and off with friends in small study group sessions. I also have a reasonably extensive martial arts background, so I would consider myself a relatively experienced listener, and I will say that hands down this is probably the best "self-defense" book on the market. It is approachable for the absolute novice and useful for the trained fighter. Mr. Larkin's reading of the book is enjoyable. His expertise and passion come through. If you're hesitating about buying this title, don't. It could literally save your life, and even if you never need the information contained herein, its a fascinating listen.

Excellent Book!!

This is one of the best books i’ve ever read about situational awareness and self defense. This book reconfirmed many of the principles and theories i’ve learned over the years. As a firearms instructor I will definitely recommend this book to my students. Thanks for putting together such a great book.