The Professor in the Cage

Why Men Fight and Why We like to Watch

By: Jonathan Gottschall

Narrated by: Quincy Dunn-Baker

When a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym moves in across the street from his office, Jonathan Gottschall sees a challenge and an opportunity. Pushing 40, out of shape, and disenchanted with his job as an adjunct English professor, part of him yearns to cross the street and join up. The other part is terrified.

Gottschall eventually works up his nerve and starts training for a real cage fight. He's fighting not only as a personal test but also to answer questions that have intrigued him for years: Why do men fight? And why do so many seemingly decent people like to watch? Gottschall endures extremes of pain, occasional humiliation, and the incredulity of his wife to take us into the heart of fighting culture - culminating, after almost two years of grueling training, in his own cage fight.

Gottschall's unsparing personal journey crystallizes in his epiphany, and ours, that taming male violence through ritualized combat has been a hidden key to the success of the human race. Without the restraining codes of the monkey dance, the world would be a much more chaotic and dangerous place.

©2015 Jonathan Gottschall (P)2015 Recorded Books

Combat Theory

Loved this book. Author was very honest about his experience and his skills, and had valuable insights into why we fight, combat psychology and theory, as well as a little humor mixed in. Definitely recommend if your a combat sports fan.

Entertaining, educational and gripping

This was one of the best books i have bought on audible. out of many on many different topics. The personal story was very honest and well told, the historical anecdotes were very fitting, not to long or to short, well founded and objective. The narration was great, well paced and engaging. A great book overall for anyone who are interested in fighting, bot for novice and medium experienced people like myself. The only thing that bothered me was the author complaining about his age, at 39 you are not an old man, i know people fighting since their 20s up to their 60s, i am myself 35 and i will fight my first mma fight this year. However the book was great and for those who like it should also purchase "the way of men" by Jack Donovan thst more deeply explain the foundation of masculinity.

From the Classroom to the Cage

This title was interesting to listen to because it felt like it was an actual documentary in audio format. The author has a very interesting perspective about martial arts.

makes you want to fight someone

... but in a good way. I have always wanted to do what Jonathan did for this book and it does make me want to get out there and try it even more now.
The writing is aggressive but it's real and intense. He talks and references how men really talk and sometimes it's rude but it's the last remaining scraps of manliness I think.
if you are thinking about doing mma this is definitely a book to read or listen to.

Contemplation on Violence

A true thinking man explores how & why our species never ceases to fight. A worthy listen. Well narrated.