Loren W. Christensen

In Musings on Violence, bestselling author and veteran warrior Loren W. Christensen shares personal reflections on training for violence, surviving it, and living with its aftermath. Drawing from decades as a martial artist, cop, and soldier, Loren offers hard-won insights into what it truly means to walk the warrior’s path.

"In a cop's world it's kill or be killed, but the truth of the matter is that a shooting's aftermath is often the most dangerous time for the cop. This unique life- and career-saving manual contains every shred of critical information the police officer needs to survive the media, investigations and more."

"Christensen distills more than 25 years of martial arts and law enforcement defensive tactics training into a street-proven system that is efficient, easy to learn and legally defensible. This is not a contrived system of new techniques; it is a tightly structured course that teaches you the secrets of making the joint locks, holds and takedowns you already know more effective and painful to the subject."

Policing Saigon is Loren W. Christensen’s raw, personal account of life as a 23-year-old MP in war-torn Vietnam. Through nearly 80 vivid stories, he shares the chaos, violence, and moral complexity he faced on the streets of Saigon—offering a rare, ground-level view of the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on those who served.

Mental Rehearsal for Warriors builds on Loren W. Christensen’s earlier work by teaching practical meditation and visualization techniques for martial artists, cops, soldiers, and more. With 12 methods to calm the mind and focus the body, this guide helps you mentally prepare for everything from combat to public speaking—no mysticism, no guru required.

Surviving Workplace Violence by Loren W. Christensen is a practical guide to staying safe when violence erupts on the job. Focused on preparation and response, it offers clear, actionable advice for dealing with dangerous individuals and surviving worst-case scenarios like workplace shootings.

​Cops see what most people never will—violence, victims, and human darkness, sometimes all in one day. But some encounters go beyond the usual horrors, leaving officers with an eerie, unforgettable feeling. As many describe in this book, it’s the eyes—cold, dark, and malevolent—that reveal they were in the presence of true evil.

On Combat explores how deadly combat affects the mind and body, and how soldiers can train to handle stress, fear, and PTSD. Through research and veteran stories, he highlights the value of mental preparation and post-battle debriefing in healing and resilience.

Deadly Force Encounters (2nd Edition) by Dr. Alexis Artwohl and Loren W. Christensen explores how the human body and mind respond to life-threatening violence. Backed by science and real stories, it offers vital insights for police, armed citizens, and anyone preparing to survive—and cope with—the aftermath of a deadly encounter.

"With honesty and flair, Christensen offers a rare curbside glimpse into the gritty urban world of skid row. In this colorful tribute to the cops who have worked skid row, as well as the characters who have lived there, Christensen preserves for all time that place where, for decades, man's inhumanity to man revealed itself in a million sordid stories."

"This book shows cops how to use proven defensive tactics to stay alive and uninjured, including how to disarm attackers, deal with drunk or drugged subjects, protect their guns, fend off multiple attackers and more."

"[Loren] identified 37 of the finest warrior authors, warrior trainers and warrior scholars around, and asked them to tell in their own words what being a warrior meant to them. The contributors came from a diverse mix of fellow warriors, from soldiers, cops and SWAT officers to martial art masters to experts in the fields of workplace violence, theology, and school safety."

In Evolution of Weaponry, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen reveal how human psychology and physiology have shaped warfare across the ages. From chariots to gunpowder, this insightful book connects the tools of combat to the limits of the human body and mind—perfect for history buffs and warrior scholars alike.

Meditation for Warriors strips away the fluff and shows military, law enforcement, and martial arts professionals how to use simple, no-nonsense meditation to boost performance, resilience, and recovery. No crystals, gurus, or incense—just practical techniques you can use anytime, anywhere to become a sharper, calmer, more effective warrior.

"El libro... analiza el acto de matar y sus implicaciones físicas, psíquicas y espirituales, y la evolución del combate a lo largo de la historia. Este lúcido análisis se cierra con una sección dedicada al día después del combate, cuando el humo se disipa del campo de batalla, y a la forma de evitar o, en su caso, gestionar, el trastorno por estrés postraumático."

In Dead Body Calls, Loren W. Christensen shares powerful stories from his time as a Military Policeman in Vietnam and a 25-year street cop in Portland. Often dispatched to scenes of death, he reflects on the emotional toll of handling suicides, homicides, and fatal accidents—with respect for the victims and honesty about the burden officers carry.

"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."

Street Lessons is Loren W. Christensen’s gritty reflection on a lifetime in martial arts, not in dojos or films, but on the violent streets of Saigon and Portland. Drawing from his real-world encounters as a soldier, cop, and bodyguard, Loren shares hard-earned insights on violence, survival, and the deeper lessons martial arts taught him about the human condition.

Defensive Tactics: Street-Proven Arrest and Control Techniques is a must-have for law enforcement officers and martial artists alike, offering practical, battle-tested methods to handle real-world threats and high-risk encounters with confidence and control.

Warrior Mindset is a practical guide to developing the mental toughness needed for high-stress, life-or-death situations. With clear steps and techniques, it teaches readers how to build a combat-ready mindset to enhance performance, focus, and survival when it matters most.