Book Review of Verbal Judo
... and was a police officer until he fulfilled his tenure. Although he also teaches verbal judo, he’s no guru. Thompson immediately admits how he’s messed up many situations with his big mouth and short temper. This book is to help the reader from making the same mistakes he’s made in the past. Thompson’s book teaches by example. He tells stories that either happened to him or were passed down from older cops who happened to get themselves out of various pickles by just talking. Thompson gives the reader a list of phrases that should not be said to another person, and even informs the reader on what to do if the phrases are said to him/her. Phrases like “you wouldn’t understand” or “It’s none of your business” leave the other person feeling stupid or insulted. There are always nicer ways of saying things and they should always be considered before a person opens his/her mouth. Find empathy before speaking in order to gain obedience by the other person. Empathy is a very important word in the gentle art of persuasion. It means to see through the eye of another and helps absorb tension in conversation when you start to think like the person whom you’re talking to. Following his explanations, George Thompson always follows up with a story. This particular story involves him saving a potentially suicidal man from death by listening to him and understanding where he’s coming from. If this book taught me one thing, its: learn to take crap with style. Unlike physical wounds, emotional wounds may never heal and can scar your memo...