Читать книгу Meditations on Violence - Rory Miller - Страница 9

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This is a book about many things and I was helped by many people from many different worlds. Cops and criminals, friends, trainers, authors, and students have all helped with this work—some directly with the manuscript and very, very many with opening my eyes to different parts of the world.

From the world of martial arts: Sensei Mike Moore and Sensei Wolfgang Dill set my foundation. Sensei Dave Sumner introduced me to Sosuishi-ryu, which became my core. Whatever I am as a fighter, Dave created. And Paul McRedmond (Mac)—has carried the torch from there, showing me new depths and urging me toward a purer intention. I can never thank you enough.

From the world of crime and cops, there are too many names. The guys who wore the cuffs taught me as much as the ones who put them on. To the bad guys—thanks for the lessons, now go forth and sin no more. By name—Sgt. Bill Gatzke taught me what it was to be a sergeant; Phil Anderchuk taught me how to plan. C.D. Bishop trusted my judgment. Lt. Inman made me do the parts of the job I hated. Deputy U.S. Marshal J. Jones taught a new level of precision. Thank you all. And most of all, to all CERT members past and present— you’ve always had my back and demanded my best. NPNBW!

Living is one thing, writing it down is something else. Mary Rosenblum taught me that writing well was a skill. With the help of Mike Moscoe Shepherd she had a big hand in turning a barely literate jail guard into something of a writer. I thank them both, but maybe the readers are the ones who should be grateful.

Every new book gets read many times by many people before it ever sees print—so for encouragement, finding the big holes and helping translate things from my special private language into basic human words: Dana Sheets, Riku Ylonen, Jeff Burger, Jim Raistrick, Mark Jones, and Lawrence Kane. Special thanks to Kris Wilder—without your impetuosity, bad timing, and total disregard for my comfort level, this might never have been seen by a publisher. Thanks, pal.

A few cross over—Roz, Sonia Orin Lyris, and Drew learned and taught both and went over the drafts as well.

Thanks to David Ripianzi and Tim Comrie for making this whole manuscript-to-book process so easy. Easy for me, anyway. Making it look easy takes a true professional.

The last part is personal. Through everything, Kami has the immense responsibility of keeping me sane and holding me to my promise to always be one of the good guys. Thanks. No matter how bad it gets, I’ve always been able to look at you and know that on balance the world is a good place.

Lastly, to Norma Joyce Miller. The first steps are the most important. As I promised as a wee child, this first book is for you.