Don't judge this book by its cover! (Watch My Back - Geoff Thompson)

Member Name: BlackSwan

Product:	Watch My Back - Geoff Thompson
Date:	29/09/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Frank and gritty yet inspiring, funny and positive

Disadvantages: Lovers of hoolie-lit and Kate Kray's stuff may find it all a bit too much ;)

I count Geoff as a friend, so I don't whether my "review" can really be counted as unbiased. Nevertheless, I feel I need to say a few words about this book to steer potential readers in the right direction.

The book is an autobiography of the life of Geoff Thompson, focusing mainly on his time working the doors in Coventry during the 1980s. He became perhaps one of the biggest shakers on the UK martial arts scene in the early '90s and was at least partly responsible for the "Reality Revolution" at the time. Today he has carved his name as a motivational writer, moving off martial arts and more into popular psychology. He has also written several short films, including one that has won a BAFTA, and stage plays before the launch of his first feature film "Clubbed". Clubbed is a fictionalized film based on Geoff's screenplay, which was based on "Watch my Back". I report this information to give you an idea of what is behind this particular book.

Watch my Back was originally written in three parts that were released as Geoff stopped working the doors and became a full-time martial arts instructor and then a full-time writer. The original Watch my Back was a gritty and raw series of tales from some of the UK's toughest doors. It pre-dated the Lenny McClean inspired "True Crime" subgenre of "Tough Guys" books, which has become an industry all of their own. The next two parts saw something of an evolution, as Geoff became a professsional writer. When it came to combining all three editions into one omnibus, Geoff revised the work. Not only did he put everything in chronological order, but he was more candid about his life outside the doors and martial arts. This included the harrowing revelation that he was abused as a child by his martial arts instructor and his own personal belief system. This made Watch my Back a far deeper book than most of the other books it is often marketed with.

The most recent edition of Watch my Back has a cover taken from the feature film Clubbed, but the one advertised through dooyoo bears the picture of Geoff with a knuckleduster. Geoff admits to using the knuckleduster one to appeal to the wider audience "tough guy" books attract. However, don't expect a titilating celebration of violence. Geoff spares litte details about his fights and time spent working with violent people, but the personal struggles he faces present a far bigger picture for those willing to look.

The book is brim full of grave humour and the language of Coventry, and yet clear examples of an individual constantly striving to grow, explore and express himself. Geoff has written of 30 books on martial arts, motivation and even a novel, in addition to his plays, short films and numerous articles. However, Watch my Back is recognised by all, including Geoff, as Geoff's root and base.

Summary: A motivating, moving and good humoured biography about deep and personal issues