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The Life and Death of Sensei, a Novel
From Loren W. “I’ve written four nonfiction books on PTSD, but this is my first fiction on the subject. I hope the reader gets a feel for what happens to some soldiers in combat and the aftermath that can follow them for decades after. I used a martial arts master to show that journey and its effects, even on a person who has developed a high level of discipline and mental mastery.
”Loren Christensen's fiction always has the most realistic fight scenes." “A spot-on depiction of PTSD." ”A masterpiece!” ”I thought of the old story "Rashomon," with each character having their own version of events (in this case, different slices of Sensei's turbulent life.)" Grant had published only one book, so he was shocked when a martial arts master asked him to write a biography of his life. The writer began by interviewing five people who shared different phases of Sensei's violent journey. We see Sensei as a Vietnam War hero and then a criminal. As a violent alcoholic and then a martial arts champion. As an adulterer and then a role model for troubled youth. As a highly respected martial arts master but a man with a terrible secret. Grant discovers that the secret is a horrific one that will change everything, including the young writer's life.
”Loren Christensen's fiction always has the most realistic fight scenes." “A spot-on depiction of PTSD." ”A masterpiece!” ”I thought of the old story "Rashomon," with each character having their own version of events (in this case, different slices of Sensei's turbulent life.)" Grant had published only one book, so he was shocked when a martial arts master asked him to write a biography of his life. The writer began by interviewing five people who shared different phases of Sensei's violent journey. We see Sensei as a Vietnam War hero and then a criminal. As a violent alcoholic and then a martial arts champion. As an adulterer and then a role model for troubled youth. As a highly respected martial arts master but a man with a terrible secret. Grant discovers that the secret is a horrific one that will change everything, including the young writer's life.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2021
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Loren W. Christensen
96 books101 followersLoren W. Christensen is a Vietnam veteran, retired police officer, a martial artist since 1965, and a prolific author of books and magazine articles.
As a writer, Loren has penned over 70 books and dozens of magazine articles on a variety of subjects. While his target audience is most often what he calls “the warrior community” – martial artists, cops, soldiers – his writing has become popular among high school and college students, parents, professionals of every kind, and people interested in a side of life outside the norm.
Loren is most thankful to his many friends, associates and fellow writers in the warrior community for their continual support and expert advice.
Biography:
Bachelors of Science - PSU
Vietnam veteran – 716th Military Police
Career police officer (ret) – Portland, Oregon
Street patrol, gang enforcement, defensive tactics instructor, bodyguard
Script advisor for the motion picture Best of the Best 3
Martial artist since 1965
Earned a total of 13 black belts in three fighting arts
Starred in 7 instructional DVDs
Author of 70 books and dozens of magazine articles
Nominated for the Frankfurt award
Co-author (with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman) of “Evolution of Weaponry” in Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict, Academic Press
Wrote regularly for Black Belt, Karate Illustrated, Inside Kung fu and many others
Currently writes regularly for Black Belt and Police and Security News magazines
Book Solo Training was ranked in Amazon’s top 3 for three years in a row
Named in the 2007 - 2008 Heritage Registry of Who's Who in publishing
As a writer, Loren has penned over 70 books and dozens of magazine articles on a variety of subjects. While his target audience is most often what he calls “the warrior community” – martial artists, cops, soldiers – his writing has become popular among high school and college students, parents, professionals of every kind, and people interested in a side of life outside the norm.
Loren is most thankful to his many friends, associates and fellow writers in the warrior community for their continual support and expert advice.
Biography:
Bachelors of Science - PSU
Vietnam veteran – 716th Military Police
Career police officer (ret) – Portland, Oregon
Street patrol, gang enforcement, defensive tactics instructor, bodyguard
Script advisor for the motion picture Best of the Best 3
Martial artist since 1965
Earned a total of 13 black belts in three fighting arts
Starred in 7 instructional DVDs
Author of 70 books and dozens of magazine articles
Nominated for the Frankfurt award
Co-author (with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman) of “Evolution of Weaponry” in Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict, Academic Press
Wrote regularly for Black Belt, Karate Illustrated, Inside Kung fu and many others
Currently writes regularly for Black Belt and Police and Security News magazines
Book Solo Training was ranked in Amazon’s top 3 for three years in a row
Named in the 2007 - 2008 Heritage Registry of Who's Who in publishing
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 29, 2025
A young writer is taking martial arts lessons in Portland, Oregon, when his sensei calls him in for a meeting. It turns out the teacher wants someone to write his biography. A couple of days later, the subject dies.
The author carries on with his book. A Vietnam veteran, the sensei had PTSD. The author learns things he wishes he hadn't, but does find the love of his life.
Like a lot of Christensen protagonists, the author seems a bit clueless.
The author carries on with his book. A Vietnam veteran, the sensei had PTSD. The author learns things he wishes he hadn't, but does find the love of his life.
Like a lot of Christensen protagonists, the author seems a bit clueless.
February 15, 2021
A Masterpiece
Mr. Christensen has written a very powerful and compelling story that rings true in so many aspects of should probably not be classified as fiction.
I first read one of his non-fiction books Solo Training decades ago and he has been on my radar ever since. When I read the Dukka series I was impressed by the realistic depictions of fights I thought them the best ever but Sensei surpasses that, not in just the fight scenes which are great, but in the insights into and of the characters are revealing and we'll placed.
If you practice martial arts the depth and scope of the book will ring true. I wish I could train with Sensei.
Mr. Christensen has written a very powerful and compelling story that rings true in so many aspects of should probably not be classified as fiction.
I first read one of his non-fiction books Solo Training decades ago and he has been on my radar ever since. When I read the Dukka series I was impressed by the realistic depictions of fights I thought them the best ever but Sensei surpasses that, not in just the fight scenes which are great, but in the insights into and of the characters are revealing and we'll placed.
If you practice martial arts the depth and scope of the book will ring true. I wish I could train with Sensei.
January 24, 2021
I had to leave a star rating to comment on my own book.
I’ve written four nonfiction books on PTSD, but this is my first fiction on the subject. I hope the reader gets a feel for what happens to some soldiers in combat and the aftermath that can follow them for decades after. I used a martial arts master to show that journey and its effects, even on a person who has developed a high level of discipline and mental mastery.
I’ve written four nonfiction books on PTSD, but this is my first fiction on the subject. I hope the reader gets a feel for what happens to some soldiers in combat and the aftermath that can follow them for decades after. I used a martial arts master to show that journey and its effects, even on a person who has developed a high level of discipline and mental mastery.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews