Contributor: Connor Dillon
As I was meandering my way around the local public library, looking for historical books for my next script, which happens to be about bare knuckle boxers in the early 1800s, I came across Chael Sonnen’s book, The Voice of Reason. It came out last year and I finally got a chance to pick it up. I hurriedly paid for a library card since I wasn’t a resident of that city and took it home for a good read. It’s the first book I picked up for pleasure in a while.
I was looking forward to all the good little MMA-related nuggets that Sonnen would present, stories about back room politicking, maybe even stories of his loss to Forrest Griffin and Demian Maia, and if he felt generous enough, descriptive chapters on why he started fighting. I was a little surprised to say the least, when my hoped-for MMA bible turned into a political platform. For MMA fans who are left-leaning, don’t have a sense of humor, and in general can’t stand some political incorrectness, don’t pick this book up. Anyone else, give it a read. Topics include why Richard Nixon was actually a great President, why the Occupy Movement is a load of garbage, why respect should be given to any President regardless of political inclination, among many other fascinating topics. It’s tough to give this book a review from the perspective of a MMA fan since so much of it deals with thoughts of government and leadership, but thankfully there’s enough here to make it through.
For the MMA fans that made it through about half of the book of political discussion, you will finally hit all the goodies of mixed martial arts you can find. Chael talks about his Coach growing up, who influenced him to maintain a wrestling career and how to use determination and his skills to succeed at nearly anything possible. There’s a heart-touching and very real chapter dedicated to Sonnen’s father, nearly out of touch with the rest of a book filled with extreme declarations and odd insults. This chapter is probably the closest many of his fans will ever get to seeing the real Chael Sonnen, not the pro wrestling schtick or ground and pound master of the Octagon. Other chapters discuss Sonnen’s take on martial arts like Muay Thai, Boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Savate, characterized by some historical inaccuracies and hilarious humor provided by the one and only Chael Sonnen.
Overall, I’d say this book was pretty good. I was surprised at the amount of political discourse in The Voice of Reason, and even though much of it seemed like extreme examples, there were solid opinions floating around. The best part of the book though was when Sonnen discussed topics closer to his heart, like his Father and martial arts, and where the reader is able to read more into who the real Chael Sonnen is.
My grade: 8 out of 10.
Pros: Well-written and witty book that can get you to the heart of an often masked individual.
Cons: A lot of political jokes and writing that can turn off a reader who is too thin-skinned.
Connor can be reached @connorhavok.
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