Ranger Up Book Reviews: The Voice of Reason by Chael Sonnen

By Mr. Twisted

Have you ever wondered what is wrong with the world we live in today?

Well, if you read Chael Sonnen’s new book The Voice of Reason: a VIP Pass to Enlightenment, he will tell you all about it. And he will set you straight by explaining his awesomeness and then explaining it some more.

He’s forward.

He’s brash.

He is unabashed in his self-promotion.

And yet…he’s right more often than not.

Though A Voice of Reason is a very quick read, it offers up some true wisdom and is regularly laugh-out-loud funny. It reminded me in many ways of Adam Carolla’s book, In Fifty Years We’ll all be Chicks, except with more…balls. More punch. And less fluff. Like his fighting style, Sonnen gets in quick, makes his point, and gets out. There’s a lot to be admired in that strategy for a writer.

If you have ever seen an interview with Sonnen, then you have a pretty good idea what to expect. It becomes clear even on the first page that he is the one who wrote the book as it is completely and totally his own voice – no one could have that kind of thing dictated to them and be able to either A) keep a straight face, or B) keep up with the tempo.

Chael Sonnen comes at the reader as relentlessly as his takedowns in the cage. From politics to environmentalism; music and movies to the history of martial arts; fighting and lessons on growing up – and yes, even about his own particle accelerator – it’s all in there and it has a big stamp on it that’s pure Chael.

While I had no doubt going in that his voice would be direct and unrepentant, what surprised me was the amount of humility and respect he has in many areas. Yes, you read that right – humility and respect.

Unapologetic about his conservative political stance, a reader would expect a full-fledged rant against the current President of the United States, for example. However, Sonnen makes it clear that what is most important, first and foremost, is respecting the office of the Presidency. There is a lot of wisdom in that – whether one agrees with a policy or not, granting a certain amount of respect to the office is something that is greatly lacking in modern discourse.

His humility shows through clearly in subjects regarding his father, former coaches, and in his description of a fight. Regarding former opponent Brian Stann, Sonnen displayed almost a reverence and said that America needs more men like him. That same humility is shown on similar subjects and it is clear that, for all the big talk, there is a keen intelligence behind it – it’s not talk for talk’s sake.

But don’t kid yourself, he pulls no punches, either.

No one will read the book and question how Chael Sonnen feels about people like Anderson Silva and fighters whose names rhyme with “Peorge St. Gierre.” He has no problem telling you how he feels and also that you should thank him for clearing these things up for you.

Do you think Aerosmith is a good band? Do you think The Godfather movies were worth the praise? Do you think “ancient” knowledge is superior to what we have today? Open up to any page of The Voice of Reason and let ol’ Chael point out the error of your ways.

So, in short…

You probably won’t like this book if:

You’re sensitive, a whiner, a hippie, or if you are a sensitive, whining, hippie who loves Anderson Silva.

You probably will like this book if:

You know how to man up, you know how to work for what you want, and you have a sense of humor that doesn’t involve romantic comedies.

I will be honest in saying that I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the book. It’s over the top, sure – but there are some truly great lines in this work that make it well worth the short amount of time it will take you to read it. His “history” of martial arts is worth the price of the book, by itself, despite there being much more of value in it, as well. Point of fact, I could make this review quite a bit longer, but if I write much more it will be longer than the book itself.

So, go grab yourself a copy and let “Uncle Chael” sit you down and tell you how things are. You may have more in common with him than you think.

“But let me share a solid fact: it’s hard to pity and respect someone at the same time. Take your pick, and then live with the choice.” -Chael Sonnen, The Voice of Reason: A VIP Pass to Enlightenment.

 

 

One Comment

1. 

   Mr. Twisted

   July 9, 2012 at 10:00 am

   Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd….he got worked over by The Spider. The end.

   Reply