Career
He has published a number of books on the martial arts and on mental health issues. Amdur began his study of martial arts in 1968, learning karate and traditional Chinese arts He started training in aikido in 1973, and after moving to New York, lived in Terry Dobson and Ken Nisson’s Bond Street Dojo.
He also started training daily at Yamada Yoshimitsu"s New York Aikikai school of aikido.
After gaining a degree in psychology, Amdur traveled to Japan in 1976 to further his study of the martial arts, and while there took up Toda-ha Bukō-ryū and Araki-ryū, two traditional koryu. He has also studied judo, Muay Thai and Xing Yi Quan.
Amdur is the author of a number of books on aikido and the martial arts (Duelling With O-Sensei, Hidden in Plain Sight, Old School) as well as ten profession-specific books on crisis intervention and mental health which are published under his own Edgework Publishing imprint. Based in Seattle, Amdur teaches courses for a variety of different venue, from law enforcement and corrections to mental health and families on crisis intervention.
He also consults on situations involving stalking, domestic violence or work-site safety.
Amdur, along with Neal Stephenson, Charles C. Mann, and Mark Teppo has published a graphic novel, entitled Cimarronin. Amdur has also published a novel of his own, entitled Girl with the Face of the Moon.