On Combat

The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace

By: Dave Grossman, Loren W. Christensen

Narrated by: Dave Grossman

Length: 18 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

On Combat looks at what happens to the human body under the stresses of deadly battle and the impact on the nervous system, heart, breathing, visual and auditory perception, memory - then discusses new research findings as to what measure warriors can take to prevent such debilitations, so they can stay in the fight, survive, and win. A brief but insightful look at history shows the evolution of combat, the development of the physical and psychological leverage that enables humans to kill other humans, followed by an objective examination of domestic violence in America. The authors reveal the nature of the warrior, brave men and women who train their minds and bodies to go to that place from which others flee.

After examining the incredible impact of a few true warriors in battle, On Combat presents new and exciting research as to how to train the mind to become inoculated to stress, fear, and even pain. Expanding on Lt. Col. Grossman's popular "bulletproof mind" presentation, the audiobook explores what really happens to the warrior after the battle, and shows how emotions, such as relief and self-blame, are natural and healthy ways to feel about having survived combat. A fresh and highly informative look at post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) details how to prevent it, how to survive it should it happen, how to come out of it stronger, and how to help others who are experiencing it.

On Combat is easy to understand and powerful in scope. It is a true classic that will be listened to by new and veteran warriors for years to come.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2013 Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Excellent

Excellent book. Should be required reading for all police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and military personnel.

Worth while education.

This book was informative and challenged some of my current beliefs. I absolutely recommend it!

Outstanding advice and encouragement to sheepdogs.

Amazing book all around, informative, entertaining, impactful, and reassuring for those with the warrior/sheepdog mindset and spirit. Just a very unnecessarily long sets of sections on video games causing violence. Any violence in media whether it's television, movies, video games, or literature consumed by younger audience's unsupervised without a parent or gaurdian teaching right from wrong and fiction from fact can mentally impact a child. It didn't need as much attention as it got in this book while (Stop teaching our kids to kill.) already exists. Other than that it's a phenomenal read for anyone with a warrior's mindset.

Must read for L.E.O. or Military Personnel

This book is an absolute must read for Law Enforcement and Military. And I believe it is actually required reading for either the Marines or Army(I'm not positive about this but have heard it over the years). It is a must read because to be in either of those two professions you most not only prepare the body but also the mind.

This book gives you the knowledge and tools to prepare your mind for combat and the aftermath of the same.

I'm a D.T. instructor for Police Officers and I could honestly type for hours about the importance of this book. Rather than that, I'll simply say get this book for yourself or a loved one who is in a combative field of employment and let the book talk for itself!

Gold Standard - Saving Lives

A collection of anecdotal stories blended with established (published) research on the effects of combat (or extremely high stress) on the human mind and body. I don't think anyone else has done more research or provided the often simple tips to help those of us that have seen the other side of life. I am always hesitant to purchase books where the author is the reader (I prefer professional readers) though LTC Grossman did an admiral job of maintaining my attention and adding the right amount of emotion and inflections where necessary. I strongly recommend the breathing tips in this book for anyone who has ever felt the slightest stress - it will have a profound effect on your mind and body.

A MUST READ for any warrior

This book both challenges and relieves the soul of the warrior. Col. Grossman explains with ineffable precision and plain speech, the problems virtually all individuals in deadly conflict face. He explains what reactions are natural and to be expected; and also how to properly prepare, execute, and recover from such incidents. I am now forewarned. Thank you!

Greatly informative, yet derailed too often

Take this book with a grain of salt. it includes many parts that are astonishing and captivating that many people could find extremely useful in their daily lives. However, every few chapters, the author starts floating off topic and then goes on a tirade for the rest of the chapter about how modern entertainment is ruining the world. I could have forgiven the first 20 minutes of it, because it was immediately followed by one of the best topics in the book, but the derailed rants keep coming. It was almost as if the Author wrote two books at once. One is an outstanding overview of combat, what happens mentally, how to deal with it, and how to help others who are struggling, as well as some great history behind it. The other is a boomer guidebook on parenting, how video games are "murder simulators", and a strange rant about how taking your child thats under 16 to see Saving Private Ryan will turn them into an alpha male bully which will result in them getting killed in a school shooting by a member of their school's band.

Changed my life

Title says it all, fantastic book from a great man. May we all earn it.

Clarity on my time served

Thank you, for this great collaboration of words. It has helped me to understand my ups and downs during and after my time in the service as a 10th MTN Infantryman. had this been assigned to me as literature to read by my team leader I think there is a great chance that I would have furthered my career as a soldier with a better readiness for the difficulty of a sheep dog in an ever changing combat field.

law enforcement must read

as a police officer, Marine, SWAT team member, this book I believe is a must-read for all in the field of combat, and Leadership.