On Killing

The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

By: Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Narrated by: Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The revised and updated edition of Lt. Col. Dave Grossman's modern classic about the psychology of combat, hailed by the Washington Post as "an illuminating account of how soldiers learn to kill and how they live with the experiences of having killed". In World War II, only 15 to 20 percent of combat infantry were willing to fire their rifles. In Korea, about 50 percent. In Vietnam, the figure rose to more than 90 percent.

The good news is that most soldiers are loath to kill. But armies have developed sophisticated ways sophisticated ways of overcoming that instinctive aversion. The psychological cost for soldiers, as evidenced by the increase in post-traumatic stress, is devastating. This landmark study brilliantly illuminates the techniques the military uses to help soldiers kill and raises vital questions about the implications of escalating violence in our society.

©2009 David Grossman (P)2009 David Grossman

Critic reviews

"This important book deserves a wide readership." ( Library Journal)

"Powerfully argued...Full of arresting observations and insights." (New York Times)

Exceptional, Eye-opening

This book book at the same time gave me hope for who we are as people and saddened me at the changes we see all around us in the early 21st century. It helped me understand myself as young man and the country I live in.

I would demand people take in a work like this, let alone recommend.

Good book for a perspective

I enjoyed the information and story line till the last few chapters. I think it is very sound information but I don’t agree with the authors conclusion in the end.

fantastic!

a must read for anyone in a violent career field. An overall great read for everyone else!

Powerful

I am a Basic Training Commander and Combat Veteran. My father and Grandfather and likely his served. I can attest to the principles presented in this study. Everyone should read!

On Killing

I am both a veteran and 30 year law enforcement professional. LTC Grossman's book is a must read for military and law enforcement personnel, and is especially important for professional leaders and those who treat or deal with soldiers and law enforcement officers that have been involved in violent encounters or shootings. It describes the human responses and cultural issues involving the taking of lives in uniform. Understanding how the body and brain responds to deadly encounters will help all involved deal better with line of duty killings.

Well done... mostly.

Fantastic research, invalid conclusion... unless you trust your government above all else. There is a way to understand the cost of killing and there is a way to fix it. If you trust your government to ALWAYS do the right thing, always be there to protect you, always have the ability to repel foreign invaders, and never overreach their power, his solution may work.

Deeper into psychology of the mind and society

Listen to On Combat (see my review) and immediately bought On Killing. School shootings video game stats and the overall topic well covered. This guy really knows what he is talking about so much so I would even consider helping out his cause in violent video games. Easy to stop and start on the listen.

Amazing

Lt Col. Dave Grossman analyzes academically the conditioning and de-sensitizing of the soldiers in various wars, and the effect of modern mainstream media and entertainment industry in the killing spree of our time while providing examples of how this occurs. Marvelous reading, excellence in proving its aims.

Extremely informative.

As a non-combat Veteran, I felt it very accurate in our feelings of regret for not being able to fight to help others. But also in hindsight, the guilt or being an enabler to the bloodshed that we may later with more wisdom not agree with. The bible states that all war is for greedy gain. Not that honorable men may have to fight to stop others greedy gain, but the greedy gain is always there. the United States allowed corporations to set up shop in the Middle East before the dust had even settled. I don't think there are many who would argue that the current wars have more to do with money than any other motive.

Fascinating

I really did enjoy this book. I agree with th author on about 98% of what he says. The 2% is only minor differences. Thanks