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)

Extremely Interesting

I would have never thought to read a book like this but it was recommended to me. I am so glad I read it. I highly recommend!

Good book

Excellent book highly recommend for Law Enforcement. Great insight into the workings
of the mind

Much to consider

Lt. Col. Grossman has truly opened my eyes to both the human condition, and even my own flawed thinking about combat and self defense.

I consider this a definitive work on the subject. Warning: this is not a casual read, but is a must for people who are interested in the inter-workings of the human animal. If you are looking for bravado or war stories this is not for you.

I have passed this along to selective military, law enforcement, and fire department members. Each has expressed that it has helped in bringing an understanding of the dichotomy between personal experiences/emotions, and what the culture/media tells us about killing and death.

If you are a young person considering joining the military, or one of the civil services please consider listening to this prior to making any decision.

Spectacular read for vets, educators, caregivers, and the American public as a whole

I loved this book! I believe it helped me, a medevac technician, to better understand the physical and psychological combat casualties I care for. I greatly enjoyed the argument for ‘controls’, as if a sociological weapon safety, to be necessary to violence and sex.

Lt Col Grossman’s personal narration was appreciated, however the volume and diction stand to be improved. I found myself listening at such a high volume that changing the station to radio or music was jarringly loud.

Essential reading for every American

Critical review of how humans become capable of violence up to and including killing and what it means for nations, armies, soldiers, and societies. Wondering how things have gone so wrong in America? Read this book.

a combat veteran and now police officer

as a United States Marine combat veteran with two deployments and now a police officer of seven and a half years I highly recommend this book not only to people with histories like mine but all people as Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman says we are killing Our Youth and our society but we have the knowledge and power to reverse this and I promise to do my part Robert Wallace former United States Marine current police officer with the Flagstaff Arizona Police Department.

excellent!

well researched and presented. recommend this and his other books. his in-depth knowledge is golden.

Decent Audio Book, but...

Many great stories, quotes, and theories explained in this book. Grossman does a good job of ensuring his points get across by referencing past quotes, and reiterating Ideas. The quality of his conjecture is great, and I agree with most of it. However, near the end of the book he tries to tie all his ideas together to call for legislative censorship of violence in the media. This is only the last chapter, but I found myself rolling my eyes pretty hard through this last stretch. Such a great intellectual book which ends on such a weak note.

Thought-provoking and read with conviction

Quite enjoyed it, and Grossman's experience/education affords him great understanding. You can feel his conviction, the emotion in his voice as he reads out his work.

I think the anti-video-game tone is a little tired and old, but he's within his rights to that view, but that's the only real complaint that I can voice in an otherwise inspiring work.

On killing

Thoughtful analysis of the psychology of killing and and not killing. Well researched. The definitive work on the subject.