On Killing, Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman
On Killing, Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman
44 Rating(s)
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On Killing
The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

Author: Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman

Narrator: Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman

Unabridged: 10 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/22/2009


Synopsis

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

Reviews

Goodreads review by Marcus on May 09, 2021

Funny how a little more than 10 years can change one's perspective. When I read Grossman's "On Killing" for first time, I found it deep and profound. Upon second reading a decade later, I find his conclusions sometimes unfounded, sometimes rather badly argued. I've also noticed that he also likes to......more

Goodreads review by Quinnp1 on July 08, 2008

As a combat vet myself, I can't say I learned anything new from this book as I have lived it all myself,. Yet I strongly suggest you all read it carefully.It will enlighten you to a very important aspect of humanity and the survival instinct that few understand. There is a price for killing and ther......more

Goodreads review by Dee on June 16, 2018

This is my second reading of “On Killing,” and I came away with a slightly different perspective. Overall, I still agree with many of Lt. Col. Grossman's thoughts. He presents his opinions on killing and backs them up with quotes from soldiers and authors of similar books. I was beginning to be swaye......more

Goodreads review by Brooke on October 10, 2012

Ok I loved and hated this book. I guess you could say I hated it because the truth hurts.. but I loved it because It REALLY opened my eyes to how(my hubby) feels everyday. It really helped me understand him and the thoughts that he has more clearly. I was let down though, the reason... I was really......more

Goodreads review by Nick on May 06, 2013

By turns fascinating and overly moralising; amazing insights into how normal people can be made to commit atrocites, the average soldier's (reassuring) reluctance to kill (at least, up close and personally) are mixed with poor research and referencing, repetition and generally uninspiring writing. Th......more