On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman

Jun 2009 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman

About this audiobook

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

Ratings and reviews

very heavy book on the psychology of killing and its affect on both psychiatric casualties in historical wars like vietnam and ww2 and the desensitization of violence as a consequence of media romanticization of lawless and vengeful protagonists who hold vengeance and chaos over order and the law. most of the book is testimonials and citations of other writings and experiences of veterans and their perspectives on the topic itself and how it emotionally affected them years later.

Very thorough.

Very informative

About the author

A former army Ranger and paratrooper, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman taught psychology at West Point and is currently the professor of Military Science at Arkansas State University.