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On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society Paperback – June 22, 2009

by Dave Grossman (Author)

546 customer reviews

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The good news is that most soldiers are loath to kill. But armies have developed sophisticated ways of overcoming this instinctive aversion. And contemporary civilian society, particularly the media, replicates the army's conditioning techniques, and, according to Lt. Col. Dave Grossman's thesis, is responsible for our rising rate of murder among the young.

Upon its initial publication, ON KILLING was hailed as a landmark study of the techniques the military uses to overcome the powerful reluctance to kill, of how killing affects soldiers, and of the societal implications of escalating violence. Now, Grossman has updated this classic work to include information on 21st-century military conflicts, recent trends in crime, suicide bombings, school shootings, and more. The result is a work certain to be relevant and important for decades to come.

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

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Product Details

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Back Bay Books; Revised edition (June 22, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316040932
ISBN-13: 978-0316040938
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (546 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Law Enforcement
- #8 in Books > Law > Criminal Law > Law Enforcement
- #12 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Violence in Society

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4 star		15%
3 star		6%
2 star		3%
1 star		4%

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Top Customer Reviews

An important book, especially at this time in our nation.

ByJim Kaucheron June 28, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Lt. Col. Grossman's systematic and thoughtful study of why people kill -- and why they do not -- is important. His analysis on the role of conditioning on overcoming the natural resistance to killing another person provides helpful insight into how and why American society has become increasingly violent in recent decades. The last few chapters, which takes the lessons learned in the rest of the book and applies them to American society, ought to be required reading for those who insist on blaming the tools of violence for the existence of violence.

Thanks, Lt. Col. Grossman, for studying this topic with such rigor and for explaining your work so cogently.

0Comment 130 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

an excellent read

ByAnita Welleson March 1, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

An interesting study on killing during war, from the Civil War to the present. Contrary to what one sees through Hollywood's eyes, there is an extreme reluctance for one human being to kill another, even in time of war. Further, the author's findings help explain PTSD, a frequent result found in our combat veterans. Then applied to our society's current ills, he identifies the logical explanation for random mass murders and other mayhem. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read.

0Comment 87 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

on killing

ByWayne V. Cookon July 22, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book has answered many questions I have had since being involved in the VietNam war (67-68). "Once you have drank from the dark waters primevil,
you can drink no other" sums up the last 44 years of my life. Now i know the 'whats' and the 'whys'. I would highly reccomend this to be 'required reading' by therapists or anyone who deals with folks who have taken human life and are haunted by it.

0Comment 102 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

He Understands And Makes It OK

ByConservative Shopperon March 30, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

As a police officer I just went through a major shooting incident. As I read this book, Col. Grossman went through it with me. He described to a tee every emotion I experienced. Reading this book was extremely helpful.

0Comment 87 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

If you're a mystery or thriller writer you MUST read this book.

ByJoseon September 18, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Does your lead character crap his pants? Do your corpses void their bladders? What really happens in PTSD?

In this classic book, required reading at the military academies, Quantico and most police forces, Grossman lays out the very real facts of facing the act of killing another human being. And they are serious, long-lasting, and devastating. If your hero kills off a bad guy and walks away whistling--well then you're writing fantasy.

Backed with solid fact, Grossman is not some peacenik, he sees soldiers who won't fire at the enemy (about 80% in World War 2) as a PROBLEM and is looking for the cause and the ways to overcome it. There is no rhetoric here, it's all about statistics and facts.

0Comment 68 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Recommend Read

ByJames K. Newporton September 27, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

MANY other authors recommended this book & now I understand why. I already had a great appreciation for our military and law enforcement personnel. This book was filled with very insightful information that caused my appreciation to grow even more.

0Comment 60 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

I highly recommend this book and the follow up book "On Combat"

ByChadon October 22, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

As the defense coordinator for a survival group this book is hands down the most important and illuminating psychological treatise on the mental and emotional components of shooting another human. I was a police officer in Detroit and a SWAT team member. I have shot people and been shot. I wish this book was available then. It answered many questions and issues I had. It should be required reading at all police academies and basic training. It should be required reading for any leader of a prepper group. I highly recommend this book and the follow up book "On Combat".

0Comment 97 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

book: On Killing

ByAmazon Customeron September 19, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

LtCol Grossman has done the US Armed Forces a major service by writing this book. Those of us who look over his shoulder are likewise edified. This is not a book on how to kill. It's a book on the mental/emotional problems faced by the soldier (or sailor or airman) who is expected to kill as part of his/her job. It examines the psychiatric results that usually follow from such killing - and a plethora of other considerations that wouldn't occur to most people commanding their subordinates to kill other human beings. I'm only 2/3 of the way through the book, and it has already profoundly affected my attitude toward those who must kill to survive, or kill to obey direct oreers.

0Comment 53 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Gives a good insight into the human aspect of killing

Gives a good insight into the human aspect of killing. Anyone who does have a conceald carry license or permit or is planning on getting one needs to read this.

Published 2 days ago by US male shopper

the author has so many great stories and statistics supporting changing the way we view ...

For those that don't understand PTSD and the culture of war and fighting, the author has so many great stories and statistics supporting changing the way we view things in our...Read more

Published 7 days ago by Chris

Fascinating book

A fascinating examination of the psychology of killing and the history of efforts to make soldiers kill their enemy.Read more

Published 8 days ago by Pratchett Fan

Most Interesting Book - buy it!

This is an interesting book. Main thesis is that many from revolutionary times to today would NOT shoot another human even if their own lives were in danger.Read more

Published 13 days ago by Helen M. Sabin

Five Stars

Good book! I think I liked "On Combat" better though.

Published 20 days ago by Ryan Hedlund

Good reading

Enjoyed the book very much. Being a Airborne combat infantryman, I wasn't so sure about a few things but the man did his research, that's for sure.
C/4/503/173

Published 21 days ago by KTS

THE BIBLE OF HOW WE EXPERIENCE COMBAT.

This is the definitive work that explains what happens to those in combat psychologically. It explains historically and psychologically what happens to people in combat.Read more

Published 25 days ago by Philip Kurman

Lt Col David Grossman's books are a must read for both Military and Self Defense applications.
Highly recommended.

Published 28 days ago by Gunny Jack

Five Stars

Lt Col Grossman is a great writer and his knowledge of the subject matter is second to none.

Published 29 days ago by Dallas Williamson

Amazing resource for anyone interested in helping vets

Amazing resource for anyone interested in helping vets, whether you are a professional or just want to have a meaningful conversation with one.

Published 1 month ago by N. F. G.

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On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society Paperback – June 22, 2009

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