'On Combat is a superb book that is a must-read for al warriors and all those they protect. In other words, everyone. Thoroughly researched and written by two warriors who have lived what they write about, it has the same passionate and inspirational style that characterizes the dynamic speeches of Lt. Co. Grossman. You will learn the reality of combat and feel empowered by the understanding and skills you'll acquire to perform, cope, and even thrive in any extreme stress situation. Do yourself a favor: Read this book NOW.-Dr. Alexis Artwohl Author and Psychologist

This new book is what our young warriors need. At one of David's last briefings a Senior NCO approached me and said, 'Sir, the army spent 18 years and thousands of dollars teaching me to kill. This is the first time I have been taught how to deal with it.' This book will allow those not fortunate enough to hear David do their own preparation for the ultimate test.-Lt. Col. Hal McNair Professor at the Joint Spec Ops University

Quite frankly, it is an awesome book, the best available anywhere on the subject. On Killing was great, this is even better. It will be required reading at the PD and in my Army units. You did us proud.-Randy Watt Veteran Cop and Green Beret Veteran of Afghanistan

A former army Ranger, paratrooper, West Point Psychology Professor and author of the classic book, On Killing, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is currently the Director of the Warrior Science Group and one of the world's foremost experts in the field of human aggression and the psychology of combat.

Contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword by Gavin de Becker
Introduction The new warriors, the new paladins
Section I The physiology of combat: The anatomy of the human body in battle
Chapter One Combat: The universal human phobia
Chapter Two The harsh reality of combat: What you don't hear at the VFW
Chapter Three Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system: The body's combat and maintenance troops
Chapter Four Fear, physiological arousal and performance: Conditions white, yellow, red, gray and black
Section II Perceptual distortions in combat: An altered state of consciousness
Chapter One The eyes and the ears: Auditory exclusion, intensified sound, and tunnel vision
Chapter Two Autopilot: 'You honestly don't know you're doing it'
Chapter Three A grab bag of effects: visual clarity, slow motion time, temporary paralysis, memory loss, dissociation and intrusive thoughts
Chapter Four Memory loss, memory distortions, and the role of videotaping: You are absolutely convinced it happened
Chapter Five The Klinger study: A parallel study in perceptual distortions
Section III The call to combat: Where do we get such men?
Chapter One Kiling machines: The impact of a handful of true warriors
Chapter Two stress inoculation and fear: Practicing to be miserable
Chapter Three Sucking up bullets and continuing to fight: ou've never lived until you've almost died
Chapter Four Making the decision to kill: 'I killed someone, but someone lived'
Chapter Five Modern paladins bearing the shield: 'Go tell the spartans...'
Chapter Six The evolution of combat: The physical and psychological leverage that enables killing, in war and peace
Chapter Seven The evolution of combat and domestic violent crime
Section IV The price of combat: After the smoke clears
Chapter One Relief, self-blame and other emotions: 'My world was turned inside out.'
Chapter Two Stress, uncertainty, and the 'Four Fs': Forewarned is forearmed
Chapter Three PTSD: Reexperiencing the event, and fleeing from the puppy
Chapter Four A time to heal: The role of critical incident debriefings in preventing PTSD
Chapter Five Tactical breathing and the mechanics of the debriefing: Separating the memory from the emotions
Chapter Six What to say to a returnng veteran, and what to say to a survivor
Chapter Seven thou shalt not kill? The Judeo/Christian view of killing
Chapter Eight survivor guilt: Life not death, and justice not vengeance
Conclusion
Appendix A Erasmus' twenty-two principles on how to be strong while remaining viruous in a dangerous world
Appendix B Boardof Advisors for On Combat
Bibliography
Index
Author's biographies

This is difficult book to review, there are some very good parts in it, and some very bad. The author definitely seems to have no problem with "self-esteem" asking if a person who he called the Anti-Grossman (the authors name) is similar to the Anti-Christ (essentially comparing himself to Christ I presume). At other times he simple makes statements that are clearly not factual such as the reference to Socrates (not Plato's) Republic, while at the same time comes across very preaching and proselytizing. In one chapter he praises the Psychology community when he uses them to strengthen his claim (about media violence), while in same time puts them down when his disagrees (about PTSD). The book should have been much shorter focusing on the elements Colonel Grossman is an expert on, which would have made it a better use of time and energy. Some of the language used was off putting such as referring to civilians as "sheep" throughout the book, but also use of some disrespectful terms such as Japs, Krauts, etc ... I would definitely encourage people to read this book as it has valuable perspectives, but would encourage the author to be less judgemental and maybe consider that people who disagree with him have a valid point too. ( )

I said the same about Grossman's other book 'Warrior Mindset', but such a great companion read! Absolutely priceless content. Should be required reading at TBS (The Basic School) for Marine Corps Officers as well as NCO school! ( )

In combat, it’s normal to pee or shit your pants, but very few people tell you about that. Grossman does, along with other normal reactions to situations in which other people are trying to kill you and you are trying to kill them. Police and soldiers are “warriors” who need a “sheepdog ethic” to protect normal people/sheep—Grossman says this isn’t a judgment and that sheep are perfectly valuable, but civilization would collapse without warriors to protect against the wolves (warriors gone wrong). There’s also a lot about the importance of practice—in extremis, people sink to the level of their training; if they don’t freeze, they do what they have been in the habit of doing. Thus it is vital to create proper habits that increase the chances of survival in battle, including “tactical breathing,” which is really just deep breathing/Lamaze breathing with a manlier name. It’s a mix of new agey with worshiping militarism that I wouldn’t have expected, but found thought-provoking. He spends a lot of time attacking the media, especially violent video games, for creating killers who aren’t warriors, who are trained to kill and keep killing without thinking about it. The biggest weakness is Grossman’s inability to discuss the ways in which police are not soldiers in war, facing enemies in uniform. The elephant in the room is all the people the police are killing unnecessarily; while Grossman talks a lot about deciding in advance that one is willing to kill to protect the lives of other people, or even oneself, he does not talk about how to mentally prepare oneself for making a life-or-death decision in a way that decreases the likelihood that anyone will die. ( )

I found this book a let-down from the very valuable "On Killing", and seams between the assembled presentations were very obvious. But a good addition to the anti-NRA propaganda which sadly is necessary at this point. "All it takes to stop a greedy man looking to sell a gun....is information", especially in this format.
There is a lot of inspirational poetry, though, some good stuff, there. ( )

Essential for understanding the nature of violence and it's affects on those who make a living within it. ( )

While the main audiance of this book might be designed to be police officers or those in the armed forces, it was a very interesting read from any perspective.

A few of the chapters go into detail into the effect of video games on children (as well as TV and movies). This was really fascinating to read because talking to my students, I can see how much they love those games, and while I never thought highly of them, I may also have underminded their importance (or destructiveness, as it were) on children.

That is a portion of this book, but the main points of the book describe what it means to be a 'warrior'--and what a warrior might expect before, during and after combat. Combat can be described in many ways. Before it takes place, it's important to be prepared mentally and physically. Training is key, as our bodies literally shut down when we are stressed, and one sinks to the level of their training. Mentally and emotionally, we need to know what we are willing to do, so we are not cursed with indecision at the moment of crisis.

During the crisis, it is important to try to keep our bodies within a healthy heart rate (breathing techniques help), because physiologically speaking, if our heart rate gets too high, we shut down. (Not desired!) After a crisis, we need to debrief. We need to talk with others to either share our pain, or share our joy. We made it, we are alive. The debriefing is only as important as your mental health after a crisis is to you. There is catharsis in talking about what happened.

While I am not a police officer, or in any branch of the armed forces, this book gave me a lot to think about in relation to school safety and shootings, and how adults (myself included) should respond to such a threat or actual event.

I think the message I am taking from the book is: whereas I would absolutely hate to be in a position to need the infomraiton in this book....I would much rather be prepared if I'm ever forced into such a situation! ( )

This is a self-help book for people whose lives involve the deliberate use of violence -- police officers and military personnel, mainly. Like in most examples of the genre, some of the science seems a little suspect (by which I mean twisted to fit the aims of the author, not fabricated) and the cheer-leading can get a little tiring, but it's sincere, personal, and fairly well written. I can imagine the core audience getting some benefit by reading (and re-reading) the book and the book's popularity and the uptake of some of its distinct terminology into common (though restricted) usage attests to its value. For those of us with distant contact with violence, distant either in time or in circumstances, the book has less value. ( )

Amazing review of the psychology of combat and killing in combat. Many excellent comments both positive and negative on how the US Military has handled its combatants over the years, and especially in Viet Nam. Written with sympathy for and by an US Military officer, this book is an outstanding discussion of how to train soldiers. ( )

An absolutely essential book for anyone who intends to take responsibility for their own safety or the safety of others. If you carry a weapon in the line of duty or for your own personal protection you need to read this book.

Grossman takes an in-depth look at the physiological and psychological effects of a lethal encounter, both during the event and the aftermath. He backs up his conclusions with solid research and empirical data gathered from actual events, including interviews with survivors from law enforcement and the military.

Grossman's narrative includes a religious perspective that some readers may find at the least irrelevant, and at the most distracting. I would encourage those readers to focus on the facts, as they are still extremely valuable regardless of the author's personal opinions. ( )

This is a book about combat, how to prepare for it, how to engage in it and how to survive afterward. It is a handbook for police and military personnel. It covers the bases carefully in detail and with examples.

I'm sure there are a lot of people who would find the subject distasteful. However, I found it, to the best of my limited experience, truthful and factual. ( )

A "must read" for anyone interested in how humans react to combat, and how to prepare for it. ( )