Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: Yet another book that blasts the entertainment industry and media for our culture of violence and our staggering murder rate. Honestly,I would rate this book a zero if I had the opportunity. A massive waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: Groundbreaking discussion of killing
Review: Grossman presents a thorough discussion of how military and law enforcement professionals are trained to overcome societal and moral inhibitors against killing - and the burden of this training as these men and women attempt to build lives within the society they protect. No apologist for the need for such "protectors," Grossman steadfastly refuses to pass judgement. He focuses on the reality of killing in certain professions and examines the benefits and costs to society and to the individuals who have felt the dull throbbing horror of taking another life. The interviews will ring true to anyone who has chosen such a profession and the book offers valuable insights to those who love them. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author "Race Against Evil."
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Summary: On killology
Review: This is a very interesting book, in which the author Dave Crossman analyses the history of personal combat, draws conclusions on why the killing rate of soldiers in combat is amazingly low, and ends the book by analyzing the reasons of increase of violence in modern society. The book starts with the history of combat from ancient Greece to the modern days. The author shows how amazingly hard it is for a soldier to [destroy] a fellow man, even in war. Crossman explains this by stating that in a man, there is an innate aversion towards [destroying] another human being. Through history, the military has tried to overcome this aversion to improve the effectiveness of its soldiers. In the 20th centyry, there was a substantial increase of this effectiveness, by using the conditioning process to condition the soldiers to [destroy]. The conditioning process has been so effective that when in the Civil war era only few percent of the soldiers were willing to [destroy], the ratio has risen to 15-20 percent in world war II, and to about 90 percent in [SE Asia]. At the end of the book, Crossman states that violence in society is rising because of similar conditioning process than that used by military, but without the same safety measures. This conditoining happens via entertainment industry, which is becoming increasingly more violent. It's interesting to note that Crossman thinks that violent computer games, where the player is an active participant in the game, are not as dangerous as television, where the audience is just passively watching the violence. He makes a strong point, however, and it's hard not to agree with him. In conclusion, I would say that this is a very interenting book. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in military history, or who is concerned about the increasing violence in society today.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: Being a product of american entertainment, i thought war was all blood, guts, and glory. After I read this book my whole perspective changed. You won't be able to look at you favorite war movies the same way after reading this book, but you'll understand the characters in movies like "Saving Private Ryan" a heck of a lot more. Even if you never have been or will never will join the military, it doesn't matter. This is a all around great book about the affects of killing people.
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Summary: LTC Grossman was my favorite Commander.
Review: I just wanted to write a quick note and review about LTC Grossman's book and his character. I read a review which stated that, "His only vaguely denounced and hidden desire to change the US Constitution make me want to examine Mr. Grossman's education and military record in depth." Let me say, I served briefly under LTC Grossman, then Major Grossman as a new Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He was, in my opinion, one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and studied officers I ever had the privilege of serving with. It was LTC Grossman, that first instilled in me how a professional soldier acts, thinks, commands, and motivates. LTC Grossman used to give a speech to ROTC Cadets during summer training at Ft. Lewis, WA that was so motivational, by the end the cadets would literally stand up and scream for more. The Army videotaped the presentation and often tried (unsuccessfully) to duplicate it. LTC Grossman used to lead philosophical discussions about the "warrior spirit" that would engage even the least interested. He first enlightened me to think about the mind of our enemy ("One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter") and has helped me understand the minds and motivation of those that attacked the U.S. on 9/11 (I served under LTC Grossman in 1996). You will not defeat an enemy until you understand and address the root cause of their grievances. For those interested in LTC Grossman's thoughts, I can recommend taking a look at several of Robert Heinlein's books, which LTC Grossman recommended to me. Specifically, "Starship Troopers", the book bastardised by Hollywood in the movie under the same name. Many of LTC Grossman's teachings remain with me today, and he is one person that will impart knowledge that stays with you for a lifetime. While studying for my MBA, I wrote my business plans in accordance with the 5 paragraph OPORD, or Operations Order, and as a result I had more than one professor as me to review independent grant, business, and research proposals. I read LTC Grossman's book as a Cadet, and while I have to admit, much of it made me feel intellectually humble, his overarching hypothesis has passed the litmus test of time. After the Columbine shootings in Colorado, I saw LTC Grossman on a morning talkshow addressing many of the concerns premised in his book "On Killing" which was several years old by then. The events of 9/11 make me believe that we can all learn a little from LTC Grossman that will help this nation understand who, what, why, and how this nation will fight and win the war against terror.
Rating:
Summary: On Killing
Review: Absolutely great book definately worth the time it takes to read it. My only advice is as a highschool student do not take it to school the school suspended me over having the book b/c they thought it was a killers handbook or something
Rating:
Summary: skip section VIII
Review: Very insightful and useful book until the last section about "kill simulators" AKA. vidieo games. Still one of the best books I have ever read!
BUY IT NOW!!!
Rating:
Summary: An important and interesting that everyone must read
Review: "On Killing" is book that every citizen should read. Its research is very interesting; although, I was not always sure of the scientific validity of it. The conclusion that only 20% of all soldiers in combat really fight (fire their weapon, throw their spear etc) is both facinating and important. From this jumping off point Grossman looks at violence in our society -- its roots and causes. While this section can be too ideological for my tastes, it is a different perspective from most commentators. If you have kids, are worried about how violent societ has become, or just want to understand human nature and the forces around us, then you have to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: required
Review: Anyone who is involved in the military, law enforcement, social occupations, or basically wished to gain useful insight into violence should read this. It should also be read by anyone who believes that gun control prevents crime- this book shows the sad fact that guns dont kill people, people kill people. The book is very textbook, and is not easy reading in places. However, the evidence presented that humans have an inherent repulsion of killing other humans is proved beyond any doubt. Where the book gets the most interesting is the comparison of military training techniques with the effects of modern culture- video games, television and cinema. When one considers the appalling spike in violence in the past 40 or so years, it is very clear that the autor has hit on a potentually chilling fact- are we training ourselves to be killers?
Rating:
Summary: Solid material ending in a flawed argument
Review: This book presents. S.L.A. Marshall's studies which showed that US soldiers in combat during WW II frequently "failed" to fire their weapons in a manner that would kill the enemy. The further the soldier was from the target (detachment) or surrounded by other soldiers (peer pressure) the more likely that he would fire. Grossman uses other evidence to back up Marshall's study. I agree with other reviewers that Grossman's conclusion on video games is flawed. Grossman has basically bought into the media hype on teen killings. Yes, they happen, but not that often! We only think they do because the media buries us with graphic footage. School violence, when white middle class white folks weren't the victims, has been going on for decades. Even now, the vast majority of kids are not violent. In fact, teen crime has actually gone done! Grossman makes another error in judgement, one to be expected given his military background. While he is quick to judge video games for kids, he completely ignores the US government's misuse of the military or the misdeeds of soldiers in combat. Timothy McVeigh proved that what our government gave him permission to do -- killing surrendering Iraqi soldiers -- was the catalyst for his transformation in viewing all human life as unimportant. But you won't find Grossman criticizing the military here, or more importantly, the greedy & idiotic politicians who direct that military in the first place. One criticism that I've seen of Grossman's book is that the original S.L.A. Marshall study was flawed. Problem is, no one seems to be able to explain how or why it's flawed. My own experience in fact bears out Marshall's study. Before the Gulf War I was in a holding unit with hundreds of other guys waiting to be transferred to various combat units with the 1st Calvary and 10th Armor Divisions. We would meet outside the barracks -- dozens of us -- and chew the fat over what was happening. Not once -- not a single time -- did any of these lower enlisted soldiers think the Gulf War was a good idea. In any case, in my opinion, Marshall's study was dead on. Soldiers aren't as keen as everyone thinks when it comes to killing and dying "for the cause." I recommend this book for those folks (which is probably a lot) who aren't familar with Marshall's study. It will be a real eye opener. Just be aware that Grossman's attempts at using this material to reach broader conclusions is positively flawed.
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