The revised and updated edition of Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman's modern classic on the psychology of combat, described by the Washington Post as "an illuminating account of how soldiers learn to kill and how they live with the experience of killing."
In World War II, only 15 to 20 percent of combat infantrymen were willing to fire their rifles. In Korea, the figure was around 50 percent. In Vietnam, it was over 90 percent.
The good news: Most soldiers are reluctant to kill. But armies have developed sophisticated methods to overcome this instinctive aversion. The psychological costs for soldiers, manifesting in an increase in post-traumatic stress, are devastating.
This groundbreaking study sheds light on the techniques the military uses to assist soldiers in killing and raises important questions about the impact of escalating violence on our society. A modern classic and a controversial book that everyone should read. SPARTANAT Recommended Reading.
"Powerfully argued... full of compelling observations and insights." - New York Times
416 pages, English language
