On Combat

On Combat examines the psychological and physiological effects of deadly conflict on military personnel, law enforcement officers, and first responders. The book details how the human body and mind react before, during, and after life-threatening situations. Drawing from extensive research and interviews, Grossman breaks down combat stress responses into specific stages and symptoms. The text covers topics like the body's physical changes in high-stress scenarios, perceptual distortions during firefights, and memory issues following traumatic events. Combat veterans and law enforcement professionals share their frontline experiences throughout the book, providing context for the scientific findings. Grossman presents techniques and training methods for managing fear responses and performing effectively under extreme pressure. The book serves as both a scholarly examination of combat psychology and a practical guide for warriors and peacekeepers. Its insights into human behavior under deadly threat conditions remain relevant for understanding violence, survival, and recovery in modern society.

Readers value this book's research on physiological stress responses in combat and high-pressure situations. Law enforcement and military personnel cite its practical applications for understanding fear, adrenaline, and decision-making under threat. Likes: - Clear explanations of body alarm responses - Research on night combat and sensory changes - Strategies for mental preparation - Real combat examples and case studies Dislikes: - Repetitive content from Grossman's previous book "On Killing" - Some readers question the scientific validity of certain claims - Writing style can be long-winded - Several note an overly aggressive tone toward violent media/video games Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,900+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Important information but could have been shorter" One military reviewer noted: "The physiological data helped me understand my own combat experiences and reactions that I couldn't previously explain."

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🎯 Author Dave Grossman coined the term "killology" - the study of the psychological and physiological effects of killing and combat on the human psyche. ⚔️ The book draws heavily from the experiences of military personnel, law enforcement officers, and first responders, incorporating over 300 personal interviews. 🧠 Grossman describes the "universal human phobia" - the resistance to killing another human being - which he claims exists in approximately 98% of the population. 💓 The text explains how heart rates correlate with combat performance, identifying specific ranges where cognitive and motor skills are enhanced or degraded. 🎖️ Lt. Col. Grossman was one of the Army's leading trainers of military and law enforcement personnel before retiring from the military to pursue research and writing full-time.