Just what I needed.

I'm a police officer in the United States, and this book was recommended to me by my SGT after I had just gotten out of a shooting while on duty.

I listened to this while I waited on administrative leave as my department determined my fate. I've never before had someone point a gun in my face with the intent to kill me, nor have I had to discharge my duty weapon at another living person. I was and am still dealing with the complex emotions of that experience.

I just want to say thank you so much for this book, as the knowledge contained in it helped me to process my experience. I know I am better off because of your words.

Sincerely, a grateful patrol officer.

131 people found this helpful

An insightful and compelling look at a difficult topic

This is an exceptional book. Col. Grossman's insights on the bulletproof mind and the effects of combat are exceptional - this is not just a look at combat from a soldier's perspective but looks at soldiers, law enforcement, and society in general. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

13 people found this helpful

Best book on combat of all time!

As a veteran this book helped me understand my experience and know how to help myself heal and heal others. My calling to be a warrior was also affirmed and strengthened.

23 people found this helpful

One Readers Opinion

I’m a veteran. I thought this book had a lot of extremely valuable and timely information in it. I’m also a health care provider and take care of marginalized, underserved, and often victimized people and much of this book was applicable, fresh, and presented in a very useful and memorable way. Very practical information. I loved all of that.

What caused me to not fully embrace the entire book and even shook my ability, at times, to allow for any credibility in the book is the authors black and white absolutism that is pervasive in the book. The world I’ve seen both deployed in the Army and while serving those who are doing the suffering and causing the suffering in marginalized people groups is anything but black and white. The worshipping of the warrior also pervasive in this book was too much for my liking. Weaving in the authors views of Judeo-Christian perspectives was also almost more than I could bear. Quoting scripture to defend killing was a bit much.

When the author stuck to the science of trauma and combat and reflexes and research and physiology I felt like it was a good and worthy read. When he deviated into his opinions I felt his book lost value for me and those perspectives would do better to be in a separate, supporting book.

I will recommend this book with lots of caveats and reservations.

76 people found this helpful

Amazing

Any additional comments?

Dave Grossman is a hero and this book will help law enforcement, military and everyday citizens. I carry everyday and this along with dave grossman's other books will prepare you for what can happen .

9 people found this helpful

He’s full of himself

This author/narrator is really just enamored by the glorious missions he’s been able to complete. He had my interest until he described the world as being all sheep or sheepdogs. He is a sheepdog, or protector of the rest of us. Sheepdogs are always willing to use their guns that they carry all the time. I’m sorry Col. Grossman but, no. At 15 years old our son was in a high school where there was a shooting. There were several people willing to give their lives for the kids. One substitute teacher was in her 70’s. The shooter wouldn’t have been stopped without officers with weapons, but, not all defenders are ‘warriors’ or have weapons. Many are courageous people contribute to civilization without weapons. Many people lose their lives in the service of others, and do it without a single weapon.

8 people found this helpful

DAT ENDING

If you could sum up On Combat in three words, what would they be?

Insightful, helpful, applicable.

What does Dave Grossman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Dave Grossman brings THAT ENDING.
I won't spoil it, but in the last few seconds of the book the tone of the book goes from 55 mph to Mach freakin' 12 as the patriotism literally EXPLODES into your ears, music even starts playing! I didn't know whether to laugh or gag it was so comical.

Honestly, GREAT BOOK, but there's something to be said about that ending.
If you recommend this book to a friend you will DEFINITELY know when he or she has finished it when they jump up and yell "AMERICAAAAAAA!!!"

The seriousness and somber tone of the rest the book is almost overshadowed by the ending of this book, it just doesn't fit to me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Every part of this book is important and I found myself rewinding a lot.

Any additional comments?

Be prepared for that ending.

25 people found this helpful

Old Man mixes actual psychology with pseudoscience

Any self professed psychologist who starts their thesis with "There are 3 types of people..." is immediately questionable. While there are some interesting and useful things to find here you'll have to shift through a bunch of personal opinions, useless anecdotes, and questionable methodology (or often none at all). If you're looking for a serious academic discussion on the psychological effects of modern combat look elsewhere. There are less biased better sourced resources on this topic out there.

4 people found this helpful

Slow and fluffy

There's a lot of useful information here, but it is slow in coming. At times it seems every paragraph is prefaced by a quote; most of these add little and they get very distracting.

14 people found this helpful

A Warrior Family read...

A must read for any Warrior, Warrior Family, or Warrior Spouse.

Just read this with my teenage son who is about to enlist to the United States Marine Corps.

What insight regarding every component to battle. The prior, during and following affects to the warrior, and everyone that loves him! The emotional, physiological, and even the spiritual components of combat. The reiteration of the 'Sheepdog' ideology alone makes the book worth every penny!

About to read again, but this time along with my wife... a Marine Wife, and soon to be (God willing), a Marine Mom.

10 people found this helpful