military science

An incredibly disturbing book on a horrifying topic that far more people --especially those in Hollywood-- should read. Grossman leads the reader deep into the abyss of mankind, through the ages, and breaking down myths along the way. It describes man's natural repulsion to killing but how various techniques can be used to desensitize people and make it easier or even automatic. What is horrifying is that many of the techniques that were used to train soldiers to do society's "dirty work" are now being used in mass media without any regard for the consequences and without the counterbalancing professional soldiers get. Surely it is a must read for soldiers; video junkie oughts to be forced to read this to understand what is happening to them. Its not for the weak of heart. Strangely, at one level it does have practical professional value in that it might explain the average person's aversion to the 'tough call'; and how those in power should be careful to distinguish between the "sheep dogs" and the "wolves." If you read military, you should read this. Military reading won't be the same afterwards. You'll respect and empathize the PROFESSIONAL soldier even more.

The good news is that there is a natural aversion to killing our own species. The bad news is that we are unintentionally but effectively training our children to overcome that aversion, Starting with S.L.A. Marshall's famous study of the low firing rates of WWII soldiers, Colonel Grossman has combed military writing to discover this reluctance in combatants throughout history, in campaigns ancient and recent, in cultures modern and primitive. Historically, much of military training and tactics has been designed to compensate for this natural inhibition. In less sophisticated times success was marginal, producing such unlikely scenes as regiments of Civil War infantrymen blazing away at each other at point blank range for hours, while producing few casualties. Modern techniques of desensitization, conditioning, and training increased firing rates in Vietnam to some 95%. Today these same techniques, applied by the entertainment media to our most vulnerable youth, are producing an "acquired violence immune deficiency" which has allowed a "virus of violence" to flourish throughout our civilization, with tragically familiar results. Colonel Grossman's analysis illuminates not only this most dangerous problem, but also sheds light on the psychology of the warrior, post traumatic stress disorder, psychiatric casualties, and the uniquely unjust damage done to our Vietnam veterans. This book deserves the widest dissemination, and discussion at the highest levels, for although it imparts some truths we would rather not know, the heretofore prevailing repression and obsession around this subject are allies of the dark forces that threaten us.

Buy this book, and read it, or give it too them. While I may not agree with some of the Col's conclusions, the overall book has been a very good read for this veteran.

Stop reading review, buy book now. Your uncle/grandfather/self will thank you for it.