On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

The book "The Psychology of Violence" by Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman is a groundbreaking exploration into the human psyche and its capacity for violence.

Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Grossman challenges the common perception that humans are naturally vicious predators, revealing instead that the majority of soldiers are loath to kill.

However, he also uncovers a disturbing trend: modern armies have learned how to overcome this reluctance through Pavlovian and operant conditioning techniques, resulting in a significant increase in post-combat stress and rising rates of violence among the young.

This thought-provoking book will challenge your assumptions about violence and its impact on society, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of human behavior.