“On Killing” by Dave Grossman is a book that deals with psychological effects of the act of killing and consequences for the soldiers who are forced to kill. The book is largely based on the theory by S.L.A. Marshall that states that the majority of soldiers do not even take their weapons during the war action due to their resistance to killing (Grossman, 2009). However, Grossman not only discusses and analyses this thesis; the author also provides an insight into its ramifications for the modern society. Like other species, humans are resistant to killing within their own species. In relation to this fact, Grossman discusses the training that is provided to soldiers in order to increase killing rates during war action.
It can be argued that the author’s objectives were met, as the readers were provided with a comprehensive view on the issue of killing. Grossman allows readers to learn about different factors involved in the soldiers’ decision and ability to kill. In addition, the readers learn about aspects such as the importance of distance and the number of enemies killed by a given soldier (Grossman, 2009). One example of the observations made by the author was particularly memorable. It compared a soldier who kills a single enemy in close battle with a bombardier who drops bombs, resulting in the death of hundreds of people (Grossman, 2009). According to the author, the first soldier will be more likely to develop mental health problems, such as PTSD, than the bombardier. The book did meet the expectations described in the cover, as it provided a valuable insight into the psychological factors involved in the soldiers’ acts of killing and the consequences of those acts.
As for the bona fides and the expertise of the author, it can also be stated that Dave Grossman is qualified to discuss the topics presented in “On Killing”. First, he himself served in the U.S. Army, which means that he could observe the behaviors and attitudes of other soldiers involved in combat action. Having retired, he founded the Killology Research Group, which deepened his involvement in the topic and allowed him to broaden and develop his field of expertise, sharing experience and knowledge with others. Since then, he has conducted research and studied the psychology of the lethal force for several decades.
Reference
Grossman, D. (2009). On killing: The psychological cost of learning to kill in war and society. Back Bay Books.