On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society
Dave Grossman · ★★★★★ · 416 pages · 1995
Probably one of the best books I've read explaining violence not only in the armed forces but in gangs. Grossman explains that in most wars prior to the Vietnam war most soldiers refused to kill. It was only about 15% of soldiers that killed during battles. What is interesting about this is that most people refuse to kill which should be a big pat on the back for humanity. But during the Vietnam war the training changed from training to conditioning. Soldiers were no longer being trained but being conditioned to kill through a B.F. Skinneresque reverse Clockwork Orange method.