Book Recommendation--ON COMBAT

[El Tejon]

David Grossman, the author of ON KILLING, continues his writings into "fightology" with ON COMBAT.  The book deals with four aspects of a human's reaction to being in a fight--the body, the mind, prior condition and training to body and mind, and the impact of combat on the body and mind after the fight is over.

Grossman peppers his chapters with statements of those known in the gun culture to historical figures tying them to psychological studies.  As well, a broad range of people are listed as "advisors" on the book, including noted firearms trainers to peace activists.

The book reinforces several things that are stressed in the gun culture, e.g. the value of training and preparation, re-introduces ancient techniques as "new and improved, e.g. "tactical breathing"--circular breathing from yoga/qigong/lawhungong--to control the body's automated responses, and continues some of Grossman's more controversial positions, e.g. the contention that television/video games can desensitize some children to violence.

I found it very interesting.  If you liked ON KILLING, you will enjoy this book.

[atek3]

>The book reinforces several things that are stressed in the gun culture, e.g. the value of training and preparation, re-introduces ancient techniques as "new and improved, e.g. "tactical breathing"--circular breathing from yoga/qigong/lawhungong--to control the body's automated responses, and continues some of Grossman's more controversial positions, e.g. the contention that television/video games can desensitize some children to violence.
>

I should read that...  "the contention that television/video games can desensitize some children to violence."
I don't think that's controversial, but its not a bad thing.  Years of violent video games, violent movies, and violent life, I don't have the normal "Oh the Horror" reaction to violent phenomena.  When I see gruesome crashes, I think, "WHOA MAN" rather than "I hope they weren't hurt".

atek3

[Iain]

That's the one thing that I found difficult to agree with Grossman on. Generally 'On Killing' was a very good book. I need to get it back from the socialist I lent it to.

I guess if he says that it can desensitise some people then maybe that's true. Been playing GTA San Andreas a bit and have absolutely no desire to shoot people in the head and steal their car, nor would I be desensitised to seeing it done.

Something has desensitised people though. There was a story from here about a kid who got his leg impaled on his bicycle brake lever in some freak accident. Apparently people taking pictures on their mobile phones interfered with the medics on the scene and when told to back off replied 'we were here first'. As though some poor kid with a metal bar sticking in his leg were entertainment.