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Mentions across episodes
“In his book On Killing, Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman discusses the psychological impact of war and the high rates of psychiatric casualties during World War II.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: psychological impact of war
For: Individuals interested in military psychology and the realities of combat
Key quote: “During World War II, more than 800,000 men were classified 4F, meaning unfit for military service, due to psychiatric reasons.”
The host mentions 'On Killing' to highlight the psychological toll that combat has on soldiers, referencing the significant number of psychiatric casualties during World War II. This book provides a deeper understanding of the mental health issues faced by veterans and the often unspoken realities of war.
Hardcore HistoryFeb 29, 2000
“In his book on killing, Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman discusses the proximity to the victim that determines how resistant people tend to be to killing.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: military training and culture
For: Military professionals and historians
Key quote: “Grossman, along with a lot of other historians, goes on to point out how most historians think that the idea that there was ever bayonet fighting... is that one side always runs before having to get stuck by the other.”
The host references 'On Killing' to explore the psychological barriers soldiers face when it comes to close combat. Grossman's insights provide a historical context for understanding modern warfare's aversion to direct violence.
“In his wonderful book on killing, Army Lieutenant Colonel David Grossman talks about how distance makes killing possible and how the farther away you are from the target you're killing, the easier it is to do.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: distance in warfare ethics
For: students of military ethics and psychology
Key quote: “Grossman writes about one of these raids that killed 70,000 people from the air in an evening and writes quote, if bomber crew members had had to turn a flamethrower on each one of these 70,000 women and children, or worse yet, slit each one of their throats, the awfulness and trauma inherent in the act would have been of such a magnitude that it simply would not have happened.”
The host discusses the psychological implications of distance in warfare as highlighted in David Grossman's book 'On Killing.' Grossman argues that the physical distance between the killer and the victim makes the act of killing easier and more justifiable, which is a critical point in understanding modern warfare ethics.