Tag: Grossman

On Combat

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This is a quality book filled with several concepts that any armed citizen need to fully understand. If you carry a gun, you need to read On Combat.

Col Grossman is one of the few modern warriors that has done any substantial research into the mental aspects of the use of force. He discusses what PTSD is, some information on how to deal with it, the flight or flight response, survival breathing techniques to reduce stress during lethal encounters, and much much more…

When I began learning how to shoot defensively this book was one I read over and over. When I graduated into teaching people how to shoot defensively I dogeared On Combat even more. I am on my second copy.

While some of the concepts in the book have come under scrutiny lately. I still find them to be a good common sense description of what takes place in the body and mind when under life or death stress.

Despite the title, On Combat is not just for Soldiers and Marines. It is a resource for anyone that carries a gun defensively. I think it is most notably useful for armed citizens. He has other books I will review on here, like On Killing, and Stop Teaching our Kids to Kill, but I think this is his best work.

May 15, 2018
The Modern Day Gunslinger

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While my Understanding the Use of Handguns is a great beginner book, the Modern Day Gunslinger is a great advanced text. This book is designed for those that have mastered the basics and want more training to increase their skills.

Don Mann, the author of this book, is a former Navy SEAL, the foreword was by LT. COL. Grossman, and so I had high hopes for this book when I ordered it. Quite simply, it delivered.

The Modern Day Gunslinger is a large book, and it is filled with training drills, techniques, and explanations. It is copiously illustrated with photographs, and is a very valuable addition to a training library.

In my own opinion, The Modern Day Gunslinger is the ultimate handgun training manual, and I am glad it is in my library – I use it quite often in my own personal training, and I whole-heartedly endorse it for your training. Because it can make a difference if you actually follow the guidelines in the book, you should own it.

I recommend you not only read this book, but get out and practice what it says. Between it and the Home Schooled Shootist for Carbine and rifle work, you cannot go wrong.

February 22, 2018
On Killing

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It is no secret that I am a fan of Lt. Col. Grossman’s work. I think it fills a niche that has been lacking in the field of martialism. If you deal with firearms for self defense then you owe it to yourself to understand that there is more to it than being proficient with your chosen gun.

There is a cost to using violence to solve problems – sometimes that cost is worth paying – but you need to be informed so that you are able to make those split second decisions under stress.

On Killing is more about the general public as a whole than on combat. I learned more about the tools I might use during and after a deadly force incident in On Combat, but I learned more about society in On Killing. Personally I felt that On Combat was a better book, like I thought Steven Hunter’s Point of Impact was better than his book Black Light – but both were well worth the read and I am glad I own then both.

This can be a difficult read if you have issues with interpersonal conflict being resolved with lethal force. The entire book is devoted to the concept of killing and its impact on the human mind – with a special emphasis on how to make our sheepdogs better at it so they can protect us (society) from the wolves.

January 25, 2018