See what others are saying...

George Karvel

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman Sir: As a veteran of the Vietnam War, I read your book "On Killing" with great interest. Since discharge from the Army, I have struggled for decades to understand how my military experiences had affected me. When I read Section VII, I began to find answers to questions that were long elusive. The explanations provided have given me clarity and peace of mind with respect to my personal experiences. You could not have done a better job of helping me to understand that tumultuous time and its aftermath.

Please know that I never did anything heroic I have, however, carried a deep-seated sense of dissatisfaction and disappointment for 55 years. I now realize that my concerns were not because of the Army but more directly related to what happened at 'home". Thank you for the gift of finally understanding "what happened".

Lou Rapoli
(Retired NYPD)

I just wanted to share something with you regarding your book, “On Spiritual Combat.” I purchased your book after my mother passed and my dog passed (after we fought the fight with his cancer and my world was spiraling downward). I read a chapter every night and it gave me the light that I needed. It helps me tremendously throughout the year and especially during 9/11 this past year when I felt the walls closing in on me the most. I lost a lot of friends down there that day and years later.

I truly do believe that it is only in the profession of the Military and Law Enforcement that you can save a life in the morning and take one in the evening. We see the worst of things as you know and are expected to just live with it. We can and will all help each other through what many others will never experience.

Lou Rapoli
(Retired NYPD)

Mike Gregory
(Retired PD)

I never get star struck or any of that crap. But, if there was one person, I ever had the chance to meet in person in my lifetime, it would be Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. I would thank him for his teachings that helped me tremendously to understand everything I endured professionally and personally. If it were not for him, and a few others in my path, you (Detective Baldwin) and a couple personal friends, I would have ended my life when I was being forced out, going through divorce, my kids literally telling me never to contact them again, house foreclosed, and car repossessed.

I had two choices, fight and live for better days or end it. It took me a long time to decide to fight. The easy way out was to end it. Col. Grossman's books and knowledge helped me live. Literally. If you ever talk to him directly, please let him know that for me!

Zachary Rogers

I don’t have a question, I just wanted to thank you for your work. I was a Cavalry Scout in the Army and did two tours in Iraq. When I was discharged, I went home to Indianapolis where I was involved in a fatal self-defense shooting.

I read your books, “On Killing” and “On Combat” this last month. For the first time, I feel like someone understands me, my feelings, and was able to put it into words things that I simply could not. Since I was discharged in 2012, one of my highest hopes would be to know that someone understood me, and I didn’t have to say a word to them about any of it.

Not feeling like an outcast is a huge deal. So, I wanted to say thank you for taking the time and effort to give people like me a voice. Thank you.

Zachary Rogers

Scarlett Lewis

Since my 6 year old son was murdered in his first grade classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I have dedicated my life to safeguarding our children physically, mentally and emotionally. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman has tremendous credibility as he lays out an airtight case on how violent video games and media are desensitizing our kids and teaching them to be cold blooded killers. Everything he details in his books was accurate in the case of the shooter at Sandy Hook, and could have prevented it from happening. While we wait for the magic bullet of gun control, no pun intended, we are allowing our children to deprive themselves of empathy and cognitive functioning from a young age, right in front of our eyes! We have front row tickets to the worst of humanity for the first time ever in the form of a cell phone. The continuous stream of negativity is hard for adults to handle, let alone our children who do not possess the coping skills and social emotional competence to grow through the difficult emotions. Reading Lt. Col. Dave Grossman's books will change you for the better, remove the blinders from your eyes and create an urgency in you to be part of the solution.

Scarlett Lewis is the mother of Jesse Lewis, a victim of the 12/14/12 Sandy Hook School massacre, school safety advocate and founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

Capt. Andre Grundlingh

I would just like to thank you for the wonderful insights that your books "On Combat" and "On Killing" has provided. I have listened to your audio books every time prior to a deployment and every time I would learn something new. I would like to share with you how it has helped me during my deadly force encounter. I am a Captain in the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) currently deployed as an intelligence officer in the DRC. We were deployed to stop the advance of a strong rebel group towards a key town. It was a warm Saturday midafternoon when the rebels attacked our base. I could hear the signature 'crack' and 'thump' as the bullets passed over our heads. My Colonel ordered me to confirm some of the coordinates we had established as a Defensive Fire Task before he would order the 120mm mortars to start firing. As I tried to confirm the coordinates, I could feel the adrenaline rush through my body. My breathing was erratic, my palms were sweaty, even though I was wearing tactical gloves, and my mind was racing. I was struggling to focus on the task at hand. Then, it was like a light switch that came on in my mind and I remembered in 'On Combat' the tactical breathing exercise. I completed one cycle of the tactical breathing and immediately I started to relax, and I could function properly and do my job. I was able to make good decisions and give orders to the troops on the defensive line.

I would also like to express my feelings during that time. As the battle continued, I distinctly remembered saying to myself, "this is awesome" and thinking back on the event I now know it is a normal reaction as was discussed in your books. We were fortunate not to have suffered any casualties during the attack. I would like to thank you and your team for the wonderful knowledge that has helped arm me and prepare me for what we as soldiers have to face. Foreknowledge is definitely forewarned. I make it my duty to encourage my soldiers to listen to your books so that they can also be better prepared for the next deadly force encounter.

Thank you once again and may God bless you.

Capt. Andre Grundlingh

Eric Swanson

My name is Eric Swanson, and I am a patrol Deputy for the Gooding County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho. I was in a severe crash while on duty a week ago, when a semi-truck ran through and stop sign and hit my patrol truck.

My truck burst into flames and I fully believe that God helped me get out. Once I got out and away from my patrol unit my vision and hearing began failing. I immediately began focusing on my tactical breathing like you explained in your books.

My vision returned and my eyesight came back. I felt my heart rate lower, and I was then able to locate my tourniquet and apply it to my left arm as I had a severe bleed.

There are many more miraculous God events that transpired during the next several days. I wanted to reach out and thank you for your dedication and how in depth your books On Combat and On Killing went into the body’s response to trauma.

I knew and recognized what was happening to my body and I knew what I needed to do because of your books. I have a long road to recovery before I can get back to doing the Lords works but God willing, I’ll be able to get back to it.

So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your dedication to Law Enforcement and other first responders. God Bless

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