On Combat cover art

On Combat

The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace

 Preview
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free
Offer ends 29 January 2026 at 11:59PM GMT.
Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just £0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible.
1 bestseller or new release per month—yours to keep.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

On Combat

By: Dave Grossman, Loren W. Christensen
Narrated by: Dave Grossman
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly. Offer ends 29 January 2026 at 11:59PM GMT.

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £16.99

Buy Now for £16.99

LIMITED TIME OFFER | £0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Premium Plus auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Terms apply.

About this listen

 On Combat looks at what happens to the human body under the stresses of deadly battle and the impact on the nervous system, heart, breathing, visual and auditory perception, memory -- then discusses new research findings as to what measure warriors can take to prevent such debilitations so they can stay in the fight, survive, and win. A brief, but insightful look at history shows the evolution of combat, the development of the physical and psychological leverage that enables humans to kill other humans, followed by an objective examination of domestic violence in America. The authors reveal the nature of the warrior, brave men and women who train their minds and bodies to go to that place from which others flee.

After examining the incredible impact of a few true warriors in battle, On Combat presents new and exciting research as to how to train the mind to become inoculated to stress, fear and even pain. Expanding on Lt. Col. Grossman's popular "bulletproof mind" presentation, the audiobook explores what really happens to the warrior after the battle, and shows how emotions, such as relief and self-bame, are natural and healthy ways to feel about having survived combat. A fresh and highly informative look at post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) details how to prevent it, how to survive it should it happen, how to come out of it stronger, and how to help others who are experiencing it.

On Combat looks at the critical importance of the debriefing, when warriors gather after the battle to share what happened, critique, learn from each other and, for some, begin to heal from the horror. The listener will learn a highly effective breathing technique that not only steadies the warrior's minds and body before and during the battle, but can also be used afterwards as a powerful healing device to help separate the emotion from the memory. Concluding chapters discuss the Christian/Judeo view of killing in combat and offers powerful insight that Lt. Col. Grossman has imparted over the years to help thousands of warriors understand and come to terms with their actions in battle. A final chapter encourages warriors to always fight for justice, not vengeance, so that their remaining days will be healthy ones filled with pride for having performed their duty morally and ethically. This information-packed audiobook ploughs new ground in its vision, in its extensive new research and startling findings, and in its powerful, revealing quotes and anecdotes from top people in the warrior community, people who have faced the toxic environment of deadly combat and now share their wisdom to help others.

On Combat is easy to understand and powerful in scope. It is a true classic that will be listened to by new and veteran warriors for years to come. Military Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Warrior Survival Combat Medicine Combat Trauma

Listeners also enjoyed...

 Violence of Mind cover art
What Have We Done cover art
Left of Bang cover art
The Gift of Fear cover art
Un-American cover art
The Love Stories of the Bible Speak cover art
Can I See Your Hands cover art
Six-Minute X-Ray cover art
Strategy cover art
I Can Make You Confident cover art
Living With Honor cover art
Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan cover art
Facing Violence cover art
Extreme Ownership cover art
The Warrior Ethos cover art
How to Be a 3% Man cover art
All stars
Most relevant
I’m joining the British Military, it offer a fantastic insight into how soldiers face their own mental hurdles before direct combat. Colonel Grossman shows the failings in the previous military teaching methodologies and the recent corrections that have revolutionised combat training.

Great insight

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Where does On Combat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The best factual book I have listened to thus far.

What did you like best about this story?

There is so much detail. Most other books skirt round some of the 'harder' topics, but not this one. Col Grossman leaves nothing out and if you are the sort of person that enjoys analysis, then this book is for you.

What does Dave Grossman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I listen on the way to and from work. You cannot do that with a book (legally, anyway).

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I think it would be too long for a film - generic review question?!

Any additional comments?

After finishing this audiobook, I felt compelled to e-mail Lt Col Grossman to congratulate him. Fantastic. His reading of 'Into Battle' at the start makes the hairs stand on the back of your neck.

Extremely useful and informative.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Educationally a must for all who professionally deal with conflict and those who live with, work with or support those who do.

The fact this audiobook is delivered by the author LT. Col. Grossman is priceless it is delivered in the way in which it was truly intended. Reading is fine, having it read to you is also fine, but having the author deliver his message direct to your ears is as good as it gets.

Educationally a must for all who professionally deal with conflict

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
very informative and eye opening. arguably essential information for every one not just our warriors.

excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A must read for anyone in the armed forces, police or a frontline job. A must read for any civilian who has experienced, or is likely to experience, a traumatic or stressful encounter when the wolf came to your door. For those who don't feel i've included you in any of the above, this is a must read for you too.

It saddens me to think how many lives could have been saved if we were all taught this during basic training.

A must read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews