Product Description: Most people are both repelled and intrigued by the images of cold-blooded, conscienceless murderers that increasingly populate our movies, television programs, and newspaper headlines. With their flagrant criminal violation of society's rules, serial killers like Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy are among the most dramatic examples of the psychopath.
Individuals with this personality disorder are fully aware of the consequences of their actions and know the difference between right and wrong, yet they are terrifyingly self-centered, remorseless, and unable to care about the feelings of others. Perhaps most frightening, they often seem completely normal to unsuspecting targets--and they do not always ply their trade by killing.
Presenting a compelling portrait of these dangerous men and women based on 25 years of distinguished scientific research, Dr. Robert D. Hare vividly describes a world of con artists, hustlers, rapists, and other predators who charm, lie, and manipulate their way through life. Are psychopaths mad, or simply bad? How can they be recognized? And how can we protect ourselves? This book provides solid information and surprising insights for anyone seeking to understand this devastating condition.
Amazon.com Review: "Psychopaths are social predators who charm, manipulate, and ruthlessly plow their way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered expectations, and empty wallets. Completely lacking in conscience and in feelings for others, they selfishly take what they want and do as they please..." In Without Conscience Robert Hare argues convincingly that "psychopath" and "antisocial personality disorder" (a psychiatric term defined by a cluster of criminal behaviors) are not the same thing. Not all psychopaths are criminals, he says, and not all criminals are psychopaths. He proposes a psychopathy checklist that includes emotional/interpersonal traits such as glibness, grandiosity, lack of guilt, and shallow emotions, as well as social deviance traits such as impulsiveness, lack of responsibility, and antisocial behavior. His writing is lucid and illustrated with numerous anecdotes. The final chapter, "A Survival Guide," is especially recommended: as Hare writes, "Psychopaths are found in every segment of society, and there is a good chance that eventually you will have a painful or humiliating encounter with one."
Malodorous Of course, I love the material within the book, however, the book itself literally smelled when it arrived 2 days ago, though it has subsided somewhat. The book smelled INTENSELY like it had been in someone's very musty attic for 10 years, which it probably had. It was pungent! It did look unread (in good condition that way), but the smell was so intense, my eyes were watering slightly and I sneezed off and on. I've been airing it out and it is definitely getting better. Also, I wiped off the book as it had a few greasy spots on it--a little grimy. I think it is inappropriate for a seller to send a book in that condition. In a case like this, it seems only fair that the seller air it out FIRST before they put it up for sale!! And give the book a good clean.
Unmasking The Psychopath This book is extremely helpful and useful, especially if you've had an encounter with a psychopath but were not aware of it at the time. The neighbor who lives behind me is clearly a psychopath and this book helped me to deal with her bizarre antics and most unusual behavior. It answered so many questions I can't thank the author enough. I've learned so much about this subject, I wish everyone would read this book and learn the things they should know before they have a devastating experience of their own.
Captivating, but NOT a Guide for Escape No other book holds a candle to Dr. Hare's view into "The Disturbing View of Psychopaths Among Us". Hence the 5 stars. However, do understand that this is NOT a guide for escaping a psychopath's capture once you've been caught. The book does not even claim to show you how to get out alive, and more importantly, with your children alive. To the contrary, the book clearly explains that attempts to escape may cost you your life. Hare gives examples of people leaving the country permanently to survive. The only escape I've found is to go underground- cutting off all communication with my family, friends, church, former work ect. This lasted three months, and then I was found again. Now he has my children and threatens never to let me see them again! He is a professionally diagnosed never-caught psychopath whom I've been entangled with for twenty years. I don't know if he will ever let go of his grip on me. I bought this book looking for a way out, but Dr. Hare doesn't even claim to know the way out, nor does the book suggest so. Read it for a fascinating, captivating view of the psychopath, but not for a way to escape.
Dead on and easy to read Dr.Hare's book on identifying Psychopaths was actually a text book in Graduate school when I got my Master's degree in Social Work. It was by far the most captivating, easy to read book I studied that year. And yet, the information is dead on, easy to grasp and easy to remember once you have read it. His identifying factors have proven to be reliable and accurate.
Anyone reading this book can understand the difference between a "run of the mill" criminal mind and a Psychopath. This book should be mandatory reading for teenage girls to prepare them for "red flags" when they start dating.
Very worth the read!
One of the quotes that stuck with me was when Dr.Hare asked a psychopath how long is rap sheet was. He said it was 20-30 pages long. Dr.Hare pointed out that a famous murderer's rap sheet was 5 pages long. The psychopath responded with "Yeah, but he was just a killer".
This review is dedicated to all those women, children and men out there who got hit by the hurricane that is a psychopath and were left wondering if they are crazy, stupid or weak. You are not!As Dr. Hare said: Even highly trained professionals going into a prison to assess a known psychopath get taken in and conned. They are that good.
I guess it's easy-when you are without a conscience.
Fascinating and Informative This book gives insight into a phenomenon that is misunderstood by many in America: psychopathy. Use the word "psychopath" amongst your peers, and the first people they will think of are high profile serial killers. Yet your miscreant son, your untrustworthy stock broker, or your transient, cheating spouse may all be psychopaths. Dr. Hare gives the reader a specific set of characteristics displayed by psychopaths, how their actions effect those around them and society at large, and possible solutions to minimize those effects. The book is a fascinating, well-written, and concise look at this destructive personality disorder. My only major criticism is that Dr. Hare seems content to simplify the language too much, needlessly buffering the reader from the more technical, psychological language. He should have given his readership more credit.
Overall, this was an excellent read. I highly recommend it.
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