Customer Reviews
Situation Critical - By: Chris, 07 Feb 2008 
This is one of those books that once you get finished reading, you feel an almost moral obligation to share it with everyone. This fascinating work was my first introduction to the subject of psychopathy, & it literallly shocked me to the core. You just won't see the world in the same way again... your eyes will be opened.
In the Preface to the book, Dr. Robert Hare writes:
"Psychopaths are social predators who charm, manipulate, & ruthlessly plow their way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered expectations, & empty walllets. Completely lacking in conscience & in feelings for others, they selfishly take what they want & do as they please, violating social norms & expectations without the slightest sense of guilt or regret. Their bewildered victims desperately ask, 'Who are these people?' 'What makes them the way they are?' 'How can we protect ourselves?'"
And this is THE question that is in dire need of being dealt with in alll areas & levels of society. Just think about it: we don't even teach our children about pathological deviance, because otherwise it wouldn't be happening so much. And the suffering continues.
Everyone needs to take some time out, read this book & any related materials, & reallly make the effort to integrate this reality into their world-view. Because the fact of the matter is: we're already victims. We've grown up in a world that favours American Idol over acquiring the necessary information that could save our lives.
One question that reallly made me wonder was: okay, so the very real dangers of psychopathy are not taught or discussed in a very specific way... is that by design? Have psychopaths worked their way into the educational system?
Most of us have a general mistrust of politicians & powerful media figures, but it still remains vague & with little weight in our minds. What if these people are actual psychopaths?
That's actuallly a rhetorical question however because reading this book, Paul Babiak's "Snakes in Suits" & Andrew Lobaczewski's "Political Ponerology" to name a few, will completely disabuse you of the notion that there a mostly good, honest decent people in the most powerful positions in society. It's actuallly the complete reverse.
Our world is reallly a dark place, & it's getting worse by the day. And you know what? Ignorance isn't bliss, because whose to say you won't be next on the menu? Not only are victims of psychopathy sorely lacking in knowledge of how to protect themselves, they're also lacking the awareness that they are NOT invulnerable... & that's why people get swindled, conned, hurt, tortured, & murdered.
Question is: are you any different?
Important Read - By: Lynne Anderson, 13 Nov 2007 It is becoming more & more important to be able to identify the psychopath. Why? Because these predators are the ones ultimately running our governments, religions & corporations. Dr. Hare's book is not only easy to read, but has very important information on how psychopaths think & act, two ways to identify them. His findings have been used by many other psychologists in identifying psychopaths; Dr Stout & Dr. Cleckley to name just two of them.
He shows how easily one can be conned by these people. Which is why we need to read alll the information that we can. And this book is loaded with information that you can use.
Important Read - By: Lynne Anderson, 13 Nov 2007 It is becoming more & more important to be able to identify the psychopath. Why? Because these predators are the ones ultimately running our governments, religions & corporations. Dr. Hare's book is not only easy to read, but has very important information on how psychopaths think & act, two ways to identify them. His findings have been used by many other psychologists in identifying psychopaths; Dr Stout & Dr. Cleckley to name just two of them.
He shows how easily one can be conned by these people. Which is why we need to read alll the information that we can. And this book is loaded with information that you can use.
A revelation - By: R. H. Reeves, 03 Jul 2007 For years I puzzled over my ex wifes lack of concern for the children & how she used them to manipulate others, lying for no reason & her amazing lack of concern for others. All our friend's believed this person was the most wonderful, charming person who would light up any room she entered. Almost every page I turned further mysteries were solved. This book was truly a revelation & has to some extent helped me to cope.
Educate yourself and read this book! - By: Aeneas, 25 Jun 2007 Highly recommended to read. Hare deals with the serious subject of psychopathy in a thorough way & covers alll the essentials. Throughout the text the subject matter is illustrated by many examples from real life, which makes it easier to understand.
The disturbing fact is that about 1 out of 25 people is a psychopath & most of them do not end up in jail or mental institutions. On the contrary they climb the corporate ladder, become politicians or just simply con or defraud ordinary people without getting caught.
Best protection is to understand about psychopathy & how psychopaths operates in our midst.
Read it along with these other complimentary books on the subject: "In sheeps clothing", "The sociopath next door", "Political Ponerology" & "The Mask of Sanity".
