Situation Critical
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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, and it literally 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, 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, violating social norms and 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 all areas and 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 and any related materials, and really 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 really 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 and powerful media figures, but it still remains vague and with little weight in our minds. What if these people are actual psychopaths?
That's actually a rhetorical question however because reading this book, Paul Babiak's "Snakes in Suits" and 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 actually the complete reverse.
Our world is really a dark place, and 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... and that's why people get swindled, conned, hurt, tortured, and murdered.
Question is: are you any different?
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Important Read
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It is becoming more and more important to be able to identify the psychopath. Why? Because these predators are the ones ultimately running our governments, religions and corporations. Dr. Hare's book is not only easy to read, but has very important information on how psychopaths think and act, two ways to identify them. His findings have been used by many other psychologists in identifying psychopaths; Dr Stout and 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 all the information that we can. And this book is loaded with information that you can use.
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A revelation
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For years I puzzled over my ex wifes lack of concern for the children and how she used them to manipulate others, lying for no reason and 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 and has to some extent helped me to cope.
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Educate yourself and read this book!
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Highly recommended to read. Hare deals with the serious subject of psychopathy in a thorough way and covers all 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 and 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 and 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" and "The Mask of Sanity".
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Somewhat Sensationalist
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All in all I found this to be a convincing argument for the biological nature of some criminality, and the possibility of threshold non crimimal immorality derived from the same basic biological malfunctions. However the style of writing and layout of the book is somewhat crass and overthetop and it makes out like these people are "baddies" rather than people who have a malfunction, I think it uses the word evil to describe them on a few occasions.
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