is the author a psychopath?
596861
Seems curious that the author spends so many words getting to the point in each case.... each one so drawn out that once half-way through the book - cases after case after case - it become apparent that Cleckley is doing more to create his own "work of art" than to educate the reader on the topic.  Further, according to his case studies, one would get the idea that psychopath are pron to extreme use of alcohol.  This is not the case with several psychopath I have come in contact with.  Once I became suspect that the author could be playing a role, I noted the titles of two other books he has authored which causes again to suspect Cleckley is either a psychopath himself or extremely narcissistic.
3214949
I like true crime and do miss Anne Rule. That said, I bought this book based on reviews that said it was a page turner that could not be put down. I found that I had to put this book down every couple of chapters because I lived the life of this author. Unless you have lived with the devil (donnie) I think as a reader you may find this book simply a murder mystery, but it is more than that. It is about how psychopaths truly warp the minds of the victims they chose. The victims in this book were not simply the two murder victims, but the families and friends who find this type of personality in there lives, and then question, "how did I allow this dark entity in my space, but more importantly, how do I get him out?  This book is about how pyschopaths portray themselves and their actions as innocuous, when in reality, everything a psychopath does and says is meant to cause harm to others. A psychopath does nothing but leave a mess of total destruction in their wake. This book should be read by any psych student who finds themselves interested in the topic of psychopaths and anyone who thinks they might be living with one. I see this book as a "wake up call" to victims or victims-to-be, to really take this book in,  educate yourself, and learn what and how psychopaths operate and get yourself out while you are able bodied to do so, unlike the women in this book who died at the hands of this monster. I must make note, that many psychopaths, like donnie, get away with heinous crimes and come up smelling like a rose, while the victims lives are lost. Hopefully, one day, I will get to read a follow-up book as to "how donnie finally hung himself", as IMO, they (psychopaths) eventually do.
2001315
I seriously think this author needs a psychiatrist. Her works are CORRUPT to now days already problematic enough adolescents. I cannot believe how she become a best seller. The gang sex, crazy party, drinking, the stronger humiliating the weaker, and most of all, the main Character Michael got away with murdering his brother Trevor (even if Trevor was a devil, Michael wasn't an angel either). Why is Rika, the female character attracted to Michael? Just because he was hot, rich by his career basketball, and different from most of the norm? Difference may not mean deficit. But Michael and his friends' differences are definitely sickly deficit. I cannot imagine if all the young kids go like this, how the world would be like?? Freedom of speech??? Please ban thus kind of publication. The young kids are CORRUPTED enough by the problems they are facing. They really don't need more corruption from a so called best seller.
2468518
Dr. Robert Hare is a researcher who experienced a "trial by fire" as a prison psychologist in British Columbia, Canada with a recently acquired master's degree. Particular inmates and their "modus operandi" began to impact his view of behaviors and their connection with conscience. Conscience is the key, the foundation, and essence of this book. What is conscience, and how do those who have an inherent conscience differ from those who do not? How do those without a conscience rely on the kindness and warmth of others to manipulate, con, and harm? Dr. Hare has written an outstanding treatise on the psychopathic syndrome with the effort to help individuals understand the constellation of symptoms that can result in great harm. He also discusses the separate conditions of sociopathy and APD (antisocial personality disorders) which are distinct from psychopathy.

Dr. Hare begins his tale with a detailed cataloguing of "Ray," a prisoner who attempted to manipulate Dr. Hare from Day One in his first correctional facility job, and partially succeeded. Ray had a well-earned rep at the prison, "They all knew Ray well, they'd all been taken in by his schemes and plans for reform, and one by one they had resolved to take a skeptical approach with him. Jaded? I thought so at the time..."  The tale that follows in Chapter One is worth the price of the book itself.

Aside from correctional institutions, in which it is estimated that 15-20% of inmates are psychopaths, Dr. Hare underscores that the majority of psychopaths are on the "outside."  Dr. Hare takes exception at the current trend of calling such individuals "successful" psychopaths (instead calling them subcriminal), and he wants the reader to understand that the majority of psychopaths are not "locked up" but are or can potentially be acquaintances, neighbors, friends, relatives, or intimate partners. He cautions readers that a lay diagnosis is not possible, but he outlines significant red flags, behavioral and lifestyle patterns, and a "psychopathy checklist" that can raise significant concerns. The main risk with psychopathy  is that individuals without a conscience rely on the social currency of trust to harm others. Life is a game that is "won" or "lost" according to a psychopath, and the rules are not from any ethical framework- it can manifest in acts at the highest echelons (such as Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff, to the lowest (a small-time grifter). Psychopaths thrive on creating rapport, seeking vulnerable targets, and most have excellent verbal skills. Dr. Hare historically examines research from the early 20th century (Dr. Hervey Cleckley) who first studied and began to categorize psychopathy during his tenure at a veteran's hospital post WWII. Hare charts key emotional/interpersonal and social deviance behavior patterns/manifestations of psychopaths. A fascinating, disturbing, and educational work of research, made accessible to the layperson.
4434022
The author apparently feels that explicit description of the results of violent acts adds to the thrill of the reader,  Wrong.
625100
The author is somewhat of a nut job. That said he has been successful at writing books to keep his lifestyle afloat.
318034
Author is not a sociopath. Don't go on and on about how you don't care about anyone but yourself and then talk about how you "can't imagine" your life without a particular person. That's the opposite of sociopathy! True sociopaths ruin the lives of strangers at best and their own family members at worst. Their lives are defined by not being dependent on anyone, whether it's to their own detriment or not. The person writing this is a narcissist, and that's it. She just wanted a "cool" label for being atrocious (or so she thinks).
4148299
'Does violent death have a name? Can evil truly be born into the world, evil so deep that it is bred into the genetic make-up of an individual? Until I came to this place and met the man who made me begin to suspect that such an evil could exist, I'd have been as dismissive as most of my profession at the prospect of such a possibility... Dr. Ruth Truman, Psychiatrist.'

Porter's book A Study in Red tells about the Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper. As the story goes, Robert Cavendish, who was a psychiatrist in modern day, received the journal from his father, who received it from his father, who received it from his father. The original Cavendish was also a psychiatrist who had a patient he found to be no other than the famous Jack the Ripper. Thus began the story of A Study in Red - The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper.

After Robert Cavendish's death the journal was passed on to his nephew Jack Reid.
Upon receiving his "legacy" Jack's life becomes twisted in what will be known by modern day London as the "The Brighton Ripper Case." Murders are taking place following the same pattern as those of the original Jack the Ripper.

Wright and Holland have worked the case from the first murder. With the help of Alice Nickels, who is a "Ripperologist," a plan is set to capture the modern day Ripper hopefully before he strikes again. This plan ends with the capture, trial and institutionalization of Jack Reid. But did he really commit these gruesome murders? If so, did he do it alone? He insists that there were others that actually set him up and committed the murders. He even admitted to having received the journal and to the effect reading it had upon him. The police believe the journal never existed but was instead a fixation of his distorted imagination. So after Jack's removal from society and the murders ceasing, it appears that the police really have found and caught their man. But what happened to the journal and legacy? Will the present owner, whoever it might be, pick up where Jack supposedly left off? Read Legacy of the Ripper and find out for yourself. I think you will be as surprised as I was.
4972081
Dr. Kahn wrote a very interesting story about a psychopath and  his crimes and psychopathic mindset as he goes through life committing crimes. I found the book to be a real page turner and for those who like to read about psychopaths, Stephen M. Kahn will not disappoint as he take you into the callous mind and life a fictional psychopath.
2225588
The Murderer's Daughter is not the usual J. Kellerman novel in which good-guy psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and his policeman friend Milo analyze the clues and save the day.  I like those characters and want to read about them again.
  Alex is mentioned in passing, but the main protagonist this time is Dr. Grace Blades, a new-to-Kellerman psychologist with a troubled past and a troubling life.  Grace is a very intelligent psychopath with sociopath tendencies, according to my amateur analysis, who has tricked other intelligent psychologists into thinking she is "normal."  Creepy.  As the novel progresses, she moves from being a foster child and ward of the state to being a successful professional with high income and significant inherited financial assets.  And, she's a killer.  Grace is not a likable character, but I was eager to turn the pages and find out what she would do next.
  Murderer's Daughter contains graphic scenes of sex and violence.  It is not for folks who wouldn't watch R-rated movies.  The book is well-written, but my rating is 4 out of 5 because of the creep factor and the graphic nature of many scenes.
3417855
It seems the author has a high opinion of Madame Mao. She was a snake of a woman totally driven by self glorification. That is clear early in but the author seems to want to unpack that baggage at every new stop in her journey. Is this justification?
I was more interested in the historical events and facts than a psychoanalysis of her devious ways so I wanted the author to move on more quickly.
2017870
This author is excellent as long as you don't feel offended by the Therapist being the crazed lunatic AGAIN. i have been a psychologist for many years and haven't met one yet that is a child raping killer. The authors bias cant be missed  esp when the reporter Nat says that all therspists are nuts... or something of that sort.
4264332
HThe author is currently serving time in Connecticut prison for Voyuerism. In my opinion, I would not spend my money on his books.
2004062
The problem is these writers  are correct but for all the wrong reasons. t***p may be crazy but that's clearly not the point. He is a master of the black art of psychological warfare. He uses manipulation techniques and brain washing approaches such as Fear, Obligation, Guilt, (FOG), creating chaos, distraction, gas lighting, spotlighting, anger, attacking, and cultism and many others better then anyone since Hitler.

His goal? Who really knows. Just stay in power even if it means destroying everything around him.

And yes, he is also everything as described in this masterpiece.
2635592
I dislike authors approach that "we," (meaning narcissists including himself) do this and intend that.  While is gifted in helping people understand and work with Narcissistic Personality Disorders  He is just one person, having his own unique mix of characteristics, his own developmental history. Other narcissists have their own unique combination of characteristics. And each has a unique developmental journey. I believe the author simplifies a complex area. His books certainly break the ice, which has been very needed. However, his work (and I am certainly no expert, just one of his "we.")  Readers should be told empathetically that the disorder(s) are very complex. Maybe he has somewhere, but I have missed it.

We?  No, only in broad brush strokes are the "we" similar. While similarities do assist in diagnostic analysis, to lump everyone into "we" is basically seeing only the forest, but none of  the trees.  (And human beings are magnitudes more complex and differeent from each other than any stand of trees.)

I am not expert. Just my opinion. Maybe that is the point.
1270400
This is a very violent book, so I can't give it five stars, but it is a well-written book with a great plot. The professor is a naturalist, a scientist who spots discrepancies when confronted by a body that has ostensibly been killed by a bear. He believes it is a man imitating a bear doing the killing and sets out to use his scientific knowledge to prove it, with little success. No one believes him, even when the bodies are unearthed. It is obvious to him that no bear has been burying these bodies in this manner, but now he has to prove it or die trying. Who is this killer who has escaped capture for 20 years or more? A psychological thriller, this disturbing book will get under your skin and bring up primal fears.
4616774
The basic premise of the book is an emotionally troubled patient named Charlene tried for years to seduce him as part of a power game and he calls that "evil" when she quit seeing him.  It is painfully obvious he is in love with her and it seems very inappropriate for a doctor, trying to get in touch with a former psych patient, goes the the lengths of writing a book.  I wonder if it worked and she got back in touch wih him--inquiring minds want to know.