Rating: 
Summary: THE BEST OF THE BEST
Review: Run, do not walk, and get this book. Sam Vaknin's book, malignant self-love, and his internet site explains things so very well. Read that and this book and you will never need a therapist to deal with your narcissist. Then get away from them. Shake the dust off your feet and walk away. Whatever the consequences (and believe me, there WILL be consequences). And then structure a happy and healthy life without them. DO NOT LOOK BACK. This is a magnificent book.
Rating:
Summary: Illuminating and Transformational
Review: The author has stripped away the masks that a narcissistic person can wear to reveal to us the patterns and manipulations of this disorder. Because this problem often goes unnoticed (even by therapists), this book is an eye-opener. Probably everyone knows a Wizard of Oz and you may even be living with one! Help is here. Read this book!
Rating:
Summary: The Narcissist As Alien
Review: The world of the narcissist is so outlandish, his behavior so unpredictable and seemingly irrational, and the narcissist himself (50-75% of all narcissists are men, according to the DSM IV-TR) so alien - that a guided tour in layman's terms was sorely neded.And this is precisely what Ms. Payson provides - a down to earth, nuts and bolts manual of the narcissist - his impact on others in various relationships and practical tips, backed by case studies of how to cope with him. Recommended. Sam Vaknin, author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited".
Rating: 
Summary: Minor changes needed.
Review: This book could use more meticulous editing. If reprinted, I hope that an editor who is attentive to the appropriate use of the apostrophe will be assigned to re-edit the book first. However, such minor problems would not have prevented me from giving this book a five-star rating. The allegory of "Wizard of Oz" which forms the framework of the book is useful and helps to clarify many issues. However, the analogy falls flat when the final chapter concludes with a reference to "the deep satisfaction that Dorothy feels when she says, 'There's no place like home!'" In this quote, Dorothy was, of course, referring to the home of her childhood. As it is used in the book, however, the author seems to have intended "home" as a metaphor for the real world and as a metaphor for the ability to "claim our true selves" after breaking free from the illusionary world of the narcissist, but unfortunately this metaphor is not adequately explained. Many people who have an interest in the subject of this book in fact grew up in homes dominated by narcissists, and a return to our childhood homes would not represent a satisfying destination for personal growth. I had to re-read the concluding chapter several times before I understood the point the author was trying to make with this metaphor. This confusing conclusion is what causes me to rate an otherwise excellent book at four stars. But in describing the narcissist, providing help with recognizing narcissism, and offering suggestions for breaking free of the influence of narcissists, this book is first-rate.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book Which Helps Make Everything Clear....
Review: This book is indispensible to anyone having to deal with a narcissistic personality. It helps elucidate whether you are dealing with a personality disorder or not. It gives very effective means of dealing with the narcissistic individual and it validates the emotions of the person dealing with the narcissistic individual. As many narcissistic persons as there are in the world today, most people can benefit from reading this book. Narcissism seems to be the epidemic of the new millenium and it is unlikely that you will make it in today's world without running into these dark souls. This book gives you the information you need to interact with them and protect yourself with knowledge and practical coping skills.
Rating:
Summary: Rosetta Stone of Current Psychology
Review: This book is the Rosetta Stone for co-dependents involved with a narcissistic personality. It is the master switch that when turned on illuminates every conceivable aspect of a relationship with those that for too long have been unidentified. I have read this book five times and am continually amazed at the depth. I have repeatedly seen the enormous relief and hope it brings. It not only explains complex psychology in very common language, but it gives practical advice on how to heal. Everyone I know would benefit from reading this book. It should be featured on national TV and radio asap. It's that important. I hope it becomes a huge bestseller because it is absolutely critical information for so many. It can't happen fast enough!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent In-Depth and Worth Reading
Review: This book lays out in detail, the truth about narcissists and those who care for them. There is no doubt that this is a difficult book to read, if you are or have been involved with someone with an unhealthy degree of narcissism. The author does not spend much time identifying the behavior, she instead cuts right to the chase of explaining its causes and how to cope with the individual. One caveat, reading the book alone might give you a false sense that you understand the situation on an intellectual level. However, reading about a life-saving surgery is not the same thing as undergoing the surgery. True healing can only begin when you experience the emotions that you have been denying yourself. I respect the fact that the author repeatedly recommends professional help to face these issues.
Rating:
Summary: The yellow brick road
Review: This book opened my eyes as a therapist about the *covert* narcissism that exists in families, particularly among women. There are so few books identifying both of these key components. Most books examine male narcissists along with the overt nature of the disorder. This book shines a different light and adds to the prism of possiblities for recovery.
Joe Kort
Rating:
Summary: a must read
Review: This reviewer is delighted to offer appreciation for a most comprehensive coverage of the interpersonal impact of narcissim on relationships. Ms. Payson directed her book toward the lay person, who has struggled in relationship with the narcissist. Yet as a therapist, I believe it should be mandatory reading for my professional colleagues. The book is well organized and cleverly structured with the Wizard of Oz theme.It covers the subject in depth, yet it is easy to understand.The author offers the reader perspective on a variety of relationships(spouse, adult child, employee, friend) and clearly describes how this prevalent character disorder can have an injurious impact. She leaves the reader with hope, providing concrete suggestions for protection of the self and for minimizing the wounding that can arise from the narcissitic relationship. Everyone I know who has read this book has sung its praises.
Rating:
Summary: Validation At Last!!!
Review: Trying to rationally explain the end of a 25 year marriage that
appeared so lovely from the outside is hard enough. Trying to accept and understand it as one of the individuals directly involved is just as challenging when the crippling effects of dealing with a narcissist can break even the strongest of wills to work through this heartbreaking and insideius character trait. This book has greatly helped my adult children and myself understand and accept the losses that have resulted from the breakdown of our family unit. A complete lack of empathy and the gross inability for intamacy on any level has left much pain, anger and sadness. Mrs. Payson has validated what cannot be explained by anyone who has not tried to love a narcissist. An understaning of how the narcissist works in his world has helped us all better deal with accepting our great losses and hopefully facilitate the process of fogivesness that we all want and need for someone we tried to love but were unable to reach. Thank you for this gift of insight on behalf of myself and my children.
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