Rating: 
Summary: an inpiring starting point
Review: Mr. Peck is a psychiatrist and shows us some cases where a "value-free" psychology would not be able to solve the problem satisfactory. Scientificly educated psychotherapists are only concerned about whether an individual is functioning well; only if not, then there is a disease. Moral judgments about well-functioning are avoided. And "evil" is such a moral judgment. The book is a proposal "that it may also be a scientific judgment" (p.293). He tries to show that a "diagnosis" of "evil" would clarify some things. He starts with a definition of evil as "that force, residing either inside or outside of human beings, that seeks to kill life or liveliness" (p.47). In "The Road Less Travelled" he defined evil "as the exercise of political power - that is, the imposition of one's will upon others by overt or covert coercion - in order to avoid ... spiritual growth" (RLT, p. 279). In other words "the evil attack others instead of facing their own failures" (p.82). He brilliantly shows how this "evil" behaviour is related to lies, narcism and scapegoating. And later in the book he gives some possible explanations of "group evil" (like war crimes) in relation to all this.I learned a lot from his analysis of "evil" in relation to lies, narcism and scapegoating; it clarified a lot for me about the possible mechanisms at work. And it offered a good basis for a critical look at my own motives in life. Thank you Mr. Peck. The book offers a lot of material for theory-development, and that's also its purpose: "to lead us to the dissatisfaction with our current state of ignorance of the subject" (p.11). But I disagree that it would be an advantage to use the term "evil" in psychology. I think it is dangerous and unnecesssary. Dangerous because "evil" IS a moral judgment and I don't trust anybody who would put such a stamp on anybody in the name of science; it would be a big step backwards. And unnecessary because there are probably other usefull terms to describe (and heal!) the same thing. I think there are very usefull concepts in this book, but things would become clearer if there would have been less emphasis on the term "evil"; in my opinion it is a good starting point for an analysis, but too much a biased word to be usefull as the core term in a theory. The author concludes with LOVE as a healing methodology. I think it is also a powerfull scientific methodology. So I agree, that science cannot (and should not) be "value-free". There is work to be done; with love.
Rating: 
Summary: The absolute best book ever written on this subject
Review: There are very few books that I have ever started reading and could not put it down until I finished it. This is one of them. It is superbly written and answers many questions about evil and evil people and has resolved alot of issued in dealing with evil people. I found out about this book after listening to Art Bell's interview with Father Malachi Martin in which Father Malachi Martin talks about people who have made a pact with Lucifer in order to get what they want in life. The interview and this book are an absolute must for everyone to read and listen to, even if you don't believe in Christianity. These men speak the truth.
Rating:
Summary: really frightening
Review: I must be weird. I read "People of the Lie" twice, and both times it scared the SHI_ out of me! Having just read most of the other peoples reviews of this book, my experience seems to be wildly different from most other people here. They all seem to be able to wrap up their thoughts of this book in succinct, intellectual rhetoric, while it just caused me huge fear and anxiety-fear of evil in those around me. Peck is great at terse, wisdom-filled opening lines and this book certainly has that; "this is a dangerous book", but all the others amateur reviewers here seemed to miss that. I can remember my anxiety about other people being evil was really relieved one night when a co-worker (with a bit of experience in these matters) who could see me bothered by all this information simply said to me "what good does it do you to worry about this stuff?" He was right, but i couldn't see the forest for the trees. This IS a dangerous book, however most (if not all) of you failed to grasp the danger presented. VERY few people are completely devoid of evil (lies), and there seems to exist at least SOME evil in virtually all of us. While i don't think it helped me eliminate any evil in myself ("The Road Less Travelled" did though), it really made me examine those that are close to me in a new way, a new context. All i can do, is be myself (as God would have me be) and TRY to spread as much love as i can to those that are evil (even though it almost invariably doesn't change things). I would LOVE to see a sequel to this book, with new insights and experiences.
Rating:
Summary: Do we dare not deal with the concept of evil?
Review: It has been a little over a year since my release from a psychiatric ward where I was confined for almost 2 weeks after an attempt at suicide. Previous to this event I had read, and reread Dr. Peck's book and agreed with much of what he has written. Yet until I scanned through the reviews of his book I hadn't realized that I am still hiding from the possibility that the evil of a loved one was, in part, responsible for my self destructive act. In the intervening 12 months I have pieced together many of the inner flaws that contributed to my decision but I still recoil (because the bonds of love remain unbroken) that evil was also present and active. I have rationalized, excused, distorted facts, and continued in self-blame in order to avoid labeling as evil the behavior of a person who willfully pushed me to the very edge of death. Like Dr. Peck I am a Christian and have found that God never abandoned me, even when I lay bleeding and dying. My cry of "God help me" was answered even though it was uttered to help speed death along rather than prevent it. Scoffers will write-off my testimony as just the ravings of another religious nut but they could not argue long with the surgeon who marveled that I survived so long with a severed brachial artery. My theology comes from an experience that convinced me that love exists and that an almighty person, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is still active and does intervene in the human drama on earth.. Dr. Pecks's book has helped me to recognize that the behaviors that I experienced were part of a pattern that I had ignored for years. Even after the passing of a year I am still assembling the pieces of the emotional and spiritual puzzle to discover what it was that pushed me toward a premature death. Like the existence of God, the presence of evil cannot be scientifically proven or perhaps even categorized. Because they are on opposite poles of a spiritual realm they will only become real to those who have experienced them. Like faith in God one either believes or one doesn't. I find the argument that without "scientific evidence" the existence of a phenomenon must be labeled as unproven to be risible. Man's vanity and the idolatry of his mind will prevent him from accepting the premise and dismissing the concept. Dr. Peck's courage in defying the scientific philosophy in favor of dealing with the subject, even though it can't be metered or reduced to an experiment, is commendable and heroic. . I, like Dr. Peck, have learned to respect, nay fear, evil. I have served many years in the military and witnessed both the institutional and personal evil he refers to. I have also witnessed demonstration after demonstration of pure love as men have sacrificed themselves to save their friends. When one knows that Jesus's definition of love has been has been acted out countless times by men in uniform we come to believe that denying the existence of God must surely require an extreme effort. To those men who paid the ultimate sacrifice I stand in humble awe. Dr. Peck's book needs to be read by both widely and deeply. Christians and non-Christians, and all those in leadership must begin to grapple with these issues and to establish a frame of reference for these patterns. After every other possible cause of bizarre behavior has been ruled out the possibility of evil must then be considered. Certainly with trepidation and caution, but considered nonetheless with dispassionate, clear, and objective analysis. The church must become especially familiar with these concepts and to develop structures and ministers (especially laymen) to cope with the rising levels of evil. It is my opinion that no other profession or institution is more capable of dealing with evil than a church that is filled with humble servants of God who seek to "love their neighbor as themselves." I disagree with Dr. Peck in that I believe that churches which undertake the battle against evil will be successful though perhaps at great cost. The battle of good versus evil really exists. Whether or not we care to admit it or not each of is already on one side or the other. There are no "neutrals" in this war.
Rating:
Summary: A SPIRITUAL REMEDY FOR SCAPGOATING AND PROJECTION
Review: I DON'T BELIEVE THAT 'PEOPLE OF THE LIE' WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS BOOK, BECAUSE THAT WILL MEAN DEALING WITH 'THE SHADOW', AND IT WILL ALSO MEAN INTENSE AND PAINFUL SELF-REFLECTION; MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING-CLOTHES DO NOT A MAN MAKE; THIS TYPE OF THINKING WOULD HAVE TO BE DISCARDED TO CREATE THE PERSONAL UTOPIA, WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY BRING HEALING TO THOSE WHO PROJECT. THIS IS MORE PRONOUNCED IN THE COLUMBINE MASSACRES ET.AL. HOWEVER, THIS BOOK IS PROBLABLY WRITTEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE THE SURVIVORS OF PROJECTION WHOSE INNER VOICE HAS BEEN RIGHT ALL ALONG; I.E. THE PROBLEM IS NOT YOU, IT'S THEM. BUT, WITH DR. PECK'S BOOK, WE HAVE A SPIRITUAL MANUAL WITH WHICH TO ENGAGE IN WARFARE.
Rating:
Summary: Evil is not just Hitler
Review: It is easy to realize that Hitler was EVIL. It is hard to realize that someone you grew up with and love without limit is evil too. The lesser degree of the individual's impact upon society at large can be confused for a lack of evil as it is more comfortable to explain their behaviour away as petty, mean and vindictive, not evil. Reaching the conclusion that someone you love is evil is difficult, and once made it is a binding conclusion. I struggled with this conclusion for years even though the evidence was very clear. I found it hard to live with the inherent contradiction in loving someone who is evil. Dr. Peck's book was recommended to me and made it very clear that I could love this person, however evil, but that did not change the fact that the evil existed within. It also made it clear that I should not hold myself responsible for healing the evil anymore, for I am far too close to this person and have no training in how to help. I have come to the less than pleasant realization that the best I can do is to limit the evil committed by limiting evil's access to me. While it is not the resolution I had hoped for, it has allowed me to begin to heal and lead a life with joy in it for the first time. I could not have done it without Dr. Peck's well-reasoned, well-written book, full of examples I could recognize.
Rating:
Summary: A must read book in light of recent events
Review: I first read this book in 1989, and have re-read it several times in the past ten years. After the Littleton massacre at Columbine High School, I read it in hopes that there would be some explanation of the events within the book. Sorry to say that there was. We seem to focus so much time and attention in schools today on "self-esteem". Perhaps we should consider whether or not we are cultivating a mass group of narcissicists that may end up destroying all of civilization. The book also made me do some serious thinking concerning our current President.
Rating:
Summary: A must have! - to identify and protect yourself from evil
Review: Scott Peck's book is excellent, clear and very informative in defining evil. Although I am not a psychiatrist with Dr. Peck's background and training, I too can say that I have seen the face of evil and agree with most of his ideas. Through the misfortunes of life, I ended up in an abusive relationship which lasted nearly 3 years - 2 1/2 years of dating and 4 1/2 months of marriage. When Dr. Peck states that evil people are "masters of disguise", I can relate totally. For the 2 1/2 years of dating, all I saw was the kind "Dr. Jekyll". The evil "Mr. Hyde" did not emerge until after a commitment had been made and I was seemingly (in his eyes anyway) powerless to escape. Then all the withholding, manipulation and control (especially isolation), put-downs, intense sarcasm, ridicule and humiliation, undermining, name calling, discounting and finally explosive and unpredictable anger. When the abuse escalated (very quickly) and was bordering on physical violence (he started bashing walls and furniture and throwing china in very clear threats), I did the only thing possible - I left to save my life. When Dr. Peck says that the feelings engendered in us by evil people are confusion and revulsion, it is so true. The first feeling I experienced was confusion (the "why" - Why is all of this happening? and Why is the nice Dr. Jekyll gone?). Revulsion grew as I became more and more abused. His very presence soon became revolting as I began sensing more and more danger. When I begged him to attend therapy with me, he instantly and repeatedly refused, saying there was "nothing wrong with him" (supposedly, as Dr. Peck says to "flee the light of self-exposure"). And through all of this, the two most significant behaviors were willfulness (as he became more and more controlling) and extreme denial. Just as Dr. Peck outlined, he projected everything onto me and claimed that everything that happened (including his bashing of the furniture!) was somehow my fault. Fortunately, through the help of an excellent therapist (who said that I had been at the severe end of emotional and verbal abuse, bordering on physical abuse) and through reading many books, including Dr. Peck's, I am slowly recovering. Therefore, because of my own experiences, I wholeheartedly agree with Dr. Peck's ideas - all of them - except one. I don't know if Dr. Peck is even aware of this, but he has made, what I believe to be, a grave contradiction in his book. In the early introductory pages, he states that "the attempt to heal the evil should not be lightly undertaken". He says that even therapists feel that they are "too weak to help" and that "Evil is revolting because it is dangerous. Unless you know very well what you are doing, the best thing you can do when faced with evil is to run the other way." Unfortunately, in the important pages of the conclusion, he then states that "The healing of evil - can be accomplished only by the love of individuals. A willing sacrifice is required" and "the victim becomes the victor"; "Good people can deliberately allow themselves to be pierced by the evil of others - to even be killed in some sense and yet still survive and not succumb." With spousal abuse increasing at an ever-alarming rate and filling already full women's shelters ... and morgues ... I wholeheartedly disagree with this conclusion. Yes, I believe forgiveness is in order (for even the evil have souls), but surely at a safe distance! I would hope that Dr. Peck could somehow retract this ending and correct this, reaffirming his first statement (to run!) before yet another innocent person reads this and, in an already weakened state, believes she (or he) can be "the one" to "change" the evil (who have no motivation to change and are in a constant state of denial of any wrongdoing) and ends up as yet another victim of spousal murder
Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ . . . again and again!!
Review: Having read three of Dr. Peck's books, I finally bought this one, and as usual, was not disappointed. Certainly one of the best I have ever read. Honest, humble, and open to the truth of our imperfect humanity, he succinctly makes the reader aware of the reality of evil in our midst. I would love to read his sequel to this book with case studies from the world around us today! I highly recommend that anyone interested in this book read The Road Less Travelled first. Having matured with Peck through The Road Less Travelled, Further Along the Road Less Travelled and then The Road Less Travelled and Beyond, I now would just love to hear him lecture or perhaps share conversation with him. Masterpieces, all of them!
Rating:
Summary: Certainly Radical, and Convicting!
Review: As an idealist, an ISTP, and a 4 with a 5w, I found in People of the Lie, the answer why I have had such a hard time all my life. Because many people are too lazy to think, and accept responsibility for their own life and the lives they come in contact with, and as humans we are sometimes prone to blame, and denial. But most of all we allow, no, insist that we be led by some other entity, in some form or another. Now I know that I can be me without fear, and that there are others like me, who are pressured to conform. Thanks M.SCOTT PECK!!!
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