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Summary: Basic Challenge of Our Scientistic Blinders About Evil
Review: Where does evil come from? Can people BE evil? If we are limited to the confines of an enlightenment world view, with everything necessarily explainable by cause and effect on the physical plane, then we cannot speak of evil (only illness), yet we all feel it. These are the questions that Scott Peck bravely addresses in this book. Based on his experiences in psychiatric practice, Peck claims that he did not go on a witch hunt for evil, but found no other way to name the character and actions of a few of his clients. This book is an excellent primer on evil's relationship to the human world -- an "enlightenment" on the reality of evil. As we close out this bloody century, perhaps the most violent and evil century in history, it is encumbant on every thinking person to face the reality of evil as Peck has tried to do. (Some readers may find his venture into the practices of exorcism a little over the top, but that will not deter them from benefitting from the book as a whole.) This is a must read for anyone in the helping professions. It is also a good challenge for anyone in government, education, or the social sciences. It has helped me challenge my own contradictory thinking, e.g. "people are basically good and free", "there are only wounded people, not evil ones", and "Hitler (or insert your own favorite demagogue) was evil".
Rating:
Summary: A Mixed Bag -- But Well Worth Reading!
Review: Perhaps the most interesting & disturbing book I've read this year. In this tiresome age of victimizer-as-victim, it's refreshing to hear someone insist that "right and wrong" are still valid philosophical and practical concerns. Peck's work may be considered in three parts: individual human evil, demonic evil, and institutional evil. The first section, human evil, was the strongest, and could easily have been the sole topic of the work. He discusses at length how a pattern of "malignant narcissism" in a parent or spouse can twist or destroy those close to them. The second section, demonic evil, was somewhat sensational and bizarre. I think it undermined the credibility and scholarship of the first section. Demonic evil may or may not exist, but I think it was too large and unproveable a subject to tackle in a few chapters. By the third section, institutional evil, I frankly wondered if Peck was tired of writing and not sure how to stop. He predictably points a finger at the military and corporations, but doesn't even mention the possibility that political parties, non-profit organizations, national & local bureaucracies, acadamia, and organized religions -- in short, any gathering of humans -- can behave in an evil fashion, also. Despite its weaknesses, Peck's book is an excellent primer for anyone wondering why some person or group could deliberately and consistently act in a way that undermines or destroys others. It's well- documented (relying heavily on works by Erich Fromm, Martin Buber, and Malachi Martin), so the interested reader may continue his/her research.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking, easy to read and follow
Review: Although "People of the Lie" was first published in 1983, I read the 1983 edition in 1998. The book confronts the question of evil, but it does not contain a completed blueprint or a finished philosophy. Still, the book is well worth reading. Dr. Peck wanted to encourage science to investigate the nature of evil, how to detect and describe evil, and how to combat evil. This book makes the first attempts to unravel these problems, drawing from religious and psychological precepts, from literature, and from his own experiences as a psychiatrist. The book initially defines evil as "that force, residing inside or outside of human beings, that seeks to kill life or liveliness." Later, it defines evil using psychological models, and shows how people exhibit evil nature, whether individually or in groups. These sections of the book I found quite enlightening -- everyone should consider these ideas.On the other hand, I was shocked by Dr. Peck's apparent belief that communism was not necessarily evil, and that the peoples of many communist countries were better off under communism. Inasmuch as communism was the single most murderous political system in the century, if not all of history, Dr. Peck's view was (at least) uninformed. Dr. Peck also declared the need for a social service oriented military, rather than a war-oriented military, so that the occasional civilian atrocity would never occur. In his analysis of this idea, he neglected entirely the problem of political power as the root of atrocities, but placed the blame on military psychology. Readers can gain much from this book, but they should remain careful to independently evaluate its premises and conclusions. Refreshingly, Dr. Peck repeatedly qualified his statements by admitting that he did not know or could not prove certain things. By staying scientifically honest, Dr. Peck has written a thought-provoking and insightful book that should stand the test of time.
Rating: 
Summary: Scott Peck sees things clearly.
Review: I am an incest survivor. This book described my family. Scary. Validated the tough choices I had made in my life. Helped me feel better about having made those choices. Scott Peck sees things clearly, and helps you see them clearly also.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging, even if you disagree
Review: This certainly was a fascinating and thought-provoking book. Many people will find themselves disagreeing with some of Dr. Pecks' interpretations of human behavior, as well as his philosophy of good and evil, but I suggest that they give it a fair chance anyway and learn what they can. Whatever one thinks of his personal convictions, Peck is intent on illuminating the darker corners of the human soul, and for that we owe him a great debt. He avoids the materialist view that evil is merely a product of bad upbringing or bad brain chemesty, and he also steers refreshingly clear of the "fundamentalist" approach to evil--i.e., people are inherantly evil and those who do wrong should be rejected and severely punished. He seems, instead, to view evil as a disease of the soul which becomes more pathological the more you try to hide and deny it. Thus, he sees oridinary law abiding citizens as more succeptable to evil in many cases than blatant criminals who are at least honest enough to express their hatred and hostility directly. "Normal" society hides many cleve psychopaths who sabotage other people's lives in subtle ways--hiding their intense hatred of humanity and life itself under a veil of respectability. Peck seems to suggest that such psychic predators drive people to despair and suicide. Other hidden criminals lurk in the military and law enforcement where they can be openly cruel and brutal, but claim to be serving a higher cause like patriotism (or even "Democracy") The cure for evil is to open oneself to something beyond your diseased ego. Evil people deny the meaning and reality of other human souls. Other people (especially those in a subordinate position, or those of another race or religion) are turned into objects to be used for one's own pleasure or else hated and feared. Good people recognise everyone's humanity (no matter how bad or strange they may seem) and try to expand themselves through creative interaction with others--not exploitation or exclusion. Of course, most of us are a little of each, but we can strive toward the good. A final point: Many people who do not believe in evil spirits are put of by this book because Dr. Peck, as a practicing Christian, does. He also believes in exorcism and claims to have witnessed several. I myself am very skeptical of these aspects of the book, but I must say that they are not the author's main focus and he is not agressive in trying to win converts.
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Summary: Who is Satan?
Review: Here is a psychiatrist and bestselling author of _The Road Less Travelled_ claiming to have witnessed a manifestation of Satan during an exorcism. He is convinced that Satan is no mere legend or mythical character. Satan, the devil, the Evil One, literally exists. Dr. Peck's conviction is great enough that he proposes to revise the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to include a diagnosis of possession. Although the evidences for Satan's manifestation that Peck cites have merit they are anecdotal rather than scientific. While they may point to some 'demonic' phenomenon, Peck's Christian predisposition biases his judgment towards simply affirming medieval Christian beliefs. As a counterpoise, I suggest Elaine Pagel's _The Origin of Satan_
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Summary: The most powerful book that I have read, except the Bible.
Review: In People of the Lie, M. Scott Peck perceptively explores in depth the human evil that he encountered in his career as a psychiatrist. The truly evil, he argues, are not the mass murderers and serial rapists, but instead, those people who harm others' spiritual growth in subtle, yet devastating ways.
He also devotes a chapter to the phenomenon of
daemonic possession. He argues, from the standpoint of a psychiatrist, that daemons do
actually possess people.
The book is more powerful than any other that I
have read, except for the Bible. It is replete with case studies, each of which is a delicate tapestry woven by the psychiatrist based on his
experience with patients. I heartily recommend it for anyone who is interested in the
psychiatric aspects of non-criminal evil.
Rating: 
Summary: well written, interesting, but not recommended
Review: The author warns us: this is a dangerous book. "People of the lie" is indeed a dangerous book...but I may be thinking of different reasons than those that Scott Peck had in mind. In this book, Peck (well known from "the road less travelled") formulates a new psychological theory: he tries to prove, through well told case studies, that some people are, as he calls them, "people of the lie", or in other words, evil. He thinks that being evil goes way beyond narcissism personality disorder, or other psychological disorders that psychiatrists / psychotherapists could think of. Scott Peck's point of view therefore transcends scientific thought, and makes a leap into religious thinking. Although he himself knows how dangerous it is to label someone as evil, although he himself warns time and again, in his book,of the thin line between narcissism and an evil personality...he still doesn't manage to prove his point, in my opinion at least. Because in the end, it IS dangerous, very dangerous, to put these kinds of labels on people. The basic question to be answered is -who will make this judgment? I think that no-one should consider himself able or should be allowed to make this kind of judgment. Plus, most of the cases described by Scott Peck in the book could probably be seen, in another light, as narcissistic personality disorders, and thus, could be dealed with in other ways, and obviously not with exorcism, as the author unbelievably suggests. Of course, this also has to do with somebody's belief system. At least Scott Peck takes his time to explain what he believes in, he uses well thought out arguments and in general he writes very well. Also, in his favour, he never becomes phanatical or preachy: he always expresses his doubts. Nevertheless, I deeply disagree with the basic premise of this book. I believe people are just people, not gods, not devils, and they should be treated, healed, helped as people. And so, even though the writing itself pleased me, even though the book is well organised and at some points interesting, I cannot really recommend it.
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Summary: Disturbing, maybe over-dramatic, and definitely lacking
Review: I read "The Road Less Traveled" over ten years ago and really was impressed with Peck and his message. I read "People of the Lie" in one sitting, which is something I rarely do. It was disturbing and fascinating as I read it, but seems uneven and flawed as I reflect on it.
The book was too short; it requires more than 270 pages to support some of the claims he made, especially with his choice of case studies. I think he was too liberal with the term "evil". Most of the people in the case studies were just disgusting; identifying them as evil gives them too much credit. He did define "evil" much more broadly and banal than its common interpretation (i.e., using power or coercion -covert or overt - to limit spiritual growth). Yet then he proceeds to tie in this brand of evil with the Satanic, virtually invalidating his previous definition.
I do appreciate the emphasis on parenting and how poor parenting can destroy lives; still there are much better treatments of the subject and really is worth much more coverage than it's given.
The chapter on Charlene was interesting but anti-climactic and lightweight. Surely, surely with all the bad people out there, he could have found a better case-study for a potential candidate for exorcism.
His chapter on Mylai and the culpability of the Johnson administration and the America public in general was right on the money. Still, this chapter did not really address the dynamic of group evil, just rather the political situation behind a particular event. It was really a poor attempt of covering the subject, which really could have been its own book.
The book will help me to identify, fear, and be repulsed by the people of the lie, but it is by far not an exhaustive or complete analysis.
Rating:
Summary: Insight into absolute evil and how it disguises itself
Review: This book really scared the daylights out of me, amazed me, and also gave me terrific insight into hidden evil. From blatant wartime evil, to deeply hidden malevolency in people around you. Conscious evil, (evil parents really disturbed me...wait till you get to the story of the rifle...absolutely horrific and 100% FACT). Dr. Peck really has studied how evil hides, lies, and distorts facts to manipulate those around it. A great read. You'll be amazed at how evil manifests itself and stunned at the same time.
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