Rating: 
Summary: In depth and thoughtful study by Dr. Hare
Review: Anyone wanting to know more about just how the mind of a psychopath works needs to read this book. Dr. Hare hits the nail on the head in his detailed descriptions of this dangerous personality. Although, he is quick to warn the reader against diagnosing the psychopath, those who have come in contact with one will surely gain some invaluable insight regarding exactly what hit them if they have become the victim of one of these sorts. I, for one, learned much and am heeding his wise advice!
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Summary: Without Conscience
Review: Excellent as far as it went. Very well written. Mr. Hare provides the reader with an excellent description of the criminal psychopath (serial killers, and those with criminal records), and some insight in avoiding their predations. Unfortunatly his observations are limited to those psychopaths who are extreme (or dumb) enough to have been incarcerated. Although he indicates that there are psychopaths who operate within the laws of society, he dosn't provide examples, or any real insight I and others I know have been victomized by people "without conscience" who were entirely within the letter of the law. My primary reasons for buying and reading the book was to identify, and deal with these 'legal' psychopaths, unfortunatly Mr. Hare left that to chapter 13, and I found it short and simplistic. In defense of the author, I find that most psychology books are limited to observations and definations of incaratiated people or those who sought therapy. Unfortunatly we do not yet have a means of observing the rest of the population.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay, but wordy and repetitive
Review: I can appreciate that the author did not have easy access to a broad representation of sociopathic individuals in the general population, instead most of his interviews and anecdotes were from prisoners. But the material became repetitious and I found myself skimming ahead looking for different kinds of examples. Instead it was another inmate with a similar scam. Most sociopaths are not behind bars according to the author but he did not discuss the ones on the loose at any length, yet these are the ones I would encounter. I would like to know how the "respectable" ones who ply their trade in society do it, what to look for and how to avoid their games.
This book is useful but limited. It's worth a skim.
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Summary: THE book on psychopaths--crucial to understanding Columbine
Review: I covered Columbine for Salon and Slate and several other outlets, so I have spent hours and hours talking to some of the leading psychologists in the country, and they all sent me to the same source on psychopathy.
Bob Hare is unparalled as the world's expert on the field, and this book is its bible. For good reason. I could only understand Eric Harris once I read this book. It has been invaluable to my work, and I carry a copy around with me when ever I'm researching.
It's jammed with examples of actual psychopaths, graphically illustrating the behavior he describes--and doing the impossible, making sense of the condition.
(I would also strongly recommend the nonfiction book "The Devil in the White City," as a brilliant case study. I had some problems with the last 100 pages of that book, but Erik Larson presents a vivid portrait of a single pyschopathic individual. But read Without Conscience first, and you'll understand how the "devil" character fits into the framework. It will all make so much more sense.)
Rating:
Summary: Very Informative
Review: I enjoyed this book about psychopathy written in layman's language. Dr. Hare describes the traits of the psychopath so that the rest of us can recognise them when we come across them. He gives many examples of "white collar" psychopaths and the ones who commit violent crimes, using names that most of us are familiar with. He talks about the possible causes of this condition and says that there is no effective treatment. His description at one point reminds me of a certain ex-president who shall remain nameless:"'Name recognition is so important to a politician, and more people know my name than before,' he said. 'I can run with this for years.' Most of us would be devastated and humiliated by public exposure as a liar and a cheat, but not the pschopath. He or she can look the community straight in the eye and give impassioned assurances, on [his] 'word of honor'."
Teenagers especially should read this book. When I went away to college I was once conned out of 20 dollars, but now I think if I had read this book as a teen I would have been wise to this person, who is no doubt still conning people.
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Summary: Xcellent Book 4 any1 who wishes answers
Review: I found this book to be very informative as to how to distinguish the difference between pathologies.
Gr8 xamples of said pathologies too.
Sy5t3m_Err0r
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Summary: Incredibly interesting!
Review: I read this shortly after an encounter with a psychopath and it was very illuminating. The other presents a very nice lay interpretation combined with scientific information. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in pathologies. It is extremely readable and incredibly interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Frightening!
Review: If you've ever wondered if you've encoutered a psychopath, read this book!Dr. Hare does a magnificent job of describing the psychopaths that dwell within prisons, mental institutions, and unfortunately,..among us. This book is very easy to read, with very short subchapters within the regular chapters (which makes it even easier to read!)I am very happy that I purchased and read this book. It is very educational, to say the least.
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Text on the Psychopath
Review: In this seminal textbook, David Hare, distinguishes psychopathy from mere antisocial behavior, the main criterion used by the DSM-IV-TR to diagnose the Antisocial Personality Disorder. The disorder appears in early adolescence but criminal behavior and substance abuse often abate with age, usually by the fourth or fifth decade of life. It may have a genetic or hereditary determinant and afflicts mainly men. The diagnosis is controversial and regarded by some scholar as scientifically unfounded. Psychopaths regard other people as objects to be manipulated and instruments of gratification and utility. They have no discernible conscience, are devoid of empathy and find it difficult to perceive other people's nonverbal cues, needs, emotions, and preferences. Consequently, the psychopath rejects other people's rights and his commensurate obligations. He is impulsive, reckless, irresponsible and unable to postpone gratification. He often rationalizes his behavior showing an utter absence of remorse for hurting or defrauding others. Their (primitive) defence mechanisms include splitting (they view the world - and people in it - as "all good" or "all evil"), projection (attribute their own shortcomings unto others) and projective identification (force others to behave the way they expect them to). The psychopath fails to comply with social norms. Hence the criminal acts, the deceitfulness and identity theft, the use of aliases, the constant lying, and the conning of even his nearest and dearest for gain or pleasure. Psychopaths are unreliable and do not honor their undertakings, obligations, contracts, and responsibilities. They rarely hold a job for long or repay their debts. They are vindictive, remorseless, ruthless, driven, dangerous, aggressive, violent, irritable, and, sometimes, prone to magical thinking. They seldom plan for the long and medium terms, believing themselves to be immune to the consequences of their own actions. Sam Vaknin, author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited".
Rating:
Summary: Informative AND Entertaining
Review: More often than not, a book that centers around anything psychological is well researched but boring to the point of tears. Dr. Hare escapes this trap and entertains and simultaneously informs the reader. The book is loaded with examples of real life encounters of psychopaths, primarily those interviewed by Dr. Hare's research within prisons. However there are also a number of victims accounts and the tales they tell may sound a bit familiar to someone in any reader's life. Dr. Hare obviously stands by his own research and his standardization tool for assessing psychopaths, the pyschopathy checklist. He details the difference between psychopathy and other other afflictions. He also gets to the hard truth..... we can recognize psychopaths among us, we can study them, we can even hope that we can develop ways to manage them, but we can never cure them. The book is loaded with side stories and events that make it a gripping read without dumbing it down. The only complaint I had is that there wasnt more in depth case studies and empirical research to back his assertions. It is an ideal read for anyone interested in psychology, criminology, or any of the behavioral sciences. You wont be dissapointed.
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