The memoir of a high-functioning, law-abiding (well, mostly) sociopath and a roadmap—right from the source—for dealing with the sociopath in your life.As M.E. Thomas says of her fellow sociopaths, “We are your neighbors, your coworkers, and quite possibly the people closest to you: lovers, family, friends. Our risk-seeking behavior and general fearlessness are thrilling, our glibness and … thrilling, our glibness and charm alluring. Our often quick wit and outside-the-box thinking make us appear intelligent—even brilliant. We climb the corporate ladder faster than the rest, and appear to have limitless self-confidence. Who are we? We are highly successful, noncriminal sociopaths and we comprise 4 percent of the American population.”
Confessions of a Sociopath—part confessional memoir, part primer for the curious—takes readers on a journey into the mind of a sociopath, revealing what makes them tick while debunking myths about sociopathy and offering a road map for dealing with the sociopaths in your life. M. E. Thomas draws from her own experiences as a diagnosed sociopath; her popular blog, Sociopathworld; and scientific literature to unveil for the very first time these men and women who are “hiding in plain sight.”
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I didn’t even finish this book, though it was well-written, because of the totally unsympathetic main character. I didn’t enjoy her odd and twisted worldview, and I wasn’t interested in reading more from her point of view. You might enjoy this if you are a psychaitrist or a psychologist or want to try to understand a damaged psyche. I didn’t.
educational with wry humor
Everyone must read this book.
Informative and spot-on.
The author explains every facet of sociopathy first in medical terms and then in a case and point version we all can relate to.
Every one of us has encountered a sociopath in our lives and will again.
Every point she makes is important, one I have expressed to others repeatedly is we must take heed when people make outrageous remarks and not laugh them off. Believe people’s words!
The person who wrote this book is quite a complicated person, at least for me who personally is on the opposite end of the empath/not empath scale. I think she risked a lot to share what life is like for her, and the decisions she has made.
The frequency with which we run across sociopaths is soberingly demonstrated in this book. Especially in this social climate where tolerance of unusual behavior is encouraged, this book clearly delineates how we endanger ourselves by failing to recognize that sociopathic behavior surrounds us all and those perpetrating it are only too happy to take advantage of us all through the permissive cultural norms we have created. This should be mandatory reading for high school and college students. The book is written almost as memoir so it is not generalizable to all sociopaths and their behaviors and motivations, but it does give unflinching portrayals of how this sociopath views the world and her place in it. There is much for intelligent, compassionate people, who are naive to zealotry to consider in this starkly honest confessional of a book.
Pretty boring. I keep trying to finish it, but it’s just not holding my interest.
This is a really painful book to read (unless you are a sociopath yourself). It goes against every moral fiber that I hold and I feel compassion for a sociopath, up to a point. They don’t appreciate it so I won’t extend too much empathy. Instead I will educate myself and avoid them as much as possible.
Couldn’t get into it. Hard to relate to this person. Seemed quite candid though.
Offers great insight to this socially misunderstood range of personality spectra.
Interesting to experience a different point of view.
This is a book right from the heart, or lack of one, by the author. It is a bit unpredictable and can make a person feel uncomfortable but well worth the time spent with it. It is easy to read and not lengthy or
Not really sure if the author is actually experiencing these problems or s just trying to sell a book.. interesting anyway…
Very enlightening to a topic of which I know little.
Interesting subject, eye opening
This is a valuable look into the mind and habits of thought of a diagnosed sociopath who managed to find a way to navigate through life with values and instincts very different than yours.
Very interesting insights into mind of sociopath which raise interesting ethical questions about culpability
This book is elegantly written. That’s first and foremost. It is also a book about sociopathy, written by a non-criminal, female sociopath. It is a look into “mainstream” sociopathy, not the sensationalist stuff that we are usually exposed to through novels, television, and movies. I would recommend this book.
I found this book very fascinating. It gave me insight into the minds of sociopaths.
Gave a new perspective to my pre-conceived notions of sociopathy. I am a mental health provider and think this book is well worth reading.
The author portrays herself as a high-functioning sociopath, though her road through life contains its share of bumps. She is an excellent writer an clearly has thought deeply about her condition. To some extent her argument is an apologia for those of her kind, and not entirely unconvincing as such. A unique insight into those strange minds. It has made me re-think many things and people that and whom have crossed my path. Highly recommended.