The Psychopath Test
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson
A wildly entertaining book. Jon Ronson has developed quite a knack for writing quirky books about under the table subjects. His most popular “The Men Who Stare At Goats” was turned into a George Clooney movie, but “THEM” was also a great book about the different sides of extremist.
Personally, “The Psychopath Test” is my favorite of Ronson’s work. It’s a deep look into the world of psychiatry, and the underpinnings of what makes a person a clinical psychopath. Complete with the Bob Hare Psychopath test, which helps one categorize the character traits of a psychopath. I have to say after reading the book and reviewing the Hare Checklist, I have known a few psychopaths in my life.
I love the self diagnosis by Ronson as he tells his story, he is the first to point out his own flaws and weakness on the Hare list. It makes for a very entertaining read, as the author seems very uncomfortable internally confronting his own level of psychopathy. After all what makes each of us tick? Why do we do the things we do?. How close are each of us to being a psychopath?
