The new Sunday Times top-ten bestseller from the author of The Men Who Stare at Goats.
The Psychopath Test
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Review
‘I began The Psychopath Test late at night, tired, dispirited and ill – then found myself laughing like the proverbial loon for page after page’ Will Self, Guardian
‘The belly laughs come thick and fast – my God, he is funny . . . Ronson’s new book is provocative and interesting, and you will, I guarantee, zip merrily through it’ Observer
‘The belly laughs come thick and fast – my God, he is funny . . . Ronson’s new book is provocative and interesting, and you will, I guarantee, zip merrily through it’ Observer
Book Description
What if society wasn’t fundamentally rational, but was motivated by insanity? This thought sets Jon Ronson on an utterly compelling adventure into the world of madness. Along the way, Jon meets psychopaths, those whose lives have been touched by madness and those whose job it is to diagnose it, including the influential psychologist who developed the Psychopath Test, from whom Jon learns the art of psychopath-spotting. A skill which seemingly reveals that madness could indeed be at the heart of everything . . . Combining Jon’s trademark humour, charm and investigative incision, The Psychopath Test is both entertaining and honest, unearthing dangerous truths and asking serious questions about how we define normality in a world where we are increasingly judged by our maddest edges.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
213 of 233 people found the following review helpful
By HeavyMetalMonty
VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback
'People who are psychopathic prey ruthlessly on others using charm, deceit, violence or other methods that allow them to get what they want. The symptoms of psychopathy include: lack of a conscience or sense of guilt, lack of empathy, egocentricity, pathological lying, repeated violations of social norms, disregard for the law, shallow emotions, and a history of victimizing others.'
- Robert Hare, Ph.D
I've been hooked on Jon Ronson's writing since 'The Men Who Stare at Goats' was first published. Ronson cuts right to the heart of important topics by having the guts to ask the difficult questions. His literary style is equal parts journalistic rigour, deep compassion and incisive observational humour that often shines the light of ridicule on darker human behaviours. 'The Psychopath Test' explores psychiatry, psychopathology, medication and incarceration of 'dangerous' individuals. The book reads like a mystery novel, which - driven by Ronson's compelling prose - makes it difficult to put down.
The story begins with a meeting between Ronson and a history student who has received a cryptic book called 'Being or Nothingness' in the mail. The same book has been received by several individuals around the globe, most of whom work in the field of psychiatry. The book contains 42 pages, every second one blank. (This made me wonder...in 'The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy', the ultimate answer to life, the Universe and Everything was 42. Was this relevant? Was the mysterious author of 'Being or Nothingness' implying that his cryptic messages, if decoded, could lead to enlightenment? Read more ›
- Robert Hare, Ph.D
I've been hooked on Jon Ronson's writing since 'The Men Who Stare at Goats' was first published. Ronson cuts right to the heart of important topics by having the guts to ask the difficult questions. His literary style is equal parts journalistic rigour, deep compassion and incisive observational humour that often shines the light of ridicule on darker human behaviours. 'The Psychopath Test' explores psychiatry, psychopathology, medication and incarceration of 'dangerous' individuals. The book reads like a mystery novel, which - driven by Ronson's compelling prose - makes it difficult to put down.
The story begins with a meeting between Ronson and a history student who has received a cryptic book called 'Being or Nothingness' in the mail. The same book has been received by several individuals around the globe, most of whom work in the field of psychiatry. The book contains 42 pages, every second one blank. (This made me wonder...in 'The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy', the ultimate answer to life, the Universe and Everything was 42. Was this relevant? Was the mysterious author of 'Being or Nothingness' implying that his cryptic messages, if decoded, could lead to enlightenment? Read more ›
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By W. Taylor
Format:Kindle Edition
As always Ronson does what Ronson does: he hooks you with his intelligent prose and keeps you on the line with his wry, laconic humour. This a whirlwind tour of psychopathy and psychopaths, journalists and journalism, psychiatry and psychiatrists taking in along the way fascinating insights into Scientology, conspiracy theorists and intellectual pranksters. I could not stop reading this book and it delivered all it promised; perhaps it left me a little unsatisfied but Ronson did not intend this book to be a serious study of psychopathy so that may be a little unfair.
Whatever my reservations about the depth of this book I can only thoroughly recommend it as a fascinating, funny and at times wildly random rollercoaster ride - buy it, you won't regret it.
Whatever my reservations about the depth of this book I can only thoroughly recommend it as a fascinating, funny and at times wildly random rollercoaster ride - buy it, you won't regret it.
31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By Anna
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great read, witty and peppered with amusing self-deprecating excursions. I couldn't put it down - but only a small part of it concerns 'psychopaths'. It also seems that Jon Ronson hasn't quite got his head around the concept of psychopathy/sociopathy, and this is more than a shame - it's a little dangerous.
We start with a mysterious publication that leads Ronson to a neuroscientist who piques his interest in psychopathy. Then we go to someone who is classified as a psychopath but may not be; then to the Hare Psychopathy checklist and a ramble through ways of treating psychopaths in the past. Next step a shallow look at a corporate psychopath...but then it all comes a bit unstuck. We get an account of the unfeeling selection process for reality TV shows; the exceedingly strange behaviour of whistleblower David Shayler; and other stuff that doesn't really relate to the title of the book, or even the critique of psychiatry. If he'd stuck to the topic it would have been excellent. As it is, it really was a fascinating read, but the grasshopper approach to the subject matter seriously detracts from it as an informed study. 3.5 out of 5!
We start with a mysterious publication that leads Ronson to a neuroscientist who piques his interest in psychopathy. Then we go to someone who is classified as a psychopath but may not be; then to the Hare Psychopathy checklist and a ramble through ways of treating psychopaths in the past. Next step a shallow look at a corporate psychopath...but then it all comes a bit unstuck. We get an account of the unfeeling selection process for reality TV shows; the exceedingly strange behaviour of whistleblower David Shayler; and other stuff that doesn't really relate to the title of the book, or even the critique of psychiatry. If he'd stuck to the topic it would have been excellent. As it is, it really was a fascinating read, but the grasshopper approach to the subject matter seriously detracts from it as an informed study. 3.5 out of 5!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By EvilEdna
Format:Paperback
Given this book as a present. Its not my normal sort of reading material, but it really did keep me interested throughout. The author has clearly done a lot of research and presents the book almost like a series of case studies, but in a most human and enjoyable way. But I have to admit I was surprised after Will Self's review in the Guardian; this book is not laugh out loud funny - amusing at best. I get the impression the intention of the author is to make you think, and in this he is very successful (I'll never look at my boss the same again). Recommended? Yes I would say if only to get some insiight into the minds of both psychopaths and journalists!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Guy
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
First thing to say is that this is very Jon Ronson - if you don't like his journalistic, quite anecdotal, interview-heavy style, you won't like it. I, however, enjoyed his attempts to get the nub of what Psychopaths are and how Society can deal with them.
He gets to inverview some really interesting as well as important figures in the field, and his various digressions are always relevant and valuable. The chatty style doesn't obscure the fact he's really done his homework. In particular, he's really good on the tale of how professional rivalries and experimental treatments by various psychologists since the early 20th Century haven't always been to the benefit of a better public understanding of the condition, or better treatment of it.
His particular focus is the now almost universally used testing criteria for Psychopaths, which turns out to be not as perfect as you might hope considering a positive result can see people incarcerated for large portions of their life. He also investigates how 'Psychopathic' traits can actually be seen in many people who are successful in various fields and have never been involved in any violent crime. There's ultimately a suggestion here that the most terrifying thing about Psychopaths is that they're really not as different from us as we'd like to think, and it is quite possible that your neighbour, boss, political representative, or local policeman (psychopaths, it turns out, love jobs which give them positions of authority) could well be one.
Despite the troubling revelations here, it isn't a sensationalist book trading off shock value. Read more ›
He gets to inverview some really interesting as well as important figures in the field, and his various digressions are always relevant and valuable. The chatty style doesn't obscure the fact he's really done his homework. In particular, he's really good on the tale of how professional rivalries and experimental treatments by various psychologists since the early 20th Century haven't always been to the benefit of a better public understanding of the condition, or better treatment of it.
His particular focus is the now almost universally used testing criteria for Psychopaths, which turns out to be not as perfect as you might hope considering a positive result can see people incarcerated for large portions of their life. He also investigates how 'Psychopathic' traits can actually be seen in many people who are successful in various fields and have never been involved in any violent crime. There's ultimately a suggestion here that the most terrifying thing about Psychopaths is that they're really not as different from us as we'd like to think, and it is quite possible that your neighbour, boss, political representative, or local policeman (psychopaths, it turns out, love jobs which give them positions of authority) could well be one.
Despite the troubling revelations here, it isn't a sensationalist book trading off shock value. Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, a good read
Light enough for anyone to enjoy, worrying about mental health professionals and the loss of power if taken into the system.
Published 9 hours ago by Miss L
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable and Informative
For anyone who thinks they have known a psychopath. Love the light and humorous approach. An enjoyable and informative book.
Published 1 day ago by Goranka Gudelj
4.0 out of 5 stars
psychopath test
Very interesting book I really enjoyed it and its the kind of book you could read over and over .
Published 7 days ago by jennier
5.0 out of 5 stars
The funniest scary book around
I finished this book with in 3 days of picking up (thats very good for me). As the title page suggests the book takes you on a journey through the madness industry, picking its way... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Victoria Shortland
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not psychotic enough.
This was panning-out to be such an interesting topic - how a certain percentage of the population are 'psychopaths'. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Avatar Gyatso
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
Really interesting and funny. probably a bit strange. got to get an extra twelve words so potato potato potato chip
Published 11 days ago by joe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unsettling and revealing description of the madness 'industry'
A very interesting investigation of a whole industry built up around the classification of people who veer from the norm. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Frank Healy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to read, comical at points
Extremely easy to read and flows extremely well, with humorous points throughout. I haven't read anything from Jon Ronson before, but from reading this I think I might delve... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Wkeeley
4.0 out of 5 stars
well worth reading
some important insights, i kept looking at it in the motorway services book display, but didnt quite want to spend eight pounds, three pounds as ebook, irressistible
Published 18 days ago by liz crow
1.0 out of 5 stars
Superficial
My daughter bought this for me for Christmas and I was excited to read it, however it was old-hat and certainly not funny, superficial and not at all what I expected. Read more
Published 19 days ago by lovebooks
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