You will read in their own words how they approach relationships, how they manipulate their partners, and what they think about provides readers with the rare opportunity to enter the personal lives of three male psychopaths through their own words. Through the careful organization of their everyday stories of who, what, when and where.
Emerson ultimately provides the building blocks for readers to understand why these individuals do what they do. Without such stories, there is little hope for understanding.
Carl B. Gacono, Ph.D. & Aaron J. Kivisto, Ph.D.
Quotes from the interviewed psychopaths:
The person you need me to be in order to trust, confide in, support and promote is the person I will become. Being free of unpredictable emotional reactions and guilt, I am free to be whatever, whenever and then change that when necessary… — “Bill”
I was 11 when I knew I was not like other people because I saw someone die in front of me, and then everyone was so upset about it, and I didn’t see why. — “Steve”
You don’t loudly sigh with boredom at a funeral. You probably don’t feel bored at a funeral. I do. Exceptionally so. And I suppose I may sometimes forget myself without realizing. There have been many occasions where people have been looking at me oddly for reasons unclear to me. — “Fred”
Dianne Emerson created the first online forum for victims of psychopaths over 18 years ago. Over the years several books have been written using “composite” characters to describe psychopaths. The general public and the media report stories about “stranger danger” when in reality a psychopath in your life is likely to damage more lives than the most prolific serial killer.
We think of serial killers when we hear the word psychopath, but the vast majority are not in prison, but walking among us. Lacking a conscience, they leave a path of destruction and despair as they pass through life.
There is no doubt that there is at least one psychopath in your life. You may not even yet know it, as psychopaths are very charming and persuasive. Your partner, your coworker, your boss, your neighbor – anyone of them may be a psychopath. Psychopaths pursue their chosen victims with smooth talk and allure until they have total control.
Perhaps you already suspect something wrong in your relationship. What can you do? Knowledge is power, so learn to recognize the behaviors and the tricks that psychopaths use to manipulate their prey. Will you recognize the mind games? Learn about “gaslighting” and the “victim card.” Learn not to trust what seems too good to be true. It probably isn’t.
