Books About Sociopaths

I admit to a certain fascination about sociopaths and the crimes that they commit. What goes on in their minds? What went wrong with them? Why do they do what they do? Mostly, I don't understand why crime occurs and why some people are driven to commit atrocious things.

I've also found that in business and social circles, there are those individuals who seem to live to make others miserable. One person in my work place, in particular, was so soul-draining and behaved so outrageously that I sought out books that might explain why, and that might help me continue to work and thrive without being drawn into situations that only caused me misery. I've since put together a small collection of some interesting books about sociopaths that I've found particularly helpful and/or provocative.

1. The Sociopath Next Door, Martha Stout, ph.d. This intelligent book describes the sociopath from a very approachable vantage point; the author leads the reader through the thought processes and remorseless behaviors of people you might know - the cheating boyfriend or that neighbor that "has a quality." But even more compelling is that the author shows the reader how to recognize the sociopath you know, and how to defend yourself against that person in your life who truly has no conscience. I found this book particularly helpful in showing me how to disengage from folks in the workplace whom I found to lack conscience.

2. The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule. There is nothing more horrific than facts and evidence as presented by the master true crime writer, Ann Rule. This book, about serial killer Ted Bundy is fascinating on all levels - from the procedural perspective as evidence mounts against Bundy; from the personal perspective of the author who knew Bundy and considered him a friend; and from the heart of the armchair observer who must take it all in.

3. A Father's Story, Lionel Dahmer. While there are several books about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, this book by his father is one of the most compelling that I've read. Lionel Dahmer's writing has a quiet, methodical voice that attempts to unveil the face of the serial killer, in this case, his own son. Dahmer wonders aloud about his own feelings of responsibility for the acts of his son, and tries to figure out what went wrong and what he could have done differently. It's a difficult story told with dignity.

4. Helter Skelter, Vincent Bugliosi. I have a few books that I refer to as "freezer books" and Helter Skelter is one of them. The Manson story is so frightening and twisted, that you'll be afraid to leave this book out in the open, for fear it may haunt you. Lock it in the freezer at night.

5. Zodiac, Robert Graysmith. Another "freezer book" largely because of Graysmith's own apparent obsession with the Zodiac killer, who was never caught. Graysmith lays out the evidence in the case and tries to tie it to a most-likely suspect. That the Zodiac's spree included San Francisco increased the scare factor for me, because some of his crimes occurred in my hometown.

6. Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Sociopaths Among Us, Robert D Hare, ph.D. This book has some commonalities to The Sociopath Next Door, but it stands alone as a reference book for the lay person about psychopathy. While the Stout book is more about the sociopath that you are likely to meet or perhaps have already met, the Hare book better describes the criminal psychopath. Both books are equally fascinating to read.

7. The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, Eleanor Payson. An amazing book about Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and how to recognize a potential narcissist. The reader is squarely front-and-center as the author challenges you to take stock of your own feelings as you struggle with the notion that maybe you really ARE involved with a narcissist. I found this book to be a good companion read to some of the true crime books I like.