People of the Lie, Volume 3: Possession and Group Evil (Abridged) Audiobook

" This is not a pleasant or fun book to read, and in fact it is chilling but is still a must-read. Peck discusses the problem of Evil and his experience of psychiatric therapy with patients who appear manifestly evil . He arguesthat a spiritual or even religious dimension is required to aid in the understanding of human nature. "

" This was the first book about evil people I read and ten years later I decided to read it again. It doesn't fare well a second time. What I've understood about evil is that it is related to the condition of psychopathy or sociopathy or antisocial personality disorder. These are scientific terms describing a whole host of 'evil' traits listed by Dr Robert Hare: lack of conscience, empathy, grandiosity, scapegoating, lying etc. There are a number of far better reads like The Sociopath Next Door, Snakes In Suits, Without Conscience, etc which give a more scientific understanding of the problem. This book by contrast is subjective while pretending to be objective and I found myself disliking the author quite a bit. In his sessions with 'Charlene' I began rooting somewhat for his patient in their contest and felt her frustration with dealing with such a dork! Why did he continue therapy for so many years with her? Sorry, not for ethical reasons and helping a patient but because he was getting paid. The chapter on posession was where I bailed out this time around. "

" eye-opening read. you will look at people and yourself differently after reading! "

" This book was profound. It tells of human evil in a way that is so mundane that it is scary. Be courageous and read this book. You will be a better person for it... "

" this book is frightening because it reveals the narcissist as devoid of empathy not just a bore. peck made a great argument for expanding the antisocial diagnostic criteria to include the extremely self-preoccupied: everyone is an object. no one and nothing matters but the self. "

" Evil fascinates me. It operates throughout our society largely unnoticed by people who fail to identify it (not as easy as you may think it to be), or by optimistic people who would like to think it does not exist. While Peck doesn't get in detail about the two exorcism he partook in, he clearly identifies evil on three different levels. This book really opens your eyes to the psychology of evil, the shadows, and the real possibility of demons. I recommend this book to anyone, even though I picked it up more for research. "

" This is an interesting book, but I don't think it's Peck's finest work. His case studies are very interesting -- I'm thinking of four of the "evil" patients he works with (at least two of them are actually the patient's parents). It's helpful for anyone who either works with or plans to work with patients who seem to be incapable of real honesty. His look at the Vietnam atrocity in My Lai is also interesting but a bit long winded. I think it just hard for me to get my head around his talk about exorcisms and the like. I am a believer in God, but I try not to think too much about the devil, and Peck's work doesn't really allow for that! "

" A really really interesting book on human nature and the world in general "

" great topic....I think the book would be more balanced if it had a few more examples of evil in men, most of the evil is seen in women. He might also be a little biased against people he personally feels a revulsion towards. Being disorganized and annoying does not make a person evil. "

" Strange to think this is the same author of the Road Less Traveled. I guess with any book about evil, you have to actually believe in evil (i.e. evil versus good). I'm not so much for dichotomous thinking, so this book did not resonate with me at all, thought the part about exorcisms was hilarious. "

" So deep I had to pause for a couple of days between each chapter to ponder. "

" Brilliant and true. This book will truly jolt your thinking around good and evil. "

" Explained a lot. "

" "I bought this book to research a possible project. It was profoundly unbearable to read." "

" good read to improve understanding of people - love all M.Scott Peck works - read them all "

" One of the most telling studies on the nature of human evil. Peck doesn't offer any definitive answers, but touches on and succeeds in conveying some facts on the darker side of humanity. "

" This is an excellent book that describes the embodiment of evil. From individually evil to evil that develops in a group setting. Tremendous "self test" to use when one thinks he/she is in the presence of a genuinely evil person. "

" This book will freak you out and make you a little paranoid about creepy people in the world. A bit odd, but totally interesting and worth the time commitment. "

" very strong and insightful. i love this superbbbb! awww "

" A lot about human evil. Not a book for everyone. "

" Interesting - fairly accurate, spooky thinking that I have met a couple of people that are the type that Peck describes in the book. "

" This is, in the opinion of those who know his work, Peck's very best work. In it, he is willing to encounter evil. "

" Shocking and appalling how deep the depravity of the human mind, soul, psyche, and heart can go. This is an amazing book of stories almost too evil to believe. If you want to understand human evil this is a must read "

" Highly recommended, but have a dictionary by your side. "

" Excellent and enlightening "

" Here's the bottom line: Lying is the root of evil. I agree. But the book was self-serving and in MHO, boring. "

" Great book. Not as good as The Road Less Traveled, but a very good read nonetheless. I read this just after finishing my first year of grad school at NYU. Very helpful in understanding some of my own and others behavior. What a tangled web we can weave sometimes. "

" This is an interesting pschological study about evil personality types. I found it facinating. "

" Peck tells it like it is. One of my all time favorite books....because someone is telling me the truth! One of the most memorable books about everyday Psychology and a starting point for Personal Development. "

" Quite interesting in patches but very hard to take seriously given some of the God/Satan/Evil content. "

" Intense and very self stirring. Caution when reading. "

" The scary side of human nature "

" I read this because of my need to attempt to understand a son-in-law (who became an ex). It was somewhat helpful. "

" I read it as a teenager after I read The Road Less traveled--both were my first independent experiences with the power of NF. "

" Most people don't want to see lying as evil - what if it is the heart of evil! What if it is those people "who seem innocent but when you get down to it are subtly manipulating everyone around them" that are truly the most destructive in society? This book examines that idea! "

" Actually, I am not sure how to feel about this book. Yes and No. "

" great topic....I think the book would be more balanced if it had a few more examples of evil in men, most of the evil is seen in women. He might also be a little biased against people he personally feels a revulsion towards. Being disorganized and annoying does not make a person evil. "

" One of the most telling studies on the nature of human evil. Peck doesn't offer any definitive answers, but touches on and succeeds in conveying some facts on the darker side of humanity. "