The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout (2006, Paperback, Reprint)

This well written, easy to read book will open up your eyes and help you KEEP them open when dealing with people in your life who may not have your best interest at heart. If there is a small doubt as to someone's sincerity, it is doubtful that you will need this book. But if you have a hunch that the person in question is not who they say they are, YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!

Getting a divorce? READ this book! Unsure if your signifigant other really loves you or just loves your money? READ THIS BOOK! About to get married? READ THIS BOOK! You'll know for sure about half-way through the book if he (OR SHE) is really in love with you, or just loves your trust fund. I really should have read this book BEFORE getting married...

This book is NOT light reading. However, it is an important book to read if you need to rid yourself of someone who is jamming up your life just by being in it. This book is not about paranoia, it's about SELF-PRESERVATION! Sociopaths exist but they don't wear signs on their forehead. This book will help you see them coming.

You probably know a sociopath and don't realize it. Can you think of someone who lies for no reason? Someone who finds a way to blame others for their behavior? Someone who can act like the nicest person in the world, then turn on you with a viciousness that is shocking? Do you know someone who can turn tears on and off on command? Then you know a sociopath.

I bought this book for myself and my family to help us understand and cope with a brother who is a sociopath. My mother thinks he's just misunderstood, that's only because he hasn't turned on her - yet. With the help of this excellent book, I've FINALLY convinced my other siblings to treat this brother like a tornado. When you see him coming, just try to get out of his way. Accept the fact that he will bring destruction and you will have some clean up after he leaves. Never argue with him. Never share any personal information (he or she will always use it against you later). Don't worry about hurting their feelings, they've never worried about hurting yours. They have no conscience and you will never understand how they think. You can only see their game and try to disengage yourself from them.

This book was recommended by a grief counselor and a coworker. it is considered the Bible to learn about sociopaths. I feel that Without Conscience is a better book but I did gain valuable insight on 13 steps to recognize a sociopath and how to avoid dealing with these type of people. This book did open my eyes to behavior that I would have never suspected in the past. This is a must read if you are having doubts about a person's behavior and can not pinpoint what is wrong.

I like this book it is very interesting,the delivery was a little slow compare with my other purchases but i don't have any complains about the book, it is clean and it looks like new. thank you for everything.

IT IS A MOST INFORMATIVE BOOK. THE WRITER IS VERY THOROUGH. THIS IS A EYE-OPENER. SOMETIMES THESE PEOPLE ARE LIVING WITH YOU, NOT JUST LIVING NEXT
DOOR. I BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS-MAYBE THEY WILL SEE SOMEONE IN THEIR
CIRCLE OR EVEN THEMSELVES.

Helpful in trying to explain this bizarre personality type that affects those of us that have a conscince.

Ms. Stout does a wonderful job of explaining what we, as outsiders, were unable to comprehend! No conscience is unbelievable to most of us, yet we are surrounded by these people, even as close as a parent.
A very eye opening experience. Finally, an explaination, and the answer I've been looking for!
A+ reading!

This book was really shocking and intriguing. The PhD Psychologist talks to you in simple terms and with stories of patients she has had to describe what a Sociopath is, how to recognize one, and what to do if you know one. I had to write a critical review on the book for a college class. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Very well written. Scholarly and includes some statistics but very very readable. Fascinating and deeper look into American psychopathic behavior. Covers not just the serial killers. Goes into giveaway behaviors, causes, possible solutions.

I discovered by accident that the woman of my dreams, the one whom I married twice and divorced twice is a stone-cold sociopath. My two divorces cost me a small fortune but now I have a chance at redemption in a new life!
The main difference between those who love and those who are incapable of love is a heart. Sociopaths have ice water in their veins and they only care for and about themselves. They are the best actors at mimicking real human emotions when they have none! They are completely devoid of empathy, real emotional attachment and they believe that everyone and everything in the world is their exclusive property.
Do not challenge them or you could find yourself in real danger. They are not all Ted Bundy's but they are the worst kind of thieves...always looking for ways to take without giving in return. They are the worst kind of users because they have no regard for the hurt that the cause others and they will "crush" everyone and everything who crosses their paths regardless of whom they are: friends, family, relatives,neighbors or co-workers!
For the hardened sociopath the game is the thing but winning is everything! The unsuspecting don't even know that they are in a game until it's too late!
Martha Stout really helped me to realize just how sane I was when my sociopath in the door tried to twist everything that I said or did into something sinister and evil when the real face of evil was gorgeous to me beyond compare! What was it that I wasn't thinking!
Alcohol and violence, separation from your family and friends and the need to isolate one are also part of the game. Martha helps to clarify just how to "spot" the devil and how to avoid the hurt, pain,havoc, and immense suffering that they can cause with no remorse.
So what would you rather be, one who can love and lose or one who can never really love at all? One with no conscience or one with more conscience?
If you even think that you may be involved with a sociopath this is a MUST read. It's chilling, but this little book may save your life, your money, and everything that you hold near and dear!

A very interesting and informative book. I always had questions about my own sister's behavior and in the last several years it was even more apparent there was something not right about her. Talking with some friends they suggested what may be sociopathic behavior and after reading the book the only thing missing was her picture. I recommend this book to anyone who has to deal with or live with this sort of person. It opened my eyes and I had to make some hard decisions for me and my family regarding our future relationship and I chose to cut off all ties with my sister and it has been such a relief, both mental and physical.

If you are surrounded by people who cause you stress???? This this is a book that will explain if they are doing it on purpose or if they are just morons.... Its a raw explaintion about people who have no guilt, have no remorse no feeling and they are the very people whom we are related to, live with, freinds and neighbors with.... its make you take a harsh look at your like and changes the way you look at other peoples behavior....

I wanted to buy this book to help understand members of my family. I did not find it helpful, couldn't even finish it. She lost me when she started in about the poor forgotten dog. I can't bear to read about animals in difficulties. I also felt she was too vague, the topic was not described in the depth i was looking for. Also she used a term..gaslight..which does not seem to have broad usage. Considering i couldn't find it in the dictionary as she used it in her book and i had to ask 3 other people what they thought it meant. It was not the only word she could have used and made the passage much clearer.

Easy to understand and a fascinating read. Loved it. Informative! A must read for anyone dealing with sociopathism.

I really liked the book until the author gave some unreliable information about the East. The East has sociopaths/psychopaths too and they just function diffently. The author got a tad too political for me at the end, but still a book worth reading.