Comments (34)

The Psychopath Test

A Journey Through the Madness Industry
What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 34 items
Feb 01, 2022Luckybe rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I found this a rather convoluted compilation of many different observations, readings and thoughts all of which make for interesting reading. However, I did come away feeling I need a great deal more information before I can seriously…
Feb 18, 2020groovyangel69 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Very interesting read; I would recommend.
Jul 29, 2019jmikesmith rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I picked up this book because it was listed in the "Further Reading" section of Robert J. Sawyer's science fiction novel Quantum Night, which provided a speculative reason for the existence of psychopaths. Not until I opened it, did I…
elisepolo
Mar 10, 2019elisepolo rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I picked up this book as a last minute find and didn't expect much out of it; however, once I started it I couldn't put it down! To be honest, I have a bit of a cell phone addiction but my desire to keep reading this book has made me put…
Dec 30, 2018dissymissylessy rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I saw his movie about staring at goats and killing them that way; it did not reach me. But this one does. " Hubbard, while living at Saint Hill, began to preach that his enemies, such as the American Psychiatric Association, were…
Nov 09, 2018SurreyLibraries_Reads rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
It’s a topic that I’m interested in, and I really enjoyed Jon Ronson’s adventures through this particular slice of humanity – well-written, entertaining, cogent, and holistic. He really does examine the extremes and the subtleties of the…
May 17, 2018hlharkness rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book was an effort to read. Even more of an effort to put down. You'll know what I mean when you read it.
Feb 21, 2018
The author interviewed a psychologist who believes that many CEOs and politicians are psychopaths, and shares the verbal and nonverbal cues with Ronson.
maychantrill
Feb 07, 2018maychantrill rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I thought this was certainly an interesting read. However, I did not totally agree with Jon's conclusions, but I did enjoy the ride along with him. He has a wonderful writing style that was a joy to read.
Nov 02, 2016dd23149006401549 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
It's a good read. I read it more to get different view points of mental illnesses, and the view point of a journalist was definitely a new one. I wouldn't really consider this an 'educational' book. While everything is factual to an extent…
Sep 03, 2016PearlyBaker rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
My five year old daughter is like me in that she is extremely perceptive and a little psychic. A few nights ago she looked at me and said, "You have a little mental illness." I really like Jon's writing style and topics and bought Them and…
Jun 26, 2015CRRL_CraigG rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Jon Ronson sees insanity all around him. Partially that is because as a journalist he is drawn to write stories in which people engage in erratic behavior. It is also because he has learned The Psychopath Test, and he cannot stop…
May 02, 2015Janice21383 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
This is an entertaining book with plenty of food for thought, yet there's something "off" about it. The first clue is the subtitle "a journey through the madness industry." Do not look here for an objective assessment of modern psychiatric…
redban
Sep 23, 2014redban rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I very much enjoy Jon Ronson's writing style and topics having read several of his books; they are like mystery/thrillers, and you often have to shake yourself when you realize these are actual things that happened in real life. Mr.…
Aug 29, 2014WVMLStaffPicks rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Who knew that exploring the world of psychopaths could be so entertaining and funny? The author takes a course on administering the Psychopath Checklist and finds himself ticking items on the list, not only when interviewing CEOs and…
Quimeras
Jul 16, 2014Quimeras rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Ronson sets out to prove his thesis but sometimes veers off track. However, I don’t mind going wherever his investigation leads him; “The Psychopath Test” is still a fascinating and enjoyable read.
jasontrent
Apr 21, 2014jasontrent rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Read this because the segment on This American Life stuck in my head after hearing it years ago. Hard to put down but after a while you wonder if Ronson will connect the dots or if he is just trying to assimilate, Malcom Gladwell, style…
BOOKS55
Nov 02, 2013BOOKS55 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A very interesting read with a lot of researched knowledge to back up the storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though some things were quite scary and shocking. I would defiantly recommend it!
Jool62
Jul 06, 2013Jool62 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I did not think that it was a fascinating adventure through the minds of madness.or that it was entertaining. It was strange. I have never read any of his other books. After reading this I am not sure I want to.
Jun 14, 2012edylevin rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I read this entire book on a plane journey (with layovers) from the East Coast to the West Coast. It kept me captivated from beginning to end. Mr. Ronson is a great storyteller and the content was quite provocative.
JeremiahSutherland
May 03, 2012JeremiahSutherland rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I sometimes wonder if this author isn't just pulling our collective leg. He writes a good story about strange situations.
Apr 26, 2012KileyP rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A non-fiction stunner that reads like fiction - especially when half of it is too zany to believe! A great look into the history of psychiatrics by the man who wrote "The Men Who Stare at Goats", a journalist with no boundaries. Now you…
Jan 14, 2012LareshaE rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book, if I had the time I would have read it cover to cover in one sitting. I highly recommend it. Hilarious, well told, great characters, and some very obscure history from the psychiatric profession. GREAT READ!
polar_bear
Jan 02, 2012polar_bear rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Sort of an oddity of a book, wherein the author attempts to define just what is a psychopath. He meets a lot of people who might qualify and considers others, and in the end doesn't come up with much. There seem to just be too many…
Oct 29, 2011Danay rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
It's okay, but it wasn't able to hold me till the end. There was usually no strong suspense element or clear main goal. The beginning is riveting and fascinating, but after that it gets a bit redundant.