Wildly funny and deeply disturbing – frequently at the same time – Ronson’s descent into the madness and terror of psychopathy throws up some uncomfortable truths about the way the world is run. Brimming with the author’s dogged investigative work and piercing insight, The Psychopath Test is a blistering account that asks compelling questions about how we quantify insanity.
What if society wasn't fundamentally rational, but was motivated by insanity? This thought sets Jon Ronson on an utterly compelling adventure into the world of madness.
Along the way, Jon meets psychopaths, those whose lives have been touched by madness and those whose job it is to diagnose it, including the influential psychologist who developed the Psychopath Test, from whom Jon learns the art of psychopath-spotting. A skill which seemingly reveals that madness could indeed be at the heart of everything ...
Combining Jon Ronson's trademark humour, charm and investigative incision, The Psychopath Test is both entertaining and honest, unearthing dangerous truths and asking serious questions about how we define normality in a world where we are increasingly judged by our maddest edges.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9780330492270
Number of pages: 304
Weight: 199 g
Dimensions: 197 x 130 x 19 mm
I began The Psychopath Test late at night, tired, dispirited and ill – then found myself laughing like the proverbial loon for page after page. - Will Self, Guardian
The belly laughs come thick and fast – my God, he is funny . . . Ronson’s new book is provocative and interesting, and you will, I guarantee, zip merrily through it. - Observer
I love Jon's style of writing - keeping it simple for the layman, yet not skimping on details. As a Criminology student, this appealed to me and didn't disappoint. I don't think its one really for... More
'The Psychopath Test' is exactly what it says it is - a whistlestop journey through the madness industry. The backbone theme of the book is Dr Bob Hare's checklist of symptoms displayed by psychopaths,... More
The psychopath test caught me analysing others, rethinking 'labels' and really a little bit sad at the end. Also I had always wondered why no one had ADHD, autism etc when I grew up and now I know why. Great... More
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