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The Psychopath Test

A Journey Through the Madness Industry

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The Psychopath Test

By: Jon Ronson
Narrated by: Jon Ronson
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About this listen

Shortlisted for: Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year – Specsavers National Book Awards 2012

This is a story about madness. It all starts when journalist Jon Ronson is contacted by a leading neurologist. She and several colleagues have recently received a cryptically puzzling book in the mail, and Jon is challenged to solve the mystery behind it. As he searches for the answer, Jon soon finds himself, unexpectedly, on an utterly compelling and often unbelievable adventure into the world of madness.

Jon meets a Broadmoor inmate who swears he faked a mental disorder to get a lighter sentence but is now stuck there, with nobody believing he’s sane. He meets some of the people who catalogue mental illness, and those who vehemently oppose them. He meets the influential psychologist who developed the industry standard Psychopath Test and who is convinced that many important CEOs and politicians are in fact psychopaths.

Jon learns from him how to ferret out these high-flying psychopaths and, armed with his new psychopath-spotting abilities, heads into the corridors of power...Combining Jon’s trademark humour, charm and investigative incision, The Psychopath Test is a deeply honest book unearthing dangerous truths and asking serious questions about how we define normality in a world where we are increasingly judged by our maddest edges.

©2011 Jon Ronson (P)2011 Macmillan Digital Audio Criminal & Forensic Psychology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Mental Health Thought-Provoking Funny

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Editor reviews

Shortlisted for Non-Fiction Book of the Year in the Specsavers National Book Awards 2012, the best-selling audiobook The Psychopath Test is written and narrated by award-winning British journalist and documentary filmmaker Jon Ronson. Take a closer look at the subject of madness from every angle – the diagnosed, the doctor and the imposter. Ronson gives a humorous and insightful look at a subject still plagued by stigmas and stereotypes. He reveals a way to perform the psychopath “test” on anyone – from your boss, neighbor or your lover and be surprised how their answers compare. Available now from Audible.

Critic reviews

“Ronson’s gift is his ability to illuminate impenetrable worlds. Hare’s checklist is already the subject of criticism, but Ronson details many studies showing how bad psychiatry has been at diagnosing mental illness.”(Nature Magazine)

"In case you get really worried about a member of your party, then we’d suggest packing Jon Ronson’s The Psychopath Test, a compelling adventure into the world of madness. Funny and revealing this book will change the way you look at your boss, boyfriend or bank manager forever." (The Guardian)

"Ronson’s gift is his ability to illuminate impenetrable worlds. Hare’s checklist is already the subject of criticism, but Ronson details many studies showing how bad psychiatry has been at diagnosing mental illness." (Nature Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant  
I've long been a fan of Ronson's work. He's a rare breed of journalist these days - one who will spend years researching a topic - and this commitment shows. The Psychopath Test is about his investigations into what a psychopath is and how psychopaths have been perceived. Characteristically, the investigation leads Ronson to question his own behaviour as an investigator and the integrity of journalism in general. It's a thoughtful and humane book.

My only criticism is that Ronson repeats some points several times throughout the book. My suspicion is that this might have been more necessary in print than it is in audio. It's mildly annoying in an audiobook, but hardly a dealbreaker.

Ronson isn't an actor and this is evident from his reading. I think this adds to the charm of the book: its nice to hear him describe his own anxieties in his own slightly anxious voice. That's what the book's about, after all.

Deft storytelling, good observations

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I was sceptical for the first hour or so and then wow! This is an amazing listen and eye opening into the world of psychiatrists from JR who goes along with everything that is being said which gets to the heart of the interviewees ideas and thoughts. Although this book has been subjected to large amounts of criticism it’s still great. Anything written on this subject will get criticism so don’t let that put you off.

Eye opening and I highly recommend this!

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a fantastic read and an incredible insight into some potentially dangerous psychopaths. would highly recommend and now considering other books by the same author.

Great

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I really love listening to Jon Ronson. I appreciate his self awareness and journalistic style. This book was a surprising, dark and enthralling look into psychology and analysis.

excellent listen

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Loved it, really interesting material and well narrated too. Great insight into the minds of these selected subjects

Worth a listen, interesting.

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Very interesting. I could listen to Jon Ronson all day - pretty much did.

Excellent

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Loved this book. Have listened twice now, second time I enjoyed it much more as its quite in depth and fast paced. Especially enjoyed hearing about Toto Constant, a former Haitian hit squad leader and blatant psychopath, fascinating stuff.

Absolutely fascinating

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Where does The Psychopath Test rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the most entertaining audio books I've listened to so far. Quirky 'journalism' but not serious research. Funny how 1% own the lion's share of the wealth and scientific estimates of psychopaths in society is also about 1%. (Though I have seen much higher estimates).

Remember most psychopaths are not crazy axe murderers. They are skilled confidence tricksters who will make you think butter wouldn't melt but who, pathologically speaking, have no conscience. Your boss might be one. You might have one in the family. How about your MP?

Their unique brain function makes it extremely easy for them to be two faced backstabbing liars. A skill that gives them an extreme competitive edge in society.

What did you like best about this story?

Ronson narrates this himself. He has an extremely engaging narrative style and knowing his own material is able to do a better job than a hired voice.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The interview with the Haitian death squad leader. This really gets across how a real psychopath views their prey and how charming they can be.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was very engaging and one I enjoyed in a short time.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed with the apologist attitude toward the CEO who stomped over so many lives and still thought himself a hero.

This is a great introduction to psychopathy/sociopathy and an easy and entertaining listen. It shows how you really need to know someone quite well before you can really begin to spot tell tale signs of psychopathy. Ultimately if the 1 in 100 psychopaths are the 1% who control our laws, the media and our governments - there's little chance we will wrestle the power back through reason or determination as they are always able to do the unconscionable.

A good listen but not a serious investigation

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Once you get used to his slightly strange way of speaking, this book is engaging, informative and enjoyable. I listened to it in two sittings.

Excellent

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If you could sum up The Psychopath Test in three words, what would they be?

challenging, disturbing, engaging

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Psychopath Test?

His first visit to Broadmoor

Have you listened to any of Jon Ronson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I am a big Jon Ronson fan and have read quite a few of his books. I usualy find plenty of things to laugh at in them but this is actually a very serious book. This has relatively few lighthearted moments so perhaps not 100% typical of his work

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

lunatics running the asylum?

Any additional comments?

It deals with the psychiatric profession in a way that I haven't seen before. I always assumed that they were experts and knew just about everything. By chapter 3 I didn't trust any of them. By the middle of the book I trusted them again. At the end I was not that clear what I thought. Having it read by the author always adds a touch of realism and authenticity, I would definitley recommend this.

One of his best

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