Home :: Books :: Nonfiction  

Arts & Photography
Audio CDs
Audiocassettes
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Investing
Children's Books
Christianity
Comics & Graphic Novels
Computers & Internet
Cooking, Food & Wine
Entertainment
Gay & Lesbian
Health, Mind & Body
History
Home & Garden
Horror
Literature & Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers
Nonfiction

Outdoors & Nature
Parenting & Families
Professional & Technical
Reference
Religion & Spirituality
Romance
Science
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sports
Teens
Travel
Women's Fiction
Evil: Inside Human Violence and Cruelty

Evil: Inside Human Violence and Cruelty

List Price: $15.95
Your Price:
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the most interesting books I've ever read!
Review: I picked up this book thinking it would be a study of serial killers or something. I was happily surprised to find a well written book about the myth of evil. Baumiester does a good job of introducing difficult concepts that challenge our belief systems. One particularly interesting facet of his theory is the "perception gap" between the victims of evil and the perpetrators of evil. Baumiester uses both scientific research and real-life examples (O.J., Sadaam Hussien, Bosnia) to illustrate his points, making the information very accessible. As a writer, I found the information on what causes people to commit evil actions fascinating and helpful in creating fictional characters with dimension. As a someone who works in the prevention field, I applied his theory about egotism and violence to school bullies. This book is a must read for writers, teachers, law enforcement, prevention specialist, counselors and so forth. This book will definately make you think.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An outstanding attempt to understand human violence
Review: In the course of reviewing over 20 books on the topic of human violence and mass murder, I found this to be far and away the best. Some obviously have problems with the author's attempts to understand and not just demonize killers. I can think of no other way of getting into the heads of those who commit violence in the name of a state, an ideology, an ethnic group, a religion or indeed any other belief system. Confronting the "banality of evil" is indeed an unpleasant exercise, but necessary if we are ever to achieve a deeper understanding of our greatest failing as a species. To summarize, this work is probably the best research-based study of the psychology of human mass violence currently on the market.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Superb Forensic Literature!
Review: Reviewer is the author of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, which is also on Amazon.com. EVIL: INSIDE HUMAN VIOLENCE AND CRUELTY is,in fact, probably the most UNDERPRICED book I've ever purchased. Roy Baumeister and his "friendly helpers" put together what will surely become a true classic textbook. This is top-of-the-line forensic literature! The book's both well written and researched from cover to cover. One statement that Dr. Baumeister makes, in particular, powerfully illustrates the profound nature of what's being conveyed when he writes: "Setting aside one's moral values, however risky that may be, is helpful when one attempts to understand the perpetrators of evil." Don't continue calling yourself a forensic expert unless you've read this book!


<< 1 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates