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The People Of The Lie: Hope for Healing Human Evil (New-age)
 
 
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The People Of The Lie: Hope for Healing Human Evil (New-age) [Paperback]

M. Scott Peck
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
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The People Of The Lie: Hope for Healing Human Evil (New-age) + Further Along The Road Less Travelled + The Road Less Travelled (Arrow New-Age)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Arrow; New edition edition (19 July 1990)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0099728605
  • ISBN-13: 978-0099728603
  • Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11 x 2.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 9,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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M. Scott Peck
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Product Description

Product Description

`The patient suddenly resembled a writhing snake of great strength. . . More frightening than the writhing body, however, was the face. The eyes were hooded with lazy reptilian torpor. . . ` This is the second bestselling book by Dr M, Scott Peck. Here Dr Scott Peck describes his encounters during psychiatric therapy with patients who are not merely ill but manifestly evil - People of the Lie. This brilliant, disturbing book forces us to confront the darker side of our natures and to recogise that without spiritual (and indeed religious) dimension, modern psychiatry cannot claim to understand human nature or behaviour. It is a worthy successor to The Road Less Travelled.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
A Brave Book 30 Nov 2003
By R. P. Sedgwick VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
In People of the Lie Peck looks at the phenomenon of evil he has experienced with patients in psychotherapy; some of the cases where people have overcome, with the help of conventional therapy, the evil within them - most have not.

The book goes on to look at different types of evil, the definition of evil, a fascinating discussion of the author's experiences with two exorcisms, and the nature of Satan. Finally Peck looks at group evil, such as experienced during the holocaust and in Vietnam.

Interspersed with each case are the author's more general thoughts on the nature of (as he sees it) the disease of evil, and how psychiatry could be extended to be a more complete science by covering areas previously considered the realm of religion.

Although People of the Lie is a fairly academic book, it's written in a readable manner and I found it mostly very approachable as a reader with no formal background in psychiatry.

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37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
If you've the perseverence and objectivity to penetrate Peck's occasionally rather annoying 'evangelism', you'll be rewarded with a fascinating insight into the behaviour of 'evil' people and their impact on others.

The People of The Lie is without doubt an important attempt to understand and describe 'scientifically' a very common though as yet, not formally classified personality/character disorder. However, Peck's emphasis on the 'supernatural' dimension, particularly his observations on the value of exorcism is inappropriate. It obscures some extremely worthwhile evidence in support of his contention, that there is scope to define formally a 'new' disorder to help psychiatrists and psychologists manage both 'evil' people and their victims. I suspect this book is not universally popular among these professionals.

Nevertheless, its worth the effort. Whether you're a believer, agnostic or athiest, The People of the Lie offers much food for thought. So far as I know, people who are just plain bad are not well catered for by formal psychology theory; bad people really do exist, they're not simply damaged people who do bad things so perhaps Peck's book is a worthwhile attempt to expose such people for the benefit, principally of their victims.

I was a victim and as such the book has helped me greatly. As a pychologist, I would have preferred a less 'emotional' and more accessible approach to what is a seriously under-researched phenomenon.

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36 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By MWin
Format:Paperback
Peck makes an apposite description of truly evil people, how deceitful and self-centred they are, although they often pretend to be upstanding citizens. What makes Peck's view of evil stand out is that he takes the problem of evil fully seriously. Evil is not merely a misunderstanding or some kind of deficiency in an otherwise good human society. No, evil is a constant and strong force inside the soul of the "people of the lie." Peck wants to depict evil as a very serious illness of the soul that cannot be spotted from outside. I am sceptical of diagnosing evil as a disease, but Peck's book deserves the highest mark because of his heartfelt explication and his telling case histories. I feel, from my own life-experience, that Peck's depiction of evil peoples' characteristics is very apt.

Mats W

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very thought provoking
Scott Peck's most popular book is The Road Less Travelled. This book is not quite up there with that title, but is nevertheless a thought provoking read. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. Ia Platings
Unsettling treatise on evil.
I found this a rather disturbing book, not so much because of the case histories in it, but because of Scott Peck's attitude to the people involved. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Archy
I'm relieved that the UK mental health community doesn't seem to have...
I am recovering from years of bruising encounters with a family member I suspect to be personality disordered and was given this book by a well-meaning acquaintance. Read more
Published 11 months ago by L. Fischmann
Evil: a psychiatrist's view
Dr. Peck argues that 'evil' should be added to the list of disorders that psychiatrists should be able to identify and treat, and gives suggestions as how how this can be done. Read more
Published 13 months ago by mattghg
food for thought
The phenomenon of evil in everyday people is something I have come across a lot and this book is an interesting take on an unexplained reaction to others. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Ms. Samia Bushra
Thoughtful and provocative
Scott Peck is a much loved populist writer on psychology, finding a way to convey his personal understanding of human potential, honed through his professional life and his own... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Lady Fancifull
Brilliant Read for me.
This book was as I expected, a thoroughly good read. Dr Peck leaves no stone unturned as he discusses evil and the people of the lie. Read more
Published 17 months ago by annie frame
Speedy service, better than promised.
The book was to be delivered within 5 days but I received it within 3 days. It was in good condition and arrived in time to take on holiday. Thanks!!
Published 20 months ago by Deborah Beeline
The Truth about People of the Lie
It is great to hear a respected psychiatrist describe these people and to know that this phenomenon does exist. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Diane, Northern Ireland
No redeeming features of this book.
In the opinion of M. Scott Peck, most of us are `evil`. I found the book extremely unsettling, since it is written from a Pychiatric viewpoint, somehow equating psychiatric illness... Read more
Published on 11 April 2010 by Someone
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