Bad Boys, Bad Men

"A clear and thorough account of the current scientific understanding of a baffling condition, Bad Boys, Bad Men will appeal to those interested in the origins of repetitive criminal behavior. The book will be of especial use to the families of the antisocial."--Peter D. Kramer, author of Listeningto Prozac and Should You Leave?

"Donald Black's Bad Boys, Bad Men tackles an issue that leaps off the front pages of our newspapers and enters our living rooms from the nightly news broadcasts--that of criminal behavior, delinquency and antisocial personality disorder.... By describing noted antisocial murderers such as Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy, as well as hidden antisocials who obtain power and fame, this book brings to life the true impact of the disorder, and even proposes ways to cope with it. This book is essential reading for the curious, the fearful and the scholarly observer of such behavior and its consequences."--Eric Hollander, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

"An eye-opener suited for all libraries."--Library Journal

"Presenting compelling case studies, including histories of young ASP patients traced into middle-age, Dr. Black explains the melange of biologic, psychologic, and sociologic factors that shape the behaviors of those with ASP. His writing is utterly accessible to all interested readers, and his expertise and wisdom shine from each page."--Marc D. Feldman, M.D., Co-author of Stranger Than Fiction: When Our Minds Betray Us and Patient or Pretender

"A sobering estimate of the amount of harm done not only to the lives of the men with these behavior problems but to all those with whom they have contact. Though Dr. Black recognizes the poor success rate so far in treatmentCONTENTS ; 1. A LURKING THREAT: ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER AND SOCIETY, ; 2. SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS: THE EVOLVING PSYCHIATRIC VIEW OF ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER, ; 3. BAD BOYS TO BAD MEN: THE SYMPTOMS OF ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER ; 4. NAMING THE PROBLEM: THE DIAGNOSIS OF ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER, ; 5. DIVERGENT PATHS: THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER ; 6. SEEDS OF DESPAIR: THE CAUSES OF ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER ; 7. OVERCOMING ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER: OPTIONS FOR TREATMENT ; 8. POWER AND PRETENSE: THE HIDDEN ANTISOCIALS ; 9. THE ANTISOCIAL MURDERER: GACY AND OTHERS ; 10. ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER AND FAMILIES: FINDING WAYS TO COPE ; EPILOGUE: DISPELLING THE MYTHS ; NOTES ; RECOMMENDED READINGS ; INDEX