Bad Boys Bad Men

Whether called black sheep, sociopaths, felons, con men, or misfits, some men break all the rules. They shirk everyday responsibilities, abuse drugs and alcohol, take up criminal careers, and lash out at family members. In the worst cases, they commit rape, murder, and other acts of extreme violence as though they lack a conscience. What makes these men--men we all know, whether as faces in the news or as people close to us--behave the way they do? Bad Boys, Bad Men examines antisocial personality disorder or ASP, the mysterious mental condition that underlies this lifelong penchant for bad behavior. Psychiatrist and researcher Donald W. Black, MD, draws on case studies, scientific data, and current events to explore antisocial behavior and to chart the history, nature, and treatment of a misunderstood disorder that affects up to seven million Americans. Citing new evidence from genetics and neuroscience, Black argues that this condition is tied to biological causes and that some people are simply born bad. Bad Boys, Bad Men introduces us to people like Ernie, the quintessential juvenile delinquent who had an incestuous relationship with his mother and descended into crime and alcoholism; and John Wayne Gacy, the notorious serial killer whose lifelong pattern of misbehavior escalated to the rape and murder of more than 30 young men and boys. These compelling cases read like medical detective stories as Black tries to separate the lies these men tell from the facts of their lives. Bad Boys, Bad Men not only describes the warning signs that predict which troubled children are more likely to become dangerous adults, but also details progress toward treatment for ASP. This volume will be an essential resource for psychiatrists, psychologists, criminologists, victims of crime, families of individuals afflicted with ASP, and anyone else interested in understanding antisocial behavior.

"At first, she tried to look beyond his bad habits - the nights he spent out drinking while she lay awake at home, the snarling insults that punctuated arguments, the tendency to throw things or punch walls. Tom's life had been tough, she reminded herself, and he was just out of prison after serving a sentence for armed robbery, a sentence cut short by good behavior. In time, he would get a job, simmer down, and settle into the life she imagined for them. She focused on his better side - his charm and promises, good looks, and other traits she thought she remembered from the first weeks of their relationship. But things gradually grew worse, and eventually no fond memories could counter the reality of the moment. One evening, she made dinner, set the table with her grandmother's dishes, and asked him to please stay home. He brushed aside her request, but she persisted. Finally, he upended the table in a fit of rage, littering the floor with pot roast, mashed potatoes, and fragments of china. Terrified, Tom's girlfriend managed to stand her ground, issuing a tearful ultimatum: Get help or lose her"--

'Bad Boys, Bad Men' examines the causes, manifestations and solutions to antisocial personality disorder in men. It summarises recent advances in genetics, brain imaging and psychophysiologic research that shed light on ASP.

'...The book's strength is that it is written in a style accessible to the lay person.' David Pilgrim, The Times Higher Education Supplement'Bad Boys, Bad Men, is engaging and written in a language reminiscent of a true-crime novel or detective fiction masquerading as a scholarly work. The book will satisfy the intelligent layperson and is appropriate to a general readership'.

"At first, she tried to look beyond his bad habits - the nights he spent out drinking while she lay awake at home, the snarling insults that punctuated arguments, the tendency to throw things or punch walls. Tom's life had been tough, she reminded herself, and he was just out of prison after serving a sentence for armed robbery, a sentence cut short by good behavior. In time, he would get a job, simmer down, and sett le into the life she imagined for them. She focused on his better side - his charm and promises, good looks, and other traits she thought she remembered from the first weeks of their relationship. But things gradually grew worse, and eventually no fond memories could counter the reality of the moment. One evening, she made dinner, set the table with her grandmother's dishes, and asked him to please stay home. He brushed aside her request, but she persisted. Finally, he upended the table in a fit of rage, littering the floor with pot roast, mashed potatoes, and fragments of china. Terrified, Tom's girlfriend managed to stand her ground, issuing a tearful ultimatum: Get help or lose her"--

WHY WOMEN LOVE BAD BOYS explains why so many women prefer "the type of man their mother warned them about." They would rather choose a James Dean type rather than a John Boy Walton. There are many different types of a "Bad Boy," such as: The narcissist, the misogynist, the cheater and the man with the wandering eyes. There are even women who are attracted to "the man behind bars," such as Scott Peterson and Ted Bundy. Ms. Howard explains the warning signs and red lights to watch for when meeting a man for the first time. Besides experiencing first hand such men, she has interviewed hundreds of women who have been involved with one type of "Bad Boy" in their lifetime. WHY WOMEN LOVE BAD BOYS is a must have for women of all ages and all walks of life!