Bad Boys Bad Men

Whether called black sheep, sociopaths, 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. What makes these men behave as if they had no conscience? 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. For this Revised and Updated edition, Dr. Black includes new research findings, including the most recent work on the genetic and biological determinants of antisocial personality disorder, and he also discusses the difference between, and overlap with, psychopathy. Several new cases have been added to Bad Boys, Bad Men, including Mike Tyson and Saddam Hussein, and he also briefly discusses antisocial women such as Aileen Wuornos, the lead character in the movie, Monster. Acclaim for the first edition: "For a fascinating and insightful journey inside the criminal mind one could not find a better guide than Dr. Donald Black, one of the world's leading authorities on the classification of aberrant behaviorsEL. A magnificent achievement." --Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D., author of Brain Lock "Clearly written, informative, and filled with intriguing stories of real people....Tells us what we need to know about antisocial personality disorder. A wonderful book." --John M. Oldham, MD, Columbia University "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 Listening to Prozac "A tour de force. Don Black has distilled decades of his clinical experience and a comprehensive review of research on antisocial personality disorder into the definitive vade mecum on the topic." --John H. Greist, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin Medical School

"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"--

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.

Okay, so he's not perfect, but does your man have potential? This book has the answers to the question: does your man have Prince Charming potential? Learn how to bring out the best of what he's got?or not! Women want men to change, but men want women to stay the same. If you've ever wondered how much "potential" a guy has, this book will help you discover whether he's a diamond in the rough or just a lump of coal. You'll learn why women endure the frustration of trying to transform a sub-par boyfriend into the man of their dreams and why men can be disappointed when women change as they turn into wives and mothers. With the information and tactics in this book, you'll find out how to overcome that disconnect and learn to assess whether a man really does have the potential to change or whether it's time to move on in order to find that truly special someone you deserve. Tells you what you need to know to determine whether a man is worth all of the time and effort Shows how to tell if a man is a Cheapskate, Know-It-All, Liar, Couch Potato, ADD Guy, Wannabe Artist, or all of the above Explains the biological and social reasons that women assess men for the potential they might have in the future while men assess women as they are now Written by Dr. Belisa Vranich, a clinical psychologist and advice columnist for the the Huffington Post, and Ariane Marder, former sex and relationships editor at Men?s Fitness and, currently, the executive editor at Voyage.tv Filled with surprising, down-to-earth information your mother and your friends could never tell you, He's Got Potential is the relationship survival guide every woman should read.

your life.

'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"--