The Psychopath Test

The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson, 275 pages

In this 2011 book, journalist Ronson examines psychopathy by looking at everything from the DSM-IV and Scientology (the first of which doesn't count psychopathy as a mental illness and the second of which doesn't count, well, anything as a mental illness) to Bob Hare's psychopathy checklist, which is used by professionals to determine if someone is or is not a psychopath. This book is equal parts fascinating and horrifying, particularly after Ronson learns how to use Hare's checklist and begins using it on everyone from himself to the business leaders he interviews. But Ronson also does plenty of self-checking with this new "power," which is definitely necessary (and may be lacking in some of those who wield it in the field). A captivating book.