The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry

by Jon Ronson

What if society wasn't fundamentally rational, but was motivated by insanity? This thought sets Jon Ronson on an utterly compelling adventure into the world of madness.

Along the way, Jon meets psychopaths, those whose lives have been touched by madness and those whose job it is to diagnose it, including the influential psychologist who developed the Psychopath Test, from whom Jon learns the art of psychopath-spotting. A skill which seemingly reveals that madness could indeed be at the heart of everything . . .

Combining Jon Ronson's trademark humour, charm and investigative incision, The Psychopath Test is both entertaining and honest, unearthing dangerous truths and asking serious questions about how we define normality in a world where we are increasingly judged by our maddest edges.

'The belly laughs come thick and fast – my God, he is funny . . . provocative and interesting' - Observer

• ISBN10: 0330492276
• ISBN13: 9780330492270
• Publish Date: 5 January 2012 (first published 1 May 2011)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 8 February 2024
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Imprint: Picador
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[adamfortuna]

Early on, Ronson mentions "If you worry you might be a psychopath then you aren't one" to help keep us focused. The exploration into the world of psychopaths and mental health institutes takes an interesting path -- going through Scientology and the other fields to find memorable takeaways on the current state of phycology and our still limited understanding of the mind.