Overview

Once inside the prison system, how can a pathological, sexual sadist who needs to be confined to a mental institution, be distinguished from the perpetrator of a sexual crime who is unlikely to ever transgress again? And who can say? Working under California's Sexually Violent Predator Law, Samantha Stein, PsyD, faces such offenders alone, one by one, in a prison interview room. As a forensic psychologist, her high-stakes decisions can determine the difference between a life lived back in society or one condemned to indefinite incarceration. Dr. Stein opens her mind to her subjects' life stories--their crimes, their grim pathologies, their frustrations and demons, their childhoods, their sociopathic reasoning, and often, too, their genuine and civilized regret. She doesn't hesitate to hold them accountable, but she acknowledges their humanity. Part forensics, part exploration of human nature, Evil at Our Table is the first in-depth account by a treatment provider and evaluator in the field. In this important book, Dr. Stein investigates salient issues of our time: the intersection of good and evil, crime, punishment, law, and psychology, and our very humanity.

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9798228542945

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Reviews

""Stein's thoughtful narrative compassionately shares her experiences as a forensic psychologist...You may find yourself being challenged with a new understanding of the human condition."" -- ""Sister Helen Prejean, #1 New York Times bestselling author ""

Author Information

Samantha Stein, PsyD, is a forensic psychologist who has specialized in sex offender and addiction treatment for the past twenty-five years. She also writes an online column at PsychologyToday.com, which has garnered over 2.2 million reads. She has extensive public speaking and teaching experience, including presenting at more than twenty workshops and conferences and having been interviewed for articles, books, and podcasts. Samantha is also an avid photographer whose photography has been exhibited in several small shows and has sold to collectors and individuals. She lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. Patricia Burgos is an actor and narrator born in eclectic Hollywood and raised in the cultural city of Quito, Ecuador. With a Czech and Ecuadorian background, she has a knack for languages and speaks Spanish, Czech, German, and Japanese. Patricia grew up dancing and trained in everything from jazz to hip hop to Latin and danced professionally, performing throughout LA for several years. She found her true calling in acting, however, her adventurous spirit led her to travel the world and study culinary arts. Eventually, she settled in Venice Beach, where she even started her own dessert company. Returning to acting, Patricia stumbled into the world of audiobooks and fell in love with audiobook narration. Bringing stories to life is her true passion. With a friendly, optimistic, and youthful voice, YA and children's titles suit her perfectly. She also loves performing sci-fi, mystery, romcom, and spiritual nonfiction. She has a home studio with a nebula projector to set the mood. When not in the booth, Patricia volunteers at animal shelters and helps in animal rescue. Yoga and meditation are her go-to practices for maintaining balance and inner peace. She enjoys experimenting with vegan recipes that she requires her husband to taste. They live near the beach with their four bossy rescue felines.

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