Overview

Warding Off Evildoers not only examines forensic experts' observations and analyses of evildoers, but also forensic science findings. It is based on research conducted by several hundred scientists exploring various aspects of evildoing. Their research helps unearth the nature and identity of who evildoers are, how they got that way, and most crucially, how we can protect ourselves from them. Joan Arehart-Treichel makes the argument that there are evil impulses in all of us and offers suggestions, based on experts' observations and analyses as well as science, about how we can keep from becoming evildoers ourselves or turning our children into them.

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9781956450255

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Warding Off Evildoers is an expose of those who commit evil and represents a vivid piece of forensic psychology that explores the creation, intent, and operations of the criminal mind. . .[it is] of prime importance in establishing boundaries, inspections, and savvy that will help protect citizens and their families from evildoers in society. Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review Warding Off Evildoers is a must-read book for anyone serious about understanding violent offenders and the origins of evil. This book is packed full of interesting details and studies and provides some great insight into the architecture of evil. Joan has a knack for writing in a very engaging and conversational tone, and the end result is a scholarly book that reads almost like a novel. Do yourself a favor and read this important book. You will be glad that you did. Kevin Beaver, PhD, professor of criminologyat Florida State University in Tallahassee Ms. Treichel's book is well written, fascinating, and easy to read. It is also very well researched, and she has summarized a significant number of relevant findings. Numerous powerful examples are presented of individuals who have caused great harm to others, and their stories (though often gruesome) beg for understanding from a mental health perspective. -Fred Berlin, MD, PhD, an associate professorof psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicinein Baltimore, Maryland This book by Joan Arehart-Treichel regarding evildoers addresses a complex and gruesome topic. Through the presentation of numerous case vignettes, Ms. Arehart-Treichel outlines many types of evil behavior, such as serial murder, sexual sadism, rape, pedophilia, arson, bullying, stalking, and other bad acts. When it comes to explaining what drives evil actors, she relies on the research and writings of many experts in this field of study. Thus, she explains and illustrates various motivations, such as envy, greed, having fun, hatred, revenge, sexual pleasure, childhood maltreatment, and genetics. This is a difficult topic, as there are no easy answers for the dark side of human nature. It seems likely, though, that understanding the scope of the activities of evildoers will reduce the harm they inflict on the good doers in our communities. -William Bernet, MD, a professor of psychiatry emeritusat Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee Warding Off Evildoers is clearly a catchy subject. From a scientific point of view, the construction of a scale of evil from the public's perspective would be of great interest as public perception influences how crimes are perceived by prosecutors. Such a scale might also look at how evil members of the public view sexual abuse versus assault versus larceny versus child molestation versus rape [and so on]. A description of such attitudes would be of great interest to our correctional system, I think. -Richard Krueger, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatryat Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeonsin New York City

"Warding Off Evildoers is an exposé of those who commit evil and represents a vivid piece of forensic psychology that explores the creation, intent, and operations of the criminal mind. . .[it is] of prime importance in establishing boundaries, inspections, and savvy that will help protect citizens and their families from evildoers in society. Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review Warding Off Evildoers is a must-read book for anyone serious about understanding violent offenders and the origins of evil. This book is packed full of interesting details and studies and provides some great insight into the architecture of evil. Joan has a knack for writing in a very engaging and conversational tone, and the end result is a scholarly book that reads almost like a novel. Do yourself a favor and read this important book. You will be glad that you did. Kevin Beaver, PhD, professor of criminologyat Florida State University in Tallahassee Ms. Treichel's book is well written, fascinating, and easy to read. It is also very well researched, and she has summarized a significant number of relevant findings. Numerous powerful examples are presented of individuals who have caused great harm to others, and their stories (though often gruesome) beg for understanding from a mental health perspective. -Fred Berlin, MD, PhD, an associate professorof psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicinein Baltimore, Maryland This book by Joan Arehart-Treichel regarding evildoers addresses a complex and gruesome topic. Through the presentation of numerous case vignettes, Ms. Arehart-Treichel outlines many types of evil behavior, such as serial murder, sexual sadism, rape, pedophilia, arson, bullying, stalking, and other bad acts. When it comes to explaining what drives evil actors, she relies on the research and writings of many experts in this field of study. Thus, she explains and illustrates various motivations, such as envy, greed, having fun, hatred, revenge, sexual pleasure, childhood maltreatment, and genetics. This is a difficult topic, as there are no easy answers for the dark side of human nature. It seems likely, though, that understanding the scope of the activities of evildoers will reduce the harm they inflict on the good doers in our communities. -William Bernet, MD, a professor of psychiatry emeritusat Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee Warding Off Evildoers is clearly a catchy subject. From a scientific point of view, the construction of a scale of ""evil"" from the public's perspective would be of great interest as public perception influences how crimes are perceived by prosecutors. Such a scale might also look at how ""evil"" members of the public view sexual abuse versus assault versus larceny versus child molestation versus rape [and so on]. A description of such attitudes would be of great interest to our correctional system, I think. -Richard Krueger, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatryat Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeonsin New York City"

"Warding Off Evildoers is an expos� of those who commit evil and represents a vivid piece of forensic psychology that explores the creation, intent, and operations of the criminal mind. . .[it is] of prime importance in establishing boundaries, inspections, and savvy that will help protect citizens and their families from evildoers in society. Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review Warding Off Evildoers is a must-read book for anyone serious about understanding violent offenders and the origins of evil. This book is packed full of interesting details and studies and provides some great insight into the architecture of evil. Joan has a knack for writing in a very engaging and conversational tone, and the end result is a scholarly book that reads almost like a novel. Do yourself a favor and read this important book. You will be glad that you did. Kevin Beaver, PhD, professor of criminologyat Florida State University in Tallahassee Ms. Treichel's book is well written, fascinating, and easy to read. It is also very well researched, and she has summarized a significant number of relevant findings. Numerous powerful examples are presented of individuals who have caused great harm to others, and their stories (though often gruesome) beg for understanding from a mental health perspective. -Fred Berlin, MD, PhD, an associate professorof psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicinein Baltimore, Maryland This book by Joan Arehart-Treichel regarding evildoers addresses a complex and gruesome topic. Through the presentation of numerous case vignettes, Ms. Arehart-Treichel outlines many types of evil behavior, such as serial murder, sexual sadism, rape, pedophilia, arson, bullying, stalking, and other bad acts. When it comes to explaining what drives evil actors, she relies on the research and writings of many experts in this field of study. Thus, she explains and illustrates various motivations, such as envy, greed, having fun, hatred, revenge, sexual pleasure, childhood maltreatment, and genetics. This is a difficult topic, as there are no easy answers for the dark side of human nature. It seems likely, though, that understanding the scope of the activities of evildoers will reduce the harm they inflict on the good doers in our communities. -William Bernet, MD, a professor of psychiatry emeritusat Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee Warding Off Evildoers is clearly a catchy subject. From a scientific point of view, the construction of a scale of ""evil"" from the public's perspective would be of great interest as public perception influences how crimes are perceived by prosecutors. Such a scale might also look at how ""evil"" members of the public view sexual abuse versus assault versus larceny versus child molestation versus rape [and so on]. A description of such attitudes would be of great interest to our correctional system, I think. -Richard Krueger, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatryat Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeonsin New York City"

Author Information

Joan Arehart-Treichel is an award-winning science writer who, over the years, was on the staff of Science News Magazine; has written articles about scientific advances for New York Magazine, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Psychology Today, Sexology, The Washington Post, and other consumer publications; and has written four previous books for the public about scientific advances, notably Biotypes: The Critical Link Between Your Personality and Your Health, which was published by Times Books (The New York Times book publishing company) and sold in the United States, Canada, England, and France.For 15 years, she worked as a senior staff writer for Psychiatric News, a newspaper published by the American Psychiatric Association for psychiatrists throughout the United States. During this period, she covered research advances in various domains of psychiatry, including forensic psychiatry. And during her coverage of forensic psychiatry, she came to know a number of leading authorities on evildoers. She also had face-to-face contact with some individuals who had committed grisly deeds -- say, a young woman in the forensic wing of a mental hospital who had killed her parents and a death-row prisoner at San Quentin State Prison in California. Her book is thus based on what she has learned about evildoers during this time period-information that she believes is not just provocative, or frightening, but that could help people shield themselves from such individuals.

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