Political Ponerology: The Science of Evil, Psychopathy, and the Origins of Totalitarianism

REVISED, EXPANDED EDITION The first manuscript of this book was thrown into the fire just minutes before a secret police raid in Communist Poland. The second copy was personally delivered to a contact inside the Vatican, only to mysteriously vanish. The third was pieced together in 1980s New York by the last surviving member of an underground research team, only to be banned from publication... Until now. Forged in the crucible of totalitarianism, Political Ponerology is written by psychiatrist Dr. Andrew M. Lobaczewski, who draws on his experience and clinical insight during the decades he spent under the crushing heel of the Nazi and Communist regimes. Decades ahead of its time, and brimming with unique insights and depth of vision, Political Ponerology explores a genus of highly adapted and charming psychopaths who bend political parties, institutions, and media to their depraved worldview, dividing and hypnotizing entire populations, and paving a virtuous path to genocide, mass repression, and gulags. From the darkness of past regimes, Political Ponerology brings you the keys to understanding and protecting yourself from today's spellbinding ideologues, and tomorrow's dictators. This new edition has been extensively revised and expanded, the translation improved and annotated with the latest supporting research, examples, and new material previously unavailable in English. "Essential reading for concerned thinkers and all sufferers of past and present totalitarianism." -Michael Rectenwald, author of Google Archipelago and Springtime for Snowflakes "Fascinating, essential reading." -Philip Zimbardo, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Stanford University, and author of The Lucifer Effect