pretend we don't exist

[lauralh]

I started reading The Gift of Fear last night and was so engrossed I read 3/4ths of it. I thought it was just going to be a self-help sort of book, but it's more of a bunch of case studies of stalkers, rapists, pedophiles, postal workers, wife beaters and assassins. The author carefully deconstructs these cases to show warning signs, all the while pointing out that you have the ability to detect these things yourself. He goes into details on the OJ case, and shows that restraining orders on violent husbands tend to lead almost directly to murder. The other bit is that he himself had a pretty troubled childhood and suspects the only reason he didn't become a criminal was due to a 5th grade teacher who believed in him.

I had a little trouble falling asleep though.

Comments

[altamira16.livejournal.com]

I found that book very fascinating when I read it especially the part about truth in humor like "Oh shit, is X going on a shooting rampage?"

[daeverra.livejournal.com]

that's a fucking great book.

[ernunnos.livejournal.com]

I recommend that book to everybody. You'd think accurately perceiving threats would be a survival trait, but somehow humans still have this ability to go into denial about danger.