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It took me forever to read, The Wizard of Oz and other Narcissists, mostly because I was raised by a narcissist, and I had to stop reading the book whenever something I read reminded me of my own life experiences to go and write in my journal instead. I’d read like, 3 pages of this book and then think, “Wholly Mackerel! I didn’t know that was narcissistic behavior!” Then, I’d go write about my feelings. . . .I now have a whole journal filled with my own codependent ramblings. I should take my jo...
This is perhaps the most insightful book I have ever read. It answered so many questions lingering in my mind since years. I'm so glad to have found this book yesterday. I finished it in less than 24 hours.Dale Carnegie said that the self is most important for each person and by extension narcissism, is but natural The author endorses this fact as well as she said that all of us exhibit narcissism to some extent, but when it exceeds certain limits and turns toxic, then we have a problematic indi...
I think I must recommend this book once a week in my practice. Narcissism is a serious character disorder that affects perhaps 1-2% of people in our culture, giving them a distorted sense of self. It looks like over-the-top self love, but is in fact a mask hiding self doubt and despair. Those who come to love them often feel desperately empty themselves because their love is not returned in a full and easy way. They eventually come to know, deep inside, that their loved one doesn't know what it
I purchased this book to give to a friend who has just divorced her husband, who has narcissistic personality disorder. Before giving it to her, I read it myself. We all have experiences with various people who exhibit narcissistic tendencies, including ourselves. This book offers a clear explanation of what those tendencies are, how to recognize them and how to deal with them. Particularly helpful are the chapters that address the impact of narcissistic adults on children in families. My friend...
What a great book. For me this was a validating and healing journey. For anyone who has encountered someone with narcissistic tendencies this book answers many questions giving you some insight as to why they behave the way they do and how you can deal with it...if you choose to. I recommend this book for anyone in an abusive relationship or is close to someone who is. Had I been given this book 12 years ago, even though it was still applicable then, I wouldn't have regarded it as I did at this
What an excellent book! This book describes in laymen's terms what a narcissist is. I realized I am surrounded by them! Not only does it describe the problem, but gives excellent ideas on how to stand up to the manipulative tactics these people pull on everyone close to them. I highly recommend it!
Authoritative and based on therapeutic experience, this book is also practical and sensitive. It is very educational and revealing about the dynamics of anger and codependency toward a narcissistic person. Anyone with boundary problems, or a history of relationships with narcissists, would get a lot of validation and resolve from this book. It includes strategies for dealing with or exiting a one-way relationship in a healthy, calm way without exploding or self-destructing.
This is a very thoughtful and accessible book about narcissism - the different forms it takes, its root causes, narcissists' effects on the people around them, and some strategies for protecting yourself from narcissistic wounds. The chapter subtitles give you a good idea of the contents of the book:1) The Illusory World of the Narcissist2) The Overt and Covert Narcissist3) The Boundaries of Self4) The Parent/Child Relationship5) The Healing Journey for the "Adult Child" of the NPD Parent6) The
Chances are, there's a narcissist in your life. Probably more than one. With influence. And that is a big deal.The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists: Coping with the One-Way Relationship in Work, Love, and Family is the book for understanding narcissism as the personality disorder that it is. Dealing narcissists. Avoiding traps.Author Eleanor D Payson has written this book for the general public. You're not required to have professional training nor special experience to fully benefit from this...
The finding out that all those years in therapy's revolving door, being told I was the poster child for normal,yet knowing I was a horibble person who ruined everything and was destined to live the remainder of my days unloved, or alone, was really an illusion created by narcissistic parents and embedded into my young mind. Well to say the least it was life changing. This book was a gift to me from a buddy in AA he simply said, you are not your fathers failure, his failure was being a narcissist...
The comparison of The Wizard of Oz and the characters in that story with narcissism and the people effected by it was a great metaphor. Oz: The man behind the curtain who sees himself, and needs others to see him, as something greater than he really is. Someone who, when confronted with the truth either becomes angry and defensive, or disappears without a trace.Dorothy: The person attempting to have a relationship with and constantly seeking to please an NPD individual. Repeatedly disappointed a...
I almost never write reviews for books, but this one was by far the most insightful, helpful, and ultimately catalyzing book that I've read in a long time. Really helped me to understand otherwise inexplicable behaviors that I keep coming up against, both with myself and people in my life. It's a great resource for both people with codependency issues and narcissistic issues to start to gain insight into their defenses and start making healthy changes. There's even a section at the end that disc...
Very helpful book, especially if you grew up with a narcissist caregiver. It is great to see in writing what you might have been feeling for years but didn't know how to express it, or you questioned your own sanity after living with one of these folks. I would recommend for anyone in a relationship with a narcissist.
If you find you are surrounded by or often dealing with narcissists than this book is for you. I listened to it which was challenging at times because I would have loved to see the words in text so that I could better absorb the information. That said I did learn a great deal about narcissists and about myself.
I read this book for a work situation that I am faced with. The book is very informative and I have learned a lot about NPD (Narcissist Personality Disorder). I needed a little more information on the work front so I did not feel that I gained much from this book. But for someone who has to deal with this in a family or private setting, I believe they have much to benefit from this great book.
Very good/clear overview of narcissists in the family, relationships, and workplace. Direct and to the point, but very comprehensive. Easy to read with good tips/lists and chapter summaries. Perhaps the best book on NPD.
Could be titled "When Self-Esteem Goes Bad..." Recommend for anyone living with a narcissist.
Everyone should read this book.
Some interesting content, but not the best written non-fiction book out there on the topic of narcissism.
Once you read this, you start to identify how narcissism is a disease that is killing our world.
If I could give this 10 stars, I would. Phenomenal book!!!!
Well written, easy read. It lays out the different relationships where normal folk can get caught up in the narcissists web and how to best deal with them without losing yourself.
Good info, not very well written. I kept getting distracted by questionable sentence constructions, but it was still a valuable read.
Good insights into what makes some of the difficult people in the world tick and how to deal with them. In some way very chilling.
By far, it is one of the most invaluable references on how to detect and handle narcissists, especially if you are in a place where interdependence is required in the relationship. As I personally suffered from an excruciating endless pain from such a relationship with my boss in the workplace, I read a large number of books but to no avail until I was fully able to grasp the full picure only after completing this book.For those who are suffering from close relationship with an NPD, you will fin...
This was just plain unhelpful. The language is way to jargony for the layperson. Too often the author discusses tactics that just don’t work when dealing with a narcissist. Telling the victim of narcissictic abuse that they’re going to have narcissistic traits no matter what and they just have to deal with it is ridiculous. Explaining that we just have to understand the mind and background of a person with NPD will help us have a relationship with them is just insane. You cannot deal with a narc...
RTC.This was hard-hitting and certainly one I couldn't have read even five years ago.
My therapist recommended this one when I asked about good books on narcissists. I'm glad he did. I seem to have a narcissist problem of epic proportions. Every adult relationship I've been in has been with a narcissist of some sort (covert, extreme). I need to end this cycle. It's exhausting and draining. Now that I am more away of what it can look like and feel like, I'm hoping to be more aware.
A friend recommended this book years ago which may have caused me expect more from it. It wasn't bad but just didn't have enough of what I was looking for. We are given this statement near the end of the book: "Consequently, if you take one thing away from this book, it would be the ability to recognize unhealthy narcissism, set boundaries, and learn the assertiveness skills for maintaining them."1. the ability to recognize unhealthy narcissism - Check! I feel this book was very thorough and had...
Some chillingly accurate observations that fit people and situations I know. As this is written by a clinician and aimed at persons affected by significant others with narcissistic traits I wasn't expecting an evidence based approach. However I do have some uneasiness about the uncritical use of psychoanalytic concepts and vocabulary because it is so subject to interpretation. Thus when I accuse you of something and you tell me I am projecting, there may be no way to resolve the disagreement by...