Fragile Bully: Understanding Our Destructive Affair With Narcissism in the Age of Trump - Softcover

Helgoe, Laurie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1635765455 ISBN 13: 9781635765458

Publisher: Diversion Books, 2019

Synopsis

Obsessive self-promotion, an aggressive triggering response, and retaliatory rants.

“Both sensitive and incisive, beautifully capturing the paradoxical dynamic of narcissism―that the grandiosity and surrounding bravado belies an underlying fragility and brittleness.” ―Kenneth N. Levy, PhD, Associate Professor, Penn State University; Senior Fellow, Personality Disorders Institute, Cornell University

Even before Donald Trump entered America’s highest office, an international survey revealed that narcissism is part of the assumed “national character” of Americans. While only a small number actually meet the criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, those exploitive few have a way of gaining center stage in our culture.

Fragile Bully: Understanding Our Destructive Affair With Narcissism in the Age of Trump looks beyond the sound bites of self-aggrandizing celebrities and selfish tweets to the real problem of narcissism. We see past the solo act to the vicious circles that arise in relationships with a fragile bully, and how patterns like this generate both power and self-destruction. We also look at the problem of Echo, how so many of us get hooked by the narcissist, and how variations on the destructive affair leave both partners dehumanized and diminished. Once we recognize the steps in each dance, we can break the cycle and allow and the possibility of true engagement.

About this title

About the Author

Laurie Helgoe, Ph.D. is an author, educator, and clinical psychologist with a special interest in the interactions between personality and culture. Dr. Helgoe is an Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences at the Ross University School of Medicine. She is the author of five books, including Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength, originally published in 2008, and expanded in its second edition in 2013.

Review

“Brilliant! Get ready to finally understand those people who drive you the craziest. . . . The best book on toxic narcissism I’ve ever read; it’s going on my recommended reading list for clients.” ―Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD, author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

“A thought-provoking book that reveals what drives the narcissists in our lives, and the dances that keep us engaged with them. . . . Given the current political scene and our fascination with reality TV, it has something relevant to offer for everyone.” ―Judith Siegel, PhD, LCSW, author of Stop Overreacting: Effective Strategies for Calming Your Emotions

“Both sensitive and incisive, beautifully capturing the paradoxical dynamic of narcissism―that the grandiosity and surrounding bravado belies an underlying fragility and brittleness.” ―Kenneth N. Levy, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Penn State University; Senior Fellow, Personality Disorders Institute, Cornell University

About this edition

• Publisher: Diversion Books
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1635765455
• ISBN 13: 9781635765458
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304