The Anatomy of Evil Paperback – Illustrated, November 7, 2017

I watched Dr. Stone's show on what is now Discovery ID. I didn't like mostly because there was nothing tying together his arbitrary list of numbers of evil. So why on earth did I get the book???? I am interested in this type of stuff. I'm a true crime buff and I thought I'd give him a chance by attempting to read the book. I was surprised by how much I liked the book. His work and expertise as a Forensic Psychiatrist is more properly displayed in this book than on the show in my opinion. I still feel the gradations of Evil were very arbitrary to what HE decided, but its his book. And he actually allowed a layperson to understand perfectly his points. Something his show never got across to me in a meaningful way. Everyone understands a man who murders his wife may not be as "EVIL" as say serial killer. But in the show he never really expressed how he made distinctions between murderers which confused me. Isn't one murder as bad as any other? But this psychiatrist's job is to deal in criminal psyche's. So I imagine after dealing with people like he does, you begin to make distinctions like say a wife/husband murderer less vile than say a serial killer in the highest torture categories. I actually would like to watch the show again now that I understand what his purpose was. Evil isn't a very 'scientific' term even for a Psychiatrist. But what else do you call the breaking of the ultimate Taboo? This was the first book I read about pure Forensic Psychiatry/Psychology put in such a creative way. I enjoyed this book as a revelation, not a voyeuristic look at the criminals. But understanding that even those who work with these people as there chosen profession, never lose their ability to be troubled by the evil in society. One would hope that is why they chose this profession along with a fascination to understand EVIL. This is why I am a True Crime Buff. Maybe it is because if I can figure out why I'll feel safer-- like they say people who have the urge to understand crime and the whys, all subconsciously within me. This book didn't try to give whys, just showed Dr. Stone's belief at least outside of his probably professional work because this doesn't sound like pure science but his opinions that some crimes are just more evil than others. It is an intriguing concept even if I don't necessarily agree with all his placements once he described certain murders in detail, eloquent detail in fact. He is definitely a refined man and writer of incredibly education. But still I standby my belief that this book is more than worthy of 5 stars. Especially if you like me are one of those also troubled by evil in our society. And have found yourself reading a lot of True Crime Books trying to understand it all. Maybe we are trying to feel safer subconsciously. But it in no way makes this book any less worthy!!!I read it on my Kindle Fire 7", LCD Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB

Very easy to read, but well written & very detailed. One of the most interesting crime analysis books I have ever read!!!

Very good read

I always wondered what was on the "other side" of the victim in many murders and school shooting tragedies, for example. While it is important to empathize and offer condolences to the victims, these crimes will recur. This eventually leads one to wonder: What is in the mind that does these things? This is the question posed clearly by this book. It is based on a wealth of experience, and even first hand interviewing of some of these individuals. Michael Stone has so much data that Evil crimes shake out into categories and can be placed into 22 bins. This only makes sense when you work through the beginning of the book and think how you would have done it yourself, as you accrue experiences with murders, as Dr. Stone has. Important questions such as environment vs genetics, brain neurochemistry and behaviour, and other scientific topics are introduced, but the book is not "stone-dry" science (pun intended). The criminal minds studied show just how dangerous a place the human mind is, or can be. I like the surprising hard data on early risk indicators for horrible crime later in life (if you set fires, harm animals and wet the bed into late childhood, you are more likely to be in this book). Altogether engrossing and a highly recommended read.

It's not a long book. I think I read about it on some review site. I was interested in how this learned man came up with a scale to measure evil. I opened it here and there and scanned some paragraphs. Kudos to the author for having the emotional fortitude to write such a book. What little I read touched me visceral ways, like seeing a bad car wreck only much worse. There is evil in the world, not some philosophical, conversational topic but a real tangible thing that can be felt. The small portions that I scanned reminded me of that. I hope I can finished the book because it is truly interesting but it scares the bejesus out of me.

The media could not be loaded. I purchased this used hard cover from the seller and product wise, the quality of the book is phenomenal. No bent or torn pages, no writing or marks, looked brand spankin’ new! I’m very happy about this purchase.

The topic itself is really interesting, but somehow Dr. Stone finds a way to introduce it in an awfully boring way. Besides, his arguments trying to define "evil" are, let's say, mediocre at least. One would expect something more scientific, especially coming from such an academic figure.

Das Buch ist spannend und gibt interessante Denkanstöße. Zum Teil liest man jedoch auch sehr erschütternde Fallbeispiele.

Poucos foram os pesquisadores que mergulharam a fundo nos meandros da mente dos mais cruéis homens que podemos imaginar terem passado por essa vida (ou não, pois você vai se deparar com casos inimagináveis que são narrados no livro). Michael Stone e sua teoria dos 20 graus de maldade o colocam sem exagero como o "Einstein dos estudos sobre a maldade humana".

A brilliant book which examines evil from a scientific standpoint, highly recommended - having watched the linked television series - Most Evil - with great interest my admiration for Stone was only increased on reading the book. He takes great care to maintain an ethical stance in his discussions of the perpetrators of unspeakable crime and mindful of the victims, avoids sensationalism. That he has recognised the issue of evil and sought to anatomise it scientifically is an indication of Stone's professional acumen and moral courage.

Michael Stone clearly emphasises that while none of us can properly define the exact causes of evil, all of us can identify its perverse actions when we see it. The author has created a 'must read' for mental health and legal professionals on a topic that most of us would rather avoid; EVIL! It is fully removed from the religionists hands where they have mistakenly defined evil as coming from a malevolent invisible being. No longer can we use the Flip Wilson comedic line of "The Devil made me do it". In its place the causes are squarely placed where they belong; the realms of psychology, genetics and physiology. After an abundance of disturbing examples that Stone painstakenly has drawn from years of research, the author draws his conclusions about evil in the last two chapters. While these conclusions are painfully honest, insomuch that there are no clear deliniators to predetermine evil, he is quite hopeful that we may eventually reach a point whereby we can predict who can and who cannot benefit from therapeutic rehabilatation.