Several other good reviews explain what this book is about but I can add a personal note. Some years ago I was describing to an older lawyer a bizarre, frightening man who had filed suit against my clients. "They guy's obviously a psychopath," he said. "Haven't you read Cleckely?" He gave me a copy and after reading it I understood what I was dealing with. A judge had recommended it to him many years before when he had his own first encounter with a psychopath (nowadays a person suffering from "anti-social personality disorder"). Those who work with people in stressful circumstances -- doctors, lawyers, social workers, etc. -- owe it to themselves, and to their patients and clients, to know this book.

Cleckley wrote the definitive book on psychopaths. This is a complex subject which is not easy to explain, but Cleckley's writing style makes it very entertaining and easy to read. He describes each of his criteria for psychopathy, then he presents a brief vignette, which is often very amusing. His examples are so real that you start to recognize people in your life in these descriptions (Pretty scarey). The only book which compares with this is Robert Hare's "Without Conscience," which is also brilliantly explained and easy to read. Understandable, since Dr. Hare based much of his work on Cleckley's work with psychopaths.

There is no need to add more detail to the previous, eloquent reviews except to say "absolutely and amen!" Everyone, professional on down, should read this book to understand and deal with (or avoid) the devils among us in every walk of life. Our young people must read it; it should be on every required reading list (sadly, it is not). The Mask of Sanity describes, explains, and exposes the tactics of these monsterous people that cause heartbreat and havoc...and worse. Reading this book essentially saved my life. Give it to your children and friends. It will be one of the greatest gifts you will ever give them. There are more phychopaths/sociopaths out there than one can ever imagine. Protect yourself: learn about them. This is the book to do that. It will never be out of date.