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The Most Evil of Them All: When narcissism turns deadly
Most serial murderers undeniably spring from abusive or neglected childhoods, and/or are potentially predisposed to various genetic, sociopathic or schizophrenic afflictions, rendering the root cause of their murderous behaviour a complex, lethal combination of factors. What is less credited, however, is the role of pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in the making of a serial killer. Narcissistic rage, sexual narcissism, necrophilia and cannibalism are all driven by a need to control and satisfy a grandiose sense of entitlement for personal pleasure, and of those, narcissistic rage is possibly the most dangerous factor of all in the understanding of serial rape and murder. In this riveting book, the author explores the role of NPD through the lived experiences of various serial murderers and showcases the profiles of both infamous and lesser-known serial offenders from South Africa and around the world. From the blatant, callous criminality of the likes of Jason Rohde, Dr Wouter Basson and Henri van Breda to the unspeakable cruelty of serial rapists and murderers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Kobus Geldenhuys (the Norwood killer) and Don Steenkamp (the Griekwastad murderer), this book reveals the role pathological narcissism might have played in some of the most notorious and gruesome criminal cases of our times. Just one Don’t read this book at night!
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 30, 2023
#TheMostEvilOfThemAll – Sam Human
#PenguinRandomHouse
Traditionally and in very simple terms a narcissist is infatuated by the self. To the point of death even, according to the mythical fable of Echo and Narcissus. As with most personality traits, there is a positive side as well: A measure of self-worth is essential for healthy self-confidence and ambition, but the extreme in either direction is deemed inappropriate. The focus of this book is on one of those extremes, namely the person with classic narcissistic traits: the belief in superiority, the demand for instant gratification, a sense of entitlement, delusions of grandeur, and fantasies of power and brilliance.
Anecdotally these characteristics can also be identified in well-known individuals like King Herod and former president Donald Trump, but the author investigates the presence of pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in the lives and known histories of several infamous murderers, both local and global. The former group includes Gert van Rooyen, Don Steenkamp, Cecilia Steyn, the Wemmer Pan killer, the Norwood serial killer, the ABC-killer and Henri van Breda, and the latter group includes Charles Manson, the Night Stalker, the Zodiac killer, Ted Bundy, and Jeffrey Dahmer.
Lesser-known cases include the so-called Blood Countess who allegedly butchered between 80 and 650 young women (1585-1610), the Roman emperor Caligula, allegedly the perpetrator of countless acts of extreme violence and sexual deprivation (37-41 AD), the Vampire of Brooklyn (1890), and the cannibalistic murderer, Issei Sagawa, who, ironically, became known as a food critic after his release.
Although NPD has been officially recognized by the DSM-5 in 1980, it formed part of the defence in a criminal trial (Brian Blackwell) in the UK for the first time in 2005. The author, an academic researcher and post-graduate research supervisor with a PhD in psychology, has perused several case studies and the data thereof available in the public domain, with the aim of providing an alternative hypothesis regarding the psyche of the offenders by suggesting that the cases included in the book might have been fueled by the presence of pathological narcissism and (NPD).
The author was not involved in the actual assessment of any of the subjects and the inferences are drawn based only on the aforementioned data as source. The author thus readily admits that the theories regarding the case studies are for the purpose of debate only. This is an important distinction as it sets the boundaries between being a research psychologist and practicing as a clinical psychologist. As it stands, the reader is free to disagree with the theory that NPD was indeed a contributing factor in some or all of the case studies. Bearing this proviso in mind, the book is recommended for readers interested in psychological profiling in criminal matters. Warning: not for sensitive readers as subject matters such as brutal murders and rapes, necrophilia, child abuse and cannibalism are included.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
#PenguinRandomHouse
Traditionally and in very simple terms a narcissist is infatuated by the self. To the point of death even, according to the mythical fable of Echo and Narcissus. As with most personality traits, there is a positive side as well: A measure of self-worth is essential for healthy self-confidence and ambition, but the extreme in either direction is deemed inappropriate. The focus of this book is on one of those extremes, namely the person with classic narcissistic traits: the belief in superiority, the demand for instant gratification, a sense of entitlement, delusions of grandeur, and fantasies of power and brilliance.
Anecdotally these characteristics can also be identified in well-known individuals like King Herod and former president Donald Trump, but the author investigates the presence of pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in the lives and known histories of several infamous murderers, both local and global. The former group includes Gert van Rooyen, Don Steenkamp, Cecilia Steyn, the Wemmer Pan killer, the Norwood serial killer, the ABC-killer and Henri van Breda, and the latter group includes Charles Manson, the Night Stalker, the Zodiac killer, Ted Bundy, and Jeffrey Dahmer.
Lesser-known cases include the so-called Blood Countess who allegedly butchered between 80 and 650 young women (1585-1610), the Roman emperor Caligula, allegedly the perpetrator of countless acts of extreme violence and sexual deprivation (37-41 AD), the Vampire of Brooklyn (1890), and the cannibalistic murderer, Issei Sagawa, who, ironically, became known as a food critic after his release.
Although NPD has been officially recognized by the DSM-5 in 1980, it formed part of the defence in a criminal trial (Brian Blackwell) in the UK for the first time in 2005. The author, an academic researcher and post-graduate research supervisor with a PhD in psychology, has perused several case studies and the data thereof available in the public domain, with the aim of providing an alternative hypothesis regarding the psyche of the offenders by suggesting that the cases included in the book might have been fueled by the presence of pathological narcissism and (NPD).
The author was not involved in the actual assessment of any of the subjects and the inferences are drawn based only on the aforementioned data as source. The author thus readily admits that the theories regarding the case studies are for the purpose of debate only. This is an important distinction as it sets the boundaries between being a research psychologist and practicing as a clinical psychologist. As it stands, the reader is free to disagree with the theory that NPD was indeed a contributing factor in some or all of the case studies. Bearing this proviso in mind, the book is recommended for readers interested in psychological profiling in criminal matters. Warning: not for sensitive readers as subject matters such as brutal murders and rapes, necrophilia, child abuse and cannibalism are included.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
May 29, 2024
The Most Evil of Them All: When Narcissism Turns Deadly is a riveting and insightful exploration of the dark side of narcissism. Its blend of psychological analysis and true crime storytelling makes it a standout in its genre.
The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of psychology and criminal behavior. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unchecked narcissism and the importance of early intervention and awareness.
It not only educates but also challenges readers to reflect on the broader implications of narcissism in our society.
The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of psychology and criminal behavior. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unchecked narcissism and the importance of early intervention and awareness.
It not only educates but also challenges readers to reflect on the broader implications of narcissism in our society.
July 19, 2023
What makes a serial killer? The answer usually is: a combination of factors, such as abusive or neglected childhoods and a proclivity for genetic, sociopathic, or schizophrenic disorders. Dr Sam Human suggests another factor—the contribution of pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) Through examples of local and international serial killers and rapists Dr Human explores the role this disorder plays in violent behaviour.
The Most Evil of Them All comes with a warning on its back cover: Don’t read this book at night! The truth is, it doesn’t matter when you read Human’s research into some of the most horrific and unsettling murderers of our time, it will leave you with a permeating sense of unease.
Full review: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co...
The Most Evil of Them All comes with a warning on its back cover: Don’t read this book at night! The truth is, it doesn’t matter when you read Human’s research into some of the most horrific and unsettling murderers of our time, it will leave you with a permeating sense of unease.
Full review: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co...
October 12, 2024
The South African cop who would commit the crimes and then enjoy watching his peers try to figure it out in the investigation is just the most pathetic crap I've ever seen. Get a life. Write it out, do some art. How predictable the vanity on these people is is will to live withering. Same with Dube telling the cops to do their job after he knew he killed them. Four stars because as a narcissism researcher many of the quotes they said pointed to narcissism did not show features. That said, the aggressive projection and need to be God on all these people is seriously the most obnoxious broken record. I wish we could force them all to hear how they all think they're the smartest person in the world. Thinking nobody else is as smart as you is literally the NUMBER ONE predictor, and they all think it's true of them. But glad they're linking narcissism to the vanity behind a lot of these crimes finally. Literally everyone and anyone is capable of violating social contract at any minute they just don't. How is it this enticing to be one of the idiots that value a cathartic high over the far more interesting emergent properties of a collective system. Some of this crap is just embarrassing, like the guy who deliberately crafted the persona as an "upstanding member of his community", weaponized his "niece's birthday" and then wrote the parents after the crime only to be immediately tracked down from the stationary. It's clearly another form of addiction and the narcissism makes it need to be more on the violent end. *
August 17, 2023
WHENEVER we read or hear about serial murderers and/or rapists, the fundamental question on everyone's mind is 'Why?'
Why did these people commit these horrific and inconceivable actions against another human being? The book explores a possible answer to this question which is often left unanswered. For the longest time, psychologists have postulated that mental disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder (previously known as sociopathy) or schizophrenia could be a possible source behind these unforgivable actions.
However, recently, pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) have gained weight as an alternative hypothesis to help us understand the motivations and psyche of serial offenders.
While everyone has narcissist traits (as it is important for self-preservation), the book focuses on an extreme level of narcissism. A kind where the person has, for example, delusions of grandeur, an insatiable demand for instant gratification, a lack of empathy and/or a sense of entitlement.
In the 200-odd pages, Dr Sam Human, an academic researcher and post-graduate research supervisor with a PhD in psychology, delves into the lives and monstrous misdeeds of both infamous and lesser-known serial offenders from across the globe – including Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Cecilia Steyn and Moses Sithole.
In each chapter, Human illustrates how the behaviours of these offenders can be linked back to an unhealthy level of narcissism, suggesting that NPD and pathological narcissism could play a major role in shaping rapists and murderers.
This book is a fabulous read for both true-crime junkies and psychology fiends. It provides a very rudimentary introduction to both NPD as a personality disorder and the criminals and their crimes, however, the novel insight that the book brings makes it worth the read. In case the title of the book was not obvious enough, it is not a read for the faint of heart and also explores cases of necrophilia, child abuse and cannibalism.
Why did these people commit these horrific and inconceivable actions against another human being? The book explores a possible answer to this question which is often left unanswered. For the longest time, psychologists have postulated that mental disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder (previously known as sociopathy) or schizophrenia could be a possible source behind these unforgivable actions.
However, recently, pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) have gained weight as an alternative hypothesis to help us understand the motivations and psyche of serial offenders.
While everyone has narcissist traits (as it is important for self-preservation), the book focuses on an extreme level of narcissism. A kind where the person has, for example, delusions of grandeur, an insatiable demand for instant gratification, a lack of empathy and/or a sense of entitlement.
In the 200-odd pages, Dr Sam Human, an academic researcher and post-graduate research supervisor with a PhD in psychology, delves into the lives and monstrous misdeeds of both infamous and lesser-known serial offenders from across the globe – including Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Cecilia Steyn and Moses Sithole.
In each chapter, Human illustrates how the behaviours of these offenders can be linked back to an unhealthy level of narcissism, suggesting that NPD and pathological narcissism could play a major role in shaping rapists and murderers.
This book is a fabulous read for both true-crime junkies and psychology fiends. It provides a very rudimentary introduction to both NPD as a personality disorder and the criminals and their crimes, however, the novel insight that the book brings makes it worth the read. In case the title of the book was not obvious enough, it is not a read for the faint of heart and also explores cases of necrophilia, child abuse and cannibalism.
June 9, 2025
Yes, I saw the warning not to read this at night—and I ignored it like a bad idea in a horror movie. Worse yet? I cracked it open after dinner. Regret? Immediate. Digestive peace? Gone.
This book isn't just disturbing—it's insightful, gripping, and absolutely terrifying. The kind of terrifying that doesn’t hide under your bed, but walks confidently in broad daylight, wearing a smile and blending in with the rest of us. And honestly? The world might just be a better place without some of these people. Harsh truth? Maybe. But read a few chapters and tell me you don’t agree.
So here’s my advice: don’t snack and read. Don’t read at night. Honestly, don’t read if you’re trying to sleep, stay calm, or hold onto the illusion that the world is mostly good. Because once you see them for who they really are? You’ll never unsee it.
You’ve been warned. Read at your own risk. And maybe keep the lights on.
This book isn't just disturbing—it's insightful, gripping, and absolutely terrifying. The kind of terrifying that doesn’t hide under your bed, but walks confidently in broad daylight, wearing a smile and blending in with the rest of us. And honestly? The world might just be a better place without some of these people. Harsh truth? Maybe. But read a few chapters and tell me you don’t agree.
So here’s my advice: don’t snack and read. Don’t read at night. Honestly, don’t read if you’re trying to sleep, stay calm, or hold onto the illusion that the world is mostly good. Because once you see them for who they really are? You’ll never unsee it.
You’ve been warned. Read at your own risk. And maybe keep the lights on.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews