People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil

I love how he talks about how evil runs in families but everyone has a choice. They can choose to change or get more and more evil. They have their own free will. I hated chapter 5. It made me regret reading this book. If I read this book again I would skip it. It is religious and creepy. Chapter 6 was also a waste of time for me. It talked about our military. Quotes from this book that I love: -—those who are evil are masters of disguise. —-Evil can be defeated by goodness

If you have ever experienced or been frustrated by people who seem to have a hidden agenda then you will enjoy and benefit from this book. The author states (some are paraphrased) and explains the following: 1. The evil hide their motives with lies. 2. Evil people want to appear to be good. 3. When confronted by evil, the wisest and most secure adult will usually experience confusion. 4. Evil seeks to discourage others to think for themselves (fosters dependency). 5. To oppose evil we must have an ongoing dedication to reality at all cost. I agree that to be mentally healthy we must believe what is true and only what is true. After reading this book you will be better equipped to deal with people who cause strife and confusion. It will also help you identify thought patterns where you are lying to yourself.

I remember picking this book up about 5 years ago and scanning through the first couple of chapters thinking to myself, "What is this guy talking about? I can't even fathom people that act like this." It just didn't ring true because my experience had not seen the likes of what he was trying to explain.Fast forward 5 years later, and after going through a harrowing job experience with two people who could star in a movie representation of this book (which, come to think of it, has already been done in a film called SWIMMING WITH SHARKS in the character played by Kevin Spacey), I read it through in a single sitting. Peck so accurately diagnoses the "people of the lie" as being so self-absorbed and narcisistic that they continually make excuses about the abuse they heap upon other people, somehow turning every story 180 degrees in the opposite direction and always claiming victimization when the situation so clearly points to them as the perpetrator. It is a sad indictment of what must be a pandemic within institutions, as these folks clamor and cling to power, money and title oblivious to the human carnage left in the wake of their passing. But even still, where our hearts are naturally inclined toward revenge, Peck cautions us, coaxing us toward pity for these wretched creatures. He suggests that whatever vile hellaciousness we could dream up as pay back should be tempered with the notion that these folks have consigned themselves to live in a hell of their own making (kind of like Annabella Sciorra in the movie, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME). The dark night of the soul sees their hearts scream out, "I hate you, you're nothing" when the worst some of us deal with is, "Ack... dumb mistake... oh well... keep going." Bravo... this book rings true, even if it took a second reading. Context is everything!

This is not a self-help book for those who ARE the "People of the Lie!" These people do not self-examine. They believe the lie, that only their desires are valid. There is no common ground on which to stand. This book can help those who have to live with them or work with them. The confusion that Dr. Peck felt while dealing with his patients is nothing compared to the disconcertion that a lay person feels. At least the doctor knew they were ill! This book helped me deal with an evil boss until I retired. I agree with Dr. Peck's advice: Get away from them, as fast as you can! In the meantime, read this book so you will know that it's not you who is sick, but them.