Dangerous Personalities Book Summary - Dangerous Personalities Book explained in key points
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Dangerous Personalities summary

An FBI Profiler Shows You How to Identify and Protect Yourself from Harmful Personalities

4.1 (152 ratings)
17 mins

Brief summary

Dangerous Personalities by Joe Navarro is a book that sheds light on the dark side of human behavior. It examines the traits and behaviors of individuals with dangerous personalities, providing insights on how to identify, avoid, and protect oneself from them.

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    Dangerous Personalities
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    Narcissistic personalities care only for themselves, and they’ll do whatever it takes to feel superior.

    Do you remember the classic tale of Cinderella? Even if only foggily, you probably remember the evil stepsisters who forced poor Cinderella to do their bidding.

    These stepsisters were memorable villains, but they’re also a great representation of narcissism, our first dangerous personality disorder.

    Narcissists generally believe they’re above the law, exempt from society’s rules, and they’ll lie, cheat or even kill if it’s in their best interest.

    Outside of fairytales, we can see the real-world dangers of narcissism in the 2001 Enron scandal, still the biggest US corporate bankruptcy to date.

    Behind this corporate crime was Jeff Skilling and Kenneth Lay, Enron’s narcissistic CEOs, who were found guilty of conspiracy and fraud. Thinking only of themselves, these two continually lied to their 20,000 employees, encouraging them to invest any penny they had in Enron, resulting in thousands losing their life savings.

    Records show this to be more than standard criminal behavior – these two believed they were entitled to every ill-gotten cent. This is also a sign of arrogance, another narcissistic trait that often results in highly elaborate and grandiose schemes.

    Society often benefits from big ideas, but when they come from a narcissistic mind, there’s only one person who’s benefiting. We can see this difference by contrasting Walt Disney with cult leader Jim Jones.

    Disney envisioned Disneyland as a “magical” place for families to have an amazing time. Jim Jones took every cent from his followers to create Jonestown, an isolated camp in the wilds of South America where people had no choice but to obey his every command.

    Disney wanted to spread the joy; Jones wanted it all for himself.

    This also points to two other narcissistic traits: superiority and lack of empathy, both exhibited by the notorious Bernie Madoff. This financier defrauded thousands by using money from new investors to pay off current clients who believed he was a sound businessman and a trustworthy friend.

    But narcissists only see a friend as someone to be exploited for further gains.

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    What is Dangerous Personalities about?

    Dangerous Personalities (2014) is a guide to the dark side of the human psyche. It offers a look inside the minds of some of the world’s most dangerous people, exploring the kinds of personalities that have taken the most lives, as well as taken the biggest toll on society. Learn the traits of serial killers and those who wouldn’t think twice about stealing your life savings. Who knows, you might be able to spot trouble before it has a chance to strike.

    Dangerous Personalities Review

    Dangerous Personalities (2014) by Joe Navarro explores the dark side of human behavior and provides valuable insights into identifying and dealing with dangerous personalities. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It offers practical strategies for recognizing and protecting oneself from individuals with dangerous personalities, empowering readers to navigate challenging situations confidently.
    • Through real-life examples and case studies, the book illustrates the characteristics and behaviors of different dangerous personalities, enhancing understanding and awareness.
    • With its accessible writing and gripping anecdotes, the book offers a compelling exploration of the psychology behind dangerous individuals, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

    Best quote from Dangerous Personalities

    All of Marilyn Monroes biographers have written about her emotionally unstable personality.

    —Joe Navarro
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    Who should read Dangerous Personalities?

    • Fans of true crime stories
    • Safety conscious people
    • Anyone interested in criminal profiling

    About the Author

    Joe Navarro has over 25 years experience as a criminal profiler for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is also the author of the best-selling book What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People.

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    Dangerous Personalities FAQs 

    What is the main message of Dangerous Personalities?

    The main message of Dangerous Personalities is understanding and identifying dangerous individuals.

    How long does it take to read Dangerous Personalities?

    Reading time for Dangerous Personalities varies. Blinkist summary takes about 15 minutes.

    Is Dangerous Personalities a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Dangerous Personalities is worth reading as it provides valuable insights into identifying and dealing with dangerous personalities.

    Who is the author of Dangerous Personalities?

    The author of Dangerous Personalities is Joe Navarro.

    What to read after Dangerous Personalities?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Dangerous Personalities, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Find Out Anything From Anyone, Anytime by James O. Pyle and Maryann Karinch
    • Mindreader by David J. Lieberman
    • Sizing People Up by Robin Dreeke and Cameron Stauth
    • Making a Psychopath by Mark Freestone
    • What Every BODY is Saying by Joe Navarro
    • The Upside of Your Dark Side by Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener
    • The Daily Laws by Robert Greene
    • The Wisdom of Psychopaths by Kevin Dutton
    • The 12 Traits of the Greats by Dave Martin
    • Deadliest Enemy by Michael T. Osterholm and Mark Olshaker