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The Devil You Know: Encounters in Forensic Psychiatry

Gwen Adshead

By Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne

A fascinating window into criminal minds, suffused with compassion. A Sunday Times, New Statesman & Irish Times Book of the Year.

50 in stock

£10.99£9.99
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780571357628
Date Published
30.06.2022
Delivery
All orders are sent via Royal Mail and are tracked: choose from standard or premium delivery.
Summary

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

A SUNDAY TIMES, NEW STATESMAN & IRISH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CRIME WRITERS ASSOCIATION GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION

A perspective-shattering work into the minds of violent criminals that reveals profound consequences for human nature and society at large.

*INCLUDES A NEW CHAPTER*

‘Brilliant . . . The book is a powerful myth buster. Name a sterotype about violent offenders and Adshead upends it.’
SUNDAY TIMES

‘Deeply moving . . . the most overwhelming feeling I had on finishing this book was of hope . . . Compassionate and fascinating.’
GUARDIAN

Dr Gwen Adshead is one of Britain’s leading forensic psychiatrists. She treats serial killers, arsonists, stalkers, gang members and other individuals who are usually labelled ‘monsters’. Whatever their crime, she listens to their stories and helps them to better understand their terrible acts of violence. Here Adshead invites the reader to step with her into the room to meet twelve patients and discover how minds can change. These men and women are revealed in all their complexity and shared humanity. Their stories make a powerful case for rehabilitation over revenge, compassion over condemnation. The Devil You Know will challenge everything you thought you knew about human nature.

‘An unmissable book.’ OBSERVER

‘Adshead’s compassion is almost as shocking as the offences themselves . . . it gives her distance and extraordinary insight.’
THE TIMES, Books of the Year

The Devil You Know has permanently recalibrated my empathy dial.’
NEW STATESMAN, Books of the Year

‘Deeply humane.’
IRISH TIMES, Books of the Year

‘Exceptional.’ VAL McDERMID
‘Extraodinary.’ SEBASTIAN FAULKS
‘Gripping . . . ultimately enlightening.’ PHILIPPE SANDS
‘Fascinating and beautifully written.’ CHRISTIE WATSON

Critic Reviews

This is a mythbuster of a book – crammed with compelling, constructive, candid and compassionate insights into the criminal mind.

Val McDermid
Critic Reviews

On killing and other crimes - a forensic, gripping, extraordinary and ultimately enlightening insider’s account of how and why it happens.

Philippe Sands
Critic Reviews

An extraordinary book. Shocking, sad and absolutely fascinating.

Sebastian Faulks
Critic Reviews

A fascinating, erudite and beautifully written deep-dive into the nature of evil. The Devil You Know makes the case for radical empathy and reminds us that all human beings are capable of darkness, and of light.

Christie Watson
Critic Reviews

Finding light in the deepest darkness, this book makes an invaluable and urgent case for improved mental health care and could forever change the way we think about violence and those who perpetrate it.

David Lammy
Critic Reviews

Challenging but really important.

Alastair Campbell
GwenAdshead

Dr Gwen Adshead trained at St George’s Hospital, the Institute of Psychiatry and the Institute of Group Analysis. She has worked as a forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist in the NHS for nearly three decades, within prisons, at secure hospitals including Broadmoor, and in the community. She has published over one hundred academic works; she holds an MA in Medical Law…

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