I like to watch some of the criminal trials on "TrueTV," and think they serve a useful purpose in providing public education on the legal system. In the last week or so, there was a trial of a vicious rapist/murderer in Florida; he was found guilty of kidnapping, raping, and murdering a 21-year old woman, who was married and had two little children. Even as a person who is opposed to the death penalty, I found myself reacting to the sight of the thug, especially while the victim's call to 911, begging for help, was played.

During one of the discussions in the studeo after the trial, there was mention of Dr. Michael Stone's new book, "The Anatomy of Evil." Many DUers may recognize Stone, who authored a classic text titled "Personality Disorders: Treatable and Untreatable." The $75 cost may cause some to choose not to buy it; however, it is worth finding a copy at a library. But that's a topic for another OP/thread.

Dr. Stone teaches clinical psychiatry at Columbia College. He's wrote 10 books, and over 200 articles for journals, and chapters for other books. Most DUers have likely seen him on television over the years (including on the Discovery Channel's series "Most Evil").

This book, published in July, doesn't use the religious or philosophical definitions of "evil." Rather, it uses the term in the "common" way -- such as if a person watches a trial such as Michael King's, finds their skin crawling, and thinks that what he did was evil.

He writes about a variety of the aggressive, violent, and sadistic murderers that are the dark side of our culture. He also explains a great deal about the combination of "nature" and "nurture" -- including information on the role that head injuries can play in increasing aggression in some individuals.

There is, in the general public, a good deal of misinformation regarding issues involving violence and sociopaths. It's both interesting and important to read books like this, which are strongly recommended by experts ranging from J. Reid Malloy (the forensic psychiatrist who authored "The Psychopathic Mind"), to Mary Ellen O'Toole, PhD, who supervises the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (for "profiling").

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the topic.