"Malignant Narcissism is an essential contribution to the growing literature on dangerous personalities and the destruction they cause. Courageous, searingly honest, and deeply moving, Richard Wood uses his tools as a clinical psychologist to mine his experience growing up with an abusive narcissistic father with intelligence, insight and compassion. A rare combination of compelling biography and crucial work of science, this is essential reading for our disordered times. An invaluable work of wisdom and experience."

- Ian Hughes, author of Disordered Minds: How Dangerous Personalities Are Destroying Democracy and contributing author to The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump

"This fine book offers a marvelous combination of often hair-raising raw experience with thoughtful, illuminating reflection and insightful commentary. Sharing very personal, challenging experiences from the overheated crucible of his chronically emotionally stressed nuclear family, Dr. Wood provides an inspiring, liberating model of courageous struggle and self-disclosure. Transiting smoothly between individual and social psychology, in mutually informative ways, he provides a well-timed, thought-provoking discussion of our fondness for malignant narcissistic leaders... I recommend this labor of love... to all others interested in understanding themselves, their loved ones, and their sociocultural and political milieu. This is a courageous, timely, well-written, important book." 

- Dr. Brent Willock, clinical psychologist, is Founding President of the Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis. He is author of Comparative-Integrative Psychoanalysis; and The Wrongful Conviction of Oscar Pistorius: Science Transforms our Comprehension of Reeva Steen Kamp's Shocking Death.

"Richard Wood's book is a masterpiece on the subject of Narcissism. From the riveting revelations of his personal exposure to its most pernicious elements as a child growing up through to his ultimate victory in overcoming its worst effects, you will most certainly be enlightened, and perhaps even frightened, by his deeply insightful explication of the dynamics of this pervasive psychological phenomenon. His analysis is compelling, comprehensive and profoundly empathic. Greater danger for humanity lurks in narcissistic leaders and Wood's book identifies it clearly and convincingly." 

- Timothy Gilmor, Ph.D., C.Psych

"'Malignant Narcissism' is not for sissies. It reminds this reader of the title of one of Leonard Cohen's last albums "You Want it Darker." It is a courageously compelling and important in-depth exploration of malignant narcissism from a tripartite perspective--the personal, the professional and the political. The language is stark, dark, vivid and evocative. 

Dr. Wood does something rare for an experienced practicing psychologist. He begins his exploration by sharing what his own life was like growing up with a malignantly narcissistic father and a mentally frail mother. Writing from a psychoanalytic view, he constructs a gripping exploration of an imagined inner life of a malignant narcissist. The picture is not a pretty one. It is an almost visceral experience... Finally, the author envisions the malignant narcissistic leader. He describes the way in which this leader evokes fear and compliance in others and how this fear motivates them in response. It is quite an examination of humanity in its darkest forms. 

Although not for the faint of heart, this book is well worth the read for thoughtful souls who are interested in and fascinated by this dark facet of humanity and its potential for inordinate impact on others, from individuals to entire populations." 

- Susan A. Andresen, Ed.D.