PSYCHOPATH. The word conjures images of murderers, rapists, suicide bombers, and gangsters. But unlike their box-office counterparts, real-life psychopaths are not always violent, or even criminal. Far from it. In fact, they have a lot of good things going for them. In this groundbreaking adventure into the world of psychopaths, the renowned psychologist Kevin Dutton reveals that there is a “scale of madness” on which each of us has a place. Incorporating the latest advances in brain scanning and neuroscience, he shows that there is a fine line separating a brilliant surgeon and a serial killer, illustrating the spectrum of psychopathy with some insightful and startling case studies. Dutton also puts forth the controversial argument that our society as a whole is more psychopathic than ever: psychopaths tend to be fearless, confident, charismatic, ruthless, and focused—qualities tailor-made for success in the twenty-first century. Provocative and surprising at every turn, The Wisdom of Psychopaths is a riveting journey into the lives of the insane, one that will spark debate for years to come.