Nonfiction Navigators discussion

In The Psychopath Test, Jon Ronson explores the world of psychopathy and other mental illnesses. From the beginning, Ronson hooks a reader with mystery of sorts: hundreds of well-known academics received in the mail a note and a cryptic novel titled Being or Nothingness. This intriguing example provides a segue into psychopathic thought process and effectively draws in the reader.
Later in the book, Ronson interviews the modern expert on psychopaths: Bob Hare. Hare is a researcher in criminal psychology and is most widely-known for developing the PLC-R Test, also known as the Hare Psychopathy Checklist. His perspective provides formal instruction as well as valuable insight into real-world psychopathy. Hare introduces Ronson to a variety of well-known potential psychopaths, including Emmanuel “Toto” Constant and Al Dunlap. Ronson goes on to interview and analyze these two and many other psychopaths.
The most valuable connection Ronson makes during the novel is with the Church of Scientology. This “religious” group has a strong opinion that the entire field of psychiatry is phony. Scientologists believe that so-called “mental illnesses” are regular variations in human behavior and should not be treated as disabilities. Prominent scientologist Brian Daniels introduces Ronson to a supposed psychopath referred to as Tony. Tony himself scores highly on the Hare Checklist, but believes he has been wrongly placed in a mental facility. His story, along with Ronson's part in it, plays a fascinating and useful role throughout the novel.
Although I loved it, I would not recommend The Psychopath Test to everyone. The information is fascinating to me and is written in a logical and entertaining manner; however, if psychopathy and mental illness is not a topic of particular interested for a reader, I would advise against it. The writing is not particularly special, and the detail would feel excruciating without an interest in the topic. Overall, I loved the book, but I would recommend it with caution.