Rethinking Narcissism

The Bad-and Surprising Good-About Feeling Special

By: Dr. Craig Malkin

Narrated by: Kiff VandenHeuvel

Harvard Medical School psychologist and Huffington Post blogger Craig Malkin addresses the "narcissism epidemic," by illuminating the spectrum of narcissism, identifying ways to control the trait, and explaining how too little of it may be a bad thing.

"What is narcissism?" is one of the fastest rising searches on Google, and articles on the topic routinely go viral. Yet, the word "narcissist" seems to mean something different every time it's uttered. People hurl the word as insult at anyone who offends them. It's become so ubiquitous, in fact, that it's lost any clear meaning. The only certainty these days is that it's bad to be a narcissist—really bad—inspiring the same kind of roiling queasiness we feel when we hear the words sexist or racist. That's especially troubling news for millennials, the people born after 1980, who've been branded the "most narcissistic generation ever."

In Rethinking Narcissism readers will learn that there's far more to narcissism than its reductive invective would imply. The truth is that we all fall on a spectrum somewhere between utter selflessness on the one side, and arrogance and grandiosity on the other. A healthy middle exhibits a strong sense of self. On the far end lies sociopathy. Malkin deconstructs healthy from unhealthy narcissism and offers clear, step-by-step guidance on how to promote healthy narcissism in our partners, our children, and ourselves.

A timely and practical book

I'm a clinical psychologist who works with many "Echos and Narcissists" in my psychotherapy practice. This book's spectrum approach to understanding narcissism is positive and well explained. Dr Malkin's writing is clear and approachable without being technically dense or overly simplistic. The narration of this audio book couldn't have been more perfect. And I didn't catch a single mispronunciation in the entire narration, always a pleasure. I will definitely be recommending this book to many of my clients.

Great dive into rediscovering narcissism

Absolutely loved it. Learned so much about myself and those around me. Wonderful narration also!!

Excellent exploration of healthy and unhealthy pre

Excellent exploration of healthy and unhealthy presentations of narcissism. The narrator is engaging as well.

more true perspective of understanding narcissism

very much appreciated this understanding View of narcissism in general, but also in light of narcissistic personality disorder. Would have loved to see some expounding on cluster personality traits as some of those were a parent in some of the examples given, but that probably would have had to reprioritize other aspects out of the book. overall, very very good. I'm glad to have read it!

A Highly Informative Book on Narcissism

This book was a bit of a surprise, as I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. I have read quite a few books on the narcissism spectrum, and found that this one was one of the clearest explainers on healthy and unhealthy narcissism. It's a short and easy read. I highly recommend it.

Extremely enlightening!! At last I see hope!

I couldn't stop listening!! Very powerful learning about the people in my life!! Thank Doctor Malkin! I can see hope for the future!!

A great information.

A great way to understand some of the people I deal with everyday. Good information to better understand why some people are the way they are. Also many points made me pause and look more closely at myself.

Top of its category many categories actually

I cannot remember the last time I finished a book reading visually or listening where I had to say to myself throughout the process especially towards the last few chapters I had to stop and say oh my gosh wait who is this guy again even though I know exactly who he is I have been engaging online with YouTube ever since my 1st real paradigm/existential breakdown after some very a some very borderline psychopathic or pathological personalities in my life... I am no longer saying covert narcissism because I was listening to the fact that this is not a medical or a legitimate term to be using. I am using my Bluetooth to say this also I apologize for the lack of punctuation and if you could just meet me in the middle and forgive me for I just genuinely don't wanna forget or put off for a minute my experience with this book it is a Self Help book I guess technically by every sentence is literally poignant and terse and intelligent and also thoughtful and well just simply useful I wish I could speak to so many individuals about this book right now and run to them but I'm going to tame the Echo and just process on my own. I'm crying a little bit now thank you for this book.

Love the spectrum

Dr. Malkin talks about how narcissism is a spectrum and too little narcissism is just as bad as too much. I agree. In a way, the book gave me permission to enjoy public speaking and to continue having the desire to be an influencer. While, at the same time, it provided me guidance on how to avoid harming others with my desire to feel special. We’re all special. And I can be special in my own way without stealing the spotlight or putting someone else down to retain my need to be special. I can allow other people to hold the spotlight and be special without it ruining my self image.

I’m not an extreme narcissist, but I would say my narcissistic traits are higher than normal. I’d probably be a 7 on his scale. I’m not quite healthy. I still have things to work on. But, I was grateful Dr. Malkin didn’t say that all narcissism was bad. I was feeling like I needed to either throw caution to the wind and embrace being an extreme narcissist or give up my career aspirations as unhealthy fantasies. It’s nice to know that I can strive for a healthy medium and keep finding joy in my career goals without harming others.

Well researched, well written, and well read

Dr. Malkin's discussion of narcissism is humanizing, accessible, and practical. It is too easy to portray narcissists as caricatures, feeding the very dynamic that reinforces the problem. Malkin helps us see the human in narcissism, and the versions of narcissism (or problematic lack of) that all of us contend with, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. A comprehensive and generous work.