In Sheep's Clothing

Understanding and Dealing with Manipulative People

By: George K. Simon

Narrated by: Kevin Foley

Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. George K. Simon knows how people push your buttons: your children---especially teens---are experts at it, as is your mate. A coworker may quietly undermine your efforts while professing to be helpful, or your boss may prey on your weaknesses. Manipulative people have two goals: to win and to look good doing it. Too often, those they abuse are only vaguely aware of what is happening to them. In this eye-opening book, you'll discover:

• four reasons why victims have a hard time leaving abusive relationships
• power tactics manipulative people use to push their own agendas and justify their behavior
• ways to redefine the rules of engagement between you and the abuser
• how to spot potential weaknesses in your character that can set you up for manipulation
• two tools for personal empowerment to help you maintain greater strength in all relationships

©2010 George K. Simon, Jr., Ph.D. (P)2011 Tantor

Important information about human nature

I enjoyed this book overall. It was a good primer for the world of high-conflict individuals & gives valuable insights into what makes them tick. This book is written in layperson's language & is easy to follow. The narrator is serviceable. There's nothing abrasive about his performance. He comes across with a limited range & delivers the narrative and adroit, academic tone-of-voice.

Eye opening

I was always making excuses for people under the assumption that bad behavior came from the fact that maybe they were hurting. And then I keep getting manipulated. My therapist has been telling me much of the theme of this book. I really like how tactics are spelled out so I don’t get the wool pulled over my eyes over and over by getting distracted by them. I also feel heavy hearted. It’s sad to me that people live this way. I grieve the time I’ve wasted trying to make intimate relationships with toxic people work. I’m grateful for the tools given in this book but am also processing a sadness that I have to live much more offensively. Also trying to process my anger and use the tactics without being covertly aggressive (not becoming the monster I feel like I’m “fighting.”)

A lot about recognition, less about methods

The methods described in the book were a bit thinner than I expected. It describes a good basic approach on how to respond to subtle aggression though.

Best part of the book is the narrator reading women’s and children’s parts in falsetto.

good read

good narrator, a bit long but on target with facts conclusion of the book is true for our society as a whole today.

Not ultimately useful

The performance and content were made well enough for me to finish the audiobook. I'd hoped this book would offer better insights into dealing with people. In the end, the advice is to refuse to engage with manipulators- not really an option with many interactions (bosses, etc.). After listening, more than anything, this felt like a vanity project for the author. He loves to express how experienced and proficient he is, yet offers mediocre advice.

A Quick but Average Read

This was a short book with some interesting tidbits about personality types. I enjoyed it from a psychology perspective, but most of the words of wisdom were common sense. I did think it was interesting that the author included not only how to identify a manipulative personality type, but also how to identify if you are susceptible to this type of person. I think I would have enjoyed the case studies more if they were more detailed or showed more extreme issues (maybe my expectations are high because I've read too much thriller genre fiction!!!!). I listened to this in audio format, and the narrator did a decent job with pacing and the tone.

excellent book

this is a very well written and well narrated book.
this book will really help anyone to understand the different aggressive personality disorders and how to effectively deal with them.
I highly recommend this book

High Recommended/ Game Changer

I am so grateful for this book! The book helps me to really understand why I have been so unhappy in my toxic marriage for so long. The man I married 4 years ago has been disguised in sheep clothing way before I married him 😳. If you are dealing with deceptive liars with character defects, the answers on how to deal with them are in this book! A must-read! 👌

The What Rather than the WHY of Manipulation

We have all been victimized by manipulators. George K. Simon sets out in his book In Sheep’s Clothing to shed light on manipulators and reveal what can be done to protect ourselves from those persons. He also applies current thinking and research on manipulative behavior to these relationships. This is not a self-help book though it will provide much help individuals can use. This is rather, a book on manipulative behavior from which readers can make applications where they might personally apply. Simon doesn’t write about adults, but also includes children and teens who might be manipulating their parents, teachers, or others. The book particularly helped me to recognize when I might be the target of manipulation and how I should behave in return. A few passages rely on psychological terms which may put some readers off. However, they are minor and should not detract from the overall benefit available to the reader who pays attention. Readers who are looking to understand WHY manipulators do what they do, may be disappointed. Readers seeking to recognize manipulation when they experience it will be justly rewarded. The reading of Kevin Foley is ery good.

Useful

I bought it to inquire into dynamics I have been observing around me. It was useful in giving me a different perspective and some good tools to approach it. Can be repetitive.