★★★★★ "This is a fascinating treatise on the chaos Narcissistic Personality Disorder causes in our families, in politics, and in society in general. Only about five percent of people have NPD, but those that do are usually men, and they more often than not seek out positions of power. The Oxford Dictionary definition of narcissism is "excessive or erotic interest in oneself." The typical narcissist's sense of self is so well-developed that their self-interest is the ONLY thing they think about; they have no empathy for anyone else, and generally think of other people as robots with no thinking ability. And since they are often in control (as managers, supervisors, or executives), their mindset is that they must always win, and the other party (who is discussing something with them, or perhaps suggesting some rule change) must lose. Which is bound to create problems. Children who grow up in these households feel angry, humiliated, and inadequate. Employees dealing with a narcissist manager are often demoralized, exhausted, and deflated from the constant chaos, manipulations, and confrontations. (And it's worth pointing out that working in toxic workplaces is the fifth leading cause of death, before Alzheimer's or kidney disease.) I was surprised to find that Damaged People is a self-published book. But Author Thomas Avant was seemingly very motivated: he grew up with a narcissistic father, and has worked for several narcissists in public sector accounting and finance. The problem with confronting narcissists and requiring then to get counseling, though, is that most would never even admit the problem was theirs, or that they were to blame for falling staff production. Author Avant goes the distance in making Damaged People a compelling read."

★★★★★ Damaged People is a fascinating analysis of a common and widely misunderstood personality disorder. The author is not a psychologist or academic, but has read widely on the subject of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, as a result of growing up with a narcissist father, and then working for a series of them. This is not a self-help book, but an exploration of the impact narcissists have had on the USA since it’s inception, right up to the worst of them all, Trump. I received a free ebook to review through the Reedsy Discovery programme.The book is relatively short, very well written and easy to read. Avant begins by explaining what NPD is, theories about it’s causes and how widespread it is. He describes growing up in a conservative, religious family in Georgia where feelings and contrary opinions were not tolerated and conformity to the social norms of his parents’ community were rigidly enforced through belittlement and gaslighting. He compares NPD to sociopathy, and describes the different subtypes, including covert narcissism. Unafraid of controversy, he tackles the hypocrisy of American fundamental Christianity in ignoring the narcissists they embrace as their religious and political leaders.Later chapters discuss narcissism in the workplace - with the slightly depressing if realistic conclusion that the only solution to a toxic manager or workplace culture is to leave. This might actually be the most valuable lesson of the book: “it’s not you it’s him, he can’t/won’t change, get out.” Then he looks at narcissism in the context of American history and politics, and how it underpins racism and white supremacy. He labels the Baby Boomers as the most narcissistic generation, and describes how their political power and the rise of anti-intellectualism has let to the huge income disparities, injustices and societal wreckage of recent decades. I would recommend this to anyone interested in psychology or who has suffered under a narcissist. I would’ve liked more on the role of narcissism in America’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is barely mentioned despite the book being published in late 2020. There’s something very narcissistic about refusing to wear a mask or get vaccinated because you don’t personally think you’re at risk. Unfortunately the people who most need to read this, won’t: if you’re the type of person who uses the word snowflake as an insult, chances are you’re a narcissist yourself and you just won’t get it.

Avant presents a thought-provoking and transparent masterpiece on the association between narcissism and damaged people. He creatively uses history and the art of storytelling to unveil the psychotic underbelly of American culture, an offspring of the baby-boomer generation. Employing intersectionality, Avant illuminates the misery narcissists engender in others within familial, personal, religious, and professional contexts. As a person of African descent, I appreciate his candid honesty, and willingness to empower historically marginalized and disinherited populations who have been taunted by the spirit of narcissism since the colonial period. What I love most about this book is its creativity and boldness in addressing oppression from a psychosocial perspective. Kudos to Avant for capturing a Boogie Man that haunts us all in this riveting manuscript!

Congratulations on writing and publishing your book! The packaging is professional and I found the front cover design to be startlingly effective, even a little scary! (in a good way!) Your introduction does a great job of walking your readers through the structure of the book. This is a really interesting book, particularly given the times we are living in. You delve into a topic that too many Americans are either uninformed about or that they are turning a blind eye to. I enjoyed your conversational yet informative writing style, blending your own experiences with the facts about this disorder. Your descriptions of your youth are particularly affecting. You have clearly done a great deal of research and provided a fully fleshed out analysis of Narcissism, especially as it relates to our former president. The Bibliography is a great resource to include. This is an informative yet concise resource that I would love to give to some folks I know…

Daily, all around us, in our families, we meet damaged people who wouldn't admit they are damaged as we go about our regular business. In turn, they hurt others. Damaged People: Narcissism and the Foundation of a Dysfunctional American Society by Thomas Avant talks about these sets as people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) or Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)/sociopathy. This is a common problem among people, which runs deep into families, the government, and communities. The author also talked extensively about narcissism, its types, its signs, its effect, and sundry. Backed up by fragments of study and experiments from practitioners, the author discussed solutions and ways to heal. A lot of other subjects are looked at in connection to narcissism also. I hope you will take the time to read this book and learn more.

The positive aspect of the book was the depth of knowledge Thomas demonstrated on the subject that affects our society and those close to us. I can relate to every word, and I was already hooked on the author's preface. Thomas talked extensively about narcissism and how to heal from it in comprehended terms.

Also, the propositions from other books and practitioners that backed up each point did well to convince me that the issues raised by the author were genuine. In the case of the similarities and differences between sociopathy and narcissism, the articles from other authors made me understand better. I assure the potential readers that this book is not one of those with monotonous opinions. While the author's assertions are unique, they are also held by other writers.

Another positive aspect of the book was that Thomas wasn't one-sided, in his opinion, unlike some authors. I am not describing in relation, as this is a non-fiction book, not a story like you might assume. He speaks for both the narcissists and their victims. He also proffers solutions for both parties in the course of the book. In one of the chapters, he looks at nature versus nurture. This proves that he is not criticizing the narcissist for being narcissistic but seeks “a way forward” for everyone, including society.

I also loved his style of writing. It was conversational, making it relatable and more enjoyable. His experiences as a child in a toxic family and his determination not to live by the template of narcissism inspired me to be different, disregarding adverse circumstances. The book was professionally edited. I found only a few errors. The book was a masterpiece, and I detested nothing about it.

I rate Damaged People: Narcissism and the Foundation of a Dysfunctional American Society 4 out of 4 stars. It is a complete solution piece for those with a narcissistic personality disorder. I recommend this book to them. It would inform you, educate you, and invariably provide a solution to you whether you are a victim or a victimized.

Therefore, I recommend this book to people with narcissistic personality disorder and related mental issues. I also recommend this book to those dealing with narcissists in the workplace, school, or family.

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