With polarizing events like Trump and Brexit in mind, Black and White Thinking argues that by understanding the evolutionary programming of our binary brains we can adapt our thinking to make subtler, better decisions.

It is human instinct to sort, categorize and frame everything in binary black and white. It's how our brains work. Migrant or refugee? Muslim or Christian? Them or us? Rather than reaching out to those who are different, we bond with those who are just like us, which means the difference between polarized beliefs becomes ever greater. Dangerous possibilities arise. The Arab Spring. Brexit. Trump. Through persistent binary thinking our capacity for rational thought - seeing the grey, rather than merely black and white - begins to erode. Black and White Thinking is an alarm call. Amidst a rising tide of religious intolerance and political extremism, it argues that by understanding the evolutionary programming of our binary brains we can overcome it, make sense of the world and in future make much subtler - and far better - decisions.

In this engrossing journey into the lives of psychopaths and their infamously crafty behaviors, the renowned psychologist Kevin Dutton reveals that there is a scale of "madness" along which we all sit. Incorporating the latest advances in brain scanning and neuroscience, Dutton demonstrates that the brilliant neurosurgeon who lacks empathy has more in common with a Ted Bundy who kills for pleasure than we may wish to admit, and that a mugger in a dimly lit parking lot may well, in fact, have the same nerveless poise as a titan of industry.
Dutton argues that there are indeed "functional psychopaths" among us--different from their murderous counterparts--who use their detached, unflinching, and charismatic personalities to succeed in mainstream society, and that shockingly, in some fields, the more "psychopathic" people are, the more likely they are to succeed. Dutton deconstructs this often misunderstood diagnosis through bold on-the-ground reporting and original scientific research as he mingles with the criminally insane in a high-security ward, shares a drink with one of the world's most successful con artists, and undergoes transcranial magnetic stimulation to discover firsthand exactly how it feels to see through the eyes of a psychopath.
As Dutton develops his theory that we all possess psychopathic tendencies, he puts forward the argument that society as a whole is more psychopathic than ever: after all, psychopaths tend to be fearless, confident, charming, ruthless, and focused--qualities that are tailor-made for success in the twenty-first century. Provocative at every turn, "The Wisdom of Psychopaths "is a riveting adventure that reveals that it's our much-maligned dark side that often conceals the trump cards of success.

'A surprising, absorbing and perceptive book. I found it altogether fascinating' PHILIP PULLMAN ______________________________________________________ Psychopath. No sooner is the word out than images of murderers, rapists, suicide bombers and gangsters flash across our minds. But unlike their film and television counterparts, not all psychopaths are violent, or even criminal. Far from it. In fact, they have a lot of good things going for them. Psychopaths are fearless, confident, charismatic, ruthless and focused - qualities tailor-made for success in twenty-first-century society. In this groundbreaking adventure into the world of psychopaths, renowned psychologist Kevin Dutton reveals a shocking truth: beneath the hype and the popular stereotype, psychopaths have something to teach us. With a new introduction from the author ___________________________________________ 'Highly original . . . provocative and humorous' V. S. RAMACHANDRAN 'This startling study considers whether or not we have anything to learn from psychopaths . . . it's good to know that rubbing shoulders with such dangerous characters hasn't destroyed his sense of humour.' THE TIMES 'Inspiring and revelatory. Dutton's book gave me an insight into who I really am' ANDY McNAB 'Dutton's curiosity takes him from boardrooms and law courts to neurological labs . . . Psychopaths, we learn, are the ultimate optimists; they always think things will work in their favour' GUARDIAN 'The Wisdom of Psychopaths is captivating. Dr. Dutton's book invigorated my consideration of not just a certain television character, but slow-pulsed overachievers everywhere' MICHAEL C HALL (Dexter)

'What if I were to tell you that a psychopathic arsonist might also be the person most likely to save you from a burning building?' *This book is about a special kind of persuasion: 'flipnosis'. It has an incubation period of just seconds, and can instantly disarm even the most discerning mind. Flipnosis is black-belt mind control. It doesn't just turn the tables, it kicks them over. *From the malign but fascinating powers of psychopaths, serial killers and con men to the political genius of Winston Churchill - via the grandmasters of martial arts, Buddhist monks, magicians, advertisers, salesmen, CEOs and frogs that mug each other - Kevin Dutton's brilliantly original and revelatory book explores what cutting-edge science can teach us about the techniques of persuasion.

A Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Daniel Pink and Adam Grant NEXT BIG IDEA book club read about how to avoid the pitfalls of too little, and too much, complexity. 'Essential insights into the character of human choice and decision-making.' ROBERT CIALDINI, bestselling author of Influence ________ In this groundbreaking exploration of how our brains work, psychologist Professor Kevin Dutton explains that by understanding the nature of our hardwired black and white thinking we are better equipped to negotiate life's grey zones and make subtler and smarter decisions. Our brains are hardwired to sort, categorize and draw lines. It's how we navigate the kaleidoscope of everyday information. Yet imagine failing an exam by a mere 1 per cent. Or being caught speeding at just 1 mph over the speed limit. We have to draw the line somewhere, we say. But lines can be unhelpful or even dangerous when drawn where they aren't wanted, or in too thick a hand. By thinking in terms of ' 'them' or 'us' and 'this' or 'that' we isolate ourselves from ideas we don't agree with and people who are not the same as us. We fail to listen to the other side of the argument and beliefs become polarized. Intolerance and extremism flourish. The human race has survived by making binary decisions, but such thinking might also destroy us. We may be programmed to think in black and white but rainbow thinking is the key to our cognitive future. __________ 'Fascinating, important and entirely convincing.' SIR PHILIP PULLMAN

Over thirty different examples of situations and ideas to show you how you can change your approach and change your life . . . Looking to nail an INTERVIEW? Want to make a better first impression on a DATE? Trying to make your MONEY go further? Bet you never thought being a bit more PSYCHOPATH could be the answer. Time to grab that bullsh*t by the horns! Dr KEVIN DUTTON studies psychopaths and his latest subject is SAS hero ANDY MCNAB. Andy's a bit different, he's a GOOD PSYCHOPATH. He can control qualities like decisiveness, ruthlessness and fearlessness to get the BEST out of himself and life. Together, this unlikely duo has established what they call the SEVEN DEADLY WINS, the good psychopathic quirks that can help make you more SUCCESSFUL. And now it's time to put their theories to the test. SORTED! THE GOOD PSYCHOPATH'S GUIDE TO BOSSING YOUR LIFE offers a new approach to the everyday to help you get more out of life than it gets out of you.

What is a good psychopath? And how can thinking like one help you to be the best that you can be? Professor Kevin Dutton has spent a lifetime studying psychopaths. He first met SAS hero Andy McNab during a research project. What he found surprised him. McNab is a diagnosed psychopath but he is a GOOD PSYCHOPATH. Unlike a BAD PSYCHOPATH, he is able to dial up or down qualities such as ruthlessness, fearlessness, conscience and empathy to get the very best out of himself - and others - in a wide range of situations. Drawing on the combination of Andy McNab's wild and various experiences and Professor Kevin Dutton's expertise in analysing them, together they have explored the ways in which a good psychopath thinks differently and what that could mean for you. What do you really want from life, and how can you develop and use qualities such as charm, coolness under pressure, self-confidence and courage to get it? The Good Psychopath Manifesto gives you a unique and entertaining road-map to self-fulfillment both in your personal life and your career.