Fragile Bully - by Laurie Helgoe (Paperback)

About the Book

A fascinating look at narcissism and the mind of the fragile bully, using the Trump presidency and other contemporary examples to underscore how this narcissism is fed by both supporters and detractors.

Book Synopsis

Obsessive self-promotion, an aggressive triggering response, and retaliatory rants.

"Both sensitive and incisive, beautifully capturing the paradoxical dynamic of narcissism--that the grandiosity and surrounding bravado belies an underlying fragility and brittleness." --Kenneth N. Levy, PhD, Associate Professor, Penn State University; Senior Fellow, Personality Disorders Institute, Cornell University

Even before Donald Trump entered America's highest office, an international survey revealed that narcissism is part of the assumed "national character" of Americans. While only a small number actually meet the criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, those exploitive few have a way of gaining center stage in our culture.

Fragile Bully: Understanding Our Destructive Affair With Narcissism in the Age of Trump looks beyond the sound bites of self-aggrandizing celebrities and selfish tweets to the real problem of narcissism. We see past the solo act to the vicious circles that arise in relationships with a fragile bully, and how patterns like this generate both power and self-destruction. We also look at the problem of Echo, how so many of us get hooked by the narcissist, and how variations on the destructive affair leave both partners dehumanized and diminished. Once we recognize the steps in each dance, we can break the cycle and allow and the possibility of true engagement.

Review Quotes

"Brilliant! Get ready to finally understand those people who drive you the craziest. . . . The best book on toxic narcissism I've ever read; it's going on my recommended reading list for clients." --Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD, author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

"A thought-provoking book that reveals what drives the narcissists in our lives, and the dances that keep us engaged with them. . . . Given the current political scene and our fascination with reality TV, it has something relevant to offer for everyone." --Judith Siegel, PhD, LCSW, author of Stop Overreacting: Effective Strategies for Calming Your Emotions

"Both sensitive and incisive, beautifully capturing the paradoxical dynamic of narcissism--that the grandiosity and surrounding bravado belies an underlying fragility and brittleness." --Kenneth N. Levy, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Penn State University; Senior Fellow, Personality Disorders Institute, Cornell University