A book for writers really looking to plumb the dark side...

Not sure if this is the best place for this, but I just wanted to alert you guys to a book that has both gutted and inspired me. Truly, it's one of the best books I've ever read and, I think, invaluable for writers who wade into the deep end of the dark side.

It's called EVIL MEN and it's by an English professor and Human Rights researcher, James Dawes. (It turns out that I'm tangentially connected with James Dawes, but I promise you, this is not a friend pimping a friend's book.)

It's an in-depth look at atrocity and the psychological, social, and cultural components of how people come to do terrible things. Professor Dawes went to Japan to interview a group of war-criminals-turned-peace-activists.

It's amazing.

It's also a tough and deliberate read, but I feel like I've been educated in a single book.

Here's more on it, if this interests you - http://jamiemason.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/evil-men-by-james-dawes/

crunchyblanket said:

It sounds fascinating but I think it would just about kill me inside.

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He handled it very well. Certainly I wilted a good few times, but there are moments of insight and clarity that rocked me so hard the other way that it was all worth it.

Still, it's understandable that it might not be somewhere you want to go.

Susan Littlefield said:

Jamie,

After reading your wonderful review of the book, I'm scared to read it. This means that I need to order myself a copy, hopefully for my Kindle.

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I'm not sure if it's available electronically. If not, I think there's a button on Amazon to alert the publisher that people are asking for an e-version.

I'm rarely moved to write reviews, but I couldn't resist here. It's just that powerful.