10th revised edition · print

Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited

by Sam Vaknin

The Bible of Narcissism — the book that started it all in 1995. The origin of now widely-used terms like "narcissistic abuse", "cerebral and somatic narcissist", "devalue and discard", "no contact", and many more. Hundreds of five-star reviews. Endorsed by dozens of mental-health professionals and quoted by the Financial Times, the Sunday Times, and Psychology Today.

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The Encyclopedia

A to Z of Narcissistic Abuse, Narcissism & NPD

Almost 1000 pages of A-to-Z entries on the disorder, the relationships, the dynamics, the recovery — drawn together as a single comprehensive reference.

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Bundle · sixteen e-books

Buy the complete series and save $63

All sixteen e-books on narcissism, narcissistic abuse, psychopathy, and the relationships they break — bundled in a single Kindle purchase. Includes Malignant Self-love, Toxic Relationships, 102 FAQs, the workplace and therapy companions, and more. Email your proof of purchase to Sam and receive the PDF editions of all 16 books plus a bonus pack for free.

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…or pick up any of the volumes individually:

• 

  Malignant Self-love — Narcissism Revisited

  10th revised edition · 730 pages · updated to DSM-5

  The full electronic edition of the foundational text — 100 FAQs, two essays, and the complete clinical exposition.

  Kindle
• 

  Toxic Relationships — Abuse and its Aftermath

  463 pages

  Living with, leaving, and recovering from a narcissist. How abuse plays out and what survival looks like.

  Kindle Print
• 

  The Narcissist & Psychopath in the Workplace

  131 pages

  Corporate narcissism, predatory leadership, and how to survive a boss or colleague who runs on supply.

  Kindle Print
• 

  The Abusive Relationships Workbook

  244 pages

  A practical workbook — exercises, prompts, and step-by-step guidance for people in or out of an abusive relationship.

  Kindle Print
• 

  Excerpts and Case Studies

  514 pages

  From the archives of the Narcissistic Abuse Study Group — first-person material, case write-ups, and clinical commentary.

  Kindle Print
• 

  102 Frequently Asked Questions

  814 pages

  The long-form Q&A — narcissism, NPD, psychopathy, and the relationships they corrode, answered one question at a time.

  Kindle Print
• 

  The Diary of a Narcissist

  336 pages

  The inner life of a narcissist: an intimate anatomy of a mental illness (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) — its origins, its unfolding, its outcomes.

  Kindle Print
• 

  The World of the Narcissist (Essay)

  175 pages

  Psychodynamic study of pathological narcissism, relationships with abusive narcissists and psychopaths, and the Narcissistic Personality Disorder, using a new vocabulary.

  Kindle Print
• 

  The Narcissist & Psychopath in Therapy

  235 pages

  Can narcissists and psychopaths be cured? Can their behaviour be modified? How are these mental-health disorders diagnosed? Why therapy fails — and the narrow space in which it can sometimes work. Written for clinicians and laypersons alike.

  Kindle Print

• 

  Personality Disorders Revisited

  458 pages

  Beyond NPD — paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, histrionic, avoidant, negativistic / passive-aggressive, dependent, and the rest.

  Kindle
• 

  How to Divorce a Narcissist or a Psychopath

  105 pages

  Divorcing a narcissist or a psychopath: tips on all the phases — from hiring an attorney, to domestic-violence shelters, planning your getaway, involving the police, and obtaining restraining orders. Issues from court-mandated evaluation to custody are elaborated upon. Dozens of coping strategies and techniques, especially if you co-parent or are suing for custody.

  Kindle Print
• 

  How to Cope with Narcissistic & Psychopathic Abusers and Stalkers

  151 pages

  How to cope with stalkers, bullies, narcissists, psychopaths, and other abusers in the family, the community, and the workplace. How to navigate a system that is often hostile to the victim — the courts, law enforcement (police), psychotherapists, evaluators, and social or welfare services. Tips, advice, and information.

  Kindle Print

• Few people can claim to have increased the public awareness of NPD to such a degree.

  Adrian TampanyFinancial Times Weekend Magazine, September 2010

• Malignant Self-love (is a) … magnum opus.

  Yvonne RobertsSunday Times, September 2007

• Sam Vaknin is the world's leading expert on narcissism.

  Tim HallNew York Press, Volume 16 · February 2003

• Vaknin's a respected expert on malignant narcissists … He set about to know everything there is about the psychopathic narcissist.

  Ian WalkerABC Radio National, Background Briefing · July 2004

• Bringing to light new developments in narcissistic personality disorders, Vaknin's pioneering and original work meticulously addresses the ever-changing states, traits, and characteristics of this disorder. This is truly a masterpiece! I highly recommend this book.

  Joan Jutta Lachkar, Ph.D.Author of Narcissistic/Borderline Couples; Affiliate Member, New Center for Psychoanalysis

• Among many books published on the topic of pathological narcissism, this is by far the best. Highly recommended not only for the general public but also for professional therapists.

  Akira Otani, Ed.D., ABPHUniversity of Maryland

• Seminal book on narcissism … distinguished by its many "insider" insights; depicts this personality disorder in ways that most readers, experientially, can easily relate to.

  Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D.Clinical psychologist; Psychology Today

• I challenge anyone to get this book, pick any page at random, and not be impressed by the depth and quality of the unique insight into NPD that is provided there. A truly excellent and thorough piece of work that solidifies Sam's position as the global authority on the subject.

  Richard GrannonSpartan Life Coach

• Sam Vaknin's study of narcissism is truly insightful. The author has done probably more than anyone else to educate others to this poorly understood condition.

  The late Tim FieldFounder, Bully Online

• Sam Vaknin's book is THE bible on Narcissism!

  Mary Jo FayAuthor, When Your Perfect Partner Goes Perfectly Wrong

• If you wish to get under the skin of a Narcissist, if you wish to get to know how he thinks and feels and why he behaves as he does, then this is the book for you.

  Dr. Anthony BenisMount Sinai Hospital, New York; author, Towards Self and Sanity

• Brilliant, insightful, extremely relevant — not only clinically, but practically, on a day-to-day basis. This work can be immediately applied and be of assistance to our society at large.

  Dr. Cyndie Spanier, Ph.D.Deputy Director, Pittsburgh Behavioral Medicine, LLC

• Sam is doing great work on pathological narcissism. His book Malignant Self-Love is our first guideline in handling malignant types of patients in the forensic setting.

  Dr. Sanja Radeljak, MD, PhDPsychiatrist and forensic expert, Neuropsychiatric Hospital "Dr. Ivan Barbot", Popovača, Croatia

• Sam Vaknin is the number one author in guiding this understanding — technically rich, and serious in details of specific dynamics other authors don't get. This is the one book to support professionals and people coming out of dysregulated families and dysfunctional relations.

  Dr. Claudia RieckenClinician and neuroscientist, Brazil

• The book penetrates deeply into the narcissist's mind and is filled with myriad gripping novel insights. It gives the reader great insight into the fears, desires, defenses, and motives of the narcissist, as well as those in relationship with the narcissist.

  Alison Poulsen, Ph.D.

• Sam is a genius. His work is most inspiring — not only to myself but to my colleagues as well.

  Joan Jutta Lachkar, Ph.D.Author of How to Talk to a Narcissist; Narcissistic/Borderline Couples

• Sam Vaknin is extremely impressive — the author of Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited, a seminal work on narcissism. Buy Vaknin's book because it will teach you every single thing in the world about narcissists. This guy invented how we think about narcissism.

  Dr. Samantha RodmanDrPsychMom.com

• Sam Vaknin is an expert in this field and presents his work clearly and with ease. I recommend this book most highly, as awareness of NPD is crucial in this world today. This read is worth several therapy sessions, I believe — and more so, in fact.

  Audrey Epstein, M.S. Ed., MPA

• Clinicians, researchers and narcissistic abuse victims alike have benefited from this one-of-a-kind book about narcissistic personality disorder. As a psychologist who specializes in narcissistic abuse recovery, psychopathy, and NPD, I endorse this book as an empowering clinical tool … I highly encourage clinicians to both read and reference Malignant Self-Love to improve treatment outcomes for victims of narcissistic abuse.

  Dr. April JonesLicensed Psychologist, Chicago, Illinois, USA

• I consider this book to be the compass for Narcissistic Personality Disorder education.

  Jen Emmerich, LMSW, ACSW

• There is no more important work than this one on the subject … You may very well discover yourself.

  Heyward Bruce Ewart, III, Ph.D.Author, Am I Bad?

• Read Malignant Self-Love so you will understand that you are NOT crazy — you are just embedded in a crazy-making relationship.

  Liane J. Leedom, M.D.Author, Just Like His Father?

• Vaknin's depth and breadth are unmatched anywhere else and by anyone else. He knows everything there is to know about narcissistic and psychopathic abusers and how to cope with them effectively.

  Yomtov BarakFamily therapist

• I was stimulated just as I was challenged and enlightened.

  Robert L. MuellerAuthor, Bullying Bosses

• The only source of such vast, serious, elaborated and thorough first-hand information about narcissism available. Useful for victims as well as therapists.

  Dr. Nili RaamAuthor

• Provides the partners, family and friends of NPD sufferers — and the sufferers themselves — with deep insight into the numerous expressions of this devastating and often insidious disorder.

  Esther VeltheimAuthor, Beyond Concepts

• One powerful healing tool in our therapy with these people is Dr. Vaknin's book — the most accurate portrayal of the "typical" cult leader we have ever seen.

  Robert PardonDirector, MeadowHaven

• A must-read for psychologists, social workers, and all individuals who want to learn how to deal with the narcissists in their lives.

  Laurie AnthonyTeacher and author

• Required reading for any codependent — to understand how the other side works.

  Dr. IrenePsychologist, drirene.com

• Sam Vaknin is a leading authority on the topic of narcissism.

  Lisa Angelettie, M.S.W.Former editor, BellaOnline Mental Health

• I cannot recommend this book enough — to those of you who have this disorder, and to families and friends who are trying to understand.

  Patty Pheil, MSWMental Health Today

• This book is a must-read and will give you insight into the emotionally destructive people in your workplace, your family and among your friends. Sam Vaknin clears up the questions, confusion, and effects of dealing with narcissists: well written, informative, and therapeutic.

  Carolyn Reilly, MSWSan José, Costa Rica

• This book has an important purpose. I am sure it will be appreciated in a library, classroom, or among the mental health profession.

  Katherine TheriaultInscriptions Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 20

• Now, for the first time, a much-needed first-hand account of what Narcissistic Personality Disorder is like. Offers insight and clarity.

  Howard Brown4Therapy

• Sam has plugged all the loopholes, exposed all the plots, and introduced a new language to confront the narcissist — a "hands-on" tool that can immediately bring relief. If you NEED a change, then Malignant Self-Love can give you your life back. This book is a lifesaver!

  Kathy StringerToddlerTime

• Sam Vaknin — a name synonymous with groundbreaking insights into narcissism and its far-reaching implications. A prolific author, esteemed academic, and thought leader, his work has illuminated the darkest corners of human behaviour. His seminal book, Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited, remains a cornerstone in the field.

  Dan PetersReader's House, UK