Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World: The Psychology of Political Behavior (Psychoanalysis and Social Theory) [Hardcover]

Jerrold M. Post (Author), Alexander George (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0801441692 | ISBN-13: 978-0801441691 | Edition: 1

Uses political psychology to explain the need for enemies and the rise of ethnic conflict and terrorism in the post-Cold War environment with an emphasis on leaders including Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong II, Fidel Castro, and Slobodan Milosevic.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerrold M. Post is Professor of Psychiatry, Political Psychology, and International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University. His books include When Illness Strikes the Leader: The Dilemma of the Captive King.; Political Paranoia: The Psychopolitics of Hatred; Know Thy Enemy: Profiles of Adversary Leaders and Their Strategic Cultures; and The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders, with Profiles of Saddam Hussein and Bill Clinton. He received the Nevitt Sanford Award of the International Society of Political Psychology for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Political Psychology in 2002. Alexander George is Graham Stuart Professor of International Relations, Emeritus, at Stanford University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Cornell University Press; 1 edition (March 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801441692
• ISBN-13: 978-0801441691
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Know your enemies as well as your friends, April 20, 2004

By 

Sheldon J. Krys, former Asst. Secty. of State... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World: The Psychology of Political Behavior (Psychoanalysis and Social Theory) (Hardcover)

I highly recommend Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World. It is an important,informative work - written in a most readable style. Dr.Jerrold Post is a pioneer (arguably,the best) in the field of psychological profiling and the practical application of personality assessment. The reader is presented with both the finished analytical product (the collection of profiles includes Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein, North Korea's Kim Jong Il) and the tools employed in crafting their images. From Pres. Carter's administration (at the Camp David Summit) to the present, Post's expert ability to assess the motivation and mental makeup of our friends and adversaries has been an effective tool used by key players in Government. Dr. Post served as an expert witness at the trial of the al Qaeda terrorists who were convicted in the bombings of the American Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. He lays out a good deal of information not widely known about al Qaeda training and its methods. His dispassionate, analytical discussion of Osama bin Laden and his organization is chilling. Dr. Post's work will be read many times over by those who understand the importance of viewing and dealing with conflict by first attempting to see the situation through the eyes and mind of their opponents.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding The eaders Shaping Our World Today and Tomorr, May 9, 2004

By 

stephen rosenblum, M.D. Clinical Professor o... (Washington, D.C. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World: The Psychology of Political Behavior (Psychoanalysis and Social Theory) (Hardcover)

A rare work combining fascinating historical, political and psychological analyses of leadership and the leaders shaping our world. Dr. Post has the unusual ability to present his deep and important psychological insights in a jargon free style, making this powerful work accessible to both professional and non-professional readers.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Source, September 27, 2007

By 

John G. (Huntingdon, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World: The Psychology of Political Behavior (Psychoanalysis and Social Theory) (Hardcover)

We are currently using this book as a source for my political psychology class. It has been extremely helpful in understanding the background of some of the "terrorist" leaders in the world. It shows the background of these leaders and that they are not all psychopathic monsters but have some reason to their decisions. This book is a must have for all people hoping to understand the complex situations and people that the United States is involved with.