In this book, a psychologist and a professor detail the history, psychology, and effects of this little-studied condition that has altered individuals and societies worldwide, arguing that the disorder deserves its own classification.Psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1964 developed the term "e;malignant narcissism,"e; believing it to be the worst form of psychopathology, a disorder that essentially epitomized evil. Malignant narcissism, however, has never been identified as a clinical condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; instead, it is seen as a conglomeration of several other disorders. Yet researchers since Fromm have described malignant narcissists as unique in their callous nature and proclivity to extreme violence, with a component of sadism bringing them pleasure when inflicting pain. The largest concern about malignant narcissists is that "e;some have the ability and wherewithal to rise to great positions of power and influence"e; and to affect large numbers of people.Authors Smith and Hung explain the differences between malignant narcissists, "e;everyday"e; narcissists, and psychopaths, illustrating these conditions with vignettes of historic public figures and people in popular culture, among others.