A comprehensive study of the dysfunctional thinking that results in destructive behavior, as well as suggestions for remedying these problems.
World-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Aaron T. Beck, widely hailed as the father of cognitive therapy, presents a revolutionary and eye-opening look at destructive behavior in Prisoners of Hate. He applies his established principles on the relationships between thinking processes and emotional and behavioral expressions to the dark side of humanity. In fascinating detail, he demonstrates that basic components of destructive behavior-domestic abuse, bigotry, genocide, and war-share common patterns with everyday frustrations in our lives. A book that will radically alter our thinking on violence in all its forms, Prisoners of Hate provides a solid framework for remedying these crucial problems.
"A breathtaking experience. Beck's explanations are so clear, obvious and practical that you feel a surge of hope. Prisoners of Hateis a clear review of the world's most important psychological theory, and is virtually a workbook on how to prevent violence.... A book that does so many important things so well can only be called a masterpiece." - Philadelphia Inquirer
"A brilliant book, deeply needed in today's world. Dr. Beck brings to bear both immense knowledge and creative intelligence to synthesize this amazingly practical, yet never too simple book of advice and insight.'-Edward M. Hallowell, MD, author of Worry and Connect

Aaron T. Beck, M.D., widely known as the father of cognitive therapy, is currently University Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. He graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Brown University, and went on to attend Yale Medical School. He has received at least 18 major professional awards from associations such as the National Institute of Mental Health, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychopathological Association.

World-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Aaron T. Beck has always been at the forefront of cognitive therapy research, his approach being the most rapidly growing psychotherapy today. Now, in his most important work to date, the Father of Cognitive Therapy presents a revolutionary look at destructive behavior--from domestic abuse to genocide to war--and provides a solid framework for remedying these crucial problems. In this book, Dr. Beck

• illustrates the specific psychological aberrations underlying anger, interpersonal hostility, ethnic conflict, genocide, and war;

• clarifies why perpetrators of evil deeds are motivated by a belief that they are doing good;

• explains how the offenders are locked into distorted belief systems that control their behavior and shows how the same distortions in thinking occur in a rampaging mob as in an enraged spouse;

• provides a blueprint for correcting warped thinking and belief systems and, consequently, undercutting various forms of hostility; and

• discusses how the individual and society as a whole might use the tools of psychotherapy to block the psychological pathways to war, genocide, rape, and murder.