Surrounded by Narcissists by Thomas Erikson
Published: June 21, 2022
St. Martin’s Essentials
Pages: 306
Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction
KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Thomas Erikson is a motivator, author, and public speaker. His book Surrounded by Idiots is one of the world’s best-selling non-fiction books and has been translated into over 40 languages. His way of sharing his knowledge with his readers is by using specific storytelling and lots of humor. To achieve new skills should be easy. Therefore, he does not write in a way packed with numbers and details, but rather in a way that will make the reader say: Ah! I recognize that! Thomas has devoted close to 30 years of his career to helping people communicate with each other. Along the way, he´s developed practical and functional tools that facilitate professional and private life. Thomas believes in the importance of a higher understanding of others to decrease the number of unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts in a relationship or at work.
In this thought-provoking, sanity-saving book, Thomas Erikson helps you understand what makes narcissists tick and, crucially, how to handle them without wearing yourself out in the process. With the help of the simple, four-color behavioral model made famous in Surrounded by Idiots, Erikson provides all the tools you need to manage not just the narcissists around you but everyday narcissistic behaviors as well–something that is becoming more widespread in the age of social media.
Engaging and practical, Surrounded by Narcissists will help you free yourself from the thrall of others’ toxic agendas so you can pursue a happier, more fulfilling and successful life.
“If you don’t know which problem you’re supposed to be solving, you won’t even see any need for a solution.”
Thomas Erikson takes a deep dive into narcissism and a lot of the causes and effects relating to narcissism.
The statistics were staggering, and the examples provided were fascinating and terrifying. The research was very well done and thorough, and while Thomas Erikson is not a doctor, he has done the work to provide the facts.
I found the examples and scenarios so interesting. It’s wild because as I was reading these chapters, there would be individuals who would flash into my mind with various explanations.
I found using the fictional Linda to explain the spectrum of narcissism helpful. Overall, I found this book hard to put down. It is well written and easy to understand.
I enjoyed how there were pieces of Erikson’s previous text, Surrounded by Psychopaths, mentioned. After reading the thorough, well-presented, and written to be a valuable tool for those dealing with a narcissist on any level; I may have to read the rest of Erikson’s books.