Book Review: How to Talk to a Narcissist by Joan Lachkar

How to Talk to a Narcissist is organized into chapters on putatively unique narcissist types: Majestic, Pathological, Malignant, Antisocial, Depressive, Obsessive-compulsive, Passive-aggressive, Artist, and Cross-Cultural. Dr. Lachkar's depth of theoretical knowledge is clearly demonstrated throughout How to Talk to a Narcissist. However, her attempt to synthesize a workable construct under the aegis of 'empathology' is less compelling. The book is valuable if one is prepared to make an effort, pick and choose carefully, and pay more attention to what Dr. Lachkar says than to what she does. Alternatively, reading the introduction and the final summary chapter may be a good way to approach the problem of narcissism and find ways to deal with interpersonal, clinical, or organizational issues.