In Sheep's Clothing: Understanding and Dealing with Manipulative People

"This is a great, thought provoking, practical book. Can't recommend it highly enough as I have found it really useful.
People manipulate you because they want to, it is that simple."
~ Written on 2008-06-03

"This book is a bit short but packed with good advice.

These manipulative people are sectioned into about 5 specific types with examples of how to identify them and how to deal with them.

The one thing I was pleased to have learned from reading this was how to identify a sociopath easily:- They try to make you feel sorry for them - think about it how many times we have all been duped by this sort of person for example: The wife beater who cries tragically after his horrible behaviour saying "I didnt mean it and it wont happen again, The person who is perhaps a drinker or gambler and keeps coming back 'for the last time' to borrow money, The person in a reationship who says ' Nobody else understands me' whilst pulling the heart strings. Of course none of these people feel the slightest sympathy for their victims who suffer as a consequence of their selfish behaviour!!

Can be read in a very short time but it is useful to have and give to anyone who needs reassurance on whether or not they are being manipulated.

Well done Mr George Simon for all your excellent research."
~ Written on 2008-04-02

"Have you ever encountered someone who often makes you feel something is "not right" after parting? Some part of you seems to be telling that you have been given the short end of the stick but you can't pinpoint where or how it is done? That person almost certainly belongs to a type called covert aggressive: people who always want to win and to look good doing it. They do it by exploiting your weaknesses, pushing your emotional buttons, etc. covertly while professing to be helpful.

In this book, through many examples, George Simon breaks their cloak of manipulative tactics and shows you how to recognize them. For example, upon being confronted, a bully may say: "I just touched him once, but I didn't hit him", or "He bumped into me first". There are many more of such tactics. Knowing about the tactics beforehand will help you a lot to see them being used in a real-life situation.

Next, Simon shows how to deal with the covert aggressive. The key, as he wrote, is to know your own weaknesses. Once you know your own weaknesses, you can stay focus on the other person and redefine the rules of the engagement.

Nowadays, covertly aggressive behavior is unfortunately encouraged by the societal system and is so common that you are bound to encounter it. So this book is a MUST read to get you the necessary defense. You won't regret it."
~ Written on 2007-12-20

"This book is invaluable for learning about manipulative people. It tells, in easy to understand language, how to spot and respond to those who are out to manipulate you. "Knowledge protects" is very applicable here. For by being able to "see" who these people are, you can also know how to not be affected by them.

This is a great book for the beginner who wants to understand what is happening to them. Why do some people make them feel tired and useless? This will help you to start finding the answers to these questions and much more."
~ Written on 2007-11-08

"Pithy and often funny, I have recommended this book to every one I know and bought extra copies for my kids when they went out into the work world. George Simon takes the bluster and obfustication of overbearing/weasely bosses, nasty neighbors, obnoxious coworkers and annoying relatives and boils it down to show you the simple psychological strategies being used to impose on your patience, good will, or even wallet.

Once you understand the rules and especially the *mindset* of these people, you are in a position to defend yourself with a minimum of energy expended. No in-depth analysis here, just the basic tools for dealing with difficult people and coming out, not necessarily "on top", but with workable solutions that most times leave everyone satisfied. Wished I'd had this for dealing with the in-laws the first fifteen years. Highly Recommended."
~ Written on 2007-11-04