📖 Overview
Jerrold Post (1934-2020) was an American psychiatrist and political psychologist who pioneered the field of political personality profiling and founded the CIA's Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior.
As a leading figure in political psychology, Post developed systematic ways to assess the personality traits and mental states of world leaders, producing influential profiles of figures like Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, and Kim Jong-il. His work helped shape U.S. foreign policy and national security decision-making during his 21-year career at the CIA and subsequent academic work.
In addition to his intelligence work, Post served as a professor of psychiatry, political psychology and international affairs at George Washington University. He authored numerous books including Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World and The Mind of the Terrorist, establishing himself as a preeminent expert on the psychology of political leadership and terrorism.
Post's analytical frameworks and methods for understanding the psychological motivations of political actors continue to influence how intelligence agencies and researchers approach political personality assessment. His work bridged clinical psychiatry, psychology, and political analysis in novel ways that expanded understanding of leadership behavior and political violence.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Post's insider perspective from his CIA experience and his systematic approach to analyzing political leaders' psychology. Reviews frequently mention the depth of research and concrete examples he provides, particularly in "Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World."
Amazon reviewers highlight Post's clear writing style when explaining complex psychological concepts. Several note the value of his first-hand experiences profiling world leaders. A recurring comment is that his work helps readers understand the motivations behind political behavior and terrorism.
Some readers find his academic tone dry and technical. Others question whether psychological profiling of leaders without direct clinical assessment is valid. A few reviews critique his potential bias from his CIA background.
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.4/5 (78 reviews)
Goodreads: 3.9/5 (156 reviews)
"The Mind of the Terrorist": 4.2/5 (92 reviews)
"Leaders and Their Followers": 4.3/5 (45 reviews)
📚 Books by Jerrold Post
When Illness Strikes the Leader: The Dilemma of the Captive King (1993)
An examination of how medical conditions affect political leaders and their decision-making capabilities.
Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World: The Psychology of Political Behavior (2004) Analysis of the psychological dynamics between political leaders and their followers, including case studies of various world leaders.
Political Paranoia: The Psychopolitics of Hatred (1997) Investigation of how paranoid thinking influences political behavior and propaganda.
The Mind of the Terrorist: The Psychology of Terrorism from the IRA to al-Qaeda (2007) Study of terrorist psychology examining various terrorist organizations and their members' motivations.
Narcissism and Politics: Dreams of Glory (2014) Analysis of how narcissistic personality traits manifest in political leadership and affect governance.
The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders (2003) Methodology and case studies for analyzing the psychology of political figures through at-a-distance assessment.
Know Thy Enemy: Profiles of Adversary Leaders and Their Strategic Cultures (2003) Psychological profiles of various political adversaries and analysis of their decision-making patterns.
Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World: The Psychology of Political Behavior (2004) Analysis of the psychological dynamics between political leaders and their followers, including case studies of various world leaders.
Political Paranoia: The Psychopolitics of Hatred (1997) Investigation of how paranoid thinking influences political behavior and propaganda.
The Mind of the Terrorist: The Psychology of Terrorism from the IRA to al-Qaeda (2007) Study of terrorist psychology examining various terrorist organizations and their members' motivations.
Narcissism and Politics: Dreams of Glory (2014) Analysis of how narcissistic personality traits manifest in political leadership and affect governance.
The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders (2003) Methodology and case studies for analyzing the psychology of political figures through at-a-distance assessment.
Know Thy Enemy: Profiles of Adversary Leaders and Their Strategic Cultures (2003) Psychological profiles of various political adversaries and analysis of their decision-making patterns.
👥 Similar authors
Robert Cialdini analyzes psychological principles of influence and persuasion, with focus on manipulation tactics. His work examines compliance psychology and decision-making, similar to Post's analysis of leader psychology.
Robert Hare studies psychopathy and developed tools for assessing dangerous personality disorders. His research on manipulative behaviors connects to Post's work on malignant narcissism in political leaders.
Otto Kernberg specializes in borderline personality organization and narcissistic pathology in clinical settings. His theories on personality disorders inform understanding of destructive leadership traits Post examined.
Michael Wolff writes about power dynamics and personality profiles of political figures through direct observation. His immersive approach to studying leaders parallels Post's methodology of psychological profiling.
Peter Bernstein examines how human psychology and risk perception influence decision-making at leadership levels. His analysis of how personality shapes choices in high-stakes situations aligns with Post's study of leader behavior under pressure.
Robert Hare studies psychopathy and developed tools for assessing dangerous personality disorders. His research on manipulative behaviors connects to Post's work on malignant narcissism in political leaders.
Otto Kernberg specializes in borderline personality organization and narcissistic pathology in clinical settings. His theories on personality disorders inform understanding of destructive leadership traits Post examined.
Michael Wolff writes about power dynamics and personality profiles of political figures through direct observation. His immersive approach to studying leaders parallels Post's methodology of psychological profiling.
Peter Bernstein examines how human psychology and risk perception influence decision-making at leadership levels. His analysis of how personality shapes choices in high-stakes situations aligns with Post's study of leader behavior under pressure.