This is a guy who *knows* celebrities - Loveline, Celebrity Rehab, he's met (and treated) tons of actors, musicians and other famous folks. The book looks at them from another angle - instead of seeing them as privileged and talented and accomplished, we see them as wounded and deficient. Narcissism isn't self-love, it's self-loathing. It's being so cut off from normal feelings that you need constant reassurance and praise from people around you. And when you look at it that way, it makes sense that people who have these feelings would aggressively seek celebrity status.

Being a celebrity has changed a great deal. Stars used to be protected by the studio and careful about their image. Today people become famous for being famous; no talent required. They're famous for being wealthy and not wearing panties when the papparazzi around flashing pictures. They desperately seek fame, are willing to humiliate themselves on national television just to be in the spotlight, and have an enormous sense of entitlement. The scary thing is that this bad behavior is being copied (consciously or unconsciously) by young people to a greater and greater degree. We have unprecedented access to celebs through the internet, gossip tv shows, Twitter and blogs, so their lifestyle seems far more attainable to many people. And when people are thrust into the spotlight for no discernable reason - not because they are a talented actor or skilled at sports - young people in particular believe that they, too, can have this fame and lifestyle.

The book first focuses on what narcissism is - the various traits that make up this disorder and the spectrum of behaviors. It uses current celebrities as examples: Robert Downey, Jr., Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Amy Winehouse, Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus. It also talks about fans and the way we react to celebrity gossip. There is a definite mob mentality at work there. The second part of the book talks about the roots of the disorder. The final part talks about kids today and the ways they are copying this behavior, the damage it can do, and ways - as a parent - to mitigate the damage. I found it a very interesting read, not too dry and technical, but filled with clear examples from current headlines. That might make the book seem dated just a few years down the road, but it's a good read right now. ( )