Defusing Angry People

January 1, 2011

Anger is a common emotion and a healthy response to hurt and frustration; however, its destructive forms like bullying, road rage, domestic violence, and "going postal" in the workplace have become a social menace, which may be worsening. Fauteux (The Recovery of Self: Regression and Redemption in Religious Experience) presents a theory of escalating stages of anger and offers coping suggestions for customer-service clerks, social-service workers, and others who face difficult and dangerously angry people daily. Each chapter discusses the causes and manifestations of a stage of anger, and tips for defusing and reading the warning signs of escalation are emphasized. The effects of drugs and alcohol are also considered. The author has worked for over two decades in psychotherapeutic and social services fields, and his book reflects those experiences. His research is not presented, but the clear and prudent advice he draws from it makes this an informative resource. He concludes with suggestions for handling violent situations and the debriefing sessions that follow. VERDICT Recommended for general readers and professionals as a valuable training and survival guide for dealing with a range of demanding personalities and circumstances.--Antoinette Brinkman, MLS, Evansville, IN

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