Defusing Angry People: Practical Tools for Handling Bullying, Threats, and Violence

by Kevin Fauteux

One in five adults has and anger management problem, and 45 percent are losing their tempers on a regular basis. These alarming statistics show unchecked anger is all around us, whether it be hostile individuals, backstabbing family members, bullies, or normally peaceful people who inexplicably go ballistic. In Defusing Angry People, Kevin Fauteux utilizes his experience treating patients' anger issues, gives important steps to understanding rage, and then shows how to employ specific de-escalation assessment techniques to effectively defuse volatile situations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great example of a book that could have been a powerpoint.
The framework was helpful and to a certain level enlightening, but the examples slightly less so, and the repetition of the same examples over and over again was a bit off-putting. With a book like this, it's very difficult to avoid coming off as blaming the victim, though certainly the author did his best.
Perhaps look at the key points for each chapter and go back and read the chapters if you need more info.

[G Lassner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book with a lot of tools and examples in it. Once I got to the section that was applicable to me I found it hard to finish this book and read the rest of it though.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of angry people in this world- the book suggests ways to stay in control, assess the threat if there is one, know your limits and help to verbalize thoughts to defuse things. good read.

[Annie Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, with lots of good techniques that made me think of my job and life. I rated a 4out of 5, due to the book droning on a bit sometimes.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good advice from a social worker who has extensive experience dealing with angry clients who sometimes become violent. It discusses some key points in dealing with angry people who present different levels of threats, ranging from people who are dissatisfied and frustrated with a particular situation to extremely violent people. Some key points are to avoid getting angry yourself, to recognize your own "hot buttons," to allow the angry person to "save face" and feel that his/her legitimate concerns are heard, and to avoid letting angry people manipulate you while realizing that in some cases it is not wise to confront an extremely angry or hostile person but rather to concentrate on managing your own reactions.

Although this book presents some very useful material, it is somewhat repetitious and is mostly anecdotal. Providing more theoretical background or scientific evidence for the author's assertions, or comparing his experience to the findings of other researchers, might have made the author's advice seem more authoritative and scholarly.

Another impression I had after reading this book is that I am extremely glad not to be a social worker and very thankful that others are willing to work in this challenging field of employment.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Defusing Angry People is a well written overview of anger from many angles. I even found a description of myself that was very enlightening. I know you think that I have anger issues, but that is what was so surprising. I do not like conflict. According to this author, that is a form, rather mangled, but a form of anger! This book is useful for those who deal with angry people. My frustration was the adjustments that have to be made for other people's anger issues. I would like to see a book that reveals changing the angry person not modifying and adjusting my behavior to their moods!

[Camille Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you live with angry people, work with angry people or need to learn how to deal with angry people i found this book to be very helpful. It is at times redundant but overall good to read and with good information

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two thoughts:
Very useful for people in public service
AND
he uses the word "pernicious" a lot. A LOT.

[Shaz_Neel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a very insightful and useful resource for those of us who work in the social service sector! Read it and learn some proven ways to manage communication with difficult people.