Dutton is widely regarded as one of the leading researchers and authors on domestic violence. This is fairly heavy reading, but for me, keys in with Bill Eddy's work on High Conflict People. ( )

This book demonstrates that intimate partner abuse by men is more than just a learned pattern of behavior--it is the outgrowth of a particular personality configuration. Findings from the author's research with over 400 batterers are integrated with the literature on object relations, attachment, and psychological trauma to trace the development of the abusive personality from early childhood to adulthood. The volume concludes with a discussion of clinical outcomes and a detailed, practical overview of a 16-week group treatment program. For the paperback edition, the treatment chapter has been revised and expanded to reflect the ongoing development of the author's clinical approach. Included are new guidelines for working with borderline personality disorder and attachment disorders in the context of batterer groups.