
Transform your toxic behaviors with "Asshole No More," the underground bestseller used in police training and recovery programs worldwide. Dr. Xavier Crement's journey from proctology to psychiatry birthed this surprisingly humorous guide that asks: Could your difficult personality be sabotaging your relationships?
Xavier Crement, M.D., is the author of Asshole No More and a trained proctologist whose unconventional background informs his satirical exploration of human behavior. Blending dark humor with social critique, his self-help parody examines interpersonal dynamics through the lens of "assholism," a term he popularized to describe chronic selfishness and social toxicity.
Crement’s medical expertise and irreverent voice anchor the book’s genre-defying approach, which straddles psychology, humor, and cultural analysis. He expanded his cult following with sequels like Assholes Forever and The Bulletproof A**hole, completing The Asshole Saga series.
Known for provocative titles and blunt prose, Crement’s work gained underground traction through word-of-mouth, with early editions adopted by police training programs and addiction recovery groups. The original Asshole No More spawned over 20 global editions, including a bestselling Persian translation (Bishouri), and remains a polarizing touchstone in social etiquette discourse. Its viral longevity—spanning three decades and 40+ languages—cements Crement’s status as a taboo-breaking commentator on modern decency.
Asshole No More is a self-help guide tackling toxic behaviors like arrogance, selfishness, and manipulation. Xavier Crement provides actionable strategies to transform these traits through self-awareness, empathy-building exercises, and boundary-setting techniques. The book emphasizes recognizing harmful patterns and their root causes, such as childhood trauma or insecurity, while offering tools for healthier relationships.
This book suits individuals seeking to address their own toxic behaviors or navigate relationships with abrasive people. It’s particularly relevant for those in leadership roles, strained personal relationships, or anyone interested in behavioral psychology. Crement’s blunt style appeals to readers preferring direct advice over academic theories.
While praised for its humor and practical advice, critics note its lack of scientific rigor and occasional oversimplification. Readers who enjoy satirical takes on self-improvement may find it refreshing, but those seeking evidence-based methods might prefer alternatives. Despite mixed reviews, it remains popular for its provocative insights.
Crement’s training as a proctologist lends a unique, no-nonsense perspective to analyzing human behavior. His medical background is woven into metaphors about diagnosing and “treating” toxic traits, though some argue this approach lacks psychological depth. The satirical tone mirrors his unconventional career pivot.
Key ideas include:
Critics argue the book oversimplifies complex behaviors and relies heavily on anecdotes rather than research. Some find the satirical tone alienating, while others appreciate its candidness. It’s also criticized for lacking step-by-step guides for sustained behavioral change.
Unlike Atomic Habits (fact-driven) or The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F (irreverent philosophy), Crement’s work blends humor with diagnostic frameworks. It’s less academic than Brene Brown’s vulnerability studies but offers sharper cultural critique.
Its focus on workplace dynamics and remote collaboration aligns with modern challenges like digital communication breakdowns. The book’s emphasis on self-accountability resonates in an era prioritizing mental health and emotional intelligence.
Crement frames toxic behavior as a “social disease” requiring diagnosis and treatment. He compares arrogance to a “leaky faucet of self-sabotage” and empathy-building to “emotional gym workouts”.
The book advises:
A 4-step model:
While no official workbooks exist, Crement’s later works like The Bulletproof A**hole expand on resilience strategies. Fans recommend pairing the book with therapy or accountability groups for deeper impact.
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Most difficult people don't realize they're difficult-and there's hope for change.
Assholism is an addiction to power, control, and self-importance.
Like alcoholism, recovery begins with admission: I am an asshole.
People become assholes because the behavior initially works.
Break down key ideas from Asshole No More into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Distill Asshole No More into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Experience Asshole No More through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Get the Asshole No More summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.
Have you ever left a conversation fuming, wondering what's wrong with someone who seems determined to make your life miserable? Dr. Xavier Crement offers a startling diagnosis: they're suffering from assholism, an addiction as serious as alcoholism. This addiction to power, control, and self-importance manifests as deliberately obnoxious behavior that wreaks havoc in relationships and workplaces. The term "asshole" carries therapeutic value precisely because clinical terms lack its rich associations. While ordinary people feel offended by the label, actual assholes often wear it proudly - they need a term that makes everyone laugh at them. Like alcoholism, recovery begins with admission: "I am an asshole." Assholes excel at ensuring someone's always around to serve their needs, developing sophisticated systems of manipulation. They operate under the core belief that everyone exists solely to meet their demands, becoming visibly annoyed when others demonstrate independent thinking. Since they shirk responsibility and ignore reality, they maintain absurdly high self-esteem through elaborate self-deception. As psychologist Charles Cumberbund observes, "If the Queen of England were to inspect the prison and walk by an asshole's cell, he would believe she was lucky to have met him." Communication becomes their most sophisticated weapon. They've mastered the art of saying little while appearing comprehensive, strategically withholding crucial information until after failure occurs. This allows them to add "clarifications" later, making others look incompetent while positioning themselves as the only capable person in the room. Their toolkit includes subtle blame-shifting, strategic bullying, habitual lying (often so convincing they believe themselves), fact-twisting, and artfully changing subjects when others feel victimized. Anger isn't just an emotion - it's their finely-tuned instrument of control, keeping others perpetually off-balance.