Heather
Even the instances where he acts in the heat of the moment, like putting his hands on me are just a means to an end, with the end being to show me that I cannot win. If I am shown I cannot win, I will stop trying. I could be so full of it, so far off base, but this is my perspective.

Heather you have already identified his abusive behavior in this post
to show me that I cannot win. If I am shown I cannot win, I will stop trying.
This is emotional abuse
like putting his hands on me are just a means to an end,
This is physical abuse.
And if you are right it is abuse that is thought out premeditated and dangerous.

I am glad you are reading the book. I myself am still in the reading stages.

Hope you have a good weekend