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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
It was fun but I had to return the book to the library. Would like to continue reading at some point.
I really think this book could have benefitted from a coauthor experienced in academic research to bolster some of the very bold claims this man makes with no evidence linked at all. There is a lot in here where he seems to insist that it’s All Mommy’s Fault (and when it’s Daddy’s Fault it’s based on a very dated idea of the 1950s nuclear family model; I realize this was published in 1992 but still) based on his own anecdotal evidence. I’d take some of that with a grain of salt. His description of the work he did and the cases he was involved in was interesting enough and I think the book would also benefit from a foreword with some updates on some of the cases or people mentioned.
Even some kind of re-publishing with editing to include links to any outside sources would really beef this up to make it a great book. Overall an enjoyable read with some considerable caveats. Very gruesome at times as well, so keep that in mind before beginning.
Even some kind of re-publishing with editing to include links to any outside sources would really beef this up to make it a great book. Overall an enjoyable read with some considerable caveats. Very gruesome at times as well, so keep that in mind before beginning.
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
This was an interesting book but I found it very dry, almost like a lecture delivered in a monotone & where the lecturer loves to talk. It’s a fascinating subject - understanding why & how serial killers act - and the work that the FBI started in this field is immense. Alongside the cases & the different profiles, it’s also a history of the Behavioural Sciences Unit at the FBI, which is almost as interesting as the cases covered. This is more psychology-based than John Douglas’s Mindhunter, but what information is relayed about the cases is fascinating.
This was first published in 1992 - subsequent editions do not appear to contain updates, so it does feel dated when reading this 30 years after publication.
This was first published in 1992 - subsequent editions do not appear to contain updates, so it does feel dated when reading this 30 years after publication.
this was a five star prediction for me, and tbh i am let down
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This book started out really strong for me and then had fits and starts. Overall I recommend it if you are interested in the profile of the typical serial killer, but less so if you are interested in forensics or the actual stories of the how the killers were caught.
An interesting read! But definitely a book of it’s time - these days I wouldn’t be interested in a book with no acknowledgement of wider social context, such as race, gender and sexual identity.
For example, the police in the Dahmer case clearly failed the victims because of their own prejudice. Not solely a lack of training.
For example, the police in the Dahmer case clearly failed the victims because of their own prejudice. Not solely a lack of training.
It's gritty, engaging, and needles to say quite informative!
Among many other things it told me what makes a serial killer; emotional abuse during childhood, neglectful distant mother, parents not setting up moral standards, all of it resulting in dysfunctional romantic relationships and hence loneliness.
They suffer = the society suffers.
Among serial killers 70% had been victims of familial alcohol and drug abuse. Everyone need to read this gemstone of a book!
Among many other things it told me what makes a serial killer; emotional abuse during childhood, neglectful distant mother, parents not setting up moral standards, all of it resulting in dysfunctional romantic relationships and hence loneliness.
They suffer = the society suffers.
Among serial killers 70% had been victims of familial alcohol and drug abuse. Everyone need to read this gemstone of a book!