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Overview
This bestselling book has become a staple of every serious true crime book collector's library. One of the most reliable concise sources of information available about serial killers and their crimes, this book offers a psychological and sociological analysis of this most frightening yet fascinating criminal. Psychologist David Lester, recognized worldwide as a leading authority on death-both in the fields of suicide and homicide-offers a much-needed assessment of whether or not there is a dependable and useable psychological profile of the serial killer. Separating the facts from the myths by combining documented case histories of notable serial killers with behavioral research, Serial Killers: The Insatiable Passion has been welcomed and applauded as an important addition to the literature on serial killers by criminologists, psychologists, sociologists, law enforcement and true crime buffs alike.The book contains no figures.
Synopsis
This bestselling book has become a staple of every serious true crime book collector's library. One of the most reliable concise sources of information available about serial killers and their crimes, this book offers a psychological and sociological analysis of this most frightening yet fascinating criminal. Psychologist David Lester, recognized worldwide as a leading authority on death-both in the fields of suicide and homicide-offers a much-needed assessment of whether or not there is a dependable and useable psychological profile of the serial killer. Separating the facts from the myths by combining documented case histories of notable serial killers with behavioral research, Serial Killers: The Insatiable Passion has been welcomed and applauded as an important addition to the literature on serial killers by criminologists, psychologists, sociologists, law enforcement and true crime buffs alike.
Alexander E. Obolsky
This very exciting book explores the known facts and proposed theories for serial murder and presents multiple case studies of serial murder. The purpose is to present a comprehensive look at the psychological and sociological aspects of the perpetrators of serial murder. This is a very important and timely contribution, and the book meets its objectives well. The targeted audience is that of law enforcement and psychology. I recommend it as a text for forensic psychiatry fellows and others who are specializing in the study of murderous behavior. Additionally, I recommend it to attorneys who either represent or prosecute those accused of serial murder. The references are excellent, practical, and current. The index is useful. This volume lends itself nicely as a text for a course. It is also an excellent book for healthcare practitioners and students dealing with serial murder. The author does a service to the readers by bringing together into one volume a review of current theories regarding serial killing as well as reviewing what we actually know. Another noteworthy achievement is the lack of a sensationalist tone so prevalent in the literature on the topic. I recommend it to those who work with serial killers whether in jails or prisons, to courts, to those working on apprehending serial murderers, and to the mental health professionals studying to provide mental health services to serial murderers.
Editorials
Reviewer: Alexander E. Obolsky, MD(Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This very exciting book explores the known facts and proposed theories for serial murder and presents multiple case studies of serial murder.
Purpose: The purpose is to present a comprehensive look at the psychological and sociological aspects of the perpetrators of serial murder. This is a very important and timely contribution, and the book meets its objectives well.
Audience: The targeted audience is that of law enforcement and psychology. I recommend it as a text for forensic psychiatry fellows and others who are specializing in the study of murderous behavior. Additionally, I recommend it to attorneys who either represent or prosecute those accused of serial murder.
Features: The references are excellent, practical, and current. The index is useful. This volume lends itself nicely as a text for a course. It is also an excellent book for healthcare practitioners and students dealing with serial murder. The author does a service to the readers by bringing together into one volume a review of current theories regarding serial killing as well as reviewing what we actually know. Another noteworthy achievement is the lack of a sensationalist tone so prevalent in the literature on the topic.
Assessment: I recommend it to those who work with serial killers whether in jails or prisons, to courts, to those working on apprehending serial murderers, and to the mental health professionals studying to provide mental health services to serial murderers.
Alexander E. Obolsky
This very exciting book explores the known facts and proposed theories for serial murder and presents multiple case studies of serial murder. The purpose is to present a comprehensive look at the psychological and sociological aspects of the perpetrators of serial murder. This is a very important and timely contribution, and the book meets its objectives well. The targeted audience is that of law enforcement and psychology. I recommend it as a text for forensic psychiatry fellows and others who are specializing in the study of murderous behavior. Additionally, I recommend it to attorneys who either represent or prosecute those accused of serial murder. The references are excellent, practical, and current. The index is useful. This volume lends itself nicely as a text for a course. It is also an excellent book for healthcare practitioners and students dealing with serial murder. The author does a service to the readers by bringing together into one volume a review of current theories regarding serial killing as well as reviewing what we actually know. Another noteworthy achievement is the lack of a sensationalist tone so prevalent in the literature on the topic. I recommend it to those who work with serial killers whether in jails or prisons, to courts, to those working on apprehending serial murderers, and to the mental health professionals studying to provide mental health services to serial murderers.4 Stars! from Doody