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The Sadist
The Sadist ( "Der Sadist") is a book published by psychiatrist Karl Berg, following the confessions of Peter Kürten, a well-known serial murderer in the late 1920s in Germany.
The book was originally written in German. The first English edition was issued in 1938, by Acorn Press. A second edition was published by William Heinemann Medical Books in 1945. All editions are quite scarce.
The 1931 film by Fritz Lang, called "M", is alleged to have been based on the story of this serial killer.
--Wikipedia.org
The book was originally written in German. The first English edition was issued in 1938, by Acorn Press. A second edition was published by William Heinemann Medical Books in 1945. All editions are quite scarce.
The 1931 film by Fritz Lang, called "M", is alleged to have been based on the story of this serial killer.
--Wikipedia.org
200 pages
First published January 1, 1932
43 people are currently reading
967 people want to read
About the author
Karl Berg
6 books1 followerGerman psychiatrist most famous for interviewing serial killer Peter Kürten during his imprisonment.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 2, 2015
I WISH I could review this book. This is my single most-wanted book EVER. Peter Kürten is my "favorite" serial killer and there just isnt enough information on him. I would LOVE to read about him from not only a professional psychiatrist, but also someone who was there at that time interviewing him before he went to the gullotine. I tried going through ILL (interlibrary loan) to get this and so far its been the only request of mine to ever get denied. Ive had it on my ebay saved search for years and nothing. If anyone knows where I could possibly obtain this (one of the two English translated editions) that would be A-mazing.
UPDATE: This is a little premature of me to edit this post right now as the book isnt technically in my hands yet, but I just won a copy on eBay (FINALLY!) and it should arrive in the next couple of days. I cant afford to keep it so I plan on reading it as fast I can, take notes, scans, etc and then relist it again. I think of it like a very expensive library rental LOL. Actual review pending...
07/31/12: About a third of the way through so far. The first section is almost exclusively just hard autopsy data on the victims. I skimmed through that. Im in this for the psychosis, not how many cm each wound was, but if thats information another reader may care about, then yes, thats all here.
One fascinating thing that Im discovering so far is that there is some information that is prevalent in other pieces of documentation that is being disproven here. For example, its reported in every other resource Ive read that Kürten did indeed confess to his wife with little prompting and told her to turn him in for the reward so she wouldnt be left penniless when he went to prison. BUT, though that information is given here as well, there is documentation from the wife stating that he didnt offer himself up like that nor so quickly.
To be continued...
UPDATE: This is a little premature of me to edit this post right now as the book isnt technically in my hands yet, but I just won a copy on eBay (FINALLY!) and it should arrive in the next couple of days. I cant afford to keep it so I plan on reading it as fast I can, take notes, scans, etc and then relist it again. I think of it like a very expensive library rental LOL. Actual review pending...
07/31/12: About a third of the way through so far. The first section is almost exclusively just hard autopsy data on the victims. I skimmed through that. Im in this for the psychosis, not how many cm each wound was, but if thats information another reader may care about, then yes, thats all here.
One fascinating thing that Im discovering so far is that there is some information that is prevalent in other pieces of documentation that is being disproven here. For example, its reported in every other resource Ive read that Kürten did indeed confess to his wife with little prompting and told her to turn him in for the reward so she wouldnt be left penniless when he went to prison. BUT, though that information is given here as well, there is documentation from the wife stating that he didnt offer himself up like that nor so quickly.
To be continued...
December 28, 2016
The Sadist is a serial killer in the late 1920's in Germany called Peter Kurten. The author is psychiatrist Karl Berg who spent over a year with Kurten who was very candid with Berg. The book covers the crimes as described by Kurten including what was going on in his mind at the time.
The author offers great insight into Kurten and mentions when he thinks Kurten is being untruthful and why he is either trying to fool Berg or himself. The first part of the book is Kurten recounting the crime followed by the second part where Berg analyzes Kurten in light of what was then known about sadism.
This book will appeal to readers who are interested in the "why" of serial murder. It's not typical true crime. There is no background to the victims and few details on the investigation.
The reason why I gave it 5 stars is because it was well written, I learned a lot and I am super impressed with Berg being so knowledgeable especially considering it was written around 1930. It is considered a classic and I can see why.
The author offers great insight into Kurten and mentions when he thinks Kurten is being untruthful and why he is either trying to fool Berg or himself. The first part of the book is Kurten recounting the crime followed by the second part where Berg analyzes Kurten in light of what was then known about sadism.
This book will appeal to readers who are interested in the "why" of serial murder. It's not typical true crime. There is no background to the victims and few details on the investigation.
The reason why I gave it 5 stars is because it was well written, I learned a lot and I am super impressed with Berg being so knowledgeable especially considering it was written around 1930. It is considered a classic and I can see why.
April 4, 2020
Not for the weak
Great investigation of the murders committed by Peter Kurten, he Vampire of Duesseldorf, but very graphic and not for those with a weak stomach. The book provides an analysis of his crimes in great detail, including the rape and murder of young children. I would recommend only to those with a sincere interest in serial killers.
Great investigation of the murders committed by Peter Kurten, he Vampire of Duesseldorf, but very graphic and not for those with a weak stomach. The book provides an analysis of his crimes in great detail, including the rape and murder of young children. I would recommend only to those with a sincere interest in serial killers.
June 13, 2017
With any book on the subject of serial killers you need to sift through all the sensational, the self indulgent and blame to bring out any real insight. The Sadist is an exception.
Kurten is surprisingly frank about his motivations, history, family life and crimes.
It's a shame that this book has such limited availability because it's value exceeds most tomes ten times its breadth.
Like any book of its type, there remain many questions that go unanswered, but considering the time in which Karl Berg originally conducted the interviews and the prevailing professional attitudes at the time, The Sadist is a gem.
Kurten is surprisingly frank about his motivations, history, family life and crimes.
It's a shame that this book has such limited availability because it's value exceeds most tomes ten times its breadth.
Like any book of its type, there remain many questions that go unanswered, but considering the time in which Karl Berg originally conducted the interviews and the prevailing professional attitudes at the time, The Sadist is a gem.
April 25, 2021
This book is a short and cold evaluation of ruthless serial killer Peter Kürten. The first two-thirds of the book is primarily a description of his crimes and his capture. I'm not an English native speaker, but translation is horrid. However, I still want to give this book four stars as this is an important part of true crime literature and a deep analysis of pathological drives here is very alluring.
December 21, 2022
This book is well put together, but is also a reproduction of police records and isn't necessarily published with the purpose of recreational reading. This was one of the most difficult to read books I've tackled--not because of its translation, but because of the sheer brutality of it all.
April 7, 2020
Disturbing. Deeply, deeply disturbing.
June 8, 2022
Fuerteeeee nmms
October 6, 2024
Massive trigger warning to anyone who might read this for animal cruelty and child brutality.
December 21, 2016
A good book, but i suggest it only for a avid true crime reader.
I gave this book 4 stars only because it has its moments where it is hard to keep up with. That should be expected though as this book is just a translated version of the doctors files. I do suggest you read a book about this killer before you read this book, it will give you a back story and you will know some about what the Dr is saying. Be ready for some graphic photos at the end.
I gave this book 4 stars only because it has its moments where it is hard to keep up with. That should be expected though as this book is just a translated version of the doctors files. I do suggest you read a book about this killer before you read this book, it will give you a back story and you will know some about what the Dr is saying. Be ready for some graphic photos at the end.
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April 26, 2017Kobo
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews