A psychiatrist and internationally recognized expert on violence, Lewis has spent the last quarter of a century studying the minds of killers. Amon...
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Dec 22, 2008
James
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A fascinating and disturbing book, by a shrewd and compassionate doctor who has made it her life's work to study human violence and violent humans. The author uses her experiences in a number of cases to tell, in a matter-of-fact way, how she and a colleague learned important things about the human mind and soul, and had to unlearn much of what they had been taught in medical school.
As a psychotherapist myself, I find that this is one of the most interesting and informative books I've r More...
As a psychotherapist myself, I find that this is one of the most interesting and informative books I've r More...
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May 04, 2010
Jan
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As the book title suggests, the author is a psychiatrist who, through a circuitous route (she started out working with juveniles), eventually found her way to interviewing death row inmates.
Lewis's basic premise is that most, if not all, killers suffered some sort of neurological damage at some point in their life. This goes beyond the "I was abused as a child" argument that many defense attorneys use to defend their clients. Lewis claims that most killers are actually bra More...
Lewis's basic premise is that most, if not all, killers suffered some sort of neurological damage at some point in their life. This goes beyond the "I was abused as a child" argument that many defense attorneys use to defend their clients. Lewis claims that most killers are actually bra More...
Apr 24, 2007
kelsey
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This book really made me think twice before making opinions about criminals. It delves deeply into the similarities that so many criminals share (i.e. the hardships they've suffered as children, etc). Although it doesnt excuse any criminal behavior, it exposes the truth behind so many of these "monsters" motives and personal histories.
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Mar 22, 2010
Wellington
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Wow. This was a really honest and disturbing book. Are "evil" murderers more Gomer Pyle than Hannibal Lector? Why do some murderers end up on death row and other actually get the chair? What kind of people volunteer and look forward to become the executioner?
Now, it's been a couple weeks since I actually finished the book. I happened to be traveling outside the country and it really made me wonder why the USA is the only major global player who has a death penalty? Hav More...
Now, it's been a couple weeks since I actually finished the book. I happened to be traveling outside the country and it really made me wonder why the USA is the only major global player who has a death penalty? Hav More...
Sep 28, 2011
Shanna
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As some of the other reviews suggest, this isn't the most well written book. However, the subject matter is more than interesting enough to keep you reading. I especially found the idea that society doesn't care so much about the why, as they do about all the gory details, interesting. I also appreciated that the author was careful not to overgeneralize. Although she found that most of the violent offenders she studied have a history of trauma, abuse and often brain damage, she did not go so
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Oct 30, 2010
Jesse
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 23, 2008
Catherine
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A fascinating account of insanity-induced violence and how it is reflected in the justice system -- especially in regards to how courts have treated psychiatric testimony over the years and in how psychiatrists (such as the author) have progressed in making reports and cases. The novel follows Doctor Dorothy Lewis as she studies violence in the juvenile system, the adults, and the juveniles-turned-adults. It touches on something of conspiracy theory toward the end of chapter 18, but is for the
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Jun 26, 2011
Terri
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Dr. Lewis studies violence and its frequent roots in violent abuse and nerological damage. And her case stories are very interesting. And as her views evolve over her years of study and experience, she becomes an expert at trying to determine the "why" of appearingly senseless crimes. A very intense read.
Feb 26, 2009
♣shanon♣
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The cases themselves are fascinating, however it is my opinion that throughout the book, the author felt it necessary to continually establish her qualifications to do such work, which after a while, I found to be very annoying.
Sep 16, 2007
Natalie
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I work in a psychiatric hospital as an RN. I have done this particular nursing for the past 15 years. During this time I have never encountered a diagnosis for Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). Reading this ground-breaking book has really helped me re-consider many previous schizophrenic diagnosis, particularly in patients with memory lapses, and history of childhood abuse. I appreciate the authors candor in stating she had never been taught it was a true diagnostic entity, and her helpful i
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Nov 25, 2011
Adam
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What prevents this book from getting a 4 or 5 star review is the fact that the author just looooooovvvveess herself. When the book discusses the judicial system, the patients, and the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on in her type of work -- this is a 5 star book. When she spends an entire chapter talking about her kid's interest in theater and how awesome her husband is...the book is a chore to get through.
This might be a good book for research, and don't get me wrong, this book More...
This might be a good book for research, and don't get me wrong, this book More...
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Aug 18, 2011
Diana
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The criminal mind can be Disturbing ,interesting, twisted this book takes you there....chilling but addicting read.
Jan 14, 2010
Libby
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at worst it veers into sensationalism, but has some moments of insight.
Jul 05, 2009
Sarallyn
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I can't say I enjoyed this book because I cringed almost the entire way through it, but it was fascinating. It did help me decide that I could NOT be a therapist for sexual assault victims like I originally wanted. This book is very graphic, graphic like a therapy session, and I couldn't take those kind of details every day. Dr. Lewis' hypothesis and findings are insightful. This book does give a glimpse into the mind of the truly insane. Disturbing, but worth reading.
Aug 13, 2008
Mandy Sue
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I read this book years ago and although I don't remember the individual case studies I do remember this book opened my eyes to the lives and mindsets of these killers.
The psychiatrist/author's writing put into perspective her views that killers are not born but created. It made my views against the death penalty even stronger.
Not the best writing on the subject but an enjoyable read at least.
The psychiatrist/author's writing put into perspective her views that killers are not born but created. It made my views against the death penalty even stronger.
Not the best writing on the subject but an enjoyable read at least.
Jul 20, 2010
Melani
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I loved this book, everything about it. My only regret is that I wasn't able to spend much time with it. (I borrowed it from a friend, and she wanted it back.) This is NOT a book to be read quickly over a two day period. Its much deeper than that. I would have enjoyed taking a week or two to read and reflect. This book was an amazing learning experience.
Jul 10, 2008
Matt
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Wow. Even weirder and more interesting than the facts in this book: it is the basis of a Broadway play! I shit you not, dear review reader. Malcom Gladwell wrote about this, and other instances of "sampling" in this article for the New Yorker: http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_11_25_...
Nov 04, 2011
Mopar1195
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Fascinating story of a psychiatrist and a neurologist who interview serial killers all over the world and documented the continuous trend that alot of the most severe criminals were traumatized at some in their life.
Dec 06, 2010
Mrs. Cyberhobo
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Violence begets violence. Who'd a thought? Sarcasm aside, this book really opened up my mind in a big way as to how people become who they become...
Feb 11, 2012
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