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Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit
(Mindhunter #1)
by
He has hunted some of the most notorious and sadistic criminals of our time: The Trailside Killer in San Francisco, the Atlanta Child murderer. He has confronted, interviewed and researched dozens of serial killers and assassins, including Charles Manson, Richard Speck, John Wayne Gacy, and James Earl Ray - for a landmark study to understand their motives. To get inside th
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Paperback, 397 pages
Published
August 1st 1996
by Pocket Books
(first published October 31st 1995)
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Start your review of Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit

So John Douglas is great when he’s talking about serial rape and child murder, and then he’s intensely obnoxious when he’s talking about anything else. So I guess it’s a good thing he mostly talks about rape and murder?
And when I say “John Douglas,” by the way, I mean John Douglas or his co/ghost writer, because who knows who wrote what. All I know is when this book talks about crime, it’s focused and intelligent and compassionate. And when it’s talking about anything else – the FBI, his home li ...more
And when I say “John Douglas,” by the way, I mean John Douglas or his co/ghost writer, because who knows who wrote what. All I know is when this book talks about crime, it’s focused and intelligent and compassionate. And when it’s talking about anything else – the FBI, his home li ...more

This review is going to be as much about comparing it to the new Netflix series as it is the book itself. You have been warned.
John Douglas was a FBI agent who spent most of his career working for its Behavioral Science Unit. Along with other agents Douglas interviewed a wide variety of violent offenders including such notorious figures as Charles Manson, Richard Speck, and David Berkowitz, and then he tried to apply what they learned to develop criminal profiles of active unsolved cases. If you ...more
John Douglas was a FBI agent who spent most of his career working for its Behavioral Science Unit. Along with other agents Douglas interviewed a wide variety of violent offenders including such notorious figures as Charles Manson, Richard Speck, and David Berkowitz, and then he tried to apply what they learned to develop criminal profiles of active unsolved cases. If you ...more

“Behavior reflects personality. The best indicator of future violence is past violence. To understand the "artist", you must study his "art". The crime must be evaluated in its totality. There is no substitute for experience, and if you want to understand the criminal mind, you must go directly to the source and learn to decipher what he tells you. And, above all: Why + How = Who.”
Special Agent John Douglas is the man who helped usher in a new age in behavioural science and criminal profiling. W ...more
Special Agent John Douglas is the man who helped usher in a new age in behavioural science and criminal profiling. W ...more

If you’re a true crime reader in the US, Mindhunter is a must-read of greatest hits. Be forewarned, though, that Douglas is an almost unbearable horse’s a$$, lacking even the slightest self-awareness, and with a zeal for capitol punishment* (and arrogant dismissal of those who disagree with him) that twice came close to provoking me to throw Mindhunter across the room. Props to his (credited) ghost writer who no doubt toned down some of Douglas’ even more obnoxious takes.
Also note that the utter ...more
Also note that the utter ...more

Ok, this is pure wow. The fact that the author doesn't adopt the 'holier than thou stance' so common with law enforcement makes this an extremely enjoyable as well as worthwhile read.
Q:
In high school, I was already six foot two, which I used to my advantage. Talent-wise, we were a so-so team in a good league, and I knew it was up to the pitcher to try to be a field leader and set a winning tone. I had pretty good control for a high schooler, but I decided not to let the opposing batters know thi ...more
Q:
In high school, I was already six foot two, which I used to my advantage. Talent-wise, we were a so-so team in a good league, and I knew it was up to the pitcher to try to be a field leader and set a winning tone. I had pretty good control for a high schooler, but I decided not to let the opposing batters know thi ...more

Think Like One and Get Them
What's that "thing" that thinks like a criminal, walks like a criminal, talks like a criminal, but doesn't (hopefully) act like a criminal ?
????????????????
???????????????
???????????????
It's an FBI Criminal Profiler, what else?!... 😜
GREAT BOOK 👍
In a Nutshell:
Outside of a killer, a book is a great friend. Inside of a killer it’s too dark to read (unless of course you can find a match there — BOOOOOMMMM💀💀💀 (Gosh!... These books bring out the worst in me 😜))
P.S.: As you p ...more
What's that "thing" that thinks like a criminal, walks like a criminal, talks like a criminal, but doesn't (hopefully) act like a criminal ?
????????????????
???????????????
???????????????
It's an FBI Criminal Profiler, what else?!... 😜
GREAT BOOK 👍
In a Nutshell:
Outside of a killer, a book is a great friend. Inside of a killer it’s too dark to read (unless of course you can find a match there — BOOOOOMMMM💀💀💀 (Gosh!... These books bring out the worst in me 😜))
P.S.: As you p ...more

9/2/19-UPDATE-Woo Hoo Mindhunter's Second Season Happening Now on Netflix-9 Brand New Episodes!!!! New York Magazine has an interesting article about the Real Take on the Atlanta Murders-https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/mindh...
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
6/4/2019-UPDATE ‘Mindhunter’ Season 2: Charlize Theron Says August Debut, Plus Son of Sam Confirmed to Appear
Charlize Theron is one of the Executive Producers of Mindhunter and during an interview with Howard Stern, she revealed the second season of Mindhunte ...more
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
6/4/2019-UPDATE ‘Mindhunter’ Season 2: Charlize Theron Says August Debut, Plus Son of Sam Confirmed to Appear
Charlize Theron is one of the Executive Producers of Mindhunter and during an interview with Howard Stern, she revealed the second season of Mindhunte ...more

How to be a Criminal Profiler
Imagine yourself thinking like a criminal!
The moment you'll start doing it, it's like grabbing the key of the safe where he hides all his secret, devilish plans.
You're gonna know where the hell he's gonna be, and what the f*** he's gonna do. And you could use that valuable information to get near enough to help him burn in his own flames, or, if you prefer a more succint, concise sentence, you'll have all it takes for a quite functional setup.
So the question is, how ...more
Imagine yourself thinking like a criminal!
The moment you'll start doing it, it's like grabbing the key of the safe where he hides all his secret, devilish plans.
You're gonna know where the hell he's gonna be, and what the f*** he's gonna do. And you could use that valuable information to get near enough to help him burn in his own flames, or, if you prefer a more succint, concise sentence, you'll have all it takes for a quite functional setup.
So the question is, how ...more

Oct 20, 2017
✨ jamieson ✨
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
random-choice-tbr
the mindhunter tv show on netflix has literally both made and ruined my life
i have so much uni work but all i can do is watch netflix
listen buzzfeed unsolves: true crime JUST ended and mindhunter comes into my life? its like the universe is enabling my true crime interests
naturally i have to further destroy my life and read the book
i have so much uni work but all i can do is watch netflix
listen buzzfeed unsolves: true crime JUST ended and mindhunter comes into my life? its like the universe is enabling my true crime interests
naturally i have to further destroy my life and read the book

I purchased this book recently having read the rave reviews received for the series of the same name on Netflix. I am an avid thriller reader and fascinated by most things related to crime so found this account by John Edward Douglas who is a former United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent and one of the first criminal profilers a very informative read. He recounts some of the cases he has dealt with, many of which are house old names such as Charles Manson and Ted Bundy and giv
...more

I really enjoyed my reread of MINDHUNTER, which I picked up on a whim again due to the fact that I'm incapable of remembering any book I've read, so it felt like I was reading this for the first time again. It is absolutely fascinating to read about Douglas' process in profiling serial killers based on their past, crimes, and actions after the fact. I'll never not find it mindblowing that this man, with years upon years of experience in such a dark field, has the skills to pinpoint a killer down
...more

When I started sixth form college to begin my A levels I had this strange idea that psychology would be amazing, and I'd get to learn all about the criminal mind and my inner self. Funnily enough, after a week I realised it wasn't about this at all and I transferred to Geography instead (wise decision).
I discovered this book, like most people at the moment, via the Netflix show of the same name, which I loved. And this book was similar in that it gave me everything I hoped I'd get out of that c ...more
I discovered this book, like most people at the moment, via the Netflix show of the same name, which I loved. And this book was similar in that it gave me everything I hoped I'd get out of that c ...more

I'm glad that Charlize Theron gave a copy to David Fincher because I like the show. Just make that your doors are locked and that your phone works.
...more

Whew, a thoroughly taxing, but absorbing read. Certainly a lot of information to be processed, and most of it not very pleasant. John Douglas relates in an almost casual, understated style his lifelong hunt for serial killers, kidnappers and rapists. Chilling and consuming, it provides some sharp insight into not only deviant behaviour, but human nature itself.
Douglas is one of the fathers of modern day profiling. He was the model for Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs. He interviewed and ...more
Douglas is one of the fathers of modern day profiling. He was the model for Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs. He interviewed and ...more

Compelling-
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; however, it wasn't what I had expected. I wanted to hear all about the top cases that John worked on and not necessarily his biography—saying that it wasn't all about him. It does give insight into his investigations and the minds of the killers he chased and caught. It was well written, and his detailed notes on each of the criminals were fascinating to read. It was compelling and full of suspects I hadn't heard of before. Other than a few that are bas ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; however, it wasn't what I had expected. I wanted to hear all about the top cases that John worked on and not necessarily his biography—saying that it wasn't all about him. It does give insight into his investigations and the minds of the killers he chased and caught. It was well written, and his detailed notes on each of the criminals were fascinating to read. It was compelling and full of suspects I hadn't heard of before. Other than a few that are bas ...more

Wow!!!
This was insanely fascinating. As a kid I used to watch Medical Detectives a series on Discovery channel which would re-enact a few of the true crimes and how the perpetrators were caught owning to forensic proofs and other tactics of solving them, primary among them would be "profiling" the perpetrator (s). The various kinds and number of cases that Douglas discusses in this book is somewhat alarming. If one is to consider the sheer amount crimes that happens across the world on a single ...more
This was insanely fascinating. As a kid I used to watch Medical Detectives a series on Discovery channel which would re-enact a few of the true crimes and how the perpetrators were caught owning to forensic proofs and other tactics of solving them, primary among them would be "profiling" the perpetrator (s). The various kinds and number of cases that Douglas discusses in this book is somewhat alarming. If one is to consider the sheer amount crimes that happens across the world on a single ...more

I found this to be a surprisingly drawn out and narcissistic book.
For the first ca. 100 pages (in my edition) the author continued to talk about his childhood, college years, dating history, his countless brushes with the law and how well he could lie and manipulate others (there's someone you'd trust to be an FBI agent) and all of his more or less impressive achievements. The grandiosity was a bit much to stomach at times and I got the impression he just loves to hear himself talk, especially ...more
For the first ca. 100 pages (in my edition) the author continued to talk about his childhood, college years, dating history, his countless brushes with the law and how well he could lie and manipulate others (there's someone you'd trust to be an FBI agent) and all of his more or less impressive achievements. The grandiosity was a bit much to stomach at times and I got the impression he just loves to hear himself talk, especially ...more

I'm a huge fan of Mindhunter series. I watched first season on one breath and when I saw this book around of course I had to read it. Nonetheless it was stuck on my virtual shelf for more than a year after I purchased it... And shame on me for that, for I enjoyed the book a lot. And right now I can enjoy my second season of series with the peace of mind.
Despite that I rolled my eyes a little bit when reading, because J.E.'s ego was a bit of too much sometimes for my tastes, I found this book ver ...more
Despite that I rolled my eyes a little bit when reading, because J.E.'s ego was a bit of too much sometimes for my tastes, I found this book ver ...more

5 Stars for sure!
This book is great for anyone that likes psychology, true crime, serial killers, etc. This was very eye-opening and definitely different than the Netflix show. If you did or did not enjoy the Netflix show, don't base this book from that. They are very different.
"He has hunted some of the most notorious and sadistic criminals of our time: The Trailside Killer in San Francisco, the Atlanta Child murderer. He has confronted, interviewed and researched dozens of serial killers and a ...more
This book is great for anyone that likes psychology, true crime, serial killers, etc. This was very eye-opening and definitely different than the Netflix show. If you did or did not enjoy the Netflix show, don't base this book from that. They are very different.
"He has hunted some of the most notorious and sadistic criminals of our time: The Trailside Killer in San Francisco, the Atlanta Child murderer. He has confronted, interviewed and researched dozens of serial killers and a ...more

John was one of the first agents to put together the skill of 'profiling' a crime in order to aid in catching the criminal that committed it. Very interesting stuff, and logical, too. You would think that cops, and others, would have 'seen' these patterns themselves. Maybe they did. But when the FBI moved the idea from a vague 'voodoo' kind of input to an actual crime solving tool, things began to gel into a fantastic weapon against killers/rapists/etc.
Concise writing made the book easy to read, ...more
Concise writing made the book easy to read, ...more

Feb 10, 2021
Ria
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
4stars,
tv-series-adaptation
''We've just go to make sure we keep learning faster than they do.''

The show is better because they make their lives interesting.
Finally bought it and also watched season 2. Still pissed it got cancelled...
The descriptions of the crimes and the tactics they use is extremely interesting. Read it in one go. It's worth a read for the crime analysis and the profiling. The biographic part is not that great tho. ...more

The show is better because they make their lives interesting.
Finally bought it and also watched season 2. Still pissed it got cancelled...
The descriptions of the crimes and the tactics they use is extremely interesting. Read it in one go. It's worth a read for the crime analysis and the profiling. The biographic part is not that great tho. ...more

This review and others can be found on BW Book Reviews.
I think a fun fact about me is that the first time I ever contemplated being a psychologist (of any type, too) was when I started getting into serial killers. God, I was such a nerd about serial killer facts. I could tell you all about Ted Bundy’s upbringing, John Wayne Gacy’s crimes, Jeffrey Dahmer’s near miss with the police. I wanted to be a criminal psychologist. I wanted to be a profiler.
Now, I see what John Douglas does as a whole bunc ...more
I think a fun fact about me is that the first time I ever contemplated being a psychologist (of any type, too) was when I started getting into serial killers. God, I was such a nerd about serial killer facts. I could tell you all about Ted Bundy’s upbringing, John Wayne Gacy’s crimes, Jeffrey Dahmer’s near miss with the police. I wanted to be a criminal psychologist. I wanted to be a profiler.
Now, I see what John Douglas does as a whole bunc ...more

The pacing is different, but the book is packed with a lot of interesting info.
If you are a criminal minds fan, like I am, you’ll enjoy this (really reminded me of Rossi). You hear a lot about his journey and how the division faced skepticism and overcame it and is now seen as an invaluable part of the FBI.
Most of us true crime fans wonder “how can a person do that to another person” which I believe this book focuses on.
He covers famous and not so famous cases, I haven’t seen the series yet s ...more
If you are a criminal minds fan, like I am, you’ll enjoy this (really reminded me of Rossi). You hear a lot about his journey and how the division faced skepticism and overcame it and is now seen as an invaluable part of the FBI.
Most of us true crime fans wonder “how can a person do that to another person” which I believe this book focuses on.
He covers famous and not so famous cases, I haven’t seen the series yet s ...more

Not what I expected, even less of what I wanted. I thought I was going to delve into a fascinating and disturbing insight into behavioral science and how it can be used to profile serial killers and other deviants, instead I got something closer to "The life and times of John Douglas". Sorry, but if I'm reading more of your thoughts and your feelings than the actual cases I thought I was getting, then we have a problem, John.
During my reading Douglas came across as extremely egocentric, less of ...more
During my reading Douglas came across as extremely egocentric, less of ...more

It is no secret that I am a fan of crime and thriller reads and am as fascinated as the next man as to what makes a murderer tick. One of those who took that very interest to the extreme was former FBI agent and criminal profiler John Edward Douglas. Over a 25 year career, he would encounter some of America's most dangerous individuals including Ted Bundy, Ed Kemper, Charles Manson, Richard Speck, and David Berkowitz to name a few. His conversations would provide an unsettling look into the mind
...more

To be honest, the show is better! I hate saying that, but the way this book reads does not keep my interest. It took me almost a month to get through this audiobook because the writing style is very over the top and detailed, rather than straight to the point. I prefer non-fiction and crime-fiction to just focus on the conversation at hand. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I definitely think readers should check out the show, but if you haven't yet, then maybe pick up the book first. That
...more

If you're deeply fascinated by criminology (and you're curious about the history of profiling), or you're a big fan of John E. Douglas, this book might be worth checking out. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a straightforward presentation of serial offender types and example cases, you're going to want to skip this one.
Douglas clearly fancies himself a bit of a storyteller, but he lacks any sense of drama or poetry that might make the book more readable. Instead, he comes off as a bit f ...more
Douglas clearly fancies himself a bit of a storyteller, but he lacks any sense of drama or poetry that might make the book more readable. Instead, he comes off as a bit f ...more

Jun 05, 2008
Maureen
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one in particular
Recommended to Maureen by:
research
Shelves:
crime
I must say, this book is a mixed bag. The story of the development of criminal profiling is certainly an interesting one, but I don't believe that Mr. Douglas deserves quite as much credit as he is willing to give himself. He also freely characterizes the killers in this book as monsters. Having worked with a number of this kind of person, I tend to see them more as broken human beings who deserve to be punished. The "monster" epithet implies that society has no responsibility in the way these k
...more
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Nonfiction Naviga...: Mindhunter | 1 | 6 | Jan 07, 2020 11:19AM | |
Mindhunter | 1 | 13 | Jan 07, 2020 11:17AM |
John Edward Douglas is a former United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent, one of the first criminal profilers, and criminal psychology author. He also wrote four horror novels in the mid 1990s. -Wikipedia
During his twenty-five year career with the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, a name he later changed to The Investigative Science Unit (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995), John Douglas becam ...more
During his twenty-five year career with the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, a name he later changed to The Investigative Science Unit (Douglas & Olshaker, 1995), John Douglas becam ...more
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Mindhunter
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If a true crime audiobook is your idea of the perfect listen, then this post is for you. True crime has been enjoying something...
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“Behavior reflects personality.”
—
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“Behavior reflects personality. The best indicator of future violence is past violence. To understand the "artist," you must study his "art." The crime must be evaluated in its totality. There is no substitute for experience, and if you want to understand the criminal mind, you must go directly to the source and learn to decipher what he tells you. And, above all: Why + How = Who.”
—
16 likes
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