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The Serial Killer Files: The Who, What, Where, How, and Why of the World's Most Terrifying Murderers
THE DEFINITIVE DOSSIER ON HISTORY’S MOST HEINOUS!
Hollywood’s make-believe maniacs like Jason, Freddy, and Hannibal Lecter can’t hold a candle to real life monsters like John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and scores of others who have terrorized, tortured, and terminated their way across civilization throughout the ages. Now, from the much-acclaimed author of Devia ...more
Hollywood’s make-believe maniacs like Jason, Freddy, and Hannibal Lecter can’t hold a candle to real life monsters like John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and scores of others who have terrorized, tortured, and terminated their way across civilization throughout the ages. Now, from the much-acclaimed author of Devia ...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
December 30th 2003
by Ballantine Books
(first published 2003)
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The Serial Killer Files is a definite summary of all things serial killings and serial killers. It starts from the history of the word "serial killer" and covers each area with captivating style, ending chapters with book recommendations for a deeper knowledge of the things discussed. What else, more a devout true crime reader would and could ask for?
Schechter does a fine job of covering and debunking all aspects, definitions, beliefs and assumptions we have of the human monsters.
He argues stro ...more
Schechter does a fine job of covering and debunking all aspects, definitions, beliefs and assumptions we have of the human monsters.
He argues stro ...more
This book exceeded all my expectations. When looking for a book about serial killers, I was mainly looking for reasons why they did what they did. I found those reasons and so much more. Not only did the author include the psychology sections that I was looking for, they also provided cultural information, like why are people so fascinated by serial killers and how long has this been going on(which the author pointed out that it has been going on practically forever). The author had information
...more
I have a morbid fascination with death so what better book for me? It outlined many famous cases and I learned about many new ones. People never fail to disgust me, this book proves why.
Aug 05, 2011
T.M. Carper
added it
If you're looking for information on the big-name serial killers, try another book--there are several for each killer listed in the back for more information--because it only has a condensed listing/summary of the major killers.
The first few chapters overview the types of serial killers and the history of serial killing.
This a fact-based book covering brutal cases with stark clarity. There are a lot of little known killers mentioned, as well as the usual suspects of Bundy, Gacy, Dahmer, Jack t ...more
The first few chapters overview the types of serial killers and the history of serial killing.
This a fact-based book covering brutal cases with stark clarity. There are a lot of little known killers mentioned, as well as the usual suspects of Bundy, Gacy, Dahmer, Jack t ...more
I'm a fan of mysteries and documentaries so this book was great for me. It had a lot of facts why some people become serial killers and how to recognize one. It also discusses the phenomenal societys obsession with serial killers. Very interersting book indeed.
I read this as part of my research for a psych paper on Nature Vs. Nurture in Criminal Psychology. Although it was a bit redundant at times, I found it incredibly informative.
I especially enjoyed the tidbits it provided on the historical context of serial killers- the fact that the term wasn't widely used until the 1980's shocked me. The information given about cases from the 19th century and earlier were especially interesting, in my opinion, just because you never really hear about the older s ...more
I especially enjoyed the tidbits it provided on the historical context of serial killers- the fact that the term wasn't widely used until the 1980's shocked me. The information given about cases from the 19th century and earlier were especially interesting, in my opinion, just because you never really hear about the older s ...more
The Serial Killer Files,
The Who, What, Where, How, and Why of the World’s Most Terrifying Murders
Written By: Harold Schechter
Published By: A Ballantine Book, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, USA, 2003, First Edition, 422 pages, paperback (9.1 x 7.4 inches), ISBN 978-0-345-46566-0
“The Serial Killer Files is an overflowing compendium of Serial Killer facts and data which will inform you and keep you riveted!” BCM
If someone thinks about a serial killer, they often imagine a person w ...more
The Who, What, Where, How, and Why of the World’s Most Terrifying Murders
Written By: Harold Schechter
Published By: A Ballantine Book, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, USA, 2003, First Edition, 422 pages, paperback (9.1 x 7.4 inches), ISBN 978-0-345-46566-0
“The Serial Killer Files is an overflowing compendium of Serial Killer facts and data which will inform you and keep you riveted!” BCM
If someone thinks about a serial killer, they often imagine a person w ...more
This book is for the ones who are really interested in serial killers or in the psychology behind it (which is my case). If you have already read books about serial killers, you may find some information redundant. However, you should definitely give it a go.
Some descriptions are very strong, as some of the illustrations.
The design of this book is incredible! The pictures, the info and the real cases analysis make this one of the best books about serial killers that I have ever read.
It has a lot ...more
Some descriptions are very strong, as some of the illustrations.
The design of this book is incredible! The pictures, the info and the real cases analysis make this one of the best books about serial killers that I have ever read.
It has a lot ...more
Wow, I finally finished this book; after a couple of months! I started out on my interest in serial killers (and what makes them tick) last fall; half a year later I finally finished this most comprehensive guide on killers!
And really, this book has everything in it. It even reaches out of the strict realm of serial killing into some side branches like mass murderers. The only thing that really bothered me was the repitition of some of the stories. "Yes, I learned about Albert Fish's atrocities ...more
And really, this book has everything in it. It even reaches out of the strict realm of serial killing into some side branches like mass murderers. The only thing that really bothered me was the repitition of some of the stories. "Yes, I learned about Albert Fish's atrocities ...more
It was a pretty interesting read overall. However, the writing really started to annoy me in the long run. Every time the author tried to describe a murder in the most 'gruesome' details, it came off as if the author intended to gross you out on purpose, making it seem way worse than it actually was. There wasn't much variation of words either; it was just dull and repetitive to me. Though that could've been caused by the translator of this book.
Also! (I almost forgot) There were a lot of intere ...more
Also! (I almost forgot) There were a lot of intere ...more
Very informative, and plenty (maybe sometimes too much) detail. There are lots of facts, charts and photos to grab your interest as you page through. It answers the question how creative can killers get in gory detail. Great for research or just for idle curiosity about whichever serial killer is currently getting turned into a movie.
In addition to the vast amount of information the book offers, it also contains some great indexes, lists and a bibliography for further reading.
Nothing like a grea ...more
In addition to the vast amount of information the book offers, it also contains some great indexes, lists and a bibliography for further reading.
Nothing like a grea ...more
I loved this book and would recommend to those who want to learn about several different types of serial killers and some interesting cases. I would say this book talk a lot about the why and the theories behind some of the acts and a lot about the history of serial killing. So this is a great book if you don't mind more about information provided into the mind of serial killers and the history of serial killing and different informational things of that nature
This book is really intense. I am a true crime junkie and I had to read this in small doses. Getting into the psyches of these seriously deranged people at times can be very unnerving. A good book none-the-less. I like that at the end of each section and at the end of the book, there are several other books listed to read pertaining to the same subject/serial killer.
This is a listing of almost every known serial killer and what horrible crimes they committed.
It was well-researched and hard to put down, but it turns your insides to jelly with its disturbing, cold facts.
The F.B.iI. says there are about 500 serial killers operating in the world right now. Yikes!
*Fascinating read.
It was well-researched and hard to put down, but it turns your insides to jelly with its disturbing, cold facts.
The F.B.iI. says there are about 500 serial killers operating in the world right now. Yikes!
*Fascinating read.
Great book that gives a lot of detail of the history of serial killers. And debunks a lot of myths! Reads more like a text book, but is somewhat more entertaining than a text book.
An excellent read. Thoroughly researched, yet highly accessible and informative. The individuals that inhabit the pages are displayed in all of their curious, sometimes sad and ultimately, maddening rage and unstoppable blood lust. The book also does not simply rely upon photos, but includes some illustrations for some of the killers of the late-18th and early-twentieth century. Despite all steps taken to make this a book that is approachable, the extent to the depth to which these men (and wome
...more
There are a lot of things about this book that I consider both good and bad. For me, perhaps the main sins are the author's feeling that everything is about sexual perversion and environment being the primary source of serial killers. I am certain that many studies support such ideas, but I have a hard time taking this from correlation to causality. I am much more a believer in gray for all things. The world just isn't that simple.
That said, there were many strengths to the text. I was introduce ...more
That said, there were many strengths to the text. I was introduce ...more
Very informative book... if you're into serial killers! :)
Good lord, i have read a lot of books about serial killers, starting a few years back and even then i knew the signs of a really good book/pdf file. The Serial Killer Files is divided in three parts, Who they are (a compile list, describing each one of them), How they kill (and their M.O.),Why they do it, and in-depth case studies (one of my favorite parts, hands down). And thats not all! almost every section comes with recommended books, which was the cherry on the top.
SO, i guess you can say ...more
SO, i guess you can say ...more
Harold Schechter is one of the leading authorities on American serial killers, and he has a very readable writing style. I've read several of his books, and I have "enjoyed" (I am not sure if that is the correct word, considering the subject matter) each of them.
The book is incredibly in depth, covering a range of topics (starting with how the term "serial killer" entered the English language, then delving into common characteristics of serial killers, why and how they kill, how they're caught, ...more
The book is incredibly in depth, covering a range of topics (starting with how the term "serial killer" entered the English language, then delving into common characteristics of serial killers, why and how they kill, how they're caught, ...more
Esse livro merecia uma nota melhor, mas duas coisas me deixaram bastante frustrada: a diagramação e o excesso de repetição dos casos.
O projeto gráfico é lindo e maravilhoso, mas essa fonte minúscula deixou a leitura muito cansativa. Entendo que isso influencia a quantidade de páginas, mas é simplesmente muito chato ficar se esforçando pra conseguir ler.
Outra coisa que me cansou foi a quantidade de vezes que os casos eram citados. Teve um momento que eu não aguentava mais ver detalhes sobre o me ...more
O projeto gráfico é lindo e maravilhoso, mas essa fonte minúscula deixou a leitura muito cansativa. Entendo que isso influencia a quantidade de páginas, mas é simplesmente muito chato ficar se esforçando pra conseguir ler.
Outra coisa que me cansou foi a quantidade de vezes que os casos eram citados. Teve um momento que eu não aguentava mais ver detalhes sobre o me ...more
O título e o tema espantam, mas a leitura é interessante para aqueles que gostam desse tipo de tema.
Não há apologia, não há idolatria aos personagens envolvidos em histórias macabras de assassinato, o que há no livro é uma narração de fatos pautado em pesquisa do autor sobre diversos seriais killers históricos tanto nos Estados Unidos como em todo o mundo.
O livro é denso e longo, porém aconselhado para os de estômago mais forte.
Não há apologia, não há idolatria aos personagens envolvidos em histórias macabras de assassinato, o que há no livro é uma narração de fatos pautado em pesquisa do autor sobre diversos seriais killers históricos tanto nos Estados Unidos como em todo o mundo.
O livro é denso e longo, porém aconselhado para os de estômago mais forte.
This is an amazing book that not only goes into the minds of both infamous serial killers and ones that escaped notoriety, but attempts to explain the psychology behind their sinister acts and what led them to commit such horrendous acts of violence just for their own gain. There are so many similar characteristics that existed in each of their childhoods that link them together and it is these characteristics that are believed to have turned them into the monsters that they were during adulthoo
...more
A very fascinating look into what makes a serial killer. This book not only explains the deeds of some of the most notorious serial killers known (some of the most interesting, in my opinion, include Albert Fish, H.H. Holmes, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Mary Bell), but also delves into the psychology behind their actions. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a fascination with the macabre.
It is to my horror that I have read this book through while having dinner. The pure terrifying craziness of these murders by the serial killers will absolutely leave an unforgetful impression on me how humanity could be distorted to that extremity.
A who's who of serial killers and the how, when and whys. Very thorough look into everything serial killer; fetishes, mom-hate, masochists, etc.
Very comprehensive (with quite a few grammatical errors). Really enjoyed the specificity of the chapters in certain sections.
A little redundant on some information because the book was broken up into different sections and some killers fit into more than one section. Overall pretty informative.
Great book and a great resource for other books, movies, websites on the subject matter.
Great book for travel. Does freak out neighbors a bit. :)
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| serial killer files | 1 | 8 | Oct 11, 2011 10:04PM |
Aka Jon A. Harrald (joint pseudonym with Jonna Gormley Semeiks)
Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.
Among his nonfiction works are ...more
More about Harold Schechter...
Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.
Among his nonfiction works are ...more
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