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The Last Book on the Left: Stories of Murder and Mayhem from History’s Most Notorious Serial Killers
by
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
An equal parts haunting and hilarious deep-dive review of history’s most notorious and cold-blooded serial killers, from the creators of the award-winning Last Podcast on the Left
Since its first show in 2010, The Last Podcast on the Left has barreled headlong into all things horror, as hosts Henry Zebrowski, Ben Kissel, and Marcus Parks cover s ...more
An equal parts haunting and hilarious deep-dive review of history’s most notorious and cold-blooded serial killers, from the creators of the award-winning Last Podcast on the Left
Since its first show in 2010, The Last Podcast on the Left has barreled headlong into all things horror, as hosts Henry Zebrowski, Ben Kissel, and Marcus Parks cover s ...more
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Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
April 7th 2020
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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Start your review of The Last Book on the Left: Stories of Murder and Mayhem from History’s Most Notorious Serial Killers
This book is up there as one of my favourites so far this year. It was INCREDIBLE. I loved it so much that I stretched it out over 3 months! The Last Book on the Left is really just an extension of the podcast, as Marcus, Henry and Ben cover 9 of the most infamous serial killers - the “heavy hitters” as they’re referred to. They tackle everyone you can see the cover - from BTK to Ted Bundy to Andrei Chikatilo and so forth. As is the case with the podcast, Marcus does all the research and educate
...more
Edit: 7/30/2020: I finished this audiobook finally! It took a while because life but I enjoyed this so much. Some of the jokes would have hit better if there was actual laughter like in the podcast, but I wont knock that because I know audiobooks are tricky. Anyways, 5-Stars to my favorite boys!
EDIT: I have the book and the audio and I an now diving the hell in! Let's do this!
YALL!!!! My favorite podcast in the entire universe is releasing a book. Marcus, Ben, and Henry got me through some tim ...more
EDIT: I have the book and the audio and I an now diving the hell in! Let's do this!
YALL!!!! My favorite podcast in the entire universe is releasing a book. Marcus, Ben, and Henry got me through some tim ...more
UPDATE: I received a physical ARC of this from one of my coworkers who was hoarding it for himself. I ate it up in a few days, here's my review below.
I know why you're here, I know why this is on your TBR list, it's because you're a fan of the show. So, I really don't have to explain what you'll get out of this book. If you love LPoTL, then you're going to obviously enjoy the heck out of this book.
The book (which sounds like the first in a possible series of topics) is about some of the more fam ...more
I know why you're here, I know why this is on your TBR list, it's because you're a fan of the show. So, I really don't have to explain what you'll get out of this book. If you love LPoTL, then you're going to obviously enjoy the heck out of this book.
The book (which sounds like the first in a possible series of topics) is about some of the more fam ...more
Honestly? I was really disappointed by this book. I've listened to LPoTL for 3 or 4 years now, and I was SO EXCITED to read this. But it's just...boring. Listen to the podcast instead (unless you also disagree with the podcast moving to Spotify exclusively, which screws over listeners in countries that can't get Spotify; a fact the guys have never addressed to my knowledge). I certainly acknowledge the hard work Marcus Parks put into writing and researching while also working on the podcast, but
...more
"There's no place to escape to..
This is the Last BOOK on the Left...
*chainsaw revs* Rise from your grave...
"That's when the cannibalism started"...
"...What was that?"
"AWWWW SHIT!!!!"
For the past ten months, the voices of Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ben Kissel have kept me company through some of the darkest nights of the soul I've experienced in recent memory. Their ability to make even the most gruesome, tragic events palatable and dare I say it, enlightening, should be commended. While ...more
This is the Last BOOK on the Left...
*chainsaw revs* Rise from your grave...
"That's when the cannibalism started"...
"...What was that?"
"AWWWW SHIT!!!!"
For the past ten months, the voices of Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ben Kissel have kept me company through some of the darkest nights of the soul I've experienced in recent memory. Their ability to make even the most gruesome, tragic events palatable and dare I say it, enlightening, should be commended. While ...more
This book is just bloody freaking AMAZING! I adore Last Podcast on the Left and when they announced this was coming out I did a little dance in my chair and may or may not have shouted with glee. These three guys just bring such a special brand of humour to everything from true crime to horror to alien conspiracies and that humour just SHINES throughout this book. They manage to make some of the most terrifying serial killers in history into something that both made me laugh out loud and shudder
...more
I have some thoughts
I think this format is kinda weird. I understand the choice to do it - this is a lot like how the podcast is formatted. But I'm not sure if it really works as a book. With the added bits of commentary and jokes sprinkled in and breaking up the main narrative, it felt a little disjointed.
I gotta say too, this was a great, well researched book. But the topics are all topics I've heard and read about myself in great length. And I'd venture to say that will probably be the same ...more
I think this format is kinda weird. I understand the choice to do it - this is a lot like how the podcast is formatted. But I'm not sure if it really works as a book. With the added bits of commentary and jokes sprinkled in and breaking up the main narrative, it felt a little disjointed.
I gotta say too, this was a great, well researched book. But the topics are all topics I've heard and read about myself in great length. And I'd venture to say that will probably be the same ...more
This was an interesting take on the true crime novel. They used the combination of facts and dark humor to present the stories of 9 differnt serial killers . Unfortunately some of the humor fell a little bit flat ( would work better in its usual podcast setting). I really enjoyed the little comic strips throughout the book as well.
Overall this was well written and as far as the facts go it was on point so I really have no complaints.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via ...more
Overall this was well written and as far as the facts go it was on point so I really have no complaints.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via ...more
This book is well researched and all, but nothing you haven't heard before, and quite frankly, this guys are so unfunny I can't stand it. I half-heartedly laughed one time the entire book. They just try too hard and it's so cringy. I can never get into the podcast and thought this book would help, but I gave up on that ever happening. I'll just stick to all the other ones out there that are actually hilarious.
...more
A real treat.
A thorough review of 9 of history's most notorious serial killers, told with the typical LPOTL style and exciting artwork.
...more
A thorough review of 9 of history's most notorious serial killers, told with the typical LPOTL style and exciting artwork.
...more
Though I usually enjoy true crime books about serial killer, this offbeat graphic book took me a while to get into. I often couldn’t decide whether the irreverent humor was funny, in poor taste or both. Mostly the mood I was in while reading determined whether I laughed or felt disgust.
The facts seemed to be accurate, based on other books I’ve read. THE LAST BOOK ON THE LEFT isn’t really a graphic book, it’s a book with a few graphics. The writers have a humorous podcast (allegedly), but I didn’ ...more
The facts seemed to be accurate, based on other books I’ve read. THE LAST BOOK ON THE LEFT isn’t really a graphic book, it’s a book with a few graphics. The writers have a humorous podcast (allegedly), but I didn’ ...more
Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book!
THE LAST PODCAST ON THE LEFT is my favorite podcast out there, for a couple of reasons. The first is that the content it covers is always going to be up my alley. Serial killers, aliens, supernatural events, and conspiracy theories are par for the course on this show, and I find myself learning a lot about crazy topics. But it's also hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski that really sell this show to me. Not only is the conten ...more
THE LAST PODCAST ON THE LEFT is my favorite podcast out there, for a couple of reasons. The first is that the content it covers is always going to be up my alley. Serial killers, aliens, supernatural events, and conspiracy theories are par for the course on this show, and I find myself learning a lot about crazy topics. But it's also hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski that really sell this show to me. Not only is the conten ...more
I hesitate to say I loved this...
.... But I loved this.
I'll add this to the list of "Why I'm a broken person" to discuss with my therapist.
...more
.... But I loved this.
I'll add this to the list of "Why I'm a broken person" to discuss with my therapist.
...more
I almost picked this up at Barnes & Noble but… thank you once again Plymouth District Library!
Pitch this somewhere between a primer of some of the more notable serial killers of our time for those with the attention span of a gnat and a graphic novel but nothing beats exploring all of their stories in greater detail. I’m funny like that.
They say you can’t tell the players without a scorecard, so here goes:
Ted Bundy
Richard Chase
Ed Gein
John Wayne Gacy
Richard Ramirez
David Berkowitz
BTK – Dennis Rade ...more
Pitch this somewhere between a primer of some of the more notable serial killers of our time for those with the attention span of a gnat and a graphic novel but nothing beats exploring all of their stories in greater detail. I’m funny like that.
They say you can’t tell the players without a scorecard, so here goes:
Ted Bundy
Richard Chase
Ed Gein
John Wayne Gacy
Richard Ramirez
David Berkowitz
BTK – Dennis Rade ...more
The stories of Murder and Mayhem of the most notorious serial killers are excellent! Yep. Excellent. 5 stars.
Why the two stars? The COMMENTARY! Very inappropriate and crude. I have a great sense of humor, but those comments are really going overboard. Attacking Christianity, the president, and the list goes on and on. How does the narrator’s opinions on those subjects relate to the topic?
One narrator actually relates all of the serial killers to HIMSELF. Do I detect a narcissist?
Any hoo, that’ ...more
Why the two stars? The COMMENTARY! Very inappropriate and crude. I have a great sense of humor, but those comments are really going overboard. Attacking Christianity, the president, and the list goes on and on. How does the narrator’s opinions on those subjects relate to the topic?
One narrator actually relates all of the serial killers to HIMSELF. Do I detect a narcissist?
Any hoo, that’ ...more
If you're a fan of the Last Podcast on the Left, I think you will enjoy this book for what it is. However if you are looking for something a little more compelling than your average serial killer/true crime collection, it's not this. The book reads like a deep-dive episode of the podcast, Marcus narrating the story with Ben and Henry interjecting humorous quips. The issue with this particular format is that some of the jokes Henry and Ben write fall flat while reading them whereas hearing the po
...more
The hilarious and morbid LPOTL is one of my favorite podcasts. After reading Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide (from another of my favorite podcasts) I was eager to read this offering from the guys. Long time listeners and hardcore true crime fans aren't going to learn anything new here. However, the humor and tone of the show are spot on which makes it very easy to "hear" Ben, Marcus & Henry's voices as you read. That, combined with the new and hilarious illustrations,
...more
While I do enjoy the podcast from these guys, I expected more from the book. It did not fully deliver in the way I had hoped. On one side, the chapters and cases are extremely informational and very well put together. To learn something new about some of these serial killers when their stories saturate the markets is a good thing. I would like to see these guys take on LESS notorious crimes but with people just as evil and methodical. I would have been fine with just the normal narrative flow. B
...more
4 stars. There are some good elements about this and then there aren't. Review to come.
...more
Well researched, well written, and very funny. It was just like reading an episode of the show. Art was amazing too.
I love the "Last Podcast on the Left"! These guys and their hilarious podcast have often kept me company on my long commute. Now they have written a book which focuses on serial killers. It reads like you are listening to a conversation among good friends, who are just slightly insane. You can tell they have done their homework about serial killers and maybe enjoyed it just a little too much. Read the book, listen to the podcast- enjoy the creepiness!
...more
(originally reviewed at
thelibraryladies.com
)
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.
I first discovered the podcast “The Last Podcast on the Left” in early 2018. I had just left my job, I was feeling a little aimless and sad (not to mention a bit taken advantage of), and was looking for any kind of distraction. It’s not too hyperbolic to say that hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski brought me the most joy I had felt since leaving that position. Not only ...more
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.
I first discovered the podcast “The Last Podcast on the Left” in early 2018. I had just left my job, I was feeling a little aimless and sad (not to mention a bit taken advantage of), and was looking for any kind of distraction. It’s not too hyperbolic to say that hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski brought me the most joy I had felt since leaving that position. Not only ...more
I'm not a serial killer junky, although I'd read fictional thrillers featuring them now and again. So for me at least, the book offered some rather interestinging TILs, like how these murderers have a personal system of allowances that, in time, gives them the self-permission to start their crimes, or how they set their world up so that they'd eventually believe that the only natural solution to their problems is through murder. There were some fascinating tidbits on these killers too, like how
...more
"People look for any sort of explanation for behavior they feel rubs against the fibers of society. An explanation is comforting and makes it feel like there is purpose or logic in our random universe. Unfortunately, a lot of these monsters are made at random. "
"When discussing these attempted murders, Berkowitz said, "I didn't want to hurt them. I only wanted to kill them."
This was pretty much my first true crime book, and it was fascinating. I already knew some information about Ted Bundy and ...more
"When discussing these attempted murders, Berkowitz said, "I didn't want to hurt them. I only wanted to kill them."
This was pretty much my first true crime book, and it was fascinating. I already knew some information about Ted Bundy and ...more
Might it be asking too much to NOT celebrate the macabre almost-adulation of the more despicable humans among us who, through whatever may be their motivations, take the lives of others in multiple numbers and often disgusting ways? I feel I might need to beg the forgiveness of my fellow humans for having listened to it - please do not fall into the trap yourselves.
I enjoyed this book. I had never heard of this podcast before but will have to check it out in the future. Good read other wise about some of the worlds notorious serial killers. Creepy of course and some of the jokes were funny and expected.
“Oh, my God, I’m having one!” -me, every second of reading this book
I wouldn’t have enjoyed this book having not been a listener first. I’m not sure why a non-listener would buy the book though. This made for a nice consolidated place of some of the most prolific serial killers. I don’t enjoy when the boys tell the story of Ted Bundy though. The reader/listener can tell it’s a story they don’t enjoy telling, so it was an odd choice to open the book with Bundy’s chapter. These guys bring a unique flair to the world of true crime, and I appreciate their work!
So Last Podcast on the Left has become my favorite podcast, true crime or otherwise. It is what got me into listening to other podcasts and very few true crime have become Must Listen every Friday (not quite as into Side Stories) the way this one has. The authors of this book/stars of the podcast have just the right amount of irreverence, while still relaying the true horror of the events without wallowing in the gore, if that makes any sense. Very few podcasts hit this same note for me. So when
...more
Aspects of this book are incredible. To read Marcus Parks’ prose instead of his narration is a refreshing change from the podcast I’ve grown to know and love over the past several years.
The biggest accomplishment of the book is that it’s given the boys a chance to revisit some of the early Heavy Hitters who didn’t have the benefit of comprehensive research, and whose stories were often weighed down by some of the more unlistenable aspects of the show’s back catalogue. It’s clear that Marcus and ...more
The biggest accomplishment of the book is that it’s given the boys a chance to revisit some of the early Heavy Hitters who didn’t have the benefit of comprehensive research, and whose stories were often weighed down by some of the more unlistenable aspects of the show’s back catalogue. It’s clear that Marcus and ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horror | 1 | 4 | Sep 16, 2019 04:46PM |
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