Why Johnny Can't Come Home

by Noreen N. Gosch

Gosch self-published a book in 2000 titled Why Johnny Can't Come Home. The book presents her understanding of what her son went through, based on the original research of various private investigators and her son's visit.

"This case is SO MUCH BIGGER than you think. It goes to the very HIGHEST levels; we have to keep pulling the strings."
—William Colby, Former Director of the CIA, Investigator of The Franklin Cover Up

"I can state without hesitation, that there is, indeed, a national cult network including satanic, witchcraft, pedophile and occult groups, which is operating at full throttle within our society today. The activities of these groups include the kidnapping, molestation, torture and murder of children. Their favorite victims are children and newborn babies: the younger, the better.

"The cult thrives on drugs, pornography and prostitution. The cult network is responsible for a violent rash of 'snuff' films, which are sold at high prices to people who crave this sick, degenerate material. Children are kidnapped and literally 'owned' by the cult and are sold on the open market to the highest bidder. These children are taken right off the streets of our cities, and traded through a national pedophile network."
—Ted L. Gunderson, FBI Special Agent, Los Angeles (Retired)

"America's Most Wanted was about to air the Johnny Gosch Story. I received a call from Paul Sparrow saying 'The FBI contacted them and told them to KILL THE GOSCH STORY.' In other words, the FBI did not want Johnny's story aired by America's Most Wanted. John Walsh and Paul Sparrow stood up to the FBI and told them they were going ahead with our story no matter what they said or did. The FBI evidently backed down because the show aired November 1992. The show received more telephone calls from the public than any other show in its history."
—Noreen N. Gosch

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Conspiracy Theories

340 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Valiant Thor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential reading for anyone researching mind control and pedo rings. The book appears to be suppressed ($124 used, $446 (!!) new on Amazon), and for good reason. Gosch's book is a powerful and damning indictment of the institutions that we're led to believe are there to help people like Noreen Gosch, but who, more often than not, worked to hinder Noreen's efforts and aid in the coverup of what happened to Johnny Gosch. The Gosch story (and its participants) overlaps with The Franklin Coverup in Omaha, and is indirectly relevant to Cathy O'Brien and Brice Taylor's accounts. The book is powerful and explosive, though a little rough around the edges. No research into mind control and pedo rings is complete without reading "Why Johnny Can't Come Home".

[Wendi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lived in Urbandale, IA when Johnny Gosch went missing. He was about 2 years older than me. The reading brought up many interesting points which to be aware. It is always important to question what is going on around you and not assume the government, company, another person is working for the better good. I tried to read this without judging the author, to look at her as an individual with the normal human faults of character.

Many important pieces of information available are not written by stellar writers, which sadly get dismissed. Oftentimes, the most readily available information is put out by individuals who have access and support of funds to create what appears to be a smashing read.

I read this as a cautionary tale to keep my eyes open. There are too many stories like this for me to just dismiss as coincidental.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saddest book ever. Poor Noreen, how did she ever stand it. It is just a nightmare.

[Dale Stonehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

As another pointed out, this book had great need for better proofing and editing, but that is not the point of a book like this. His mother asks the right questions here; it's just too bad she didn't get more help finding answers.

[Alexis Westphal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got my hands on a copy of this book! I was very excited to read Noreen’s point of view with as many details as she could include, as I’ve watched countless interviews and documentaries about this case and similar ones, which can’t always include every detail. This case has always fascinated me as I’m a Nebraskan myself. I’ve lived near many places that were mentioned in this book, and it sends shivers down my spine knowing that all of these awful events took place so close to home. What happened to Johnny and many other children is absolutely awful. I think it’s so important that we talk about these events and do everything we can to educate our children and even ourselves of the horrors that are happening still to this day. Nobody is safe. This was an excellent, heartbreaking read. I might have to go back and read it again, since there was so much information included. My heart goes out to the Gosch family and others who have gone through anything similar. #SaveOurChildren #ProtectOurChildren

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm putting this under both 'nonfiction' and 'occult-nonfiction' because she gets awfully conspiracy-theory heavy about... a third of the way into the book. This is not why I gave it a low rating, though, I mostly gave it a low rating because the writing is absolutely terrible. And I wasn't expecting, looking at the cover, a literary masterpiece, but I was expecting a basic knowledge of English grammar. I did not get a basic knowledge of the English grammar.

Interesting in a cult classic kind of way, though.

[Dimi Tsioubris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another big piece to the puzzle of the abductions, mandatory read for anyone who wants to know more about the subject.

Noreen Gosch is a hero of our times and a super mom who her love for her son couldn't see any obstacles on it's way, a truly strong person who endured in her lifetime more than any one could for a couple of months.

[Horace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The typo's and grammatical errors are really hard to get beyond but the book is astonishing. It's heartbreaking what happened to Johnny Gosch and how his mother was treated.

[Nela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Why Johnny Can’t Come Home as part of my True Crime Book Club pick for this month, and it definitely pulled me in—especially since the events took place in my home state. This story is deeply tragic, disturbing, and full of mystery. Noreen Gosch’s account of her son Johnny’s disappearance is raw and unfiltered, and it’s definitely not a light read. If you’re someone who can handle dark, sensitive material, it’s worth reading—but proceed with caution.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is its emotional intensity. Noreen doesn’t shy away from the pain, the horror, or the corruption she believes was involved. Her determination to find the truth is admirable, and I really felt her heartbreak through the pages. The conspiracies and cover-ups she presents are not easily dismissed, and while some parts might seem extreme, they’re also not out of the question given the real gaps in Johnny’s case.

That said, I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars—mostly because of the writing. The style was hectic and confusing at times, with poor grammar, repetition, and editing throughout. It made it hard to follow the timeline or fully understand what was being said, and I often found myself having to re-read sections. I think with a stronger editor, this book could have had a much bigger impact.

One thing I’m still unsure about is Noreen’s account of seeing Johnny years later. I don’t know how I feel about that part—it could have been a real encounter, a vision, a dream, or something else entirely. I think that part just needs more time for me to marinate on.

In the end, while the book has its flaws in structure and polish, the story and message come through loud and clear. Noreen did the best she could through self-publishing, and her voice matters. I sincerely hope she gets the answers she’s still searching for—she deserves them.

[Ellenore Clementine Kruger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The voice(s) seem to have sincere effort ok. My takeaway is that it is super difficult, even in the 80s… to escape slavery. Number one, the kid had a stepdad, and they got mysterious calls only the stepdad dealt with, and then when the kid goes missing there is beating up the mom and whoosh he is gone. Maybe johnny lived longer than most with any tie, but my guess is telepathy has been going in since hemingway suicide, so maybe some people get wishes come true. I do not see how people live LONG with kick backs at all. And trafficking is as old as the navy, so I was thankful this was not a scientology book (that was pretty in my face scary) but this feels a little more scattered and hectic like behold a pale horse. But there is a soul here employed to help you see nothing dies, not even dramatic and tawdry concepts. It is absolutely not for sensitive, unmedicated or experimental people with kids around, this book. Please protect our population and fight slavery, but let’s face it, as long as we have homeless and spoiled, there will be some odd times until mkultra gets their pastor.

[Melissa P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was,at times, difficult to read the content. Other times, hard to put down. It is incredibly heartbreaking what happens to kids and people in general. This book has so much information about things people couldn't imagine (or wouldn't want to). There's a lot of interviews in the book about child trafficking, etc. This is not an easy subject. If you decide to read this, there is some very sensitive material about extreme child abuse, kidnapping, trafficking, etc. I have looked into Johnny's case, as well as many unsolved and solved true crime cases for a long time. My heart breaks for the victims and their family and friends. If he is indeed still out there and alive, I hope he's well. Protect your kids and yourselves. I do recommend this book if true crime interests you, if you have previously heard about or looked into Johnny's case and also if you can handle the sensitive material. This book was not easy to get a hold of. I am glad I was able to finally read it.

[cds · Rating 4 out of 5]

vomitei a ler isto, ainda assim, estou grata por ter tido a oportunidade.