The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers [Paperback]

Michael Newton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

From Jack the Ripper to the FBI's Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP), The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers gives readers an exhaustive overview of what is undoubtedly the most macabre and fascinating branch of crime and modern criminology. The book details individual cases of serial murder, law enforcement agents and their techniques, the factors that contribute to the development of a serial killer, and how society chooses to deal with and punish these vicious criminals. In-depth coverage is provided on the realities of serial murder versus popular myths depicted in film and television, key figures on both sides of the law, pivotal cases and events, and criminal activities that have shaped law enforcement responses.

Among the most infamous criminals profiled are:
Jack the Ripper
Albert DeSalvo (a.k.a. "The Boston Strangler")
Ted Bundy
John Wayne Gacy
David Berkowitz (a.k.a. "The Son of Sam")
and many more.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Arranged alphabetically to include case histories of individual serial killers and essays on general topics, this reference work would appear to be the perfect companion to Jay Robert Nash's Encyclopedia of World Crime: Criminal Justice, Criminology and Law Enforcement (1989. o.p.). However, close examination reveals several flaws. The first is that Newton (Serial Slaughter) never explains his criteria for inclusion--a serious problem, in that he includes people like Josef Mengele (generally considered not a serial but a mass murderer). The second, related problem concerns the way he defines serial killer. By FBI standards, a serial killer is a person who murders three or more people. But Newton doesn't define his terms until two-thirds of the way into the book--and then he uses the National Institute of Justice's definition (that is, a person who murders two or more people) and argues that this should be the accepted one. Unfortunately, until someone else writes a better book on this topic, Newton's will have to do. Purchase cautiously.
-Michael Sawyer, Northwestern Regional Lib., Elkin, NC
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816039798
• ISBN-13: 978-0816039791
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #608,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A California native, Michael Newton has published 215 books under his own name and various pseudonyms since 1977. He began writing professionally as a "ghost" for author Don Pendleton on the best-selling Executioner series and continues his work on that series today. With 104 episodes published to date, Newton has nearly tripled the number of Mack Bolan novels completed by creator Pendleton himself.

Newton's first book under his own name was Monsters, Mysteries and Man (1979), a survey of unexplained phenomena for younger readers. While 156 of Newton's published books have been novels--including westerns, political thrillers and psychological suspense--he is best known for nonfiction, primarily true crime and reference books.

His firearms manual for writers, Armed and Dangerous (1990), remains a best-seller for Writer's Digest Books in its 8th printing. Newton's Encyclopedia of Serial Killers (Facts on File, 2000) is currently in its second edition. His history of the Florida Ku Klux Klan, The Invisible Empire (2001), won the Florida Historical Society's 2002 Rembert Patrick Award for Best Book in Florida History. His Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology was just named as one of twelve books on the American Library Association's 2006 List of Outstanding Reference Sources. Newton's shorter work includes horror fiction, true crime articles and case histories for Court TV's Crime Library online.

He is a member of several organizations, including the Centre for Fortean Zoology, the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club and Feral Cat Friends Inc.

His 24 upcoming books, scheduled for release through 2011, include 8 novels and 16 nonfiction works. He lives in Nashville, Indiana.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and thorough for those with morbid fascination, April 4, 2004

By 

CreepyT "CreepyTendencies" (Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers (Paperback)

I bought this book because of morbid fascination with the minds of those who find it necessary or enjoyable to seek alternate, though immoral, ways to spend their time. I wanted to find a book that had easily digestible snippets on some of the more, and less, infamous serial killers. I am glad that I was able to find such a book.

The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers is a great book because it gives the reader just enough information to tempt the palate with regards to each killer. Michael Newton does a great job of giving us not too much detail, and not too little detail about each case study. Nor does he gloss over the facts regarding each case. Each individual (whether killer or killed) is looked at from a very professional standpoint. Newton looks at a killer's upbringing and other social factors that may lead to why they have done what they have done, in addition to the mere facts. Newton also addresses what has happened to these people, if they were caught and convicted. It is interesting to see how society's law enforcement has changed over the years.

Some of those included are:
Jack the Ripper
Ed Gein
Son of Sam
The Zodiac Killer
Ted Bundy
The Manson Family

If you are looking for a book that gives you a peek into the mind of not one, but many serial killers then this is the book for you. From these intriguing portrayals, one can decide which cases and killers are most interesting and buy more in-depth books about each. It's great as a reference, to read from cover to cover, or to pull out when you simply want to leaf through to kill some time. Highly recommended to fans of the true crime genre.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the Serial Killers you Could Possibly Ask For..., April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers (Paperback)

I thought that this book was a very extraordinary and it hightlighted all the main facts of the serial killers of all time. The book covers all kinds of killers, from solo killers - like the Son of Sam, to unresolved cases such as the Zodiac, this book has it all! If you want to know just the facts about all these crimes, this book if definitely one to have on your shelf!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks Michael Newton for an accurate source of information, April 30, 2002

By 

Kim Egger (Freeport, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers (Paperback)

Serial murder is my area of expertise. I have spent 16 years studying and writing about this field and Michael Newton's works have been along side me for all those years. Newton is an excellent researcher. His work is of the highest quality. His books are a steal. The Encyclopedia is an excellent resource for anyone who needs a thumbnail sketch of serial killers from around the world. Newton has contributed to the growing body of serial killer research by helping to track down and document these killers. Newton was one of the first authors to document the imfamous Dr. Swango, years before any other noticed him.
I highly recommend this book to students, researchers and the just curious. But beware, you may learn more than you ever wanted to know