Customer Reviews

Final Truth : The Autobiography of a Serial Killer

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book takes the reader on an unflinching and unapologetic journey narrated by a confessed serial killer, Donald "Pee Wee" Gaskins. The author, Wilton Earle, spent a lot of time visiting Gaskins in prison in order to record (both on tape and in this book) Gaskins' life story from his own account.
The story that unravels as this book progresses invoked both disgust and an uncomfortable sympathy for Gaskins. He claimed to have a lifelong "bothersome" feeling in the pit of his stomach, which was only relieved when he killed someone.
Many readers will be disgusted and shocked by this book, and most will say they cannot understand how a person could do such horrible things. Yet, most people were not repeatedly tortured, raped and beaten from early childhood until early adulthood, either. That can make for a big difference in a person's perspective. You know the saying- "There but for the Grace of God, go I." If you cannot imagine how a person could commit these crimes, thank your lucky stars, for you are fortunate that your childhood was not filled with unspeakable atrocities committed to you, unlike Gaskins. This in no way excuses his actions, but it does help to explain them.
Gaskins childhood was beyond atrocious, like so many of his peers in prison and on Death Row. He was horribly abused, repeatedly and brutally raped and emotionally & physically neglected by members of his family and people in his community. This was a child who was perpetually in "survival mode," who never had a chance to build a strong sense of morality. From his early childhood he did not experience a nurturing home environment, only one of fear and violence. He was done further mental and physical damage by a highly neglectful criminal justice system, which he jokingly mentions actually contributed to his life of crime and killing. Some of his crimes are stomach-turning, while some are disturbingly ingenious. Much can be learned about how a killer's mind evolves from this book.
As his life progressed, he did what came naturally to him- and that is what astounded me most about Gaskins' story. His life seemed to be lived according to his "animal instinct" and whim, rather than according to the more structured development most of us are accustomed to. He had to fend for himself, and his lifestyle and choices were a result of that. At times, Gaskins seemed to behave more like an wild animal than a human being, which further contributed to the sense that he was never quite "socialized" into society. His solution for interpersonal conflicts was to simply kill the other person.
One thing that struck me several times as I read this book was that there was no mention of Gaskins having lead poisoning. I did a little bit of research into lead poisoning, and it seems to me that both Gaskin's physical symptoms as well as his childhood environment could have easily and logically been linked to lead poisoning. (Older homes, like the one Gaskins grew up in, commonly had peeling lead-based paint & old lead water pipes in addition to lead-based enamel, solder, etc. Lead poisoning symptoms include abdominal pain, nervous disorders, hallucinations, headaches & much more.) In the book Gaskins also mentions torturing people with "plumbum"- that, folks, is molten lead. It could explain a lot of things about his physical pains and his mental state (or as Gaskins called it, his "special kind of mind").
In any case, this is an invaluable book for people sincerely interested in understanding the psychological etiology of a killer. Very interesting, disturbing and sad indeed.

About five or six years ago I read a prepublication version of this book, which was softcover and had an audiocassette with it. I wouldn't recommend this to people who tend towards nightmares, or who have weak stomachs. The brutality and sadism of the crimes, and the detail which is supplied is enough to chill even the strongest constitution. Gaskins is a true serial killer's serial killer.... the violence, and stealth of his crimes is stunning; not only will you never hitchhike again, you may never sleep again. It took me a long time to drive memories of this book from my mind, and it honestly traumatized me, though I couldn't put it down to save my own life while I was reading it. Don't worry, there's no risk of sloppy empathy here....

I was recommended this book by a friend of mine who came across it in his research for a criminal justice degree. He had read dozens of such books, and reguarded this as the most vivid account of human brutality in print. I must say I agree. There are certainly other accounts of such evil, but most are from the perspective of on lookers. The Final Truth, however, offers the reader the self-portrait of a socio-path; why he does what he does, that evil exists in this world. Many of the accounts Gaskins are unverifiable. However, some of the previously unknown grave sites have been located from Gaskins descriptions. Do not read this if you are squimish or easily offended. The rapes, murders, and torchures are accounted in vivid detail, and this book will change you perception of the world. Perhaps the most telling thing about this book is how the average reader cannot seem to put it down
(I read it in a night). What does that say about us?

I first heard the name "Pee Wee Gaskins" in 1994. My new boss and I were traveling through the upstate part of SC to pick up a company car. We were discussings things unrelated to work and getting to know each other. When he asked if I enjoyed reading, I told him I enjoyed reading books about true crime, serial killers in particular. At that time, he told me I should get the book "Final Truth". I did.

After reading the book (which I found somewhat disturbing because of the details yet refreshing for the truths told about the corruption in the "justice system") I began traveling extensively through rural SC for work. After visiting that particular part of the state, I found it quite believable that Gaskins could have commited all the murders stated in Final Truth. There are rural parts of the state where there isn't so much as a house or gas staion for literally miles.

Not having actually known anyone who knew Gaskins, I took this book at face value. While it may be true that Gaskins wanted "notoriety" like Bundy or Dahmer, I actually got from the book he was telling the truth.

There are a few questions I have always wanted to ask ANYONE who knew Gaskins. I have actually talked with people from Sumter, Florence and that area in general but only people who "knew of" Gaskins and his crimes.

Did the police ever search the areas where he claimed to have buried his "coastal killing" victims?

Has anyone ever seen any of the "artwork" that he supposedly taced, signed and sold from death row?

Gaskins spoke of a "writer" that wrote a book (I'm assuming) about him which was filled with lies about his wives and children. Does anyone know what he is talikng about? The only other book I can think of that Gaskins was referring to was titled "Slaughter in Carolina". I have not read this book but am looking for it. He calims in Final Truth this libelous book or story was written by a woman and a woman wrote "Slaughter In Carolina" (I finally found this book and have written a review of it as well as scanned an image)

I never got from the book that Gaskins was an abused by his mother. In fact, he claims the only abuse at home was from his step father and that was just an occasional slapping (no type of sexual rape is discussed in the book at the hands of his step father). I believe the gang rapes discussed by Gaskins at reform school and prison are probably accurate.

If anyone would like to discuss this, please email me at pumpkins2002@comcast.net

Final Truth is serial killer Gaskins' account of his entire life, birth to chair. He paints vivid pictures of many atrocious crimes, though most aren't factually verified. After reading through the shocking account of Pee Wee's first "Coastal Kill" I considered burning the book and writing SOMEONE an angry letter saying it should not be possible for people to buy books like this. It left me feeling empty and weird for having read it. No book has ever unleashed such an outpour of (previously unknown) emotions in me. Although I won't be reading it again any time soon,I would like to say it is a must-have for true-crime fans and anyone even remotely involved in the field of psychology.

I am a Criminal Justice Major and have studied SK behaviors for over 20 years. For those of you who intend to pursue careers in the legal profession, law enforcement, or mental health ... this book is a MUST. Instead of reading academic literature about theories of the motives of serial killers, Final Truth is the ultimate look into the soul of a monster, in his own words.

I had to separate from the horrific deeds of Donald (Pee Wee) Gaskins and look into what motivated him to carry out his lust for killing.

As "reasonable" observers of individuals like Pee Wee Gaskins, our reaction is to recoil in disgust and rightly so. But, in order to find out WHY these predators kill, we need to look at what set of circumstances came together to create this kind of depraved individual.

Final Truth not only takes the reader on a sojourn into the act of killing by one man, it also takes you into his mind, his rationale, his motive, and WHY ... to "cure his bothersome feelings".

This has become one of my favorite serial killer books. I went through every emotion with Pee Wee...I went from liking him, to feeling sorry for him, to being confused by him, to disliking and later being sickened by & detesting him. It is so well written, I actually felt like I was sitting in a room with the subject & he was telling me about his life's adventures as a murderer. If you are not a true hard-core serial killer reader, you should skip this one. My entire library consists of SK books and this is still one that haunts me, but is also one I'll read again & again.

I found 'Final Truth' to be a very refreshing look at the darker side of human existence. Given the somewhat morbid nature of the subject matter, it is very enlightening to get this insight into how far a mind can go and still rationalize events as normal or necessary.

While on the one hand it was of course easy to condemn Mr.Gaskins for the horrid crimes he committed, I still found myself empathizing how his life may have been such a tragedy all the way along.

What I really wanted that wasn't there was more of the factual legal documentation of the events of the day. But all in all it was still a gripping and fascinating read. I highly recommend it to those curious enough to consider it.

As someone who lives in Sumter, SC I've heard a good bit about Pee Wee Gaskins. He actually used to live in a house right down the street from where I sit now. In any case, I have talked with people who are friends and who actually knew Pee Wee back when he hung around places like The Neck, (which by the way was 100% described accurately in the book..... it was a ROUGH place where the cops would NOT venture into) and they described him as a 'nice guy' but one that you would definitely not want to cross. He was known for a hot temper and my friend said that there were bodies that people would never find left from Pee Wee (I trust my friend on this one.... he was involved in a lot of things back then before he got his act together.)

If you are reading this for a glimpse into a serial killer's mind then this is an excellent book. There were parts that made me cringe, especially since my best friends can remember some of the incidents (missing persons) when they took place (I was too young then). It adds a frightening touch to think that I drive by places everyday where it is rumored that he had buried bodies.

For those who have 'researched' and hold the belief that Pee Wee lied about all of this and was only seeking to be more 'famous', I'd like to remind everyone that the deal was made with the author that this book would NOT come out until after his execution and that he received NO funds whatsoever (nor did his family) for releasing this book. I feel that if he only did it for 'attention' that he would have wanted it released before he died. And after talking to people whom I trust who could tell me about his personality and demeanor, I firmly believe that 90% of the book at least is true (everyone embellishes after all... so I'll leave 10% for that).

All in all, a GREAT but sad look into the life and mind of this murderer.

Final truth was the most engrossing book I have ever read. I wouldn't recommend this book to the sqwimish. It tells the story from the killer's point of view. It is very graphic and hides nothing. It was interesting to hear how the killer felt. If you want to see things from the killer's point of view, this is a must read.