Customer Reviews

I Have Lived in the Monster: Inside the Minds of the World's Most Notorious Serial Killers (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After reading Mr. Ressler' first book, "Whoever Fights Monsters," I was hoping that his second book would go into even greater detail in explaining how the many elements of murder investigation yield a criminal profile of the killer. Sadly, this book goes the other way. It downright skims over some of the most intriguing cases of our time. The result is maddening. I was left hanging time after time after time. I was also hoping that Mr. Ressler would turn down the ego a notch or two with his second book. No such luck. "I Have Lived in the Monster" is even more ego-ridden than "Whoever Fights Monsters." If you don't believe me, just check out the photo section. I am still looking for that special book that goes into great depth on just one case to show true-crime buffs just how criminal profiling really works. That was a HINT, Mr. Ressler!

Ressler writes a rather disjointed and perfunctory summary of cases he has been involved with, some in a very minor way. He doesn't go into any of them in much detail, and you get the feeling he has a lot of personal axes to grind and rivalries with his former co-workers to air out. For example he says more than once that, despite what his detractors have claimed, he doesn't actively solicit work, but rather he is sought out by his clients. John Douglas is mentioned only once, in a rather critical way, but Douglas's books are far better written and more interesting.

Mr. Ressler seems to find ways to work himself (and his accomplishments) into each story he tells. Very disappointing book! Really didn't care for the comment made about John Douglas either! Mr. Ressler, I wanted to read a book about what stirs these people to commit the crimes they do - not about you and your accomplishments. Save it for your bio - and let someone else read it!

This book may not be truly deserving of five-star status, but I am rating it as such because I think Ressler deserves more credit than other reviewers on this page seem to want to give him. This may not be the deep psychological analysis that more scholarly readers desire, but that is precisely why it appeals to lay persons like myself. The book is more than just graphic descriptions of gruesome murders. In fact, the entire content of the Gacy interviews centers on his denial of any involvement in the killings. Just goes to show that the author does explore psychological characteristics of serial killers beyond their grotesque crimes. In contrast, I found the book to be a well-rounded discussion of crime and society, with just a splattering of serial killer interviews. Furthermore, consider the events surrounding the last victim of Jeffrey Dahmer - the young man actually escaped. However, Dahmer was able to convince police the young man was his boyfriend and they then escorted him back to Dahmer's apartment where he was further tortured and killed. This is just one example of why Ressler is a man who is dedicating his life to the very valid and noble cause of educating law enforcement as well as the general public concerning profiles of serial killers. It is simply foolish to assert that Ressler is just tooting his own horn. I say it's worth reading, for those of you who take an interest in true crime and criminal psychology.

This book and "Whoever Fights Monsters" are more about the mind of Robert K. Ressler than about the minds of serial killers. The books present an interesting history of the profiling of serial killers Ressler leaves no doubt that he coined the term "serial killer" but these are not books dealing with the psychiatry of serial killers.

While the subject matter is inherently fascinating, Ressler manages to turn it into a 200-page excuse to brag about his accomplishes. Yes, his achievements are remarkable, but his incessant boasting (as another reader commented, he finds a way to work himself into every story) grows tiresome very quickly. True, he has handled some fascinating cases, but I bought the book to learn about criminal profiling, not about Ressler's self-proclaimed genius.

Could this book be more self serving? This guy is really impressed with himself, it really takes away from the stories. I'm a big buff of A&E American Justice, the History Channel and CourtTV. I'd rather watch that and hear the same stories, or at least types of stories, told objectively. Instead of reading about what a wonderful guy the author is.

I have enjoyed reading true crime for some time now including Whoever Fights Monsters, But this book is self serving and does not introduce any new information you have not already read. It seems Mr. Ressler is angry at John Douglas and others for not aknowledging his effort while an active profiler and he is trying to show them he was first or best or something. The message was lost on me. The interviews are something to read however the bulk of the book is simply a retread of his previous works. My advice. Skip it.

Unfortunately for the reader who spent good money on this book, it does not live up to its hype. First, Ressler has a monstrous ego; an example: he didn't coin the term serial killer any more than the three other authors claim to; it's been around since the 50's. His book is biased and slanted, while masquerading as a facts-only book. He claims to have had a greater play in many cases, most notably the Chase case, than he actually did. While the book was entertaining, it was not worth the money. Borrow it from the library or a friend.

ROBERT RESSLER NEEDS TO GET OVER BEING IN LOVE WITH HIMSELF. WHILE HE MAY HAVE SOME INSIGHT ON THE SUBJECT OF SERIAL KILLERS, HE SPENDS MORE TIME INFLATING HIS OWN EGO THAN HE DOES ON THE SUBJECT. A MORE APPROPRIATE TITLE MIGHT BE, "I LET SERIAL KILLERS TALK TO ME". THIS BOOK IS A WASTE OF TIME.