I Have Lived in the Monster: A Report From The Abyss [Hardcover]

Robert K. Ressler (Author), Tom Shachtman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1997

The man who coined the phrase ""serial killer"" shares not only his experiences on recent international cases, but also his efforts to understand criminal minds around the globe, and explains why serial murder is happening in previously unaffected countries. 40,000 first printing. Tour."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"It seems that when normal life goes into eclipse, the differences in cultural patterns also fade away, and at the outer edges of behavior, deviant patterns are the same, the world over." This absorbing second book from the serial-killer expert who wrote Whoever Fights Monsters has 10 chapters: (1) an unusual Japanese case of a doctor killing his family; (2) examples of the use and abuse of post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis by Vietnam veterans; (3) the murder of a Japanese exchange student by a Baton Rouge homeowner; (4) review of patterns found in serial murders, including those in Japan; (5) interview with John Wayne Gacy, seeking to understand his psychology; (6-7) two-part psychological interview with Jeffrey Dahmer, revealing several fascinating new details; (8) two British cases on which the author was asked to consult; (9) investigation of a South African serial killer; (10) the Aum Shinri Kyo cult (sarin nerve gas terrorists) in Japan.

From Library Journal

Ressler, a former FBI profiler who is currently an analyst of the JonBenet Ramsey case for Good Morning America, presents here his work in several international cases, including the sarin bombings in Japan, the South Africa ABC murders, and England's Wimbledon Commons murder. His writing is crisp and well paced, and Ressler presents his methods and his successes objectively, without sounding overly impressed with himself. Although the text contains graphic details, they are presented only in the context of how Ressler developed profiles. Especially harrowing are his interviews with John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer. An absolutely chilling look at the evil that is the mind of a serial killer.?Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie Cty. P.L., N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (May 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312155522
• ISBN-13: 978-0312155520
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #453,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as his first, January 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Have Lived in the Monster: A Report From The Abyss (Hardcover)

but fascinating nonetheless. Admittedly, "Whoever fights monsters" is a tough act to follow and "I have lived..." fails to best it. Not a classic one-sitting page-turner yet it draws you back again and again until you finish. You come out of it with an interesting perspective of serial killers in the international scene as well as deeper insight into the murderous minds of Gacy and Dahmer.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner that is to the point, October 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: I Have Lived in the Monster: A Report From The Abyss (Hardcover)

This book was full of graphic details that I am sure were never made public. The interviews were very well written. Reesler would inject his personal comments throughout the interviews to give the reader a better understanding of what was being said. I found this book totally fascinating because it gets into why they did what they did, not just the details of what they did. I recommend this book to all that are interested in true crime. This book is not for the weak stomach.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ressler Shines On, July 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: I Have Lived in the Monster: A Report From The Abyss (Hardcover)

Once again Robert Ressler captured my attention as I read his book. I feel the books biggest contribution was breaking down the stereo-type of America being the only country serial homicide happens. He cites several cases from various countries and goes into detail about them.
His interviews with Dahmer and Gacy are intriguing as well.