Amazon.com Review
This no-nonsense encyclopedia features a preface with statistics on typology and distribution of serial killers, and detailed, well-composed entries on more than 500 individual cases from all over the world. The cases are listed by names of killers and by categories of crimes (including unsolved murders by geographical region). They include lust killers, merry widows and widowers, "bluebeards," duos and gangs, murderous cults, lethal doctors and nurses, highway and railroad killers, and four examples of killers who were dressed in girls' clothes as punishment when they were little. This reviewer was fascinated by such cases as the New Orleans ax murderer who vowed to bypass any homes where jazz was playing, and the Polish rooming house landlord who pickled some 30 of his tenants in brine. As acclaimed true crime writer Jack Olsen writes, "Hunting Humans is a must read for anyone interested in crime, sociology or human behavior. It is a welcome addition to my shelf, and I intend to borrow from it liberally."
From Library Journal
This volume contains thumbnail sketches of 544 serial murders which occurred worldwide during the present century. The "Case Histories" are simply presented in alphabetical order, and most are much less than a page in length. While skimming through the contents is morbidly fascinating, it is difficult to see how this extensive collection could be of use to researchers as a data base. The author does not provide suggestions for its use or much of his own analysis other than to note that it "may assist potential victims in an effort to protect themselves," but how this is to be done is not made clear. There is no other clearly stated justifications for compiling these cases into one volume. Not recommended.
- John Broderick, Stonehill Coll . , North Easton, Mass.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- John Broderick, Stonehill Coll . , North Easton, Mass.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
