Customer Reviews

Hunting Humans: The Rise of the Modern Multiple Murderer

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Leyton is an anthropologist, and this study of serial killers focuses on sociocultural factors rather than individual pathology as a cause of multiple murder. Specifically, Leyton examines how class conflict has contributed to serial killings in different epochs. In the Middle Ages, royalty killed serfs; in the Industrial Age of the 19th century, the nouveau middle class killed prostitutes and other individuals from the lower rungs, and in the modern era serial killers target those who are just one rung up from them in the social ladder.

Leyton argues that modern multiple murderers are class-conscious and socially conservative men who are obsessed with status, class, and power. Emboldened by our cultural glorification of violence and serial killers, and trapped in alienating lives that do not match their class strivings, they kill the objects of their desire. And they keep killing until they feel that they have accomplished the mission that they set out on. It's a very interesting analysis, although I think Leyton selected case studies that fit his thesis and ignored others that did not. (He profiles Ted Bundy, Edmund Kemper, David Berkowitz, and four other cases, including the D.C. snipers in his new edition, but he ignores - for example - Jeffrey Dahmer, whose predilection for young Cambodian boys goes against his thesis.) Also, the fact that documented serial killers in the Middle Ages were royalty may be due to documentation issues; maybe serfs who killed serfs never made the history books (a possibility Leyton doesn't mention).

But these are minor limitations. The book is well researched and well written, and it is certainly refreshing to see a treatment of this topic that does not ignore the macro perspective of class, race, and culture. In my own forensic psychology practice, I have found it helpful to keep Leyton's perspective in mind, while still not ignoring the developmental wrong-turns and individual pathologies that also contribute to multiple murder. Overall, this book is well worth reading for anyone interested in the etiology of serial murder.

I first read Hunting Humans 15 or so years ago and I have recently bought the new edition. It is a fascinating insight into the minds and motivations of serial killers, although I think Leyton struggles somewhat to fit them all into his particular thesis. Ted Bundy was extremely bright and personable and started his killing spree after his girlfriend had accepted an offer of marriage which he promptly withdrew two days later. Almost without exception, his victims all resembled this woman. He was also a necrophiliac, returning to have sex with his victims even when they were in an advanced state of decomposition. Perhaps my favourite part of the book, and one I often quote when faced with 'expert opinion' , regards the 'gentle giant' Edmund Kemper. He had spent several years incarcerated as a teenager for brutally murdering his grandparents (yes, they let him out!), and he was in the psychiatrist's office getting his release papers. The good doctor wished him well and felt certain that the young Kemper would go on to have a productive and useful life. At that very moment Kemper's car was parked outside. In the boot were the two severed heads of his latest victims. Chilling, but absolutely gripping reading.

Whether you are an anthropologist, sociologist, or just plain interested in the serial killer phenomenon, this book is a fascinating analysis. Through examinations of specific cases (Ted Bundy, Charles Starkweather, Albert DeSalvo ("The Boston Strangler"), Leyton provides insight via anthropolgoical theory and psychological profiles. A must for any true crime lover!

Leyton has written a classic study on the rise and motives of serial killers and mass murderers. The new edition of this book originally published in the early 80's includes a discussion of the DC sniper attacks and case studies of various killers including Ted Bundy, the Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo, David Berkowitz aka the Son of Sam, and Mark Essex. Leyton lays out a very convincing argument about the motives behind the killings of multiple murderers. He casts asides psychopathology as the primary reason for their crimes and instead contends that an inability to cope with social position and class consciousness drives these killers.

Leyton views multiple murderers from a sociological rather than a psychiatric standpoint. The evidence underlying his arguments is solid. His main conclusion is that multiple murderers seek to destroy members of a social class secure in its position in the social hierarchy that have excluded him (sometimes her) from their ranks. Bundy, DeSalvo, and the rest belonged to the lower or lower middle classes and despite being superficially accepted by the social hierarchy above them, they were acutely aware of their humble origins and hypersensitive to rejection. In fact, all of the murderers that Leyton discusses in detail spoke greatly at length about wanting to punish the people they felt had rejected them. Though it is hard to imagine that multiple murderers are not psychotic, it appears that not only are they sane for the most part, they have a conscious or subconscious agenda to destroy the people they feel will never accept them.

The case that best exemplifies Leyton's thesis, in my opinion, is the case of Mark Essex. Essex was killed on the roof of a hotel in early January of 1975 after a killing spree that left over 10 people dead. Essex was not a raving madman, but a black man who suffered the devastating consequences of racism during his years in the Navy. He was insulated from the consequences of his skin color as a youth but soon realized that he was not considered an equal even by his country's own military. His experiences left him deeply disillusioned, and several years after his discharge, he took revenge on the people that held him down. In his mind, this included all white people. No one who knew Essex portrayed him as a psychotic. Rather, he was described as an intelligent and diligent worker who felt rejected by the social class above him and that he was not willing to accept his permanent social position beneath white people just because of his skin color.

Each of Leyton's case studies are meticulously researched, and his sociological arguments are solid. The last chapter of his book "A Historical Overview" ties all of his ideas together neatly. He mentions several cases of multiple murderers dating back several hundred years, and all of them represent struggles between a member of a class whose members are facing uncertainty or alienation against a class that is secure in its social standing. This chapter really represents what is best about this book. Leyton's convincing arguments don't just explain what drives people to kill so many of their fellow human beings in modern times but they also provide a framework to discuss multiple murderers from the past.

For the people that are comforted by the idea that multiple murderers are psychotic maniacs who have an unrestrained lust for killing people, this book will change your mind.

Elliot's examination of the modern serial killer is probably the best in print. His detailed account and analysis of Bundy, Kemper, and DeSalvo provide insight unmatched in previous attempts by other authors. For anyone studying mass murderers and/or serial killers, this is a must read.

Elliott Leyton (author) has written a superb detailed book focusing on 6 modern serial killers/modern mass murderers. Edmund Kemper, Ted Bundy (the charming young Republican), Albert Desalvo (the social climber known as The Boston Strangler), David Berkowitz (Son of Sam), Mark Essex (the racist) & Charles Starkweather. Leyton also touches upon other 'famous' killers to try and argue his case that all these killers are not alien people with deranged minds, but *'alienated men with a disinterest in continuing the dull lives in which they feel trapped.'(*author's quote). The book tries to go inside these killers minds (and backgrounds) to try and understand why they, as individuals, committed these crimes. Were all their childhood backgrounds so tragic as to contribute towards their eventual decline? If so, why do individuals with equally tragic (or more so) backgrounds choose not to kill? The book also seperates truth from fantasy. What we see in films such as The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal etc may all be very compelling action and drama, and highly enjoyable to watch, but we must not make the mistake of believing that these films are based on reality. Leyton has done a thorough job of disecting these cases one by one, and the painstaking research that he has conducted is evident on every page. Buying this book will be well worth your time and money, for it may just be the one book that may well stimulate your thoughts enough to question everything you thought you knew about serial killers.

Gives you a look to the inside of the killers mind. It's like watch criminal minds from the killers side!

This book is a real gem! Not only do the case studies grab you and not let go, you get to see inside the killer's head. Not only is Elliott Leyton write a mean novel he also teaches a super class. He is a prof. at Memorial University of Newfoundland and taking his class was the best thing I ever did. Hunting Humans is the first book of it's kind and stands alone as a cult classic.

I've read this book while writining my MA thesis on the subject of serial killers. It's the fascinating, and wonderfuly written book - will keep you on the edge of your seat. Leyton's magnificent style of writing will let you storm through the pages in one night. Must have & must read - for anyone who truly wants to learn and understand the nature of serial killers.

I could barely get through the first two chapters of this book as I found the author's views intruding too much. As to what to do about such humans I am never a supporter of the death penalty as it is uncivilized so life without parole is just fine.