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John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster [Hardcover]

Sam L. Amirante , Danny Broderick
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)


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Book Description

August 1, 2011

For the first time Gacy’s lawyer and confidant tells his chilling tale of how he defended an American serial killer.

"Sam, could you do me a favor?" Thus begins a story that has now become part of America’s true crime hall of fame. It is a gory, grotesque tale befitting a Stephen King novel. It is also a David and Goliath saga—the story of a young lawyer fresh from the Public Defender’s Office whose first client in private practice turns out to be the worst serial killer in our nation’s history.

Sam Amirante had just opened his first law practice when he got a phone call from his friend John Wayne Gacy, a well-known and well-liked community figure. Gacy was upset about what he called “police harassment” and asked Amirante for help. With the police following his every move in connection with the disappearance of a local teenager, Gacy eventually gives a drunken, dramatic, early morning confession—to his new lawyer. Gacy is eventually charged with murder and Amirante suddenly becomes the defense attorney for one of American’s most disturbing serial killers. It is his first case. This is a gripping narrative that reenacts the gruesome killings and the famous trial that shocked a nation. 50 black-and-white photographs


Editorial Reviews

Review

How do you defend a madman accused of killing 30 young men and teenagers? That is the powerful theme of this book by a retired judge and criminal attorney whose first case was defending John Wayne Gacy. . . . What emerges is a deep probing into Gacy's mind as it unraveled into a "detached, disconnected" madness wrapped in a maze of sexual confusion and murderous intent. . . . Despite Amirante's hearty defense, Gacy got a death sentence (he was executed in 1994) and his account will illuminate the case for anyone fascinated by the inner workings of a serial killer. 50 b&w illus. -- --Publishers Weekly

"This book, sassy, surreal, and surprisingly personal, is mostly about Gacy's trial and Amirante's observations of his `pathetic and sad' first client. . . .True crime aficionados will want to make a special place on their bookshelves for this unique-slant look at one of America's most notorious killers."--RealAspen.com -- RealAspen.com

Book Description

"For anyone fascinated by the inner workings of a serial killer." --Publishers Weekly

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing (August 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1616082488
  • ISBN-13: 978-1616082482
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars You had me at hello... July 4, 2011
By Mary
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
In so much that this book is a tale of John Wayne Gacy, one of the most notorious serial killers of our time,it is also the story of a young lawyer's quest to uphold and defend the principles of the Constitution of the United States. How fortunate are we to live in a country that even "monsters" such as Gacy are entitled to a dedicated defense as provided by this "young gun"? You gotta love that...and be proud. Did Sam Amirante think Gacy was innocent? Of corse not! But he did believe he was entitled to the best defense he could provide so that even his "rights" could be protected. Amirante and his co-council Bob Motta put their lives on hold for almost a year and a half to immerse themselves in this feat. This is Sam's story. The author Danny Broderick does an excellent job in giving the reader an insight into how Sam Amirante maneuvered this minefield that was the Gacy case. The book takes you on a journey from that first phone call to Sam to the final sentencing of Gacy. A fascinating read. Danny Broderick has you riding "shotgun" on Amirante's incredible ride.
Great Job!
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was absolutely fascinating! I was living in the Chicago area when Gacy was arrested and remember all of the media coverage. However, after reading this book, it all seemed much more real. There are so many more facts revealed in this book. I felt as though I was there as the book is so descriptive and well written. Not only did I feel like I was able take take a peek inside the mind of the monster but discovered an understanding of how Sam Amirante, Gacy's defense attorney was able to defend such a disturbed and evil person. You could truly feel the passion of the lawyers involved in this case. I highly recommend this book but clear your schedule because you won't be able to put it down!
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Bag October 12, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the first book I've read on JWG, so I have nothing to compare it with. John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster

My initial hope was that the man who defended Gacy would have insights into the case that I hadn't read about or seen before. What we get, in large measure, is a thorough defense of our judiciary system (even the worst of us is entitled to a defense in court) to recollections of a young lawyer's first case throwing him into the national spotlight. His first case was to defend one of the most savage and remorseless killers of our generation. We learn about the fraternity of lawyers and the back-slapping and glad-handing that makes up the landscape of our legal system.

The best part of this book is the closing arguments which, to their credit, Mr. Amirante and Mr. Broderick, give us practically in toto. The basic questions of JWG's guilt or innocence rests on whether he really knew what he was doing. Both the defense and prosecution give us closing statements addressing those very issues in a thorough and detailed way.

Curiously, most of the pictures in the book are of the crime scene, with a very blurry picture added at the end of the book of the victims. Putting these pics of the victims at the end almost has a last-minute feel to it.

This is really less a profile of Gacy, although some of the documents provided in the book are interesting, and less an overview of the case, than it is about defending the indefensible. If that's your interest, you'll probably enjoy this perspective. Mr. Amirante does not seem to have provided us with any of his inner musings about the case, the kinds of things that would probably keep me up at night.
... Read more ›
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best in True Crime August 4, 2011
Format:Hardcover
I write crime fiction but I love reading True Crime. Amirante and Broderick's John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster is right up there with Anne Rule's books--in my opinion. Amirante was Gacy's lawyer and tried valiantly but unsuccessfully to mount an insanity defence for his client. While most of us know the story of Gacy's horrendous murdering spree, this book provides more than enough behind-the-scenes information to hold a reader's interest.

While remaining very respectful of both his client and Gacy's victims, Amirante and Broderick masterfully spice the drama with low-key humour--aimed mostly at the lawyer's novice self at the time, and the bizarre circumstances surrounding the case and the trial.

The writing is powerful, clean, and well-paced. It avoids the technical and detailed explanations that often bog down a true crime story and gets right to the interesting part--the people behind the story.

Amirante/Broderick do not avoid casting the villain into the limelight--readers with an avid interest in the criminal mind will come away satisfied that they now know much more about the mind and soul of John Wayne Gacy and the people whose lives he so dramatically touched.
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10 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Danny Broderick is the new Hemingway!! June 27, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
My thought in writing this book was to create a non fiction novel in the genre of Capote's In Cold Blood. My co author, Danny Broderick,far surpassed that expectation. He brings you right to the scene of the crime in dramatic fashion and puts you in the courtroom with his great writing style. No one could have told this story the way Broderick has!!I was there and I couldn't stop reading! Thanks Danny Broderick for finally telling the story the way it should be told....from the viewpoint of a true believer and lawyer who loves and respects our Country and our Constitution! A job well done!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars fascinating account of a sub-human
Enjoyed the book, but it was just too long,tedious and repeticious.I do understand the absorbtion the author has in this subject.Skipped a lot during the third part of the book.
Published 1 month ago by Christian H. Gortz
5.0 out of 5 stars So far this book is incredible
I have always been interested in reading about the negative side of human nature. I have always been fascinated by it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by mbb666
5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting account by John Wayne Gacy's Trial Lawyer!
This is an absolutely riveting account by John Wayne Gacy's trial lawyer. It begins with a forward that explains the whys and the motivations of being a criminal defense lawyer. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Thomas E. Ost
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
I had chills after reading the first chapter.
Sam Amirante does a great job intertwining his personal life into the Gacy trial wihich became his life. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Michael Dreznes
5.0 out of 5 stars Frightening but essential
What does a real monster look like? How does he act? And just how far does the damage he inflicts reach? An inside perspective from one of his attorneys that is worth the read.
Published 3 months ago by Hallauthor
5.0 out of 5 stars Defending a monster
LOVED this book. Thank you Dalton for recommending it to me. A deep look inside at one of America's most hated men.
Published 3 months ago by Jennifer Morrison
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
This is a fascinating look inside the mind of a killer.Check it out. I look forward to more great books by Danny Broderick.
Published 4 months ago by J Collins
1.0 out of 5 stars Self righteous lawyer
First of all how does anyone know what Rob Piest was thinking while at Gacy's house before he was killed? That was a sure way to hook the reader from the start. Mr. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dreaming Tree
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Interesting to get the attorney's point of view and how even though Gacy was what he was his lawyer defended him because that's what he was supposed to do. Read more
Published 4 months ago by T. Scorsone
1.0 out of 5 stars John Wayne Gacy
It started off being interesting, but I became bored with this book very quickly, I didn't even finish it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Pamela Bullard
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