Making of a Serial Killer: The Real Story of the Gainesville Student Murders in the Killer's... (True Crime Series) [Paperback]

Danny Rolling (Author), Sondra London (Author), Colin Wilson (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: True Crime Series | Publication Date: November 1996

The man convicted of the vicious murders of five college students in Gainesville, Florida, discusses his motivations and actions in commiting the crimes, reflects on what made him into a killer, and his struggle to come to terms with what he did. Original. IP.

Product Details

• Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: Feral House; Special Limited ed edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0922915407
• ISBN-13: 978-0922915408
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only sporadically engrossing, November 7, 2002

By 

M. Evans (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Making of a Serial Killer: The Real Story of the Gainesville Student Murders in the Killer's... (True Crime Series) (Paperback)

Having read another book about the same subject, this book was a massive disappointment. I'm not sure if I expected to get a feeling for who the victims were, as this was co-authored by Danny Rolling himself, but I certainly hoped Sondra London would delve into this much more than was done, although she can't really be called objective.

Having lived in Gainesville in the 90's, this book in no way captures the essence of the town which was shocked out of its innocence and changed forever by these horrific crimes. It's sad to say, but the most engrossing aspect of these books is not the endless exploration of Rolling's life (of which there is a LOT), but the few short (and I do mean SHORT) mentions of the murders themselves. I found myself skipping to these parts of the book, only because the rest was so unenlightening.

The murders and mutilations, although heinous, are somehow diminished in their atrocity by the total lack of insight into the lives that were being ended, the city and campus that were being changed forever, or the emotional disasters being wreaked on the families and friends of the victims. Rolling is just not that interesting. His ramblings about the alter-ego "Gemini" mask the true reason for all this tragedy -- his social impotence, lack of success with work or women, and his rage at all others that he perceived to have easier lives than he had.

For a great account of these crimes, read The Gainesville Ripper, by Mary S. Ryzuk instead.

23 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A deadly deception, April 29, 2002

By 

Richard A. Duffus (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making of a Serial Killer: The Real Story of the Gainesville Student Murders in the Killer's... (True Crime Series) (Paperback)

Having been involved with Rolling and Bobby Lewis at the time this book-like thing was being devised and thus having first-hand knowledge of many of the facts, I strongly advise others against buying into Rolling's carefully crafted deception. There is little in this that is truthful and certainly nothing that is useful. I would find it laughable if it weren't for the fact that Rolling slaughtered eight people, including an 8-year old child, then deceived those in whom he confided, Lewis and London, in order to bring his dream of being published to fruition.

So if you support murder in general, wish to applaud Rolling for these killings in particular, or want to help him torment his victims' families, then by all means shell out your dough. But if you're looking for factual or useful information, look elsewhere.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Guilty pleasure, January 20, 2002

By 

Asmodeus (Spokane, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making of a Serial Killer: The Real Story of the Gainesville Student Murders in the Killer's... (True Crime Series) (Paperback)

Anyone considering purchasing this book should first be made well aware that neither of the authors are/were literary geniuses. Far from it in all actuality.

Much like Manson, Rollings has a touch of the artistic side within him. Perhaps it's merely the a-la-carte that so often accompanies insanity. This book contains much of his poetry, lyrics and drawings. Again, I stress that he is NOT great at any of the aforementioned. Neither is Manson, but still... it was entertaining on a certain, twisted level.

Rollings was definitely not wired correctly from early on, and Ms. London (in my humble opinion) may have a little of the same problem upstairs, as well. Rollings (coincidently?) was not the first killer that Ms. London has been romantically involved with. She even fancies herself a singer and songwriter, which (if you have the time and inclination) you can find online and feast on an auditory sample thereof. When doing so, I must warn you to refrain from drinking any beverages when the music commences... else liquids will fly with great velocity during the riotous fits of laughter that will inevitably follow.

Yet, even with all that I have mentioned so far, this book is greatly entertaining. Perhaps that IS the very reason why it's an enjoyable read. It isn't verbally over-stuffed and psychologically fluffed. It is what it is... if you can take it as such. And much like a bad train wreck, one is some how drawn to slow down and give it a look.

I liked it a lot. It's an easy read. Put it on the coffee table if you're not afraid of scaring away the neighbors. Then again... hmmmm. ;)