The Serial Killers: A Study in the Psychology of Violence [Paperback]

Colin Wilson (Author), Donald Seaman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1991

As the number of serial killers worldwide has risen steadily - from the emergence of Jack the Ripper in 1888 to Harold Shipman and Ivan Milat, the backpacker killer of the Australian outback - the need to understand this disturbing phenomenon is becoming more urgent. Using privileged access to the world's first National Centre for the Analysis of Violent Crime, Colin Wilson and Donald Seaman bring you this incisive study of the psychology of serial killers and the motives behind their crimes. From childhood traumas to issues of frustration, fear and fantasy, discover what turns an ordinary human being into a compulsive killer.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Colin Wilson has been a major influence in the area of true crime. His career has spanned the publication of over 60 books, including The Occult, A Criminal History of Mankind and From Atlantis To The Sphinx. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Carol Pub Group (January 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0352326255
• ISBN-13: 978-0352326256
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ..................., May 26, 2000

By 

Dr. Michael Stewart (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Serial Killers: A Study in the Psychology of Violence (Paperback)

Yes, there are some graphic depictions of violence in this book. It is also insightful in two keys areas of human interaction, domination and personal/sexual inadequacy, particularly in regard to men needing or wanting to have control over women and their own lives. Wilson details how many must resort to violence to "prove" themselves superior and gives credible, psychological reasons for their actions.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painstakingly researched, highly informative book., May 30, 2004

By 

Rod Lewis (Bournemouth, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Serial Killers: A Study in the Psychology of Violence (Paperback)

Faisal.A.Qureshi is a fool.Don't listen to him. If he doesn't want to know about serial killers and their crimes, why read this book? No,it doesn't hold back on describing the murders in graphic detail, and that is one of the reasons that make it the great book that it is -it tells everything.The reason other books may not document the voilence in such detail is that they probably don't know as much, or dont recognize the need to encompass every element,however grim in order to create a true study. I'm researching for a screenplay I'm writing about a serial killer, and this book, more so than a dozen others, has helped give me the knowledge and inspiration I need to form my own characters. It is not only crammed full of case histories, but has an in-depth (60 page) history of the profilers and organisations such as VICAP,the BSU, and the NCAVC that over the years have been instrumental in apprehending these criminals. It offers a variety of theories about the minds and motives of the people who commit these crimes, and goes back to through history to the likes of the Marquis De Sade, Tiberius, and Caligula to illustrate its points. This is a concise, important and intelligent work that deserves far more credit than is given by Faisal.A.Qureshi,who probably just flicked through it whilst drinking his coffee in Borders.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gory Hallelujah, May 19, 2011

By 

Mark K - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Serial Killers (Paperback)

A fascinating study which will provide background for those who enjoy TV shows like Criminal Minds and movies like Silence of the Lambs. Totally absorbing. Not for those with weak stomachs.