The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Arranged alphabetically to include case histories of individual serial killers and essays on general topics, this reference work would appear to be the perfect companion to Jay Robert Nash's Encyclopedia of World Crime: Criminal Justice, Criminology and Law Enforcement (1989. o.p.). However, close examination reveals several flaws. The first is that Newton (Serial Slaughter) never explains his criteria for inclusion--a serious problem, in that he includes people like Josef Mengele (generally considered not a serial but a mass murderer). The second, related problem concerns the way he defines serial killer. By FBI standards, a serial killer is a person who murders three or more people. But Newton doesn't define his terms until two-thirds of the way into the book--and then he uses the National Institute of Justice's definition (that is, a person who murders two or more people) and argues that this should be the accepted one. Unfortunately, until someone else writes a better book on this topic, Newton's will have to do. Purchase cautiously.
-Michael Sawyer, Northwestern Regional Lib., Elkin, NC
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

This guide examines the realities of serial murder versus popular myths depicted in film and television. From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy, the encyclopedia gives readers an overview of what is undoubtedly the most macabre and fascinating branch of crime and modern criminology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 391 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books; illustrated edition edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816039798
• ISBN-13: 978-0816039791
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #433,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and thorough for those with morbid fascination, April 4, 2004

By	CreepyT "CreepyTendencies" (Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this book because of morbid fascination with the minds of those who find it necessary or enjoyable to seek alternate, though immoral, ways to spend their time. I wanted to find a book that had easily digestible snippets on some of the more, and less, infamous serial killers. I am glad that I was able to find such a book.

The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers is a great book because it gives the reader just enough information to tempt the palate with regards to each killer. Michael Newton does a great job of giving us not too much detail, and not too little detail about each case study. Nor does he gloss over the facts regarding each case. Each individual (whether killer or killed) is looked at from a very professional standpoint. Newton looks at a killer's upbringing and other social factors that may lead to why they have done what they have done, in addition to the mere facts. Newton also addresses what has happened to these people, if they were caught and convicted. It is interesting to see how society's law enforcement has changed over the years.

Some of those included are:
Jack the Ripper
Ed Gein
Son of Sam
The Zodiac Killer
Ted Bundy
The Manson Family

If you are looking for a book that gives you a peek into the mind of not one, but many serial killers then this is the book for you. From these intriguing portrayals, one can decide which cases and killers are most interesting and buy more in-depth books about each. It's great as a reference, to read from cover to cover, or to pull out when you simply want to leaf through to kill some time. Highly recommended to fans of the true crime genre.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the Serial Killers you Could Possibly Ask For..., April 2, 2000

By A Customer

I thought that this book was a very extraordinary and it hightlighted all the main facts of the serial killers of all time. The book covers all kinds of killers, from solo killers - like the Son of Sam, to unresolved cases such as the Zodiac, this book has it all! If you want to know just the facts about all these crimes, this book if definitely one to have on your shelf!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks Michael Newton for an accurate source of information, April 30, 2002

By	Kim Egger (Freeport, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Serial murder is my area of expertise. I have spent 16 years studying and writing about this field and Michael Newton's works have been along side me for all those years. Newton is an excellent researcher. His work is of the highest quality. His books are a steal. The Encyclopedia is an excellent resource for anyone who needs a thumbnail sketch of serial killers from around the world. Newton has contributed to the growing body of serial killer research by helping to track down and document these killers. Newton was one of the first authors to document the imfamous Dr. Swango, years before any other noticed him.
I highly recommend this book to students, researchers and the just curious. But beware, you may learn more than you ever wanted to know