No comments about The Modern Gang Reader.

2 comments about Death in a Texas Desert: And Other True Crime Stories from The Dallas Observer.

1. Compiled by true crime writer and newspaper journalist Carlton Stowers, Death In A Texas Desert is a very highly recommended anthology of seventeen crime stories taken from the pages of the Dallas Observer. These were horrific cases of notorious events that range from the search for alleged murderer Ira Einhorn, to the legacy of racist killer bobby Frank Cherry, to the last, angry days of George Hennard who opened fire in Killeen's Luby's Cafeteria killing 23 patrons. These are stories of human experience at hits darkest as exemplified by Andrea Yates who killed her five children and the impact Rusty Yates, her husband and the father of her children whose life was irrevocably shattered in a few short hours. Other stories are about missing children, a rest home murderer, and murders solved almost a century after they were committed. Through each and every story, Carlton Stowers takes his readers seriously and provides them with stories that are devoid of gossip and exaggeration as we explore the darkest sides of criminology as they played out in the lives of real people with real consequences for themselves and their communities.



2. I have always enjoyed Carlton Stower's books, and this is one of his best. It is a collection of true crime stories that have been published previously. The "Death in a Texas Desert" stroy is genuinely creepy. He does very good research and is a very entertaining writer.

3 comments about Murder Most Foul: The Killer and the American Gothic Imagination.

1. Haltunnen has conducted a thorough research of early American execution sermons, court records, news articles, and novels dealing with murder and murderers. Her findings are chilling: men who murdered their wives or their entire families, women who murdered their newborn babies, people who murdered out of jealousy, guilt, or pure hatred, or for reasons unclear. Her focus is on the way the public reacted to these murders throughout history: early sermons portrayed the murderers as ordinary sinners, and the message was that anyone could fall prey to sin; later, the image of the murderer changed into that of grotesque moral monster, and accounts of the murder itself and the suffering of the victim became much more detailed.

   Surprisingly hard to put down, this book is a valuable reference for changing societal attitudes about crime, sexual behavior, and morality. The individual accounts are riveting, but often sketchy, as they are placed in the context of a rhetorical discussion. Some accounts are mentioned only briefly, and then mentioned again in a later chapter; the reader often has to consult the index to get a full account of any one crime, and even then, many details are missing, left to haunt your imagination.




2. Just had to put my two cents in. I had Karen's class on Society and Culture during the Industrial Revolution about 5 years ago and it was THE most fascinating class I have ever had. Ideas I learned in that class still come up even in random small talk. Makes me regret I majored in literature. I look forward to getting my hands on this book! Thanks Karen for being such a great instructor!



3. Karen Halttunen's book is a wonderful introduction to true crime narratives from the late eighteenth to the mid nineteenth century. This is a strategic period as the narratives changed from execution sermons to more secular, gothic-tainted narratives that, in turn, influenced the way we look at murder to this day. This general look at this period is an excellant broad view of this period that can be enhanced by Patricia Cline Cohen's Murder of Helen Jewett and Amy Gilman Srebnick's The Mysterious Death of Mary Rogers, two significant murders from this period that demonstrated and influenced the changes that are part of Murder Most Foul. It is a fascinating period and interesting topic that is very well served by this book. I can sadly see my own prurient interest in these accounts but it comforting to see some of it explained in a historical sense.

2 comments about Treasure Islands: The Fascinating World of Pirates, Buried Treasure, and Fortune Hunters.

1. This is not a guide book for treasure hunters. What it is is an entertaining read. It details several stories of buried treasure from Cocos Island to Mahe in the Seychelles. Providing a good deal of background information on the area and characters involved in each story. Tantalizing details are presented, that almost make you believe that the stories might be true.

   The reality is pirates didn't bury treasure, they spent it, some few invested it and retired wealthy, but the vast majority squandered their riches on booze and women. Never-the-less, the lure of money for nothing, just waiting to be dug up, will always have some pulling out a shovel and pick to go hunting. And let's face it, we all dream about it. P-)




2. I was once telling my Dad, a sea captain, how much I wanted to become a treasure hunter. The story of Mel Fisher was so compelling to me, all I needed, I told my dad, was a few million dollars to get started and some good maps.

   He laughed and teased me, then, upon a return trip from Florida, he brought me this book, and old "treasure" map and some fake "tourist" treasure all to get me started.

   I was completely fascinated by the accounts in this book. It is a couple of hundred pages long and each of the eleven chapters covers a different treasure. The book covers the history behind the treasure as well as accounts of people trying to find the various hoards hidden, it seems, forever. Or perhaps the treasure was never left behind in the first place, but the idea that "some" of it may still be there is enough to make any treasure hunter feel a bit driven to want to go and see for themselves.

   This book is history and story, it is not in any way a guide to go looking for treasure nor do the authors give encouragement to the reader that if they are lucky and resourceful they might make history themselves. But for anyone interested in the history of some great pirate stories and modern accounts of treasure hunting, or for dreamers like myself, I recommend this book. It is fun and well written.

5 comments about Fake: Forgery, Lies, & eBay.

1. I am a high end art collector at major auctions and have looked at ebay items up for sell. So many are obviously fakes that I have written to a couple of power sellers. They immediately threatened to sue me.
   
   However, that is not why I am writing this review. This is a story of someone who knew nothing about art but was slowly engulfed in a new world where profit opportunity was high and old rules no longer applied. The individual involved acted like a major corporation in slowly bending the rules until they no longer believed the old rules or thought they could not possible be caught.
   
   I think the story should be read by every corporate executive in America. It shows how easy it is to justify going 65 in a 55 zone and then occasionally speeding up to 85 when you think no one cares that you are going over the speed limit.
   
   It is also an inspirational tale. I am very impressed with the author and how he changed his life around.
   
   I would also recommend this book to anyone buying or selling on ebay. It is unbelievable how some of the items are marketed there. Ebay is not incented to police it to the degree they should. Buyer beware. At least for sure, I can tell you the art is not what you think it is!
   
   This is a fast read .. get it.



2. My son picked "Fake" for our mother/son book club. The boys are sixteen; the mothers work in a variety of professional fields. No one was bored. Everyone finished the book, which is unusual. Discussion was lively and wide-ranging, even with the author present. I asked and he came!
   
   Part of the charm of the book, the story and the man derives from our inherent hope that people can grow by surviving adversity, even self-made, or perhaps, especially self-made. Walton gives readers an engaging look at the California art scene and ebay, while allowing us to watch him decide what he will do next.
   
   If he writes another book, I'll definitely read it.



3. This "author" is a liar, a lawyer, and a snitch. If you think it couldn't get any worse it does: he thinks his writing is clever. Wait for his victim (Fetterman)'s book.



4. Someone had recommended this book to me as a "good read". really didn't even know why I bought the book as I thought reading about ebay would be totally boring. Well I was wrong. The book sat on a shelf at my home for 3 months before I even opened the cover. Couldn't sleep one night and picked the book and started to read. I honestly couldn't put it down until I had finished from cover to cover. It is a great story and well written by the author. Whether you don't care about art or even Ebay this is an interesting story written in such a way that you find yourself totally emersed in the deceptions of an art forger who gets caught and the story line of getting caught and punished in a court of law. This is a good read.



5. This great analysis of the internet market over eBAY has been passed through the art lovers in our family. Their response has been very interesting, indeed !

5 comments about Della's Web.

1. Ok this story was on court tv's forensic files and HER OWN MOTHER calls her a black widow spider because she marries a sucessful man and kills him for money she is very greedy and she would have never been found out if bodies didnt tell secrets csi is a very important thing too no way would blood have spatterd on the bottom of the couch with a shooting to the head it was a very important thing to her undoing



2. This book was fascinating, but it could have been better. For instance, if there was some sort of timeline that showed what Della/Dante was doing when, in her career of marrying up and up and in between marriages. How and where did she live? Pay rent? It's just amazing that she continued to get away with her behavior toward the men she dated and married, as well as her own family. I just feel as though a lot was left out, and the book could have been better researched and more tightly written. But overall, an entertaining true crime book.



3. Always remember what you read is not always the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!



4. Terrific read, and researched in great detail - thank you Ms. Jones. The crime itself was horrific enough, but reading of her lifetime of terrorizing almost everyone she encountered is what is truly chilling.
   
   While I'm sure some people are simply born damaged, it seems that Della is a classic case of a pathological attachment disorder - losing her most emotionally important caretaker (in her case her father) in the critical 1-3 year old period, and left with a mother who was quite harsh. These children are forever locked in that infantile state - emotional vampires unable to empathize or care about any other person, filled with narcissistic rage and eternally trying to fill that emotional hole. Her endless avarice and demands, continual and often pointless lying, creation of a false, grandiose self, infantile, needy behavior, and violent, self-righteous rage towards anyone who denied her anything she wanted are textbook behaviors.
   
   If you find psychological insight in true crime books interesting, you will enjoy this book.



5. I was very disappointed in this book. The writing read very juvenile, as if a teenager wrote this book. Dare I say a teenager might have done a better job. The actual story was interesting although author seemed to portray all characters as highly unsophisticated and uncultured when I'm sure many of the actual characters were. It was very UNintelligently written and, all in all, a highly disappointing read. I was surprised to see the author was as accomplished as she was. After reading this book, I would have thought her a obscure author with little to no experience. This read worse than a debut from a new author. Just awful. I will hesitate to read anything else from Aphrodite Jones although, in fairness to her, it is possible this was just a "bad" project and all other works are fantastically written. It will take me awhile to determine if this is the case as I feel a bit "dumber" after reading this book.

4 comments about Hunting the Devil/Pursuit, Capture and Confession of the Most Savage Serial Killer in History.

1. This is the story of Andrei Chikatilo, a sadistic sexual serial killer convicted in Rostov of 53 murders of women and children (although he undoubtedly committed more). Lourie focuses on detective Issa Kostoev, who led the years-long investigation that finally caught Chikatilo, but not before an innocent man was executed for his first murder.
   
   This book provides an interesting insight into the Russian legal system as it struggled to capture Russia's very own "Jack the Ripper."



2. The subject matter of this book - Andrei Chikatilo - is extremely interesting, though unbelievably dark, and the book itself lives up to the task. Chikatilo was one of the most terrible serial killers in history, with 53 official victims (and a few unofficial ones more), and certainly one of the most savage and furious. Here is a man who had orgasms while mutilating genitals and used his knife as some sort of [...]replacement, not to mention the rest.
   
   What I especially appreciated in the book is how is the narrative is shared between the killer and those looking for him, more especially Issa Kostoev, the man in charge of arresting the "Rostov Ripper". As the title of the book suggests, you will learn quite some interesting things about how the pursuit of this killer was led, and what kind of problems the hunting had to face; and that will be quite stunning. Corruption, treason, base sexual desires, etc, etc. While hunting for the Devil, there will be many demons on the way: police officers abusing their functions to beat and rape arrested people, all sorts of mentally challenged perverts thought to be potential killers, etc. The whole thing has a feeling of intense dystopia and is quite stunning.
   
   Both lives this book is concerned with, Issa Kostoev and Andrei Chikatilo, are cast against a background of falling empire, as the USSR slowly went to its demise. It's almost eerie how Chikatilo's own fall coincides with that of the Soviet Block. It's very interesting, because in a way, it all begins with it, and ends with it. Kostoev, as a child, suffered from Stalin's unjust removing and persecution of his whole people (in which he lost many a sibling) and Chikatilo as a child had to go through hard times too (though not quite comparable).
   
   Richard Lourie does a great job of not only exposing the facts of the affair (and he had a ton of document for this, as well as having been with Issa Kostoev personally, attending Chikatilo's trial, having all the documents of the case, including audio-tapes and all) but also in putting all of it in perspective and giving the reader a good insight of Russia and of a society not quite functioning, and changing. The reader is made to follow Kostoev in that long pursuit of that demonic killer which took many years, and many lives.
   
   The writing is gripping; I read the whole book in two readings, reading for 5 hours each time or so. This is truly the best kind of "true crime" I have read, because it does not lose itself into cheap novelisation while suing narrative devices to shape the whole thing into a convincing and riveting book.
   
   I haven't read any other book on Andrei Chikatilo, but this one is definitely a classic on that killer, if only for the documents available to the author, who speaks Russian and knows Russian culture, a fact that is very important and whose impact you can feel reading the book.
   
   The range covered here is impressive: the killer, the dysfunctions of the system, the life of Kostoev as he pursues Chikatilo, Russia, history, etc. It's always relevant and very informative. However, none of these overshadow the gruesomeness of the killings, and you won't be spared details, so not a book for the faint-hearted.
   
   Most definitely one of the best books of the kind, and undoubtedly among the very best books on Chikatilo, if not the best.



3. You will not sleep well after reading this book...that is how shocking, sad, demented, and torturous the subject and the man of this book is. What a horrible fiend who killed for his own deranged reasons, which are disgusting and terrifying at the same time. Wickedness comes in many places, and this man was truly awful. A very interesting and well-written account.



4. This book arrived promptly and in good condition. I've not yet read it.
   
   I'm extremely pleased with both the vendor and the product.
   
   Dr. John E. Touchton Sr.

3 comments about Poison Mind: The True Story of the Mensa Murderer-And the Policewoman Who Risked Her Life to Bring Him to Justice.

1. It was one of the best true crime books that I have ever read.



2. I could not put this book down; an unbelievable true crime tale that boggles the mind. to imagine a person would kill another person (by poison), because of something as petty as the music being too loud-it is absolutely frightening. It is to the detectives' credit who investigated this case that they were open enough in their investigation to go beyond the family members and look at other suspects, ultimately discovering the neighbor next door as the probable culprit. Susan Goreck was extremely courageous going undercover and she also reveals her humanity as she had feelings on various levels while trying to get this man to give his secrets to her; if they had not found the thallium in his old house, they would never have been able to prosecute him successfully.



3. The book unintentionally focuses more on the feelings of inadequacy abounding in the Polk County police department, leaving one to wonder whether the real issue wasn't so much that George Trepal was so clever but that the rest of the community so uncompromisingly dull. Much is made of the fact that George Trepal liked programming computers and was interested in science, as if these alone are sufficient to identify a murderer. We never really get to know him, and unfortunately, the more we do get to know the victims, the less sympathetic they become-- the opposite of most true crime books! There is good, solid sleuthing, but it is spoiled by the authors' eagerness in grasping at anything not straight-up down-home whitebread must be evidence of a murderous mind. A light summer read, and makes you wish for a better book about the case.

5 comments about The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective.

1. Comparing it to a book I recently read, this one is somewhat less interesting. There are many good bits of interesting information about the society at the time. The case itself, however, seems less interesting.



2. Summerscale has interesting material, but sinks her work by throwing in much, too much superfluous detail and digression (Melville you're not). The book would have been very good if chopped by 50% or so, had she had a competent editor or seen to this herself. More importantly, it would have dramatically improved the clarity of presentation. Yes, by God, we get it, Constance is "stout" (in quotes over and over again). Also, you see, the public is fascinated by this new phenomenon, the detective (Summerscale provides numerous contemporary novel quotes, which are at best dimly illuminating and, taken in aggregate, annoyingly irrelevant). In addition, the brother William, whose role in the killing is poorly substantiated, is not so interesting a character, at least with regard to the case, to justify the volume of prose and photos.
   
   The author tries to argue what a uniquely Victorian situation this was, when in fact deadly sibling rivalry is older than Cain and Abel. I will give her credit for delineating the creepy, calm, blank stillness of Constance. Also, the addition of a photograph (and these are quite well done) of a St. Paul's mosaic, which may or may not have been created by Constance, is indeed chilling.



3. Murder mystery books are not my cup of tea. This book though is full of fascinating facts from the author's extensive research into a shocking murder in the western countryside of Queen Victoria's England in 1860. It captures the early days of the big city detective and how they think when compared with village policemen. It draws the reader into understanding the intense psychological pain of the victims' family. Can a factual book be a "real page turner"? Yes, this is one example. My wife loves reading murder mystery stories but will she enjoy this? I think so, so I am planning to give her a chance to read it before recycling it on half.com.



4. Kate Summerscale brings the hither-to untold story of a gruesome murder that brought the gothic sentiments of the Victorian era to a climax and redefined its views of crime, detection and tragedy. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher unravels the fascinating tales of the crime itself and the effect it had on society as for the first time, an upper-class family suffered an unspeakable crime that could only have been committed from within.



5. This is a fascinating story on so many levels: a study of a family's dark secrets, brought to light by a determined detective; the unraveling of clues leading to the solving of a grisly murder; a study of Victorian society, mores, and family life; and a fascinating character study not only of the family involved in the murder, but also of the detective who doggedly sought to solve the crime. This book is well-researched, yet seldom becomes bogged down in too much detail (and, well, detail is essential when one is attempting to solve a crime, after all). Detective Whicher, working at the dawn of his profession, is one of the most successful and best-known of the time. Thus he is sent to solve the murder of a small child when the only viable suspects are those who were in the house at the time -- the family and its servants. He treads therefore on shaky ground and his suspicions make him extremely unpopular with the family and the public. This is a story as much about his the damage done to his reputation, and the pain it causes him, as it is about the crime he seeks to solve. The fact that he had to use what clues (even the word "clue" was new!) he could, in an age before DNA testing, fingerprints, and other more sophisticated means of criminal analysis were available, makes his story all the more mesmerizing. Detectives often had to use their gut instincts, but instincts alone couldn't solve crimes, even if they were correct. The juxtaposition of the unhappy family, seeking to keep its problems secret, the detective who is forced to unearth those secrets to solve the crime, and the society at large which is dealing with a new age not only in the family, but in science and religion, makes for a fascinating story. I recommend it highly, especially for anyone interested in mystery, crime-solving, and the Victorian Age.

5 comments about Monster: My True Story.

1. I had a great time reading this book. Having seen the movie a few months back I decided to purchase 'Monster' to see what else went on with this story. What a tale! So much more to be known about Wournos and written by a man who has clearly had a lot of experience talking with this woman. Using his extensive interview experience with other serial killers he has created the definitive portrait Aileen Wournos. Those who enjoy reading about this kind of crime should check out 'Talking With Serial Killers' by the same author. Again, using masses of interview material Christopher Berry-Dee has produced an absolutely chilling document. And whats more, this guy can write!



2. It seems that the author (and I'm not talking about Aileen here, since she didn't write this book, no matter what Berry-Dee is trying to convince you) has taken lots of newspaper clippings and put this book together in a quick way to make money. Although it's not badly written there is something missing. There is hardly any references to her childhood and very much about her being interviewed. Lots of stuff I believe is taken from Nick Broomfield's Aileen documentaries. It's an ok read and I'm glad I got this one from the library and didn't buy it!



3. i purchased this book written by christopher berry dee,i was very very disappointed as it said on the cover aileen in her own words,there were the odd one or two quotes,as ive read sue russells book lethal intent,i could see alot of similarities in berry dee's book.as for the one of the main topics being corky reid,maybe he should have studied the case more,and not blamed aileen for his disapperance/murder,as he went into hiding to avoid large debts he had incurred.if you want a book given both sides of aileen i would not go for this book,i would purchase sue russells book



4. I actually met Corky Reid, who thought it strange, that Aileen Wuornos should take the rap for his death, when he was very much alive. Corky turned himself into the police and back to his family, very much alive and NOT THE EIGHTH VICTIM BY WUORNOS!
   How could THIS so called WRITER state he is writing a TRUE STORY, plus from the mouth of Aileen Wuornos (who obviously knew she did not kill Corky Reid!) and have such a BLUNDER as this?! The book should be taken off the shelf, or retitled, in my opinion, as it is not truthful! PLUS, I have read all the BOOKS written about Aileen Wuornos and the only one that makes any REAL STATEMENTS is LETHAL INTENT by Sue Russell, who actually met the people she writes about and QUOTES THEM!



5. I APPEAR IN THIS BOOK, BUT WHAT IS STATED ABOUT ME IS NOT TRUE; NOR DID THIS WRITER TRY TO VERIFY ANY TRUTH WITH ME.
   
   AT FIRST BLUSH, IT ALSO APPEARS THIS WRITER SIMPLY COPIED "QUOTES" FROM COURT DOCUMENTS, AND PARROTED "THOSE" AS "AILEEN WUORNOS' WORDS"; AS I SEE STATEMENTS (SUPPOSEDLY OUT OF MS. WURONOS' MOUTH) THAT WERE TAKEN (OUT OF MY MOUTH) FROM MY LEGAL DEPOSITIONS!
   
   TOO BAD THERE IS NO LEGAL RAMIFICATION FOR PLAGERISM FROM DEPOSITIONS, OR THIS WRITER WOULD BE OUT OF A JOB. AND, IN MY OPINION, DESERVINGLY SO, AS THE ONLY TRUTH IN THIS BOOK IS THE SPELLING OF THE AILEEN WUORNOS NAME.
   
   JACKELYN GIROUX