5 comments about A Stranger in the Family: A True Story of Murder, Madness, and Unconditional Love.

1. Given a choice, I wouldn't have given this book one measly star, but I was forced to. I've just finished the book (how, I don't know) and I'm glad it's over because if I had to read one more chapter beginning with wonderful Gerry Starrett sitting in her immaculate living room, holding hands with her perfect family, reflecting on the perfect previous years and 'her Danny', I was going to puke. I found this book to be more about the trials of Gerry Starrett than her son. I never read anything about the victims and their families. And I read very little about Danny's family (except for his strange mother) and nothing about his wife after all this except the two or three paragraphs when she asked for a divorce. Personally, it sounded to me as if Gerry was just a tad obsessed with her son and even after he confessed, she didn't believe 'her Danny' did anything. The guy was a freak and if his mother and he were as close as she claims they were, you think she would have seen some abnormalities in him. Granted, I can understand her desire to help her son but she attacked everybody around him and I got just plain sick of hearing about all the injustices that he was made to endure. He did, after all, rape a bunch of teenagers and kill one of them Gerry. If the purpose of this book--and it seemed to be that Gerry was the only participant in the writing of this book--was to conjure up sympathy for 'her Danny', it failed miserably. The only sympathy I felt for him was the embarrassment of having such a weird mother. (Example: her screaming at the prosecutor for mentioning the murder victim's name when 'her Danny' fell on the floor crying) She was just over the edge. She seemed extremely shallow, more worried about appearances than anything else. I actually thought her husband handled things much better than she did and I kept wondering when he was going to unload his half-crazed wife. As it turned out, she filed for divorce. As I said, I did manage to finish this book, but if you haven't read it, I wouldn't bother with it. It's nothing but a bunch of babble. It's actually a story about an anguished mother of a murderer than anything else.



2. That's right the victim Jeannie was my cousin. We went to the beach together several times when we were kids. Now I am 32 and finally found out the previously unspeakable (in my family) details through this book. We are the same age born one month apart. I was 15 at the time the murder happened.
   
   We were very close friends, so it was interesting reading about her. Even if it was from the killer's viewpoint. It brought back a lot of memories. For example, she liked peach wine coolers, pringles chips, her favorites, just as the killer said. You could tell she was trying to please the killer with the lies she told him, typical for victims with the Hearst-like syndrome she developed after the trauma of being abducted from her home.
   
   The last reviewer was mistaken when he said Chrissy was murdered, and the book never says she was. Also the reviewer before that didn't read the book well either, Starrett clearly admitted he killed Jeannie. She did not kill herself. There were two bullets in her chest, so how could she have killed herself anyway?
   
   Anyhow, I knew her very well and she was a spunky young woman. Wild and crazy and a lot of fun. Had a lot of potential. Didn't have fear of anything, and like many teenagers believed she was invincible. She was brave and mentally strong. Once she got to know him, she never dreamed he would actually kill her.
   
   The book didn't say how much she hated the name Jean and only used it in the "runaway" note to give clues for someone to find her. She also spelled letters in her name backwards which she normally never would have done. I knew her writing, as she wrote a lot. After her disapearance, the FBI called and interviewed all her friends, including me, looking for her.
   
   True she could have escaped if she hadn't been so ballsy and if she hadn't had that "no one can hurt me" attitude. But I remember at that age I had the same attitude so I can't blame her.
   
   What I find disturbing is the mother's lack of compassion for the family members of the victims. She wouldn't even provide a picture of her son to help in the search. Even if he had been innocent she still should have provided the photo to help investigators. The mother was so wrapped up in protecting her grown son that she lost sight of the fact that several girls were abused and one was killed. And throughout the book she seems to want people to feel sorry for her. How would she have felt if one of her children had been killed? She didn't bother to consider this. All she cared about was whether her murderer son would go to the death chamber, or whether he had adequate prison conditions. She should have been more concerned helping authorities throughout the case. If she wanted to do the right thing. But she was too selfish to help.
   
   It is sad how the killer keeps making excuses for himself. He may have had brain damage from his childhood injuries, but lots of people, including myself had an untreated concussion as a child from a car accident, and I didn't grow up to be a criminal! He is a sadistic calculated rapist and murderer. Something went wrong in his brain but that does not mean he should be declared too ill to be executed.
   
   I see Jeannie's parents (it's acutally her stepdad who raised her)usually once every year. After she died, they gave me a favorite trinket of hers which I still have to this day. They didn't have any other children.
   
   She did want to become a lawyer as the book says, and I have no doubt she was more than smart enough. Too bad she didn't get the chance. She was also one of my best friends and it sure would be nice to have her around. We would have finished growing up together. I never had a large family, and most of the family I do have I am not close with. Those are other reasons why Jeannie was important to me. After we found out she was dead I was severly depressed. My grades got a lot worse and I acted out as a teenager, getting myself into a lot of trouble. Some of it I would have gotton into anyway and some I would not have. I can only imagine if it affected me so much how it affected her parents. It would be interesting to have a book from the victim's perspective, to compare.
   
   Due to politics and the legal system this man was not put to death like he should have been. However, from the book Starrett seemed to dislike living in prison so perhaps his 10 life sentences will be a fate worse than death. I hope so. Even if he is "suffering" then at least, lucky for him, he gets to live out a full life unlike Jeannie who didn't have the chance. I can tell you his suffering in prison, of which he and his mother complain, will never equal the amount of suffering Jeannie's family has endured outside of prison.



3. The authors of this book have researched this book very thoroughly, and their style of writing is excellent. They compare and contrast the views of both the main characters that leave the reader wanting to learn more. This is a page-turner book in which you don't want to put down until it's finished.



4. I am an avid reader of true crime, but this is the worst specimen of such that I have ever seen. This book focuses not so much on the crimes committed but how this serial kidnapper & rapist, once murderer, was treated so poorly behind bars. And the second story of this book focuses on how his mother worked dilligently to right those wrongs. The kidnapped, raped and murdered victims are but backdrops to this 400 page whine about the injustices suffered by the accused. This is the first work I have read by these authors and will most definitely be my last. Steven Naifeh & Gregory White Smith: Get out of the trime crime writing profession...leave it to the true professionals like Ann Rule, Corey Mitchell & Steve Jackson.
   
   Last but not least, I must say this: many, many times we hear the accused blame negligent mothers, domineering mothers, or absentee fathers. Most times, I personally feel that this is one more attempt at ridding themselves of personal responsibility for their actions; more specifically, their choices. However, after reading this book I firmly believe that Danny Starret was the result of a over-worrisome, over-indulgent mother that, with her high-falutin' attitude, thought that her family was above evil doings. The statement that shook me the most was when discussing his case with defense attorney Bud Siemon, she made the statement "Danny is basically a good boy-" That one statement sums up the attitude of Gerry Starrett and her "perfect son."



5. First I responded to Paul C's review, thinking that he misread the book. But then I read all the other reviews and I guess I am the only one who read this book differently - NOT as a book to create sympathy for Danny or his mother, but as a book that shows you never know who is capable of what; i.e. even "golden boys" can "snap." We saw it with Scott Peterson, and we see it today on the Oxygen network with its show, "Snapped!" We see it every day.
   I'll re-post my comment to Paul's review below:
   
   Paul, I think you are misreading this book. You say: "We're supposed to feel empathy for Gerry Starret as she learns that her jailed son no longer has unlimited access to reading material; that he isn't eating and looks shrunken, "like a cadaver"; that he's been threatened in jail; that prison is too loud, and so forth."
   
   I say: I think that the authors focused so much on Gerry's reactions to the ordeal because (1) she is the mother of the victim and (2) she liked to talk. And rather than feel sympathy or empathy for the woman, I felt her thoughts and words illustrated her never-ending DENIAL and served to show that she was OFF HER ROCKER in her persuit of maintaining the semblance of a "perfect" family, she literally could not deal with what Danny was accussed of doing. In other words, she's almost as messed up in the head as her son was.
   
   Secondly, even the investigators and psychiatrists and psychologists, like Dr. Storms at the end, admitted that they thought Danny was B.S'ing them about his supposed other personality. There is no doubt that there is something wrong with the guy - seriously, disturbingly wrong. But we also know he is HIGHLY intelligent and HIGHLY manipulative and narcissistic.
   
   I don't think the point of the book was to generate sympathy for Danny's family. I think the point of the book was to try to answer the question "HOW does a 'golden boy' committ such horrendous crimes, and why?" Questions that were never answered, because nobody really knows. In other words, the book produces fear because ANYBODY can be a secret psycho is essentially what it's getting at. And as we've seen with Scott Peterson, we know that just because someone is a 'golden boy' doesn't mean he's not capable of murder.

5 comments about Cries Unheard: Why Children Kill: The Story of Mary Bell.

1. Cries Unheard, subtitled Why Children Kill: The Story of Mary Bell, is one of the best books I have ever read. Don't expect that you will understand why children kill after reading this book. This is a compelling account of an eleven year old English girl in 1968 who murdered two boys. This is not in any way your usual "true crime" trash novel.I'm a true crime reader and find most of this genre to be a waste of time. This book is one to keep in your library with In Cold Blood and The Sea Will Tell.



2. I thought this book was very well written. About Mary Bell, well I sure wouldnt want her around my children. I feel very sad for this woman but here is the definition of antisocial personality disorder: Hostile to or disruptive of the established social order; marked by or engaging in behavior that violates accepted mores. A personality disorder characterized by chronic antisocial behavior and violation of the law and the rights of others.
   Could she have been different in a more positive enviornment, I think so, but I believe she is still a creation of her upbring.
   I would be afraid.
   VERY GOOD



3. This book documents the transformation of Mary Bell from what was obviously a sociopath to a "Morally Aware" adult. What is even more interesting, it seems that Mary Bell made this transistion despite the best efforts of the Home Office.

   The seeds of the Mark Bell transformation seems to be the efforts of an gentleman *without* formal Corrections training. This gentleman was charged with her incarceration just after her conviction. Later Mary was transfered from his custody to an adult prison, where remarkably her "morality" suffered, but survived.

   It makes one wonder about the wisdom of the "Try as an adult" laws that are becoming popular in the United States.

   I would strongly recommend that the reader, read Ms. Serenys previous book on the Mary Bell Murders (if you can find it) *before* reading this book. Failing that, internet has several good sites on the Murder and Trial.




4. The true-life story about the english girl Mary Bell - a little girl who killed two other little boys was very disturbing and chilling. Yet it is THE book to read to try to understand how young children mentally operate, why they could do such a horrific thing, and what could lead them to even think about death/murder.

   It is written by Gitta Sereny from a very journalistic point of view. Sereny was a journalist appointed to Mary Bell's case from the very start of that case and she has followed Mary's story throughout the years. This book is written based on interviews with Mary as an adult - after she came out of jail, but Sereny is very fact-based. It is not just opinions and "excuses" of Mary that we read in this book. In fact, many a times, Sereny states that she does not believe some things Mary says, so Sereny goes and interviews everyone related to particular statements Mary makes about certain periods of her life to get to the TRUTH -- Mary's jail housemates, relatives, jail security persons, etc etc. So we don't just get Mary's story....

   You read about Mary from the start of her lie to her life at present. A fascinating "can't put the book down" reading which teaches you that kids develop their mental abilities at a very young age.

   Every social worker and parent should read this.

   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

   -Alina Uzilov / 2003




5. The book was ok...very redundant in parts. My real gripe. What exactly is the authors expertise? Is she a legal expert? Is she a psychologist/psychiatrist? She criticizes the legal system and the pschological system a lot in the book. Maybe rightly, maybe not.
   Gitta asks good questions about the legal/psychological systems, but I don't see her qualifications to make evaluations or critiques of either. If she got answers/ideas from legal/psychological experts that should be noted. There is nothing to indicate she has any of these qualifications...she just "feels" this way! That in itself diminishes the legitamacy of the "story".

5 comments about The Thirty-Ninth Victim.

1. Ms. Williams has written a powerful memoir. Her courage and writing skill gain momentum like a freight train.



2. We all have family myths. Although our families were very different, the humaness of Arleen's family transcends to all families, to all kids. Feeling different, feeling unloved, feeling like an outsider. The Green River murders and Gary Ridgeway dominated the papers for months and years. Arleen's story of her sister, her family gives this newspaper headline a human story with real people. It touched me and will to all who read it. Please don't miss it!!!!!!!!



3. I have just put down Thirty-Ninth Victim, having read the last 100 pages in a single sitting. Arleen Williams impresses me. She honors her sister Maureen with this memoir. She presents an emotional time-line. She paints complex portraits of her family members with details that make me feel as if I am alongside her. She accomplishes an amazing thing. She brings her baby sister to life again.



4. I was suprised that this book was so GREAT! If you want blood and guts and history on a pshyco man, this book isn't for you. If you are interested in the story of a girl that grew up in a large family and how that family reacted (to any family's worst nightmare) was so incredibly amazing, this is the book for you. I was so impressed with the authors ability to tell her story with great details and in the process make one think about thier own lives. The book made me laugh, cry, think, and wonder. After reading the book I wanted to know more about the people in my life and couldn't stop wondering what an impact I was having in my life of being a daughter, sister, wife and mother. This book inspired hours of great conversation between friends. A must read book. (A bonus if you've ever lived in Seattle or Mexico City because the locations are so easy to imagine).



5. The Thirty-Ninth Victim
   
   This is a haunting book. Once I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. Once I finished the book I couldn't stop thinking about it. I found the book to be well written and I certainly appreciated the courage it must have taken to write such a personal account of a family tragedy.
   This is a book about families and the mistakes parents make and the dire consequences those mistakes can have. This is a very powerful book. It is also a book that every parent should read. I found myself lost in the world of Mexico and I loved the section of the book about growing up in the countryside of Issaquah, Washington.
   I had always wondered what life in a big family would be like and the author's writing of that time was beautifully written. This family had such potential yet due to one family's member's very controlling personality it all came apart. I would highly recommend this book.

5 comments about Forsaking All Others: The Real Betty Broderick Story.

1. If you ever wondered how a writer can crank out a book moments after the fact, then read this book.

   Fact Checking should be mandatory or at least a consideration.




2. This woman works her butt off to put this ingrate through, first, med school and then law school.

   She suffers countless miscarriages because HE doesn't believe in birth control.

   And then he throws her over for a bimbo in his office who wasn't half the woman Betty was and wages an emotional and psychological war on his abandoned wife.

   I agree with the one juror: "What took her so long?"

   As for the female prosecutor, she's nothing more than a "pilot fish for the patriarchy."




3. In other reviews I had written that I watched the movie on Lifetime TV and became interested in this case. This book was good, quick to read but not terribly in depth. This author did not do the research that was done by author Bella Stumbo in the book Until the Twelfth of Never: The Deadly Divorce of Dan & Betty Broderick. While my sympathy is first with the Broderick's two young sons and their daughter Lee, I truly felt sorry for Betty. The Broderick's older daughter Kim I have mixed feelings for after reading Stumbo's book.In some ways she seemed eager to hang her mother all the while getting everything she needed or wanted from her. In some area's you can see they she takes after her dad and not in a good way.As I said this is an afternoon read, for the true story read Bella Stumbo's book.



4. True crime cases hold a grim fascination for many, and the Broderick case rarely fails to disappoint. After reading books on the subject authored by Bella Stumbo and Bryna Taubman, I made an attempt to familiarize myself with as many aspects of the case as possible, reading archived newspaper accounts, court transcripts, viewing TV clips, etc. The one indisputable fact about Betty Broderick is that she suffers from selective memory, chronically lying and twisting facts, events and dates when it best suits her. Even sympathetic writers and interviewers freely acknowledge this. To base a book solely on her 'story' is to present a warped one sided tale that begs to be held beneath a microscope. The author of this work should be thankful that the book sank without a trace and that no one seriously challenged her tale, for a mountain of legal documentation exists that could easily refute much that is presented here. The fault lies with the author however and not with Betty Broderick, for anyone spending 15 minutes with the subject is aware that her story is so tinged with anger and a lack of complete responsibility that it must be considered just that, a story.
   
   The most inflammatory statements in the book are Betty Broderick's repeated assertions that Dan 'stole her kids and wouldn't give them back' when court records show that Betty forcefully and willingly dumped all 4 children on his doorstep and refused repeated pleas from her attorneys to take them back unless they 'were returned with the financial settlement she wanted.' Additionally, veiled references to physical abuse between Dan and Linda, Dan's 'alcoholism,' his physical abuse of the children, and frequent attacks on the character of Dan and Linda only highlight Betty Broderick's disturbed and narcissistic character and should not have been included without back-up from solid and indisputable sources.
   
   The only purpose this book serves is to ensure Betty Broderick serves her full prison term with no hope of parole; there is just too much factual information in the records to disavow this book, and anyone familiar with the case will realize that Betty remains what she has always been- a "pro" at shifting details and facts to suit herself and still refusing to acknowledge her responsibility in destroying the lives of her children and those around her.



5. I had never heard of Betty Broderick until I picked up this book (I understand there are two other books on the subject which have better reviews). This is Betty's story from Betty's point of view (the author based the book on prison interviews with her and tries hard to make the case that Betty was a hapless victim) and yet, to me, she still comes across as unsympathetic.
   This does not mean I have any sympathy for her husband, Dan, or his mistress, Linda, both of whom acted abominably towards Betty, but she could have handled the situation very differently, in a way which would have left her with her children, a fair financial settlement, her dignity and her freedom.
   Betty, however, was definitely her own worst enemy. Sure Dan fought her in court - and she consistently played into his hands. When you're fighting to regain custody of your children and you want to show what a stable, responsible parent you are, you don't leave obscene messages on your ex's answering machine, you don't vandalize his property, you don't drive your car through his door (!), you don't flout restraining orders...especially when your ex is trying to show the court that you're unbalanced.
   She claims that she couldn't hire a lawyer because she couldn't come up with a retainer. She comes from a well-to-do family - she couldn't persuade her parents or siblings to lend her the money?
   She claims that Dan was terribly abusive to her throughout their marriage, starting with their honeymoon (and yet she told Oprah that their marriage was 'perfect'). Why did she stay? Well, partly it's because she had no identity other than being a wife and mother - and partly because she loved the lifestyle of being married to a rich man (the designer clothes, the luxury vacations, etc).
   Still, the story is a fascinating one.

5 comments about Family Blood: The Murder That Shattered an All-American Home.

1. This book has no suspense and nothing new to add to the case since the guilty parties were put in prison. The "shocking photos" are highschool and wedding photos- the most shocking is a black and white image of part of a door that is spattered with blood.

   The author didnt string the events together very well or weave a web of suspense. It was like reading the newspaper clippings all over again without the journalistic skills.

   All in all a very disappointing read. Will be putting this in my next garage sale.




2. This book is trash and could have been written by anyone with a little time and money to spare.
   
   Factually the book is about 99% correct, but it really hurt me to read it since i am so close to the man convicted of the crime.
   
   I have discussed it with him, and he agrees with me. He also didn't contribute anything to the story in any way, nor did he ask anyone to write it. All it did was cause more pain and suffering in within his family.



3. This effort would get a "B" in a high school journalism class. The reader will find that many questions come to mind but few are answered. The coverage of the trial testimony of the psychologists, psychiatrists, and social worker is virtually incomprehensible!



4. Author Lyn Riddle has written for an impressive assortment of publications and is obviously capable of writing superior true crime books. The third paragraph of Chapter 1, describing how the town knew something was wrong with their friends, the Robertsons, is taut and builds suspense in 12 beautifully written lines. It demonstrates Riddle's superior talent as a writer.
   
   Unfortunately Riddle appears to rush through the remainder of the book failing to pay proper attention to her writing craft and in the procss this book suffers, lacking suspense and the legal details that could have enhanced the sad story of a son who brutally killed his parents.
   
   On the other hand Riddle includes specific information such as the hand written jury instructions York County, North Carolina, Superior Court Judge Hayes gave the jury prior to their deliberations. The dos and don'ts are an excellent example of fairness that most judges do not impose.
   
   Another significant piece of information, almost never seen in true crime books, is found on page 273 when Lynn Ridde lists the costs involved in James Robertson's trial. This allows readers to determine the cost of justice, important statistics to consider in this day of limited state and county budgets.
   
   Chapter 24, the final chapter of Family Blood details James Robertson's life on death row and somewhat redeams some of the hurried reporting and short cuts found in earlier chapters.



5. The story of James Robertson who murdered his mother and father in cold blood out of pure greed is an interesting case to read; however, the style of writing was found to be a bit tedious. Readers are subjected to the long drawn out trial monologues that fail to produce any drama or theatrics of any sort.
   
   I would recommend this book only when there is nothing else on the shelf that seems interesting.

5 comments about Sin, Shame, and Secrets: The Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and Cover-up in the Catholic Church.

1. As a "hometown" boy and a Catholic and knowing many of the "characters" in some way, it's very difficult to remain objective.
   Dave Yonke is definitely a newsreporter. The writing has very little flare and is usually straightforward.
   On the otherhand, despite the facts, it's hard to keep reminding yourself that this is all real. You expect the insights of a novel, with dialogue and psychological analysis. And the fact that it's real leaves it without all the threads tied in tidy little bundles at the end or the appearance of the narrator on a white horse bringing all the hanging "facts" to a conclusion.
   At times it seemed repetitive, but then when different people are talking about the same events it does get repetitive.
   It is a fascinating read. It was even more fascinating to live through it.



2. Author David Yonke has done a wonderful job of sorting through and explaining a tangled web of cover-ups, lies, and tabu subjects that have been supressed by the Catholic Church for years. He lays it out and explains technical information in a clear and entertaining way. Once you pick it up, you can't put it down.



3. I read this book over Christmas with much activity going on but couldn't put it down. Living in Toledo I was well aware of the events and the trial yet only after I read the book did I understand what had really happened. I am not interested generally in this genre. This book, however, reads like a novel as far as "interesting" and reads like a documentary as far as "information". I highly recommend it!



4. This book is a must read if you want to know what is really going on in the church. Very sad state of affairs



5. David Yonke tackles this blockbuster of a subject with the profesionalism of
   the seasoned journalist he proves to be. He unbiasly weaves a story from
   events that take place over nearly a fifty year span. He backs up his facts
   with fascinating interviews with those just and injust. As with interviews
   culled from all sides of those who played parts in horrific events like war
   crimes, Yonke's work shows how the passage of time has made some interesting and redemptive twists of perspective
   with those who participated or had some accountabillity in the matter. Also, disturbing as it is,he illuminates the fact that as well, time has made no difference,
   to some individuals responsible,yet still obsessed with self preservation,and the image of a culpable institution they will not question.

5 comments about Casino.

1. This book is really great.Hate to tell that jackass who wrote the olsen casino review but its a non fiction story and it was written long before the movie came out. Anyone interested in the mob or vegas will love this book!



2. Perhaps a little more well known for "Wiseguys", the book that became the movie "Goodfellas", Nicholas Pileggi is as good as they get when it comes to writing about the Mafia, its people and the drama of living the life. It is unfortunate that he doesn't work very fast - more books would be welcome.
   "Casino" is the true story of Vegas in its heyday prior to the mega resort/casinos we see today, like Excalibur, New York New York, The Luxor, etc. Before large corporations turned Las Vegas into a theme park with casinos, the Chicago mob pretty much controlled the then famous casinos of the day, like the Stardust, where the movie "Casino" disguises it with the fictional name of The Tangier. Skimming the profits was the mob's business. Perhaps the greatest handicapper of all time, Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, ran three major casinos and ran them well. Chicago sent out the legendary Tony Spilotro to keep an eye on "Lefty" and protect him and the moolah. Spilotro, however, had ideas of his own and soon became mired in a horrendous mess, dragging Rosenthal and eventually all the mob controlled casinos to their demise with him. Rosenthal still lives, and even has a web site, but Spilotro at books' end learns the hard way that being insubordinate to the mob and skimming their skim has dire consequences.
   Pileggi is a master at showing a picture of the lives of these people, the shady deals, the threats from every corner, from the state, other criminals and the Mob, and how difficult life is for those who choose the gambling scene as a way of life.
   It's morbid but fascinating reading. A must for fans of organized crime books.



3. It has been a long time since I fell on such a good book. Interesting characters intertwine in a decisive decade for Vegas. The story is based on the real life of Frank (Lefty) Rosenthal who left his mark in the gambling industry.
   
   Money, power, greed, lust, and crime with flair intertwine in seventies' Sin City. Pileggi is a natural born story-teller who knows how to make it all work and keep you glued to the book with every turn of the page. The writing is style is spot on. It's so hard to find contemporary literature written with such a simple language, yet capable of conveying an intriguing story.
   
   The fact that I had only seen bits and pieces of the movie, also helped. I could place the faces of De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone behind the characters while still enjoying the novelty of getting acquainted with the story for the real time.
   
   I would recommend this to anybody who is interested in recent history, the mob, and the gambling industry overall.



4. Book came in the time frame and in the condition specified.



5. Very disappointed as the book is more like a movie script (i.e. "He enters the room, voice over") This makes it very dull and I couldn't get into the book altho I tried several times.

5 comments about The Making of a Serial Killer: The Real Story of the Gainesville Student Murders in the Killer's Own Words (True Crime Series, No. 2).

1. I only gave this four stars so I could look in the mirror without feeling guilty. But its probably a five if your a sicko. To hear the killer tell in his own words the killings and events that led up to them is almost to much for a sane person to bare. They read like a penthouse letter. I took out my throbbing member and put it in her wet, ok you get the picture. But then there is something alot different than penthouse letters, I grabbed the knife and ........ This book has to be read to be believed. Instead of reading the accounts by some dry author, take a chance and read the story by the killer himself. But I will warn people with tender hearts and weak stomachs to stay away.



2. 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.




3. 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.




4. Ms. London has been called the Queen of the serial killer groupies, but no one will ever call her the queen of crime writers. Along with her then-boyfiend Rolling, the couple trots out every pathetic excuse imaginable for his murders. The fact that this is from "Feral Press" should be warning enough.



5. a thrilling ride with the gainsville serial killer. as u read it feels like u r right there with him as he relives his crimes for the readers. he also tells of prieviously unknown details of his abusive childhood (his father stomped his puppy to death right in front of him as a small boy) and his stint in the air force. his brilliant artwork, songs and poetry r also featured in his final work. truly a collectors edition!

5 comments about Taming the Beast: Charles Manson's Life Behind Bars.

1. A well done project.I really liked the author,and liked the way his kind nature contrasted with that of evil man-sin.A must for those curious about this subject,it will be a good addition to your collection.plus the side story about a guy named pincushion is bizzare ,yet hilarious



2. The 'mystique' of Charles Manson that was brough out in Helter Skelter pretty much goes away w/ this book, written by Edward George, a former prison counselor. It gives the reader a glimpse of Manson's life as he was incarceratedfor the Helter Skelter murders. Whereas Helter Skelter was more about the trial, this book reflects a lot more on Manson's life both in and out of prison. It also contains transcripts from several of Manson's parole hearings. Serves as the perfect companion piece to Helter Skelter.



3. Written by a guy who was Charles Mansons prison counselor for eight years. This is of interest because it gives some insite into Mansons life since he has been in prison. Also included are transcripts of Mansons commentary during his various court and parole hearings over the years. This book is not perfect, the author at various times bends over backwards to paint Manson as being "spookier" than he really is, at one point implying that the reason for a near drowning accident and being attacked by an inmate were the result of a "voodoo doll" curse put on him by Manson! But flaws aside this is a very interesting look at Mansons life in the California prison system and contains the previously mentioned court/parole transcripts so it is a must read if you have an interest in Charles Manson.



4. This book is an in-your-face reaction to the bizarre behavior exhibited by Charles Manson. After experiencing Charles Manson through the eyes, hears, mind and spirit of Ed George (Manson's "keeper" in prison) and getting insider intel about the Manson phenomena one can only conclude that there is definitely something extrodinary about this incarnation of evil on this earth. There is certainly a lot to think about when you read this book in regards to Manson's influence on so many individuals and so many events. We come to see how Manson most certainly is under the spell of a very real malevolent vibrating energy. For all intensive purposes Manson's mind is possessed by evil. We see that there is no good coming from this man; we see that what we might see as something good in him is merely a subtle projection of evil, with an evil agenda behind it. Manson is pictured as he is: a souless repository of evil, coiled like a snake; ready to strike out given the first opportunity. This man should never be allowed to be unrestricted and certainly never allowed out of prison.



5. I don't know what I expected, but I actually found this book pretty boring. I guess life in prison really can't BE very interesting. I gathered that Manson is perfectly sane, very charismatic, unable to control his impulses, admantly against snitching, and afraid other inmates will kill him. I learned that the author is an interfering guy who cannot leave well enough alone, and gave Manson some very nice breaks that he didn't deserve as a guy who helped cause mass murders. But it wasn't worth hundreds of pages to find these things out. Oddly, Manson's rants reminded me at times rather disconcertingly of A Course in Miracles. But maybe it was just the hectoring tone. Maybe all "gurus" speak that way to the common man. And I guess everyone who comes in contact with a famous or infamous person feels compelled to write a book about the person. In my opinion, not worth reading. A three-page article would have done as well.

5 comments about Legacy of Deception: An Investigation of Mark Fuhrman and Racism in the L.A.P.D..

1. If Singular is correct in his assertions, this book is a wakeup call for those who do not believe the police can be corrupt, and goto great lengths to tamper with and cover up evidence. We can thank Singular's secret informant who ratted out the LAPD and LADA to preserve some integrity in the justice system. For people who believe this book to be a work of fiction, they should be prepared to explain how the privileged insider information turned out to be true. It is puzzling why few people have given Singular the credit he is due, especially from the Dream Team. I believe Simpson to be innocent, in part because the evidence actually points to two killers, and all of the blood evidence against Simpson is tainted or suspect in some respect.



2. This was one of the first books published about the crime. When the synopsis was turned over to the LAPD his cover was blown and he could not continue his investigation. His source was well informed, the results from the trial showed this.

   The following may provide a short review of the case.

   The testimony of the two witnesses who cannot lie says that O.J. Simpson is not guilty of the murders. The autopsy of Nicole Brown found blood and flesh under her fingernails; the blood type did not match O.J. Simpson (or Ron Goldman or Nicole Brown). Ron Goldman worked out and practiced karate a couple of times a week, he played tennis, and walked to work. At 25 he was in prime physical shape; his hands showed bruises from punching someone in the face and head more than once. O.J. Simpson had no scratches or bruises on his face or hands or body after the murders; he could not have been a lone murderer.

   The newspapers reported that when the victims were found after 12:15 AM their red blood was trickling down the sidewalk. The color photographs printed in the National Enquirer showed the bodies covered in red blood. This means they were freshly killed, around 11:30 PM, because their blood would be black and clotted if dead for over an hour (as in the Borden murders). Since the limousine driver picked up O.J. Simpson at 11 PM he could not have been present at the murders. This proves him innocent of murder.

   The O.J. Simpson case received more publicity absolutely and relatively than the impeachment of the President, or even the Oklahoma City bombing. The National Association of Editors and Publishers has never explained why. You could ask the rumor mongers on talk radio why they were told to publicize and prejudge this case before the facts came out at the trial, and why some continue to ignore these facts. I think this is more than the gossip of idle tongues. This case could become a textbook example in the use of propaganda by the news media.

   The book "Killing Time" by D. Freed and R. Briggs, which covers this case, also tells about the "Black Dahlia" crime which was never solved even after the murderer confessed! Will the Brown-Goldman murders forever remain an unsolved mystery?

   Logically and legally a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. If not found guilty, the accused is innocent. People do not always understand or accept this in all cases. But a jury is always told to wait until all the testimony is given before deciding on a verdict. Many people will form an opinion when they hear the first news, and ignore newer facts.




3. In the 1980s the Denver journalist Stephen Singular investigated the assassination of a talk show host by Nazi sympathizers. His book became the basis for the movie "Talk Radio".

   In August he received a phone call from an unnamed source in Los Angeles, who advised him to investigate the case against OJ Simpson: "the Nazis are inside the system"; "all the blood evidence is suspect". Given these clues, he began his search. He called at Johnnie Cochran's law firm to meet a lawyer. He was viewed suspiciously: "how do we know you're not a nut case, or a plant by the DA to waste our time?" he was asked. His credentials as a journalist answered the first question. His advice checked out: "the blood sample will contain EDTA, but it must be carefully tested to avoid destroying it".

   As an independent journalist, he prepared a confidential synopsis of his proposed book to interest a publisher. The publisher turned over a copy to the LAPD, which prevented him from continuing his work. This book tells the story of his research.




4. In the 1980s the Denver journalist Stephen Singular investigated the assassination of a radio talk show host by Nazi sympathizers. His book became the basis for the movie "Talk Radio".

   In August 1994 he received a phone call from an unnamed source in Los angeles, who advised him to investigate the case against OJ Simpson: "the Nazis are inside the system"; "all the blood evidence is suspect". Given these clues, he began his search. He called at Johnnie Cochran's law firm, and met a lawyer. He was viewed suspiciously: "how do we know you're not a nut case, or a plant by the DA to waste our time?" he was asked. His credentials as a journalist answered the first question. His advice checked out: "the blood sample will contain EDTA, but it must be carefully tested to avoid destroying it:.

   As an independent journalist, he prepared a confidential synopsis of his proposed book to interest a publisher. The publisher turned over a copy to the LAPD, which prevented him from continuing his work. This book tells the story of his research.




5. For OJ to be guilty, you must believe that he quickly disposed of the bloody clothes, shoes, and knives so they would NEVER be found, yet brought the socks and glove back to his home! And then smeared blood all over the console!

   The coroner who did the autopsies testified "the forensic evidence says the murders occurred after 11PM". The limousine driver testified he brought OJ to the airport at that time. When you read this book, note how they avoid discussing these facts.