Our fascination with serial killers is at once disturbing and understandable: disturbing because, according to society's mores, we should condemn the killers' crimes and avoid all thought of their horrific actions, but understandable because we are so fascinated by their motives. What leads them to behave in such perverted ways? And what makes them become killers who strike again and again?
Charlotte Greig has selected fifty of the world's most infamous serial killers, ranging from Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy. When compared, it is easy to see similar themes emerging: the loners, David Berkowitz and Anatoly Onoprienko, who both wrought revenge on a society which they felt had rejected them; those who kill purely for sexual thrills, like Albert Fish or John Christie; and occult practitioners like the Chicago Rippers and Richard Ramirez who were inspired by macabre rituals to take their dark fantasies into even darker realities.
The World's Most Evil Psychopaths: Horryfying True-Life Cases by John Marlowe
Jeffrey Dahmer committing his first murder with a fear of being left alone, then went on luring young boys and keeping souvenirs of their skulls.
Ted Bundy who appeared to be a generous and charming young man with a brilliant future started with a petty crime and worked his way up to the murder of young women.
John Wayne Gacy was a pillar of the community, organizing themed block parties and entertaining as Pogo the Clown, but his early transgressions began to take on more and more sinister forms.
A chilling but engrossing read, the fully illustrated The World's Most Evil Psychopaths provides a concise, yet detailed look at some of the most dangerous individuals who have ever lived. Starting with examples of the earliest recorded psychopaths, author John Marlowe presents a carefully chosen cross-section of history's most infamous criminals.
