Steve Jackson's work is way above par. I really like the way this book is laid out. You get the back story on many of the players in this book, the moSteve Jackson's work is way above par. I really like the way this book is laid out. You get the back story on many of the players in this book, the most interesting of which is the cop turned prostitute/crack addict. It's of course a sad and inspirational telling. I was really impressed with the amount of research and information in this book. Outstanding from beginning to end.
I would recommend this to individuals who enjoy the early works of M. William Phelps.
This book offered a lot of interesting information. It was a very good read. The research included many primary and some secondary sources. DiscussionThis book offered a lot of interesting information. It was a very good read. The research included many primary and some secondary sources. Discussion was provided on Bryant's behavior prior to the attack, a description of the actions taken by both Bryant and the police during the attack, and even some information about what has happened since. It was interesting to get information regarding how this individual was assessed afterwards and how behavioral criminalists have utilized this case and others to begin to learn about this type of offender.
This book is a great short if you need something to keep you busy for a few hours. I highly recommend it to individuals who do case studies, psychological studies, and sociological studies....more
This book discusses not just the actions of one young man, but societies contribution to the actions of this young man and all of the youth in westernThis book discusses not just the actions of one young man, but societies contribution to the actions of this young man and all of the youth in western society. The truth is, as this author points out, we are appalled by the behaviors but do nothing to change the factors that are creating a society of individuals that do not feel the consequences of their behavior.
This is not to say I believe James Fairweather or even that the author is saying James is not responsible for his actions. But the point of this book is to ask us what are we going to do to stop this change in our youth. The author points at us as parents, educators, and society and says, "Do something! These are your children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends! Don't let these children guide their own ships to adulthood. That method is failing them." Okay, he doesn't say that, but that's what I heard, perhaps because that is what I believe.
When I was a child, mothers were criticized for using television as a babysitter. Today television is not enough. We let the internet and the gaming industry provide our child care, but what are the children learning from that experience? It's not safe, and it's not healthy if they are not given guidance as to what is and is not acceptable. We are raising a generation of individuals that have only their friends and the internet to teach them about what is right and wrong. We let the media tell them what is and is not acceptable. We are the only ones who can change it!
... Alas this is a critique of the message and not the book, so I'll get back to business.
This book is a great short book. It outlines the details of the crime, the planning, how Fairweather was caught, and what there is to know about Fairweather. Officer Swinney takes time to tell us about the victims, their families, and their loss. We get information on his behavior with the arresting officers, and in the court. All of which is stunning to me.
I would recommend this book to individuals who enjoy a case study in criminology or psychology....more
This book is exceptionally well researched, and exceptionally well written. The story itself is heartbreaking, striking, shocking, and saddening. The This book is exceptionally well researched, and exceptionally well written. The story itself is heartbreaking, striking, shocking, and saddening. The thing that is hardest to deal with, and the same question I'm sure Shanda's family must still come to grips with every day is, "why did this happen?" I understand the reasons presented in the book. I get the love triangle, jealousy motive, but honestly, I just don't understand.
I purchased this book because I couldn't understand how two of the girls were smiling broadly in their mugshots. I thought, what the heck? I remember being that age, in fact, I wasn't a lot older than Laurie at the time of this murder. I think I probably had 3-4 years on her, but all the same, there was nothing that could have caused me to murder. I have now considered some of the additional information, the drinking... Okay, I did that, and as much as Laurie was said to have done. I had friends that were equally interested in witchcraft and the like. Paranormal was the fad even then. So, why? Could the murder really just have been over jealousy? I just don't think so. Pack mentality? I think that carries more weight in this situation.
Key takeaways from this book are:
1. You never really do know what your children are up to. Shanda's family could not have known just what was happening between her and Amanda. They could not have known the trouble she was in with her peers.
2. You never really know your children's friends, even if you think you do. So trust but verify. If Hope and Toni's parents had known where their daughter's were that night things would have been a lot different. The girls lied to their parents about where they were going to be that night.
3. Sexuality is explored at a young age in our society. Keeping an open door policy with your children is key to helping them navigate the tempest that awaits them. I know, easier said than done, but it can be done.
4. This book would have benefited from interviews with the key players in the story. The only thing I felt this book was wanting was some reflective information from the girls, their families, etc. Maybe then there could have been an answer to the why, but somehow I doubt it. I sense that these women probably cannot connect to the girls they were at the time of this crime. I doubt they can possibly comprehend their past actions. It would be like trying to justify any action that in hind sight you realize was the biggest mistake of your life.
From here I will state that I would recommend this book to readers of true crime, psychology and sociology students, and academics interested in group phenomenon, pack mentality, or cult behaviors. This is not to say that the girls were in a cult, more like the actions are not unlike those of cult killings, the individuals that let the energy of an event supersede their recognition of alternate choices.
This book is truly full of victims, and no heroes. It is tragic....more
This books gives a very interesting side of the case that shook our justice system. It's a sad day when justice has been thwarted by wealth, power, anThis books gives a very interesting side of the case that shook our justice system. It's a sad day when justice has been thwarted by wealth, power, and race. It happens every day. We all know that it does. As frustrated as we are when it happens most of us can sit on the sidelines and say, "They should have done this" or "they should have done that." This book puts into context all of the reasons why the prosecution could not or did not say or do those things. It holds up for us the obvious errors in the way justice is meted out in this country. It's a disappointing truth, but truth all the same.
This is the first book I have read about this trial. Like many other Americans I was aware of the trial because of the constant publicity even with my living thousands of miles away. A retrial would have been a waste of time even if it had been a hung jury. With the trial broadcasting right into our homes, there would not have been a juror anywhere who was not familiar with some of the evidence and already had some kind of opinion.
I think Ms. Clark was exceptionally brave to face this case every day for over a year. I think she was incredibly strong to have written this book.
I would recommend this book to individuals who enjoy case studies, social studies, or legal discussion....more
I've read a lot of case studies. I have never read any that were more frightening than the history of Thomas Luther. Fact is, any woman, maybe every wI've read a lot of case studies. I have never read any that were more frightening than the history of Thomas Luther. Fact is, any woman, maybe every woman, was a potential victim of this man. He had no mercy, he had no shame, he needed no trigger. The only other men that I have read about that made me this sure that the boogie man must really exist are the most well known of serials. Luther is in a class with Bundy, Ridgeway, and Raider, and it's really only Bundy he was most like.
Comparisons that could be drawn include: 1. Picking victims at opportunity, no stocking. 2. All the known victims had similar physical characteristics such as hair style. 3. He used whatever weapon came to hand but carried a reliable rape kit. 4. He had mother issues by mother's that loved them. 5. Throughout court and afterwards maintained his innocence. 6. Was cocky and confident he would not be found guilty. 7. His attacks were rage born, that is to say they were not heat of the moment. 8. He left victims in multiple states from the north west to the south east. 9. Both were known to indulge in fetish porn. 10. Both had women totally devoted to them and struggled with the need to report information with protecting the men they loved.
Something else that is not documented, but after my studies I have concluded that neither Bundy nor Luther really knew what caused them to become killers.
There are 2 things in this book that cause the reader to have a strong response. The first is fear. Any woman who reads this book will find herself feeling like she needs to be more vigilant. The second one is complete relief when it becomes clear that if the judges that sentenced him have their way this man at least will not be hurting any more young women. ...more
This book gives us a glimpse at the crimes and efforts to bring to justice Cleophus Prince, Jr.
One thing I lAs always Officer Swinney brings it home.
This book gives us a glimpse at the crimes and efforts to bring to justice Cleophus Prince, Jr.
One thing I like about Mr. Swinney is that he never offers up excuses for the offenders he writes about. Somehow I find when a true crime author tries to write that side of the story it always comes out as tragically overdone and it makes me angry. Why do these people deserve our sympathy!? Why should we as a society feel like their lives have made them who they are? Which of us has not seen ugly things? Does that justify!? I really don't think so.
I greatly respect the work of our law enforcement individuals that have put their lives on the line to protect us from individuals like Prince, Jr. Where would we be without them.
In this book we get a birds eye view of the crimes committed. I like the way the crimes were laid out with some information about the victims and their personalities. I like that this book further goes into the trial and then some analysis of Prince. All in all it is a great book for seeing things through the perspective of law enforcement.
This book is exceptionally well written. The story beyond tragic. Yates walks us through the mourning of an entire nation and beyond. The loss of trueThis book is exceptionally well written. The story beyond tragic. Yates walks us through the mourning of an entire nation and beyond. The loss of true innocence in the most literal sense of the word is devastating. The crimes of Ian Huntley are unimaginable, the pain all encompassing. We as a society have not even after events such as this have not learned how to shield our young from the boogie man that does exist.
Mr. Yates, thank you for sharing the stories of Jessica and Holly. Thank you for letting us feel for their families. Thank you for remembering that this story is NOT about Ian and Maxine. They do not deserve our attention. You kept the focus of this book where it belongs.
I would recommend this book for individuals that enjoy the works of Ann Rule, or M. William Phelps. Also.... I would recommend this book to any parent that has taken criticism for being a little to protective of their children. This is not a criticism of Jessica and Holly's families. It is simply that for any parent who has taken a tongue lashing for being to watchful, this book is a testament to your right to be vigilant. ...more
This book leaves the reader with very little understanding. I understand from the conclusion that much of the information is simply not available, as This book leaves the reader with very little understanding. I understand from the conclusion that much of the information is simply not available, as a result it was a very poor choice of cases to write. Simply put, we get 0 information about the victims other than their names, blood alcohol levels, and dates of death. We get 0 information regarding the history of Jordan. Again, I get that there was no information really available, but then, why choose this serial to write about? I literally found almost everything in this book in murderpedia.com. I was pretty disappointed. This is not so much a case study as a summary that could be read in most internet sources.
Would I recommend this book? No. If you are interested in this case there are several sources that will give you the exact same information, just google Gilbert Paul Jordan. ...more
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