Cannibal: The True Story of the Maneater of Rotenburg

When I was in college, a sociology professor once opined that incest wasn't really frowned upon in America because of the possibility of birth defects of offspring, but rather because society didn't have the coping mechanisms for handling incest. As an example, if a father and daughter are having a relationship that we deem as being more than inappropriate, it made dinnertime discussions more than difficult.I think that that professor was onto something myself, even though many of his colleagues disliked him, probably because he had the terrible habit of speaking the truth, or at least trying to. Many social mores are simply created to control people, or to guarantee a so-called more "comfortable" environment, but that doesn't mean that it's alright to use one excuse for something when in reality, another excuse will do. And that other excuse would be the truth. Whatever that "truth" may be.Onto another more lofty subject. . . .Humans think nothing of killing and eating animals, but they abhor the killing and eating of humans. Why? Well, it has been pounded into us for perhaps millennia that eating flesh from one's own species is "wrong," without necessarily explaining why it is "wrong." It reminds me of the teacher on Southpark who always "explains": "Well, it's just wrong, m-kay? And if it's wrong, you shouldn't do it, m-kay?" Kind of circular reasoning, of course, but that's why it's funny.But I do believe that I just might puke myself if I were to knowingly eat human flesh -- has anyone fed me the meat from a human in the past, without me knowing? (luckily I don't know, and this does happen, probably more often than we think) -- and I'm not sure if it's because of societal training, or if there is actually something fundamentally "wrong" with eating meat from your own species. I believe that some monkey species are cannibals, and I believe that some male polar bears eat their own offspring to eliminate the competition, to bring up possible natural counter examples here. (Are these animals doing something "wrong"? And does "wrong" exist for non-human animals, or for even humans themselves? This is a philosophical argument that cannot be won using pure logic by either side.)But Armin Meiwes wasn't too concerned about what society thought about cannibalism, and he wasn't too concerned about "right or wrong" either. And if you read this surprisingly strong book, you will learn that the flame of cannibalistic thoughts burned inside him from a very early age. You'll also learn that this flame attracted a "twin" to him like a moth, who wanted to be cannibalized as well, and flew freely into that feast. And the author does a great job of limiting personal opinion by leaving most moral thought to the reader.And the author seems to write so well with such ease that you might easily believe that this is a "Meisterstuck," just as the title of this review asserts. In reality, the original motivation for natural language is simply to convey information. But a well-written book goes well beyond just that, and you might just think that you are reading a Grimm fairly tale while winding through this should-be-but-oddly-isn't grim journey, which was most likely the author's intent. I have to say, I haven't read anything this strong since the works of the late-great Jack Olsen, and dare I say it? This may even be better. I dared.Is cannibalism "wrong"? Well, you'll first have to determine if "right and wrong" truly exist, and I will write right now that you have an impossible task of just proving that, either way. But I will say that this book is so "right," in so many ways, that it just may be a modern-day Meisterstuck. I give "Cannibal" my highest possible rating, and highly recommend that you buy and read it. If you have the stomach for it, of course.

Ummmm....what. did. I. just. read?! OK. I knew going into the reading of Cannibal exactly what I was in for, but yet, I had no idea of the graphic nature and detail I would be exposed to. Have you ever wanted to know more information, but as soon as you know more, you wish you didn't know half as much as you knew? They say that curiosity killed the cat. Whew. Being curious about a cannibal is dangerous. Armin Meiwes is definitely a deviant. But so was his victim, Bernd Juerges Brandes who willingly volunteered to be mutilated, killed, and eaten. What makes Armin's case that much stranger is the fact that when he was arrested, the police had no idea what to charge him with--because Bernd had volunteered and the fact that Germany didn't have any laws against cannibalism!! Seriously? Whether or not there were laws against cannibalism, how did that affect Armin's charges and ultimate sentencing?! W.O.W. The guy really provided a STORY that will give the curious fodder for a long, long time. Oh, btw, in case you didn't know, Armin is STILL alive. Granted, he is in prison, but he is still alive in 2021....

Bought the book brand new and it came in with several scratches and bends on the cover. As someone who takes pride in their library, it’s extremely disappointing to own a book that has damage you didn’t cause or approve to buy of in that condition :( rated 3 stars for quality, not the actual content of the book

Any lover of True Crime books should really enjoy Cannibal. It is one of the better written true crime books I have ever read. There was an issue with the author saying what the victim was thinking and feeling in situations were he was alone and no way for the author to know any of this but it added to the story and I personally didn't mind this and at times was thankful for the insight.There were parts of this book that some may have a hard time getting through as the book does get rather graphic at times but I have read much worse so for me it wasn't to bad.The case was disturbing then again what true crime isn't at least a little disturbing. This was more unique tho so that made it much more interesting for me.The only real complaint I had was that I wish the author had published the book later when Meiwes sentence was made to to life imprisonment. It would have given it more of an ending but that does not reflect my review or rank because that is the authors choice and it did happen after the book was written and published.

I've been searching for this book for a while and I am so glad I found it at such a low price. It's not that big of a piece, only about 215 pages so it seems like light reading... prepare to be shocked. The subject and writing were very psychological and was meant to get under your skin and make you think, especially towards the end. It was EXTREMELY dense but I had a blast reading it cover to cover. I won't spoil it but the facts are rather objective, leaving you on your own to develop and meditate your own independent opinion on Meiwes's crime. I bought the book expecting solid facts, but 80% of the writing is a fictionalized rendition of the actual killing... that's alright with me but isn't for the faint of heart. Overall if you like having books pick at your brain, this is definitely for you.

This book is an absolutely fascinating account of Armin, now one of the worlds most famous contemporary cannibal killers, and gives an extremely detailed account of his background and subsequent growing need to cannibalise a willing victim.However, rather than just deal with the facts, it is almost possible, while reading each chapter to believe you're reading a fictional crime novel.Lois writes as though she were actually privy to the actual thoughts and emotions of Armin and his victim before, during and after the slaughter and there are moments where you think, "well how would you know he felt that at that specific moment?"Although this style does add weight to the events and momentum of this awful crime you occasionally find yourself irritated that facts have become blurred with Lois attributing thoughts and emotions that she couldn't have possibly known.Regardless of this, I thoroughly recommend this book and, if you've never read a true crime book that will give you sweaty nightmares this one definately will!And, as if the details of this crime aren't horrifying enough for you, the jury verdict is utterly incomprehensible!Buy it.

Excellent nail biting book, couldn't put it down after I began to read it ,I would truly recommend this book .

Livro muito bom e bem detalhado, relatou diversos acontecimentos sobre a vida dele. Recomendo demais esse livro!OBS: o livro está escrito em inglês.

Unimaginable!No limit in horror and destructive madness. Sordid crime facts told with great skill.You should avoid reading this book right before going to sleep peacefully

Tolles Buch