Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI

One of the best forensics books I've ever read. Extremely interesting, informative, and educational. I could not put this book down. Ressler is an extraordinarily well written and extensively experienced FBI profiler who started profiling. If it had not been for him, I believe many more lives would have been taken at the hands of serial killers.

This was a truly fascinating read. Between the insider's view of the fledgling BSU finding its early feet and the horrific yet humanizing view of serial killers (Jeffrey Dahmer chain-smoked through his two days of interviews), this book is a must-read for anyone fascinated with true crime OR philosophy. Although there are times when it was truly stomach-turning (and I say that as a lifelong reader of Stephen King, Clive Barker, Robert McCammon, Anne Rice and other horror staples) it was also an expose on the realities of profiling and the toll that hunting such killers takes on law enforcement.As a fan of Thomas Harris and the tv show Hannibal, I loved this book; it and Ressler's entire career were the seeds that Harris used to create some of his beloved and deeply-flawed characters.Ressler also brought up salient points concerning the death penalty and serial killers; not just the philosophical question of its morality, but the fiscal cost and research opportunities lost. When a person speaks who has studied death and its makers for such a long time, the words really ring out. I cannot imagine what this man's life must have been, and how he was able to maintain any sense of normalcy.I recommend this book, but with the caveat that it WILL upset even the most hardened reader!

Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI By Robert K. ResslerI just finished reading this fascinating novel by Ressler Sunday night. I believe it was originally published in the early '90s, but I was handcuffed to audio books at that time. I really didn't have an opportunity to read it. This incomparable account of the history of criminal profiling was available in ebooks a few years back but for whatever reason I didn't get around to buying it until this past November. Ironically, I just finished reading an incredibly lousy fictional crime thriller that mentioned Ressler's book. I thought to myself what a perfect time to read Ressler's novel. In a few short months (May) it will mark the sixth anniversary of the passing of this giant among men in his field. I certainly had procrastinated long enough!Frankly, I was stunned by Ressler's uncanny ability to capture my attention from the very first page, and then to keep me captivated throughout the entire book. I have had a keen interest in true crime, more specifically serial killers, since my early teens. Needless to say, I have read countless novels over the years about real life sexual homicides and the men who committed them. I managed to buy a book on tape written by famous FBI profiler John Douglas (JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS) years ago. I am ashamed to say that I have his book MINDHUNTER on my kindle right now. In any case, I can honestly compare the writing style of Ressler and Douglas. I enjoyed Ressler's book immensely, and frankly the novel by Douglas, while interesting, cannot compare.I loved so many aspects of Ressler's book that it would take a book to name them all. I think what I enjoyed most was learning facts about so many of the killers that I had read about, in some instances quite a lot about, and had not managed to ferret out. Ressler's writing style is sensational in that it is so easy to just sit back and allow yourself to ride along like you are on a tour, and he is your knowledgeable, fascinating guide. A Customer Review caught my eye, I think it was written for the hardback copy of this book. Anyway, the reviewer was able to sum up my feelings in a sentence (..."insanely engaging and right up my alley"). I would have absolutely loved to have met this father of criminal profiling and shook his hand. His warmth, courage, sense of humor, and strong moral convictions come across with integrity throughout the pages of his travel along the road to enlightening others and helping to create the FBI resources that are in place today.He truly left an everlasting legacy. I would recommend this truly fascinating journey into the minds of madness to anyone who enjoys forensics, psychology, and of course...crime fiction. Take an unforgettable "trip" into the past and learn how profiling got started from the man who coined the phrase "serial killer".

Excellent. Very well written, compelling, essentially so well done that it becomes a textbook but is still riveting, disturbing,--and heartbreaking--to read. It is very detailed, clear, and professional. Of course, I came to this book due to the series Mindhunter, which is a brilliant series and hopefully will be renewed for years to come with the same cast. As a mental health practitioner I found this an important and very helpful text to be familiar with. Should be read by all in criminal justice/law enforcement and mental health. As an aside, this is not material for persons under 16 y/o. Finally, i don't get the snarky remarks regarding the author, Ressler. I think his 'ego' is quite well managed and never intrudes. His skill, experience, hard earned knowledge and insight, collegiality, and mission--and through that devoted mission giving a gift of himself and his skill to numerous families, communities, colleagues does. If you watch his video interviews on youtube he is very straightforward, genuine, and humble. In concert with reading this book, I am watching docs on the cases he reviews on fbi files, forensic files, etc as well as doing research, internet research, and watching docs by professionals, including Ressler, as well as interviews with the convicted. This is a major work and I thank this man (he has passed away) for his dedication and work on behalf of the nation. I'll be moving on to Douglas and Hazelwood next.

Has helped keep me safe

Satisfeita

Robert Ressler makes a compelling case about tackling violent criminals through early intervention of the system. His case by case basis analysis of what could have been done is quite insightful. First hand interviews with some of the worst of the worst makes it difficult to put down the book once you start reading.

This amazing lecture is a must for every fan of police and detective research and cases.

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