In this classic study, Elliott Leyton challenges the conventional idea of serial murderers as deranged madmen. He explores the twisted – but comprehensible – motives of a half-dozen notorious killers: Edmund Emil Kemper, Theodore Robert Bundy, Albert DeSalvo (“The Boston Strangler”), David Richard Berkowitz (“Son of Sam”), Mark James Robert Essex, and Charles Starkweather. In the process of describing their crimes Leyton exposes the cold rationality that underlies their apparent pointlessness. The result is startling: a revelatory text on a deeply troubling topic.
Hunting Humans: The Rise Of The Modern Multiple Murderer
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From Publishers Weekly
Originally published in 1984, Leyton's pioneering work on the psychology of mass murderers has been updated and revised for this second edition. Clearly written, thoroughly readable and deliberately free of sociological jargon, it is an important contribution to its field and to the public at large, for whom it clarifies a dark and nightmarish phenomenon of our time. Analyzing case histories from Bundy to Berkowitz, Leyton demystifies the mass murderer. He begins with a brilliant description of the foremost serial killer of fiction, Hannibal Lecter, and demonstrates how little he resembles his real-life counterparts. To begin with, there has not been an aristocratic serial killer in centuries; most, says Leyton, are from the working classes. Nor are they diabolical geniuses; rather, they tend to be surprisingly dull-witted. Leyton's contention is that serial killers are not insane, but a product of their environment. They have been with us for centuries, he argues, and tend to come and go cyclically. (Recent research claims that 15% of them are female.) According Leyton, the serial killer sees his act as a form of revenge upon a specific social class that has denied him the social acceptance that he craves. The elements of sadism and sexual pervasion are his means of punishing his supposed persecutors. A professor of anthropology at Memorial University in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Leyton has written a number of books on psychology, and this volume in particular is a most enlightening work.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Review
“Clearly written, thoroughly readable and deliberately free of sociological jargon, [Hunting Humans] is an important contribution to its field and to the public at large.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Leyton has become probably the world’s most widely consulted expert on serial killing — his books are required reading for homicide detectives.”
—Sunday Telegraph
“Fascinating and thought-provoking.”
—Psychology Today
—Publishers Weekly
“Leyton has become probably the world’s most widely consulted expert on serial killing — his books are required reading for homicide detectives.”
—Sunday Telegraph
“Fascinating and thought-provoking.”
—Psychology Today
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
I was required to read this text for a course, but instead to thinking it was a chore I became engulfed in the book. The breakdown of these infamous serial killers interests me and yet scares me that these killings are real and have happened to regular people - like me. The writing is done quite well, it is not dry for a book that is full of pertinent information, and I cannot complain that the writer is from my home province Newfoundland, Canada.
By Wizzy
Format:Paperback
A well written fascinating perspective on the multiple murderer phenomenon. It's particularly refreshing to take a non-psychiatric approach to explain repugnant behaviour.
By Wayne Cooper
Format:Paperback
This review is for the hardcover edition of this book measuring 9 1/2 X 6 1/4 and having 313 pages and SADLY no pictures at all.
I can't imagine a non-fiction book on this subject without ANY pictures at all....not that we don't know what these people look like but what does it cost to include a few pages of pictures.
Concise and absolutely copmplete Mr. Leyton delves into the phychological deamons driving serial killers ...and does a supurb job.
The killers covered are...Edmund Kemper 111,Ted Bundy,Albert Desalvo,David..Son of Sam..BerkowitzMark Essex and Charlie Starkweather.
Quite the group and what a story they have to tell.
Abdolutely gripping I read this in 2 days straight.
I can't imagine a non-fiction book on this subject without ANY pictures at all....not that we don't know what these people look like but what does it cost to include a few pages of pictures.
Concise and absolutely copmplete Mr. Leyton delves into the phychological deamons driving serial killers ...and does a supurb job.
The killers covered are...Edmund Kemper 111,Ted Bundy,Albert Desalvo,David..Son of Sam..BerkowitzMark Essex and Charlie Starkweather.
Quite the group and what a story they have to tell.
Abdolutely gripping I read this in 2 days straight.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inside the minds of serial killers
Elliott Leyton (author) has written a superb detailed book focusing on 6 modern serial killers/modern mass murderers. Read more
Published on Mar 18 2004 by Timothy G. Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ted Bundy - Driven by Psychopathology or Class Struggle?
Leyton has written a classic study on the rise and motives of serial killers and mass murderers. The new edition of this book originally published in the early 80's includes a... Read more
Published on Feb 29 2004 by world class wreckin cru
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leyton Rocks
This book is a real gem! Not only do the case studies grab you and not let go, you get to see inside the killer's head. Read more
Published on Feb 7 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely the BEST book on the subject of multiple killers!
I've read this book while writining my MA thesis on the subject of serial killers. It's the fascinating, and wonderfuly written book - will keep you on the edge of your seat. Read more
Published on Nov 2 2000 by iewm@kgp.waw.pl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended
Elliot's examination of the modern serial killer is probably the best in print. His detailed account and analysis of Bundy, Kemper, and DeSalvo provide insight unmatched in... Read more
Published on Sep 6 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Work
Whether you are an anthropologist, sociologist, or just plain interested in the serial killer phenomenon, this book is a fascinating analysis. Read more
Published on Oct 18 1998
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