Product Description

When he was arrested in July 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer had a severed head in the refrigerator, two more in the freezer, two skulls and a skeleton in a filing cabinet. A serial killer, an inhuman monster, beyond our understanding.

But what did lead Dahmer to kill, coldly, again and again? Brian Masters investigates the darkest side of the human psyche in this true story of evil.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #338097 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review

‘Unputdownable’

‘The spirited, persuasive account of a young man spiralling into unspeakable insanity . . . useful, fascinating book’

‘Remarkable and frightening exploration of “human nature stained”’

‘Irresistible . . . Its subject is terrible and repellent, but the study itself is enlightening’

Independent on Sunday
`Irresistible . . . Its subject is terrible and repellent, but the
study itself is enlightening'

Patricia Highsmith
'Unputdownable'

Customer Reviews

Disturbing, poignant and superbly written
There are countless books available on serial killers, but I don't think I've ever read one as detailed or insightful as Brian Masters' illuminating study of Dahmer. He expertly takes us on a harrowing journey through Dahmer's tortured life, striking a perfect balance between sympathy and revulsion. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the book is how Masters makes us pity and understand Dahmer without ever excusing his appalling crimes. This is perfectly illustrated in the author's tendency to refer to the subject as "Jeff" when dealing with the childhood section of the book, but calling him only by his surname in the latter stages of his crimewave. Also impressive is Masters' dissection of the trial, where he eloquently points up the absurdity of a legal system that looked at Dahmer's bizzare catalogue of murder and still deemed him "sane".
I thouroughly recommend this outstanding book to anyone remotely interested in true crime literature.

As fascinating as it is disturbing
With this book Brian Masters produces a wonderfully presented and researched account of the life and crimes of Dahmer.Masters resists, however, just regurgitating police reports of mutilated bodies and sexual deviance and attempts to probe more into Dahmer's psyche than other writers have before him.His overall approach makes Masters seem almost sympathetic with Dahmer, who appears to be a tormented soul forced to kill again and again, but masters rarely loses the vital objectivity needed when studying a man such as dahmer.The book does not deserve 5 stars in my opinion because at times it becomes bogged down in repition of words said in court or in textbooks and becomes a struggle to read and at times Master's seems more intent on creating a dramatic scene for the reader rather than telling us the facts (particulary in the section on DR.Berlin's testimony).However, what remains is a fascinating and engrossing book which doesnt force any opinions on the reader but allows you to decide while also being daring enough to create more sympathy for Dahmer than any writing before it.

a reader from maesteg, wales
i would highly recommend this book. its a highly detailed in depth account of one of the most notorious killers of all time. the book delves into the psyche of this truly deranged individual who went on a spree of murder which left a trail of dead. the author pulls no punches as he describes the macabre, sick and twisted world of one of the most evil men ever to walk the face of the earth. if you are easily shocked then do not buy this book, but if you are a lover of true crime books, such as myself, then get this book now!