Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #327874 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
What makes people kill? Specifically, what are the motivations behind serial, mass and spree killings? Drawing from cases such as Dunblane, the still-unsolved Tylenol poisonings, and the Unabomber, former FBI profiler John Douglas and co-author Mark Olshaker try to explain the unthinkable. What sets The Anatomy of Motive apart from so many of the theories about these horrific acts of violence is that Douglas and Olshaker have no obvious political agenda. They don't look for easy answers and they don't provide easy solutions. They do, however, offer some insight into the twisted kind of thinking that can lead a person to believe that the solution to his problems lies in bloodshed. They also provide some danger signs that may help to identify the potentially violent criminal before he has a chance to act out his morbid fantasies. While The Anatomy of Motive is undeniably horrifying, it is also illuminating, and Douglas and Olshaker approach their topic with grace and insight. --Lisa Higgins

Synopsis
A look into the dark corners of the minds of arsonists, hijackers, serial killers and mass murderers. This book analyzes such diverse characters as Lee Harvey Oswald and Timothy McVeigh, helping the reader learn to anticipate potential violent behaviour before it's too late.

Customer Reviews

Criminal profiling of the highest quality
Again, John Douglas does not let you down with this follow up book to Mindhunter. Stepping once again into the madness of the criminal world, Mr Douglas tries to explain the reasons why arsonists, murderers, bombers and the like commit the crimes they do, and why.

The first few chapters start off relatively slowly, but after that the book really begins to pick up speed, and there's even a section to the rear that let's you take the lead role as an amateur profiler! (I managed to predict 3 out of the 4 case scenarios correctly)so maybe there is something in these books that we can all learn from, namely and most importantly how not to become a victim, and secondly what to look for once a crime has been committed.

Astounding and interesting work. Worth the purchase price.

Absolute MUST read!
Spectacular book! Incredibly insightful, well written and totally accessible. An amazing insight into the profiling techniques used by the FBI and the minds of criminals. A book for both interested readers and the curious, I really recommend it.

Fascinating insights into the criminal mind
This is an absolutely incredible book, written in an easy-to-read format with real-life examples which really hit home the necessity of the profiling practice in modern law enforcement. The final 'case-study' section of the book which invites you to apply the profiling techniques you have just read about is simply inspiring and an absolute delight to any 'Cracker' wannabe.