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

Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI By Robert K. Ressler I 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".

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!

One of the best true crime books - well written, neither too scholarly nor too chatty. Author's own involvement in many of the cases is treated fairly - he doesn't downplay his contributions but doesn't brag either. True crime aficionados should eat this one up!

I LOVED this book! I've always been a true crime buff. Each book I read about particular cases about killers leaves me wanting....why? How can someone take the life of another with no more remorse or thought than tossing a used tissue in the trash? How can these monsters walk among us, date our daughters or suckle at our breasts without our knowledge? This book helped me to glimpse into the mind of a few killers thanks to Ressler. Thanks to him I didn't have to view these cold soulless eyes or get my hands dirty. We owe much to Ressler's amazing mind, his initiative and I dare say his amazing wife and children. He's dedicated his life to do this dirty work so that we don't have to. I'm sure there are many who are still alive and safe due to his work. I'm certainly going to thank God that he's around! I am grateful to have been able to understand a little better the kind of monsters who live among us and why they do what they do. Robert Ressler is a true American hero. Anyone who reads true crime MUST read this book! It will give an insight and a better understanding of the whys we so earnestly search for in these horrific cases. Thanks Ressler you are appreciated!

Fantástico libro que te lleva al interior de la mente de los más terribles asesinos en serie. Muy bien escrito, el autor (ya fallecido) es una eminencia y el padre de la creación de perfiles. Muy recomendable para aquellos que quieran lectura apasionante y el idioma no sea un problema.

Je suis sûre que ça n'est pas une version origine, car la qualité de papier et l'imprimante est trop mauvaise.

I love the meticulous breakdown of specific offenders perfectly weaved in with the 20 year evolution of profiling and the BSU

a must-read before you see movies like “silence of the lambs”, only if you haven’t yet.

A brilliant read that gives an insight into the development of the study of behavioural science alongside the development of criminal investigation alongside the development of social awareness of multiple murderers. It is good to read this either before or after reading Mindhunter by John Douglas. Whoever fights monsters gives the sense of compulsion to want to know more and at the same time repulsion knowing who you are reading about are abhorrent. This is well written and insightful.