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. 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".

For those of you who are not big fans of serial killers and the people who catch them (or at least won't admit it publicly), Bob Ressler is the guy who invented the term "Serial Killer" and helped usher in a new understanding of repeat criminals and why they do what they do. The citizens of the U.S. owe a lot to Bob. So does Thomas Harris, who interviewed him extensively for Manhunter and Silence of the Lambs.Alas, truth is stranger than fiction, and the tales Ressler tells are positively awful. There' just one problem: we've heard all of this before.Where? That'd be "Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit," by John E. Douglas, a man I can only assume was Ressler's protégé. It's a bit murky as to their relationship (the two reference each other, but not often). The parallels are unmistakable-it's interesting to read the opinions of two different people interviewing the same serial killer.For example, Douglas has a bit of a creepy admiration for Ed Kemper. Kemper had a diabolical mind that he put to good use, such that eventually he figured out why he was killing women: because he hated his mother. So Kemper did what every good serial killer would do in such a situation...he killed her too. His murders "finished," Kemper called the police and gave himself up.That little story is from Douglas' point of view. It almost makes Kemper out to be a sympathetic figure. A six-foot tall, 300 pound sympathetic figure, but sympathetic nonetheless.Ressler is not so kind. Ressler interviews Kemper alone at one point. Having finished the interview, Ressler rings for the guard...but nobody comes. Sensing his discomfort, Kemper explains how he could probably screw Ressler's head off with his bare hands and nobody would be able to do anything about it. Kemper goes on to explain how he has nothing to lose and how, by killing an FBI agent, he'd get quite a bit of "prison cred." Fortunately, Ressler keeps a cool head (and keeps his head) by playing the little mind game right back at the massive serial killer until the guards escort him out."You know I was only kidding, right?" says Kemper, putting a hand on Ressler's shoulder.Whoever Fights Monsters is a lot like that. It simultaneously takes on tough subjects, summarizes them from a clinical perspective, and then reminds you-sometimes quite sternly-that these people are murderers. Where Douglas tends to talk about himself and the heavy toll that dealing with serial killers took on his own personal psyche, Ressler is much more detached and observant. Douglas advocates the death penalty, Ressler does not. Douglas embraces the glory and publicity of being a trailblazer in his field, Ressler worries about the depersonalization of the victims and the celebrity-status of the killers themselves. Who's right?There are no right answers here. Of the two books, Douglas' is more entertaining because he chooses to be more dramatic. The two books track each other very closely, such that if you've read one, you probably don't need to read the other one. Unlike Douglas' book, Ressler admits when he makes mistakes. He also goes into more detail as to the method and process of profiling, which is why I originally bought both books. But it's simply not as exciting a read.Nevertheless, Ressler's tale is an important one: serial killers are mistakes. They're the results of terrible human failings and something to be ashamed off, not celebrated. In that respect, Ressler's story is a more socially responsible (if not as thrilling) examination of the worst humanity has to offer.

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.