Synopses & Reviews
When we think of serial killing, we tend to think of it as a perversion of contemporary society.
The Human Predator makes an eye-opening case for the existence of serial killers throughout timeandmdash;the motives and methods, the societies that spawned them, and the historical periods in which they lived . . . and killed.
From Ancient Rome and the Dark Ages to the open roads of America, from the exploits of French religious zealot Gilles de Rais to such high-profile monsters as Jeffrey Dahmer and Aileen Wuornos, Katherine Ramsland offers a complete chronological record of the serial-killer phenomenonandmdash;and the parallel development of psychology, forensic science, and FBI profiling in the serial killerandrsquo;s evolving manifestation throughout human history.
INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
Review
Praise for Beating the Devil's Game
“Once again Katherine Ramsland brilliantly captures the insights and drama of some fascinating cases.”—Dr. Henry Lee
Additional praise for Katherine Ramsland
“If youre looking for the perfect gift for someone whos riveted to television shows like CSI, you wont find a better one...This book is unique in the field.”—Court TV Crime Library
“A fascinating must-read for CSI fans and anyone interested in criminal justice.”—Booklist
“A must read for true crime fans. A beautifully written expert analysis of high-profile killers.”—Ann Rule
“One of the most immensely readable and gripping accounts of serial murder I have ever read.”—Colin Wilson, author of Serial Killers: A Study in the Psychology of Violence
“Fascinating...a must for anyone who wonders how the real crime solvers do it.”—Michael Palmer
“With the mind of a true investigator, Ramsland demystifies the world of forensics with authentic and vivid detail.”—John Douglas
Review
andldquo;ABSORBING . . . STARTLING . . . FRIGHTENING . . . The first book-length chronicle of the serial killer from Ancient Rome to the present day. For anyone interested in either forensic science . . . or serial murder, [
The Human Predator] is a must-have.andrdquo; andmdash;
truTV Crime Library andldquo;COMPELLING . . . A very different perspective on the phenomenon of serial killers . . . Some readers may find themselves squirming as the darkest side of human nature is revealed.andrdquo;andmdash;Monsters and Critics
andldquo;EXCEEDINGLY WELL-RESEARCHED . . . Draws [readers] in to the lurid details of the crime . . . Highly recommended.andrdquo;andmdash;Examiner.com
Synopsis
Today, the basic precepts of criminal investigationfingerprints, DNA, blood evidenceare known among professionals and lay people alike. But behind each of these familiar concepts is a fascinating story of the evolution of science and law, spearheaded by innovative thinkers, many of whom risked their careers for more perfect justice.
Dr. Katherine Ramsland, renowned expert in criminology, traces that development from thirteenth-century Chinese studies of decomposition through the Renaissance and the era of Newtonian physics to the marvels of the present day and beyond. Along the way, she introduces us to forensic pioneers and visionaries who galvanized the field, raised investigative standards, and whose efforts have kept us just steps ahead of increasingly sophisticated criminals.
About the Author
Dr. Katherine Ramsland has masterandrsquo;s degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, and criminal justice, and a Ph.D. in philosophy. She has published forty-three books, including SNAP:Seizing Your Aha! Moments, The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, The Mind of a Murderer, and The Forensic Science of C.S.I. With former FBI profiler Gregg McCrary, she coauthored The Unknown Darkness: Profiling the Predators Among Us; with Dr. Henry Lee, she coauthored The Real World of a Forensic Scientist; and with Professor James E. Starrs, A Voice for the Dead. She wrote biographies of Anne Rice and Dean Koontz, and her Crimescape e-book, Psychopath, was a #1 Wall Street Journal nonfiction bestseller. In addition, Ramsland has published over 1,000 articles on serial killers, criminology, and criminal investigation. She is a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, appears on numerous true crime documentaries, and writes a regular blog for Psychology Today.