I : The Creation of a Serial Killer

Rating:
Summary: Do you want to get scared?
Review: This book is sheer terror! The authors did an outstanding job showing how Mr. Jesperson spanked, humiliated, and exhausted his son.
Keith Jesperson wants us to infer that his father's awful treatment caused him to become a serial killer. I believe Keith is partially right.
I just don't understand how come it took so long. If Keith developed enough self discipline to become a productive member of society inspite of his horrible upbringing, what made him change? Obviously, Keith did have what it takes to overcome hell on earth and erred in letting his pain overcome his self control. Keith wasn't an innocent bystander in his transition from family man to serial killer.

On the hand, Mr. Jesperson in his own idiotic way, really loved Keith. He really didn't understand how a tough upbringing can not only stunt a child's development but even cause changes in the brain.
To top everything else off, the reader gains enormous respect for Keith's father. He was a self-taught engineer who could work twelve jobs and still have energy to write volumes of poetry.
To a certain extent, Les Jesperson reminds me of Jose Menendez patriarch of the infamous Menendez brothers. Both men took on huge responsibilities as young adults and then neglected those same responsibilities as adults. Genius in one area doesn't always translate into above average intelligence in other areas.

The book does have one small weakness. We don't learn enough about Keith's siblings. Perhaps, the patriarch's drunken tirades had unintended side effects on them too.
This book will keep you up at night!!!!!!!!!