JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS (Lisa Drew Books (Paperback))

Rating:
Summary: A compelling continuation from Mindhunter.
Review: Douglas continues to grasp his readers as he continues his stories from Mindhunter. Let it be known that this would be a rather difficult book to follow if one has not read Mindhunter. Douglas elaborates on his views and theories from Mindhunter and this would leave many in the dark. In Journey Into Darkness Douglas continues his stories of children stolen and slain but continues them in much more description and detail. As a future forensic psychologist this book and many like it have given me a reason to pursue my goal and as a citizen of this nation they have given me much more to think about when voting but as a human individual they have shown me one of the darkest sides of humanity. Douglas does a magnificent job of displaying the facts and then giving an educated opinion while allowing the reader to follow step-by-step. These books and the true tales they tell have tested even my optimistic personality and have continuously made me wonder why True Crime is the largest selling section of books.

Rating:
Summary: A real Journey into Darkness
Review: I have been an avid true crime reader for several years although this is the first book that I have read by John E. Douglas. This book makes you see the darkness that a lot of people seem to have inside and what they are prepared to do to realise their fantasies whatever the cost. I was not able to put down this book even though it filled me with anxiety and sadness because the title is true - he really does take you on a journey into Darkness, although John Douglases telling of these brutal cases is masterly. He explains even the most complicated of theories in a way that is understandable to all. After reading this book I have already ordered his other books and can't wait for them to be delivered. Gripping stuff!!!

Rating:
Summary: John Douglas's Book Journey into Darkness is gripping!
Review: I was very impressed with the style of writing in this book. It gives you true life crimes, that we are familiar with. But, more than that it taught me many ways to deal with certain situations and gave me many tips on how to keep my kids safer! It's a book with the shocking truths of the maniacs that are out there, and how to spot them. John Douglas is just wonderful with his informative yet shocking stories of notorious killers and thier victims. Couldnt put it down.......You did it again!
Thanks John.

Shelley ~ Calif.

Rating:
Summary: Getting Redundant
Review: If you've already read Mindhunter, you needn't bother with Journey. It is essentially the same stuff, with just enough words switched around to justify a new title. If you haven't read either Mindhunter or Journey, flip a coin.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful and wrenching
Review: Journey Into Darkness undertakes several missions on its path. Sure, we have the murders themselves committed by people we can only dream never come within a thousand miles of anyone we know. We also get a riveting insight into the science of criminal psychology, victimology and investigative detection. Finally, the noble crusades of victims' relatives and advice, support and education on how to spot and avoid potential catastrophes occurring to anyone you know is touched on in detail.

I guarantee that if you have children or relatives that have anything in common with any of the victims you will be affected by this book in a way that few others will affect you.

I'm tempted to go off at a tangent and comment on the vile killers themselves but since this is a book review, I will cut myself off and say that the book is extremely well written, excellently structured and balanced superbly. This isn't merely a Triple A guide to serial killers, and although Douglas is clearly proud of the work he has done, what shines through is the fact that he is a human being first and a criminal investigator second. The fact that he has to get into their heads to understand and uncover the crimes is continually balanced with his assertions that he has just as much contempt for these killers as those directly affected by them. That's important, along with his attempts to educate the readers on how to avoid such situations coming up in their neighborhoods or families. It effectively diffuses the chances of the book becoming episodic or even biographical.

I was confused by his inclusion of the O.J. Simpson case, not because it was poorly put together - it was very convincing - but because it didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book. It might well belong in a different book, but here it struck me as an attempt to cash in on something which almost undid the good intentions of the rest of the book.

However, it is a remarkable insight into a profession and a world dominated by the truly darkest elements of the human race. The book is hard to read without feeling guilty at yourself for not wanting to put it down. And that is a testament to its power.

Rating:
Summary: Easy Prey
Review: Mr. Douglas gets into the content of this book rapidly. Mindhunter took time to explain the concept, and therefore I suggest the books be read in order that they were written. The victim was on her turf, military trained in selfdefense, and now the victim of a man who was angry at his wife. Trigger:she went to a Tupperware party. The people who commit the crimes profilers deal with are losers, cowards. They go after people that they think are easy targets. Sharks are cowards as are the type of people who commit crimes against people. The pedofile is dealt with extensively in this book. Special Units in the police force now deal soley with Crimes Against Children. This is the most cowardly of all criminals. This book is very difficult to put down for long, but one needs to in order to take a mental break from it. Mr. Douglas deals with true crime and a child who is victimized is potential of a person that we all need to take a very serious look at, for what could have been, not only for that child, but in the contributions to humanity that we have lost out on, because we need to find ways of putting people who commit crimes where they can never have access to any other child. The "crimes of secrecy" these men do they inflict upon any and every child they can get hold of and threaten them if they tell. Or, if they think the child will talk they will silence them. Every child is vulnerable. The criminals look just like ordinary people. Mr. Douglas will tell you, don't look for the person until you look at the crime scene, the clues are all there if one knows profiling. It narrows the field of who you are looking for if you look at the victim, know everything you can about the victim and the crime scene. At least his methods were having credibility because he was right so many times, it narrowed down the suspects. Every human is vulnerable to a psychotic person. The killer could look like an angelic person. They look just like anybody. The older they get the better they get at their crimes, the more sadistic the behavior, and the better they can con. "Pillars of the community, someone you would never suspect." He wants to see the victim, know as much about the victim and see the crime scene, not a list of suspects until he has done his job.
Mrs. Symmington

Rating:
Summary: Had to force myself to finish this book
Review: While "Mindhunter" was quite good, this book is a bit harder to stomach because Douglas focuses a bit too much on his "see how good I am" motif. Half the book is a thoughtful, meticulous look into the minds of society's miscreants, while the remaining 50% focuses on the author's acheivements.
Still a good read, though.

Rating:
Summary: Detailed analysis of killer's minds
Review: While some of the information was intriguing and new, I was frankly surprised that Mr. Douglas was able to stop patting himelf on the back long enough to type the manuscript. His ego is enormous, and it is difficult to acknowledge the few original points he makes while he is name-dropping and claiming full credit for assignments that, according to previous reading I have done, were a joint effort. Some parts of the book bog down, become repetitive and just plain boring. I was glad when it was over.