Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers

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Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers Why They Kill

Katherine Ramsland

Book Code: C8475

ISBN: 0-275-98475-3

ISBN-13: 978-0-275-98475-5

DOI:

192 pages, N/A

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 1/30/2005

List Price: $36.95 (UK Sterling Price: £21.95)

Availability: In Stock

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Crime & Justice » Forensics & Forensic Psychology

Reviews:

[H]ighly recommended for large public and university libraries, given the tremendous interest in the psychology of killers.
—Library Journal April 1, 2005

Endorsement From Gregg McCrary,
former Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Behavioral Science Unit,
and author of The Unknown Darkness: Profiling the Predators among Us: This is not just a comprehensive series of stories about incidents of mass murder, which is compelling enough, but this book also gets to the underlying psychopathology of these cases that other studies have missed.

Description: The idea that a person might suddenly snap and slaughter large numbers of people has become part of our cultural understanding through events such as the Columbine High School massacre and the D.C. Sniper case. But this image of the sudden turn from ordinary citizen, quiet neighbor, or non-descript teenager to mass murderer is generally false. People who go out one day and kill innocent people or supposed enemies have typically thought about it, planned it, and even mentioned it to others before they actually do it--and the act is usually the result of a buildup of stress and frustration. Here, Katherine Ramsland, a seasoned crime writer, examines true stories of mass murder and reveals the complexity behind the development of a mass killer. She provides common signals, based on actual cases, that will help readers identify warning signs and understand the various psychological factors that may lead a person to kill. Since the first recorded U.S. case of mass murder in 1949, massacres have been increasing each decade, with workplace violence taking the lead as the most common form. The psychology of the killers, however, differs from that of spree, serial, or situational murderers. The red flags of a developing mass killer are obvious and predictable, Ramsland argues, and people who learn to recognize them may be able to defuse a potentially violent situation before it occurs. Using details from various cases, the author examines the different kinds of mass murders, from visionary to family to workplace, and the distinct psychological dynamics of the different types of murders. This essential book exposes the inner world of mass murderers and dismantles the stereotypes we hold about them.

Table of Contents:

Dedication
Introduction: Mass Murder and Its Classifications
Howard Unruh: America's First Modern Mass Killer
Buildup to Horror
The Classic Mass Murderer
Mental Illness and the Compulsive Killer
Deadly Children
Family Massacres
Going Postal: The Disgruntled Employee
Visionary Mass Murder: Religion and Politics
Spreading the Damage
Murder on the Side
Stress, Murder, Madness, and Risk Assessment
Sources
Author Bio

LC Card Number: 2004018113

LCC Class: HV6515

Dewey Class: 364

PDF Catalogs:
Praeger Crime Catalog 2008.pdf


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