Cannibal

by Lois Jones and Nancy Jooyoun Kim

Book Overview

German native Armin Meiwes placed this ad in an internet chatroom catering to cannibals. He received 430 responses. Among them was Bernd Juergen Brandes, who arrived at Meiwes's isolated country home... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425200663
• ISBN13: 9780425200667
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great read!

So I originally bought this book because I am obsessed with learning the detailed backgrounds of murders and gruesome crimes. What really got me was the the author and the way she constructed this entire book. The details are gruesome (I'm super queasy with any anatomy) but I couldn't put the book down. I kept it with me in my backpack and read it in between classes and breaks from work! Even after my harsh work week schedule since I started this read, I read it within 4 business days. I have to admit this is my FAVORITE true crime book I've read!!

Great book

I bought this book for the simple reason that it's rare I find a true crime book about a crime I'd never heard of. This book was engrossing, I couldn't put it down, carried it in my purse everywhere I went until I finished it. I have to say the writing is what made the book. I was simultaneously disgusted and intrigued. Above all else, the author actually makes it possible to understand where these men are coming from. While it may be impossible to sympathize, I was amazed to find myself satisfied at the end with the sentance that was handed down.

WOW!

Disturbing! So much so I had to have someone from my work read it so I could talk about the issues of the story and how well it was written. My husband would not touch the book. From there several of my co-workers have had to read it also to see what the deal is with this book!

Disturbing

As a veteran of many true crime books, this may be the most disturbing one that I have read. While the body count of Armin Meiwes stands at one, the nature of his crime is shocking. The existance of cannibals is nothing new to society. The fact that the victim volunteered for purposes of personal pleasure puts cannibalism into a new perpective. The crime of Armin Meiwes would not have been possible without the internet and the wide range of sites and chatrooms for cannibals. While many on these sites are posturing, Meiwes was serious as was the man that volunteered to be his victim. Growing up in the village that was home to the Brothers Grimm may have factored into desires that took root in Meiwes early in his life. He began practicing on dolls until the overwhelming desire led him to a real act. German law could not convict Meiwes of any crime worse than manslaughter. Because the victim was voluntary, the worst possible penalty could not be distributed. In a seemingly more absurd circumstance, Germany has no law against cannibalism. With quick chapters and quick pace, this book was tough to put down. Lois Jones proves to be a quality writer in this first offering. Having read so many true crime books, this is easily one of the most disturing. If you have a strong stomach as many scenes are quite graphic, I would highly recommend this book.

A "Must Read"

This book was creepy, yes; but a more accurate discription would be "disturbing". To think that all of this actually happened is almost unbelievable. I didn't even realize, for one thing, there are cannibalism websites, as mentioned in the book, that people actually post that they want to be eaten. It is an upsetting story that is not for the squeamish. It was strange enough, in fact, that I threw it in a dumpster immediately after I read it, because I didn't want it in my house where my young teenage boys might get ahold of it. I am buying another copy because after telling my mother-in-law about it, she wants to read the book.

great book

This boook is by far the most detailed book on a cannibal that I have read so far. There were times when I had got a bit grossed out and it takes a lot to gross me out. I liked how the book talked about his childhood but didn't talk to much about it like other books on cannibals and serial killer I have read. I like how the author doesn't try to make him sound like something he's not she just gives you the facts. I can't believe that someone would want to become dinner. This book will change the way you look at meat with comments like " Berns's sexual organ looked like a stick of salami". This was the first book written by this author and I have to give her props for writing such a good book.