No Mercy: The Host of America's Most Wanted Hunts the Worst Criminals of Our Time--In Shattering True Crime Cases

by John Walsh, Phil Lerman, John Walsh, et al.

Book Overview

The host of America's Most Wanted reveals for the first time the inside details of some of the show's most riveting investigations, including the Polly Klaas murder and the manhunt for serial killer... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671019937
• ISBN13: 9780671019938
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

No Mercy:The Host of America's Most Wanted Hunts....

I felt that John Walsh was supberb when co-writing this book. I bought this book in order to get some/more information how the criminal mind works so that I can learn to recognize the evil creatures. I am learning from this book that you cannot recognize him/her. They often hide behind a mask.I am a child advocate and can only admire Mr. Walsh for taking his rage and having the courage to use his unfortunate and traumatic experience to catch scum-bags. His book is easy to read (I can't put the book down once I pick it up). He makes me understand from the beginning to the end how much hard work goes in to finding these rotten-evil-dirt bags. Thank you John Walsh for your endurance in helping us find our children and putting many of these animals where they belong (out of society). My emotions, tears, and heart goes out to these people who have suffered. Buy this book you will not regret it!!!!!!!!

Feeling it for the first time

I've never experienced emotional reactions before when reading true crime novels. Their usually clinical approach to the case or cases, and focusing on the criminal and his crime(s), while downplaying the experience of the victims and their family, usually isn't able to produce much of an emotional response.Then came `No Mercy', John Walsh's book about some of the most notable cases that the Fox show `America's Most Wanted' has helped along. Being a regular viewer of the show, as well as having read Walsh's first novel about his son's murder case, I decided to check out his second go-round. I read about the Polly Klaas kidnapping and murder, the John Emil List family murders, the horrible acts of child-killer Eddie James, the spree killings of Andrew Cunanan, and many more sub-human deeds of evil. As I read each case, I was exposed to the burdens of the crime victims. I felt, to a small degree, the very things that they did. Anger that the persons responsible had performed such heinous and senseless acts. The desperation and uncertainty when they were on the lam. The elation when they were finally captured. It was a real gut-wrenching ride, and at times I got misty over what I was perusing. But in the end, I was glad to have experienced it. Even though my own emotional responses could never come close to what the victims experienced, I had a better understanding of what it's like to be a victim. This was what John Walsh had set out to do when he co-authored `No Mercy', and it worked beyond belief with me. Another unique quality about `No Mercy': it was the first true-crime novel that I've read from cover to cover more than once. The most amazing thing is that the impact of each case has not diminished with repeat viewings. I find each one to be as powerful as it was when I first read it.Also told in the novel is a brief history of `America's Most Wanted'. I read about Walsh's uncertainty toward his hosting the show. Then there was AMW's cancellation and resurrection in 1996, thanks to the letter-writing campaign of state & federal legislators, law enforcement officials, and citizens. As of the book's release, `America's Most Wanted' has been credited with over 500 captures thanks to tips from viewers.Finally, there's also the story of how two AMW cases coincidentally came together at a place called The Green Parrot Café. I wouldn't have believed it if I'd not read it myself. And you'll have to read it for yourself, `cause I don't want to spoil it for you.`Late

One of the best books you will ever read........

John Walsh is truly a hero for our time. I read his book about the abduction of his son Adam and besides crying from start to finish, I could not put it down. In "No Mercy" he comes out fighting and for all of our sakes he continues to do so. This book will haunt you especially the first story. I was so shaken by it that I could not get it out of my mind for days. One cannot believe the kind of sick people that are walking around but lucky for us, John Walsh is right there behind them putting them where they belong -Jail!

Suspenseful, Dramatic, Gripping!

I've never come across a book like this before. It was so well-written I couldn't put it down! Every element that makes a good read is there - suspense, drama, poignant scenes that pull at one's heartstrings and the enormous feelings of triumph and relief you share with the victims and the writer, at the end of the story when the fugitive is caught. No Mercy is a true gem. It documents several real-life crime cases that John Walsh and his team at the America's Most Wanted (AMW) TV programme helped the Police and FBI to solve, thanks to the tips received from the over 14 million TV viewers throughout the United States.The book also tells us the ups-and-downs of the AMW programme, from how/why it was developed right up to the time it was pulled off the air by the Fox Studio, before a huge public outcry and rally pressured Fox Studio into reinstating the programme, about 7 weeks after it went off the air.There're some B & W photographs inserted between the pages of the book - mostly of the victims and the fugitives. An excellent idea because they make the cases seem even more real to the readers.AMW must certainly be one heck-of-a-programme. In my opinion, John Walsh is one of the best models of perseverance and true grit. His crusade and relentless pursuit of justice for the victims and the victims' family are truly admirable deeds. This guy is a hero!Years ago, I read the heart-breaking story of how his young son, Adam was abducted and then murdered. His world was torn apart (his first book, Tears of Rage documents the story). But Walsh fought back by fighting in his own way to ensure that no parent has to go through the same agony he went through when his child was taken away from him. Our local television used to air the programme, Manhunter also hosted by Walsh which is about crime cases solved by AMW. I never miss the show.Buy this book - you won't be dissapointed.