Obsession: The FBI's Legendary Profiler Probes the Psyches of Killers, Rapists, Stalkers and Their Victims and Tells How to Fight

by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker

Book Overview

In Obsession, John Douglas once again takes us fascinatingly behind the scenes, focusing his expertise on predatory crimes, primarily against women. With a deep sense of compassion for the victims and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684845601
• ISBN13: 9780684845609
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 378 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

had a personally emotional effect...

I've been a fan of several of Douglas's books, finding them facinating. But I never thought I would relate to one of the stories directly....until i got to "Katie's Story". Destiny Souza was a classmate of mine, and a neighbor. It was emotional to read what happened to her, and the reactions of members of our community I looked up to as a child, because they were involved in my life also. When it happened, being a child, details were given to me pretty vaguely, but reading the story as an adult was a really good expirience for me. As with all his books, i've learned a great deal about how to observe and interact with people and keep myself safe in the process.

Obsession

John Douglas, a renown Behavioral Scientist, details and examines the characteristics and progressionary depravity of individuals that have....well....problems....to put it mildly.Problems be they physiological and/or psychological. You think you're having a bad day? Try tapping into the minds, lives, and motivations of serial rapists.The subject is not the most joyous nor enlightening but it is reality and many of the aspects of behavioral science is interesting. And, this field is relevant because it covers this realistic aspect of our society. There are many things to learn about in the general strategies behavioral scientists' use in "Obsession." Such commonly used terms in the media such as Modus Operandi (MO) and "signature" are defined, and explained, and real life examples are provided. What do signatures tell us? Why do these perpetrators leave them behind? Find out in this well-written and easy-to-read book, that does describe but doesn't not over-whelm you with the the gory details.Behavioral Science is an interesting and solidly scientific field that compiles case histories, research and data, validity, psychological testing, and evidence collection. With the current knowledge John Douglas can often predict with tremendous accuracy several things with a mere profile. He often accurately predicts what year, model, and make of car a particular Unknown Suspect (UnSub) would own and drive. The type of work he would do. The kind of work schedule he keeps. What industry he likely worked in, and what hours he probably kept. He often accurately predicts the UnSub's sexual and criminal history, and the types of relationships the UnSub has with friends and lovers. When the Unknown Subject is eventually identified, apprehended, charged, and convicted, Douglas is regularly proven to be accurate.This book is primary based upon one type of particular crime.However, it is written in an objective and professional manner based upon scientific evidence and expertise, case histories, and technological advancements used in this field. Several criminal case histories are noted from all over the world. Serial criminals often exhibit the same symptoms all over the world, which transcend cultures, ethnicity, and geographical make-up. Check it out.

I Looked for this one year before it was out in print

One year prior to this book being on the shelves I tried to explain to librarians what I meant by the very content of this book. Nobody could find anything or understood what I was talking about. Mr. Douglas you were the answer to it all. When you have lived as someone's obsession it is hard for anyone to relate to. Obsession explained from a professional in criminology what I had been talking about and nobody had a "clue". I own 2 copies of this book in case I lend one out and it does not get back to me. I had so many questions,but who could answer them if they had no idea what you were talking about. "Oh, he just really likes you". No, it's an illness and I felt at least Mr. Douglas understood as he described the dymanics so well. They never give up and Mr. Douglas had the victim profiled as to the extremes they would take to try to protect themselves from these predators. Personally, Mindhunter and Journey into Darkness should be read prior to Obsession so the reader has continuity and fully appreciates how Obsession relates to the other two. Mr. Douglas said, you had better have your stalker profiled because he has a profile on you, to understand how serious an issue this is for the victim. It would help if people who were close to the victim understood the reality also.Mrs. Symmington

Indecent Obsession

Yet another classic expose of the sadistic sociopath written by the man who knows them best - John Douglas. In this book, John meticulously describes 2 types of obsessions - the obsessions of the sociopathic sex criminals who prey on society, and the obsessions which drive law enforcement officials who, very often risk their own safety and sanity in order to capture these monsters and bring about justice.Throughout his quarter century in the FBI, John gained valuable knowledge. He learned how serial offenders "profile" their potential victims to test their vulnerability. He learned what ruses they employ to lure unsuspecting victims away from areas of safety. And as he graphically illustrates in the tragic stories of Jennifer Levin, Katie Souza Hanley, and Stephanie Schmidt, he learned how sometimes we can unfortunately place our trust in the wrong person, a person who is quite literally "a wolf in sheep's clothing."So instead of speaking disparagingly about John, we should realise that we have cause to be grateful to him. He has such great insight into the minds of these human demons, and because of his lecturing and writing, he has undoubtedly saved many lives. We should thank him in any way possible - one day his experience and insight might help save our own life or the life of a loved one. He has given us valuable advice about how to keep ourselves and our children safe. He has showed us how we can turn profiling to our own advantage, how we can use it and our own survival instincts to keep ourselves safe. Undoubtedly this type of knowledge is certainly just as important as the knowledge of how to perform adequate, life saving first aid treatment.

A Very Informative Read

I have read all books by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker. I recommend them not only because they are an interesting read, but because they are on subjects that people need to be more aware of. In "Obsession," a main focus is on the different types of rapists. The authors inform us about how to keep yourself safe and how to defend yourself against them. I think this book needs to be read by any woman who wishes to learn ways to protect herself. The more informed you are, the more of a chance you have. I would recommend this book to anyone as a must read.