Gosnell

Publisher's Summary

Gosnell is the untold story of America's most prolific serial killer. In 2013, Dr. Kermit Gosnell was convicted of killing four people, including three babies, but is thought to have killed hundreds, perhaps thousands more in a 30-year killing spree. ABC News correspondent Terry Moran described Gosnell as "America's most prolific serial killer". Gosnell is currently serving three life sentences (without the possibility of parole) for murdering babies and patients at his "House of Horrors" abortion clinic.

This book - and now a major movie starring Dean Cain (Lois & Clarke) - reveals how the investigation that brought Gosnell to justice started as a routine drugs investigation and turned into a shocking unmasking of America's biggest serial killer. It details how compliant politicians and bureaucrats allowed Dr. Gosnell to carry out his grisly trade because they didn't want to be accused of "attacking abortion". Gosnell also exposes the media cover-up that saw reporters refusing to cover a story that shone an unwelcome spotlight on abortion in America in the 21st century. Gosnell is an astounding piece of investigative journalism revealing a cover-up among the medical political and media establishments that allowed a killer to go undetected for decades.

©2017 Ann McElhinney, Phelim McAleer (P)2017 Ann McElhinney, Phelim McAleer

Difficult But Important

This book is not for everyone. The authors are very honest about what Kermit Gosnell, and what Gosnell did went far beyond abortion. He murdered and decimated. If you are uncomfortable with Ed Gein’s story, do not read this book, for Gosnell was the same type of hoarder.

This book was finely investigated, so I only deduct one star for these reasons:
* the unnecessary, in my opinion, long chapter lecturing the reader on proper journalistic practices. It’s near the end of the book, so by the time it is reached, I as the reader have the full picture of the bizarre news dodge of this story. I don’t need a mini journalism class to drive it home.
* the occasional use of “pro-abortion” in place of “pro-choice” in general (the only person I have run across who is truly pro-abortion is Dr. Gosnell, for pro- implies enthusiasm, gusto); and, in companion with this, the introduction written by a member of the Duck Dynasty family. This case is so vile, it didn’t need to be politicized at all, in any way. Just tell the reader what Gosnell, his wife, and his staff did. You’ll probably change a lot of minds on abortion. I think these leans of bias make the annoyance of the lesson of the unbiased Fourth Estate stronger. To truly make this point, the book should have carried absolutely no agenda—including no biased language (a no-no in basic journalism) and no biased celebrity endorsement.

I can’t say this enough: this is an important case, and, despite its above flaws, an important book. But I am going to type a phrase below that was in the crime scene report about Ed Gein, and please let it be your litmus test for whether or not you should read this book.

That phrase is: cup of noses

100 of 108 people found this review helpful

Chilling

The information in this book will haunt me for the rest of my life. It is disturbing how someone could get away with this for so long.

18 of 20 people found this review helpful

Best listened to on an empty stomach.

I don't think there has been a word created yet that adequately described the rage this book invokes. I am not a pro-lifer per se, nor am I religious (atheist. in fact)...but you'd have to be made of stone for this book not to affect you.

24 of 28 people found this review helpful

Unbelievable

You will be shocked that this is the first you've heard of this case. It's difficult to stomach the brutality of this book, but you should read it.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Gosnell book a must read!!!

I saw the movie at a sneak peek viewing in South Dakota and was amazed at the quality, content and professionalism of the movie. Truly a must see when it comes out in the spring!!!Purchased the book at the movie viewing and downloaded it as well. The book is powerful, eye opening, intriguing and most of all, disturbing that on so many levels this sick man, so-called "Doctor", was able to continue his killing spree for so many years with out oversight or reporting by so many people and government agencies. The system failed to protect the women seeking abortions, and the babies were treated inhumanly and with no respect. People failed to admit that what was going on at 3801 Lancaster Avenue was not only against many laws but morally repugnant!! Get your hands on this book now! Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer are so talented . Ann tells this gruesome story with the emotion and first hand knowledge of what happened. That makes it even more intriguing. You don't want to stop listening once you start. Read it and tell others to do the same!

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Always download a sample first...lesson learned

I chose this thinking it would be more about the court proceedings versus the repeated graphic details of each abortion. I should have just downloaded a sample because I would have found out that this was too harsh for me personally. At times the narrator’s accent was a distraction for me. Because of the reasons listed above, I stopped listening to this audiobook. As a true crime reader I’ve come to expect the horror, but this one was simply gut wrenching.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Horrible True Crime Novel

This book is very deciving. It looks as though it is going to be a very interesting book about the apauling practices of an abortion doctor. However, instead of focusing on the activity of Gosnell and his trial, it focuses on pushing a political agenda. Now I believe politics very well played a role in this case and it is horrible. However, with the writer being an investigative Journalist, I expected more focus on facts and quoted material. Most of the book consisted of pushing a Pro Life agenda, and the berating of all the individuals involved. There should always be expressed emotion during the accounting of a horrible tragedy that takes the form of a human being taking the lives of others so callously. And the failings of all those people that let him get away with it deserve to be called out. However, she makes it feel too biased and pushy. I stoped near the end of the book where the murder trial is concluded, but it was challenging to get to there, especially getting through the first chapter. The writing was not that great and there was a awkward repetition that did not make it flow. The only thing that kept me with it was that I wanted to know what Gosnell did and what justice was brought to him, and I think most True Crime writers could have done a significantly better job.

As for the reader, she did not do a very good job at presenting the book either. Although I think it is cool that she read it herself.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Nope

There is so much pro life propaganda in this book that it colors everything. Many assumptions are made by the authors. I was able to listen to a few hours of the audiobook but totally lost interest before the book was even half done. Information is repetitive and the delivery was designed to shock. That’s not always a bad thing but in a true crime book I want facts. Not sensationalism. I’d love to read an objective account of what happened. Not thrilled with the narration. It’s ok.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

"America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"

What did you like best about Gosnell? What did you like least?

Interesting detail on "America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

There was no real ending.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The author should have never read this. Too biased, with an agenda to push. Oh and did I mention she says:
"America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"
"America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"
"America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"
"America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"
"America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"
"America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"
"America's Most Prolific Serial Killer"
Over and over and over?

Any additional comments?

Honestly, if the author removed the overly used phrase "America's Most Prolific Serial Killer" this book would be an hour or two shorter. I found myself interested in hearing more about Dr. Gosnell, but really grew to dislike the author's biased, agenda pushing narrative. This book would be far more interesting and powerful if the facts were layout and the listener was allowed to navigate it.

43 of 57 people found this review helpful

From Philadelphia

Great to hear about this story since I am a local. I am kind of upset because the writer seems very pro-life. That is fine with me however I feel that should have been left out. I don't care what people's views are and really disliked hearing about it every few minutes. Over all the story was good. I have not seen the movie.

10 of 13 people found this review helpful

Terrifying Story. Terrifyingly true

So scarey that this whole story is being ignored even hidden. well done audible for having this on your list.

Fascinating and very listenable.

This book, and its narration by co-author Ann McElhinney achieves the impossible - writing dramatic the highly disturbing story of America's worst ever serial killer in such a humane and sympathetic manner that both satisfies and educates the listener.

This is a story of criminal neglect by government that ended in the killing and maiming of vulnerable women and the murder of their newborn children, and how the abortion industry and its apologists sought to cover it all up. It is a story that has everything.

A story that has to be told but be warned this isn't for everyone!

This is such a shocking story that has to be told and acknowledged by more people! BUT and this is a very big but, the graphic content is a very hard listen and I couldn't finish the book because of this. I do acknowledge the subject is very dark, with the criminal neglect making an even darker read, but as someone who has read a lot of true crime novels
this is the first I've ever decided not to finish because of the content.