Law and Disorder

By: John Douglas, Mark Olshaker

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the New York Times best-selling authors of Mindhunter - former FBI agent John Douglas and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Mark Olshaker - comes an explosive look at how a high-profile murder case can test the limits of even the most seasoned investigator.

For 25 years, John E. Douglas worked for the FBI, where he headed the elite Investigative Support Unit. The real-life model for FBI Agent Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs, he's had a brilliant and terrifying career, getting inside the minds of notorious murderers and serial killers such as Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and David Berkowitz (Son of Sam).

Written with long-time collaborator Mark Olshaker, Law and Disorder is Douglas' most provocative and personal book to date. In it, he addresses every law-enforcement professional's worst nightmare: those cases where, for one reason or another, justice was delayed - or even denied.

Through a series of character-driven case histories - from the earliest trials in Salem, Massachusetts, to the bungled trial of Amanda Knox - Douglas shows what happens when the system breaks down and bias, media coverage, and other influences get in the way of a dispassionate pursuit of the evidence. Here also are Douglas’ personal reflections on his ongoing search for the truth, from painful lessons learned early in his career to his controversial findings in the West Memphis Three and Jon Benet Ramsey investigations.

Brimming with procedural detail, Law and Disorder is an eye-opening insider’s account of the exhilaration and frustration that attend the quest for justice.

©2013 Mindhunters, Inc. (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc

well worth the read!

I really liked this book. Insightful detailed case discussions that leave you a little worried about the state of "justice" and appreciating the people who care enough about it to fight for what is right.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Informative...And a Miscarriage of Justice!!!

First I want to say is, I really enjoyed this audio book. If your looking for a true crime book with several stories. Try this one out. The narrator Joe Barrett gives life to the cases written.There are so many words to describe this audio book, educational, informative, and a Eye Opener. John Douglas Retired F.B.I.agent and profiler, has written a book about several cases and trials told from different points of view. It starts with the trials in Salem, Massachusetts and ends with the Amanda Know trial in Italy.
This book is about how innocent people are put in prison or on death row for mishandling forensics and witnesses. And how some judges will ALLOW CRACK POT testimony! After listening to this book, It honestly scares me that these people are in a position of power. Till the day of today.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Intersting and Informative

I loved this. True cases told by someone who saw ALL the evidence and knew what went on behind the scenes. Changed my opinion on the Ramsey case.

The writer is knowledgeable and lays everything out in an orderly and easy to understand way. Says clearly when he is voicing his opinions, and gives logical reasons why. I would read any other books this writer publishes.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Interesting, intuitive and in all, captivating.

I found this give a good intuitive look on how the law can be misused to someone's own advantage in a legal matter. it also shows us how flawed our human system can be and what effects those critical flaws can give.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Another great one from John Douglas!

Any additional comments?

This is the 3rd book by John Douglas I've read or listened too. Mr. Douglas brings so much heart to his subject of criminal profiling and justice. In this book he focuses on both the prosecution and defense of the convicted, and brings up some very interesting points concerning methods of convicting people based on flawed or outdated "science". This is a great book for anyone interested in law and law enforcement, or the many facets of the debate on the death penalty in America. He also goes into how the media affects investigations and trials. I found it very thought provoking. I only wish Mr. Douglas had narrated it himself as he did for his other audiobooks.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Fascinating Look into the Justice System

If you could sum up Law and Disorder in three words, what would they be?

Thought Provoking Reading

What other book might you compare Law and Disorder to and why?

Anything else written by Douglas and Olshaker. He recaps and updates previously covered materials and delves further into the dark side of humanity.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator did a fine job. His timing and tone worked well with the material and he was easy to follow and understand.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Justice is not blind. People sometimes turn a blind eye to facts and the truth to believe outlandish, illogical, and sensationalized information.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

bookgirl

I really enjoy all John Douglas' books. True crime at it's best. Joe Barrett is an excellent narator.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another Douglas winner

If you are familiar with John Douglas's work, you will certainly enjoy this. A great listen and very interesting case history's in some very famous cases.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Couldn't Stop Listening

A very interesting book that I found impossible to stop listening to. How wrong the court of public opinion gets things wrong

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Can't see the forest for the ego.

I was hoping for an insiders look at forensics with this book. What I got was a love story between Mr. Douglas and himself. One dare not have an opinion contrary to Douglas or you will be quickly belittled and dismissed.

He's at his worst with the Ramsey case. He fawns endlessly over John and Patsy Ramsey, his clients, and wonders why some might question his opinion. In this case all he manages to do is defend his clients by dismissing evidence and ignoring that he can't dismiss. If you agree with him about this case you will have a good listen, if not expect a grating experience.

Overall, eh.

3 of 5 people found this review helpful