Obsession

The FBI's Legendary Profiler Probes the Psyches of Killers, Rapists, and Stalkers

By: John E. Douglas, Mark Olshaker

Narrated by: Danny Campbell

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 an uncanny understanding of the perpetrators, Douglas looks at the obsessions that lead to rape, stalking, and sexual murder through such cases as Ronnie Shelton, the serial rapist who terrorized Cleveland; and New York's notorious "Preppie Murder".

But Douglas also looks at obsession on the other side of the moral spectrum: his own career-long obsession with hunting these predators. Douglas shows us how we can all fight back and protect ourselves, our families, and loved ones against the scourge of the violent predators in our midst.

The first step is insight and understanding, and no one is better qualified to penetrate Obsession than John Douglas. 

©1998 Mindhunters, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2019 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sexist & Self-inflated

I have tremendous respect for the work that John Douglas, Robert Ressler, John Mulaney, Dr. Anne Burgess, and others did to form protocols for criminal profiling, but Douglas' message of early detection/early interevention is often obfuscated by his overwhelming need to engage in constant self-congratulation. Furthermore, I don't appreciate the way that he seems to find it necessary to evaluate women based on their looks & men based on their abilities.... or the not-so-subtle tendency to engage in victim blaming....or his vilification of the ENTIRE world of mental health professionals....while at the same time suggesting that victim adovacy work is *women's work* while policing is *men's work* ....and then, don't get me started on the disservice he does to male victims by reinforcing the idea that WOMEN are the only victims of sexual assault-- though at one point he does say , "and *certain* men".... I think the book could be a lot better if a new edition were published with a younger, feminist woman as co-author. Olshaker & Douglas need help challenging some of the -isms embedded in their work. I am available, if they would like to hit me up.

John Douglas

I really disliked the narration and would suggest sampling it before buying or using your audible credits.

I’m not an avid true crime reader but I liked “Killer Across the Table” and since “Obsession” was mentioned in that book I thought I would give this one a shot. I gave “Mindhunter” a shot as well but if you have read one of John Douglas’ books you have read them all to be entirely honest, and reading multiple is redundant. I thought it was kind of interesting to hear BTK’s profile before he was actually apprehended but I suggest just reading “Killer Across the Table” since it’s most up-to-date and calling it good.

WARNING!!! Why am I reading /listening to

I have every audible book authored by John E Douglas. This is the second review where I'm literally asking the same questions and left unfulfilled and let down.

Why?! ....because here again , he is writing about the same ol cases he writes about in aEVERY OTHER BOOK he has written.Edward Kemper, David Berkowitz, Atlanta child murders, and 1/4 of the way through during his monologue (because he always uses the first quarter of ever book he writes , to talk about him being the reason the FBI birthed the criminal profiler unit ), he even states " just as I explained in my prior books ..."so he even admits there is nothing new here , sorry folks.

I'm so confused as to how this so called profiler seems to only have a hand full of cases to talk about. These cases have been told ,retold and told some more, as if no other cases are interesting enough to retell.

I’m frustrated because this was my complaint with his last book and that was a retelling of the other cases he wrote in his prior books.
Same cases, same crimes, so boring and I feel cheated.

Excellent for true crime fanatics.

This is a truly riveting book for those who cannot get enough of true crime. Great storytelling and leads right into MindHunter.

Not bad but not best

Liked his others better, but this wasn't terrible.
Had slow moments but all in all I would recommend

good insights

I always much information and thought provoking insights from Agent Douglas... I agree with his proposals on victims rights...

Excellent

Danny Campbell is the best narrator and John Douglas has written another excellent book here.

Been Waiting awhile for this one Unabridged

Love JD. This book slides in right behind BTK and Mindhunter as his 3rd best, so worth credits /cost, and narration is superb.

What's different about this one is Douglas' vulnerability about profiles on serial offenders that were not yet caught: BTK ( called search and destroy in the book), and The GRK.
Some profile points were correct, some not, and some ,that given hindsight , could have led investigators down the wrong path.

True Crime fans will love this, but don't be scared if you're just starting to dip your toe. you can never go wrong with s John Douglas book.

Amazing

I loved that this book not only discussed cases, but that it also spoke in great depth about victim advocacy, therapy and legal reform. Very insightful book!

Behind the FBI profiles

Good read. Gets into the minds of sickos.
Some of the crimes actually occurred nearby my current residence. Scary.