A Journey to the Center of the Mind: Book 1

by James R. Fitzgerald

Jim Fitzgerald recounts his experiences during the 1960s and 1970s in this sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, but always moving portrait of an FBI profiler as a young man. From his first-ever successful investigation at six years old, face-offs with childhood bullies, and encounters with naked-ish neighborhood interlopers; to high school and college antics, lifeguard summers, friends, including a future convicted killer “friend”; from early admiration for and later run-ins with law enforcement to his stint as store detective and ultimately his graduation from the Police Academy, Fitzgerald shares the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty of his early life’s journey.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

440 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Susan Visser · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't the book I was expecting. I picked up the book based on a recommendation from the "Real Crime Profiles" podcast with Jim Clemente. I love the podcast and they've had Fitz as a guest a couple of times. Fitz was also one of the investigators on the Jean-Bonet Ramsey mini series that just aired.

What I was expecting was a break down on the cases that Fitz worked on and how his method of behaviour analysis helped solve the crime. But, that's not what this book is. It's essentially a memoir of Jim's life as a child, teenager, and how he chose his career. There were mentions of the stories I want to read, but they pointed to the not yet published "Book 2" or "Book 3".

Overall it wasn't a bad read, but it could have been summarized / condensed in a big way.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased a copy of this book from Jim Fitzgerald himself when he came to Penn State (We Are!) to deliver a lecture about his career. As a recent graduate, this book was a great insight to post-graduate life: the ups and downs, finding a career, and realizing that everything that happens early in life doesn’t always dictate everything later in life. Mistakes are made, lessons are learned, and life has a funny way of working out. A lighthearted read, this book serves a dual purpose to reflect and inspire.

Although it started out a bit slow, I highly recommend this book to any recent graduate or anyone embarking on a new path in their life.

[Brigette Abbey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was keen to read this after hearing the author speak on one of my favourite podcasts, "Real Crime Profiles." Unfortunately, there are two books in this series addressing his career and this is not the one I was most interested in. It focussed on his early career; however, I wanted to read about specific cases.
Some might like it. I wasn't too impressed.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the background into Fitzgerald’s early life leading to his career in law enforcement. We so often forget that law enforcement are people with real pasts, just like the rest of us. I cannot wait to begin the second book. I am hoping the next volume begins to get into some of the cases Fitz worked.

[Robin L]

I enjoyed the first book but the real excitement is in book 2 and 3. Looking forward to it and glad to have the foundational information to get to know Mr Fitzgerald a little better