TIME-LIFE Mysteries of the Criminal Mind: The Secrets Behind the World's Most Notorious Crimes

by LIFE

Is it nature or nurture that shapes a serial killer? What drives a person to become a kidnapper or a terrorist? And can such behaviors be predicted--or even stopped before they occur?

As advances in science unlock the secrets of our DNA and reveal the inner workings of the human brain, Time-Life Books explores the fascinating findings that are shedding new light on the criminal mind. What role does birth order, divorce, media influence, and other societal pressures play in how criminals are formed?

By examining some of the most notorious criminals from history and our modern era--from Al Capone and Charles Manson to Scott Peterson and Dzohkhar Tsarnaev--and their characteristics, the nature of their deeds and the possible formation of their pathologies. Readers will explore the roots of crime, going on the streets to meet the authorities who deal with criminals on a daily basis and have developed unique insights into the criminal mentality.

Packed with infographics, sidebars and lists, this book is a compelling yet easy introduction to the new age of crime and punishment--a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how crimes begin and how we can help end them.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Psychology

600 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2015

About the author

Life was an American magazine published weekly from 1883 to 1972, as an intermittent "special" until 1978, and as a monthly from 1978 until 2000. During its golden age from 1936 to 1972, Life was a wide-ranging weekly general interest magazine known for the quality of its photography.

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I obtained this book as well as its companion volume, Mysteries of the Unknown, among my brother's effects. Unlike that other text, this wasn't so bad, there being evidence that it had been proofread, maybe even fact checked. Also, unlike the supercilious treatment of parapsychology et alia in the Unknown book, criminology is treated with some seriousness herein.

Still, there's no depth here. The articles usually only cover two, photo-strewn pages and they do tend to sensationalism. However, as a bedtime book it served and it might serve as well to introduce a kid to some serious ideas.

[Julia Dolinish · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The description of the book is NOT what the book was about. There was nothing in the book exploring the fascinating findings on what drives murderers. There is nothing about nature vs. nurture. Or anything it is suppose to cover in the book. Despite that....this IS an interesting collection of true crime stories.

[Pamela Simone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rehash

There is nothing in here that is new. It might make a good read for an airplane flight. It is basically a condensing of general information.
I got the impression from the write up that it was more in depth on certain cases.
Glad in only spent $1.99.

[Nightshadequeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the most scientific of books.

[Micha Goebig · Rating 3 out of 5]

It provides an interesting overview, but it's a little sloppily edited in a few places.

[Paola Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This is like a small version of a criminal encyclopedia.
Everything here is well explained and easy to understand from the beginning.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read

This is a great book and I highly recommend it as one that should be read by everyone. Thank you!

[April Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sloppily edited but the content is enough to give anyone nightmares

[Meg Freaney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good if you want a basic overview but not very in depth at all as I wanted. Very basic information and reads like a magazine.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attractive book

This is a flashy volume, well-organized and well-written but mostly covering information I already knew. However, there were a few chapters and stories that I was not familiar with. And the book is worth its price just for the photographs.

I did notice a few things that I knew were untrue or were just wrong. Sometimes it was the number of victims that kept changing from one paragraph to the next, or dates or numbers that didn't add up.

Overall, though, it was a good read. If I had proofread this book, I would have corrected 12 errors.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love true crime books and this one was amazing!
It is similar to that of a school textbook and it is filled to the brim with interesting information regarding various aspects of criminology. It was a very interesting read. I highly reccomend it. If you love true crime, you simply need to read this.

[Helen Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty comprehensive and held my interest. I am one of those true crime fans, and had read quite a bit about most of these people. There were some things that are more speculative than fact and we can never know for sure since those people are long dead. I wold definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the wokings of the criminally insane.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Overview Into Different Types of Crimes

This has a great over view of various crimes throughout history. It doesn't do a deep dive into any, but it does go through why psychologists and other professionals think people commit these crimes.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of information

A brief overview of a large number of famous criminals and crimes, this book would make an interesting bathroom read.

[Abigale Kuamoo · Rating 1 out of 5]

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