Eat Thy Neighbour: A History of Cannibalism

by Daniel Diehl, Mark Donnelly

This study puts cannibalism into its social and historical perspective. Even in an age when almost nothing is sacred, numerous prohibitions surround the subject, and yet a dark fascination with the subject remains. Characters include Sweeny Todd, Jeffrey Dahmer, Armin Meiwes, and much to the pleasure of Boris Johnson the inhabitants of Papua New Guinea. All tastes are catered for in this hugely compelling book that is always vivacious but never salacious.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2012

Reviews

[Mike Bevel]

Man oh man oh MAN was this book terrible.

The gentlemen, at one point, call themselves historians. This is after a chapter on Sweeney Todd, whom they present as an actual historical figure in between sentences that start with, "While there's no proof of this..."

It's not a synthesis of information explaining the phenomenon; it's just luridly written mini-essasys with macabre senses of humor but nothing that feels like research.

There's no need to read this at all.

[Stephen McQuiggan]

From cultural cannibalism in the Caribbean, to case studies of Dahmer and Heidnik, the whole landscape of the last real social taboo is served up for your delectation. Cannibalism has been with us, according to archeological finds, since we first appeared on the planet and, shockingly, seems to be on the rise - especially in the republics of the former Soviet Union. Social and economic collapse? The authors don't posit an explanation, preferring to dive into the harrowing tales of serial killers and the bizarre case of Armin Miewes who found hundreds of volunteers wishing to be eaten simply by going online. Cannibalism bucks the trend of psychological profiling. By their own admission, the authors conclude this book could have been twice as long, but there is still plenty to get your teeth into; truly fascinating.

[Danielle Dankemeyer]

Overly Opininated

I was about to scream with the amount of times the authors pointed out Catholicism and their "cannibalism". Cannabilism is the eating of human flesh... Catholics eat paper wafers and drink cheap wine and believe it is embedded by the holy spirit. They do not eat human flesh and the constant comparism and debasement of a religion who does not ingest actual flesh is extremely annoying. Not was I was looking for. Also was curious if half the information reported within the pages was true, since it lacked proper citations. Not impressed.

[Maddie]

Great book overall, however I highly recommend doing your own research on any cases that pique your interest. I haven’t looked into each one, but with every case that I DID do further research on, I found that some information given this book is straight up incorrect.

[Cian]

I feel it is relatively Insensitive about victims of sick individuals and feels almost like its trying to make a joke about the subject at times.

Just plain weird as well.

[Emico Salum]

Um brilhante trabalho de pesquisa sociológico sobre canibalismo e como os casos são tão mais interessantes q as ficções q inspiraram !!!!