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Bestial: The Savage Trail of a True American Monster
FROM SOCIAL OUTCAST TO NECROPHILE AND MURDERER -- HIS APPALLING CRIMES STUNNED AN ERA.
San Francisco, the 1920s. In an age when nightmares were relegated to the fiction of Edgar Allan Poe and distant tales of the Whitechapel murders, a real-life monster terrorized America. His acts of butchery have proved him one of history's fiercest madmen.
As an infant, Earle Leonard Nelson possessed the power to unsettle his elders. As a child he was unnaturally obsessed with the Bible; before he reached puberty, he had an insatiable, aberrant sex drive. By his teens, even Earle's own family had reason to fear him. But no one in the bone-chilling winter of 1926 could have predicted that his degeneracy would erupt in a sixteen-month frenzy of savage rape, barbaric murder, and unimaginable defilement -- deeds that would become the hallmarks of one of the most notorious fiends of the twentieth century, whose blood-lust would not be equaled until the likes of Henry Lee Lucas, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer.
Drawing on the "gruesome, awesome, compelling reporting" (Ann Rule) that is his trademark, Harold Schechter takes a dark journey into the mind of an unrepentant sadist -- and brilliantly lays bare the myth of innocence that shrouded a bygone era.
San Francisco, the 1920s. In an age when nightmares were relegated to the fiction of Edgar Allan Poe and distant tales of the Whitechapel murders, a real-life monster terrorized America. His acts of butchery have proved him one of history's fiercest madmen.
As an infant, Earle Leonard Nelson possessed the power to unsettle his elders. As a child he was unnaturally obsessed with the Bible; before he reached puberty, he had an insatiable, aberrant sex drive. By his teens, even Earle's own family had reason to fear him. But no one in the bone-chilling winter of 1926 could have predicted that his degeneracy would erupt in a sixteen-month frenzy of savage rape, barbaric murder, and unimaginable defilement -- deeds that would become the hallmarks of one of the most notorious fiends of the twentieth century, whose blood-lust would not be equaled until the likes of Henry Lee Lucas, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer.
Drawing on the "gruesome, awesome, compelling reporting" (Ann Rule) that is his trademark, Harold Schechter takes a dark journey into the mind of an unrepentant sadist -- and brilliantly lays bare the myth of innocence that shrouded a bygone era.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
284 people are currently reading
2758 people want to read
About the author
Harold Schechter
84 books1,399 followersAka Jon A. Harrald (joint pseudonym with Jonna Gormley Semeiks)
Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.
Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.
Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.
Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.
Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.
Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 13, 2012
Harold Schechter is quite a writer. His research is awe-inspiring and the way he can turn a tale told by an outside narrator while cuing the reader as to the times of the era that he's writing about is truly a gift. He spends very little time on the setting up the scene and this makes the read more enjoyable while moving the story along. He can transform the view of the reader from the current times to a time most know very little about. Schechter makes the reader think about not just the serial killer, but about the people that the killer took away. You learn about the person who was killed in just a few introductory words and through the hurt of the deceased person's family. It was a brilliant read and I look forward to reading the next in the series of Schechter books!
October 6, 2019
I have to say I am a bit surprised by all the glowing reviews for this! I found it such a slog to get through! Schechter goes into great detail about everything, great from a research point of view, but his writing becomes painfully repetitive. Most of the book is made up of accounts of numerous murders, all of which were almost identical, so you need to plough through chapter after chapter of basically the same crime scene being described over and over again.
I also found it pretty offensive how Schechter constantly described middle-aged women as "elderly" or "crones" - 50 years old is not elderly! There is also a passage where a 14 year old girl is described as "looking like a woman" - this kind of description of child victims needs to get the hell out of True Crime.
The trial makes up a very small portion of this book and again, is written with such a dull, drawn out hand that by the time you get there you just want it all to be over.
Like I say, each to their own, but the glowing reviews here are baffling to me!
I also found it pretty offensive how Schechter constantly described middle-aged women as "elderly" or "crones" - 50 years old is not elderly! There is also a passage where a 14 year old girl is described as "looking like a woman" - this kind of description of child victims needs to get the hell out of True Crime.
The trial makes up a very small portion of this book and again, is written with such a dull, drawn out hand that by the time you get there you just want it all to be over.
Like I say, each to their own, but the glowing reviews here are baffling to me!
September 4, 2012
I really enjoyed Harold Schechter's writing style. The John Douglas books are just packed with facts and insights which no one seems to be able to equal and on the other end of the spectrum is Truman Capote's In Cold Blood which reads like a novel and could be the best True Crime book ever. Schechter is a very good mix of the two. Considering, first, the time period it happened. It was long ago and being able to get together the facts and make it interesting for the reader is a gift. Secondly, Nelson covered a lot of ground, from San Fran to Philly, Buffalo and up to the Great White North. That's a lot of newspapers, police reports and traveling to pull it all together. It certainly makes me want to read more of his books.
One other thing I'd like to point out is that on the Amazon page for this book it compares this book to Ann Rules' books. The subject matter is similar but her books put me to sleep. Bestial is much better written.
One other thing I'd like to point out is that on the Amazon page for this book it compares this book to Ann Rules' books. The subject matter is similar but her books put me to sleep. Bestial is much better written.
August 31, 2019
At first I wanted to read BESTIAL: The Savage Trail Of a True American Monster, by Harold Schechter, because the summary said the serial murders occurred in San Francisco in 1926 (I didn’t know that was just the beginning!) and I’d never heard of these cases before. Schechter has written quite a few true crime books. This book was first published in 1998.
Schechter researched deeply to assemble the movements of Earle Leonard Nelson, a serial killer who claimed victims across the United States and into Canada. Although he was only convicted of two murders, his believed total is at least twenty-two over a sixteen month period.
Moving from place to place, Nelson preyed on landladies with rooms to rent. What he did to them was horrific.
One topic covered here is the question of just how insane was this man? He’d had a bad head injury in his early years (usually a bad sign). He’d been institutionalized in mental hospitals, which he was very good at escaping from. He walked around in tattered clothes and disappeared for days or even months. He used fake names. He most likely murdered almost two dozen people, yet he was the most personable, intelligent, loquacious man when inquiring about a room for rent.
The topic of the death penalty comes up as well. Earle Nelson was hung at the penitentiary where he was being held in Canada. Nine days later a woman and a man were executed by electric chair in the USA. This caused a lot of consternation in the newspapers of the day.
I was surprised to find out that four of the murders occurred in Portland, Oregon, where I currently reside. None of the Portland history books I’ve read have ever mentioned this. Guess I haven’t read the right books!
I highly recommend BESTIAL for true crime fans.
Schechter researched deeply to assemble the movements of Earle Leonard Nelson, a serial killer who claimed victims across the United States and into Canada. Although he was only convicted of two murders, his believed total is at least twenty-two over a sixteen month period.
Moving from place to place, Nelson preyed on landladies with rooms to rent. What he did to them was horrific.
One topic covered here is the question of just how insane was this man? He’d had a bad head injury in his early years (usually a bad sign). He’d been institutionalized in mental hospitals, which he was very good at escaping from. He walked around in tattered clothes and disappeared for days or even months. He used fake names. He most likely murdered almost two dozen people, yet he was the most personable, intelligent, loquacious man when inquiring about a room for rent.
Q: “Now then, Mrs. Fuller, doesn’t it just come down to this: he was jealous, and he was eccentric?”
A: “He was what?”
Q: “Eccentric—odd.”
A: “He was absolutely insane.”
From the cross-examination of Mary Fuller, his wife
The topic of the death penalty comes up as well. Earle Nelson was hung at the penitentiary where he was being held in Canada. Nine days later a woman and a man were executed by electric chair in the USA. This caused a lot of consternation in the newspapers of the day.
I was surprised to find out that four of the murders occurred in Portland, Oregon, where I currently reside. None of the Portland history books I’ve read have ever mentioned this. Guess I haven’t read the right books!
I highly recommend BESTIAL for true crime fans.
May 16, 2013
A serial killer in the 20s who killed a lot of women, mostly landladies. It's beautifully researched but sadly not that interesting because he's no Ted Bundy; he's more in the retarded / head injury / bipolar mode. Why did he kill? Who the hell knows. His MO was to go to houses displaying a "room to let" sign, strangle the landlady as she showed him the room, then rape her, and shove the body into a closet or under the bed. He started in San Francisco and San Jose (which was interesting for me because the addresses of the houses are given and of course I had to look them up on Google street view), then he worked his way across the country and up into Canada. Finally he was caught in Winnipeg and hanged.
Schechter describes each murder as it occurs but after a while they're actually boring - the showing of the room, the murder, the discovery. He does a good job of describing what else is going on in the world, like Lucky Lindy's flight, which is kind of cool. It gets interesting once the Canadians realize they're got a killer in their midst and people start chasing him. Anyway, this one is going in the get rid of bag.
Schechter describes each murder as it occurs but after a while they're actually boring - the showing of the room, the murder, the discovery. He does a good job of describing what else is going on in the world, like Lucky Lindy's flight, which is kind of cool. It gets interesting once the Canadians realize they're got a killer in their midst and people start chasing him. Anyway, this one is going in the get rid of bag.
June 18, 2018
Disappointing Read
The blurb for this book was fascinating, compelling me to lay down 12 dollars, which is very rare for me. I have read Schechter, which was another reason for my purchase and disappointment. Unfortunately, this book reads like a series of newspaper articles, and as such gets quite repetitive- even through 22 murders. Earle Nelson would be a fascinating character to explore, but he is not explored in this book. We are presented with a shallow presentation of facts that becomes, mindboggling so, boring. Sad to say, I cannot recommend it.
The blurb for this book was fascinating, compelling me to lay down 12 dollars, which is very rare for me. I have read Schechter, which was another reason for my purchase and disappointment. Unfortunately, this book reads like a series of newspaper articles, and as such gets quite repetitive- even through 22 murders. Earle Nelson would be a fascinating character to explore, but he is not explored in this book. We are presented with a shallow presentation of facts that becomes, mindboggling so, boring. Sad to say, I cannot recommend it.
November 7, 2009
On Friday, May 25, 2007 I wrote about this book:
Finished reading this book last night. As always Mister Schechter makes this period alive for you. He kept me interested from page 1 till the last.
I have read a lot of books by this author now. Only one was very disappointing, (Fatal) but all the others, like Deranged, Deviant Depraved were great.
Now I need to get my hands on Fiend.
Finished reading this book last night. As always Mister Schechter makes this period alive for you. He kept me interested from page 1 till the last.
I have read a lot of books by this author now. Only one was very disappointing, (Fatal) but all the others, like Deranged, Deviant Depraved were great.
Now I need to get my hands on Fiend.
May 14, 2022
4.5 stars
For a riveting true crime tale, one can always count on Schechter. I was surprised to find that part of this book takes place in my current city, so a lot of the landmarks mentioned were familiar to me. Though I know of a documentary that was shot about the "Gorilla Man" here, it's a bit strange that he's rarely spoken of, since these murders and his capture was a huge deal at the time.
The author paints a detailed picture of a complicated man. At times assumed to be dull and of little intelligence, and at others noted for his eccentricity and intense strangeness, Earle Nelson managed to avoid law enforcement in several states and radically change his appearance with a quick stop to a pawn shop and a barber. But in Winnipeg, which has always been a small town masquerading as a city, he didn't go unnoticed for long. Coming here was his undoing.
My one quibble with this book was how Schechter describes women. Nelson married someone older than him, and the author makes it seem like this is even more abhorrent than his crimes, and makes the poor wife sound like a doddering grandmother. If a woman married an older man, would Schechter have made such a big deal out of it? I'm guessing not.
For a riveting true crime tale, one can always count on Schechter. I was surprised to find that part of this book takes place in my current city, so a lot of the landmarks mentioned were familiar to me. Though I know of a documentary that was shot about the "Gorilla Man" here, it's a bit strange that he's rarely spoken of, since these murders and his capture was a huge deal at the time.
The author paints a detailed picture of a complicated man. At times assumed to be dull and of little intelligence, and at others noted for his eccentricity and intense strangeness, Earle Nelson managed to avoid law enforcement in several states and radically change his appearance with a quick stop to a pawn shop and a barber. But in Winnipeg, which has always been a small town masquerading as a city, he didn't go unnoticed for long. Coming here was his undoing.
My one quibble with this book was how Schechter describes women. Nelson married someone older than him, and the author makes it seem like this is even more abhorrent than his crimes, and makes the poor wife sound like a doddering grandmother. If a woman married an older man, would Schechter have made such a big deal out of it? I'm guessing not.
July 11, 2018
Creepy unsettling look at one of the first American serial killers. Interesting background on how the different police forces started to share info
July 11, 2023
A compulsively readable account of 1920's serial murderer Earle Leonard Nelson, a genuine nut case and sociopath who killed more than twenty women and one 9 year old child during a 16-month spree that took him all across the United States and on into Canada where he was finally caught and hanged.
Schecter very ably depicts the era and the people involved, no mean feat 100 years after the fact. he always keeps the story moving and I enjoyed the book--despite the horror of Nelson's crimes--very much. Highly recommended for true crime buffs.
Schecter very ably depicts the era and the people involved, no mean feat 100 years after the fact. he always keeps the story moving and I enjoyed the book--despite the horror of Nelson's crimes--very much. Highly recommended for true crime buffs.
March 18, 2008
I love how Schechter ties historical events into his stories. You can learn about history while enjoying a fascinating true crime tale.
May 12, 2017
Creepy. He's like the Ted Bundy of 1926...
May 18, 2017
Three stars only because I'm a weirdo and really wanted it to be more graphic. Interesting read though.
July 24, 2018
Good Read!
As one who seems to gravitate towards stories about serial killers, this story was well written and kept me interested.
As one who seems to gravitate towards stories about serial killers, this story was well written and kept me interested.
September 30, 2023
Bestial: The Savage Trail of a True American Monster / B00383YJFI
I am a very big fan of Harold Schechter's historical true crime books. While the questionable covers and book subtitles seem sometimes a little over-the-top, the actual contents of the books are top-notch in my opinion. Schechter writes in a very engaging style that is accessible to the audience, and handles the facts of the case in a chronological order as an easy-to-follow narrative. He is careful to cite his sources as he goes and is very clear when we encounter gaps in the record where we don't know what happened. Any speculation on his part is marked plainly and we are walked through the logical steps. I appreciate that in a crime author, as too many authors are willing to blur fact and fiction.
This book covers the life and death of serial killer Earle Leonard Nelson (sometimes known as Ferral instead of Nelson) and styled in the press as "The Gorilla Man" and "The Dark Strangler". Nelson is believed to have murdered at least 22 people and to have perhaps attacked twice that number, and holds the dubious honor of "third most prolific serial killer in American history." Most modern readers have never heard of him, and I certainly hadn't, so this was a very interesting and engaging read. (Wikipedia tells me he was a source of inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's 1943 film "Shadow of a Doubt". Who knew? Not me.)
I never quite know how to trigger warn on books that are about serial killers, because obviously the material in here is going to be pretty grim, but I should note that Nelson's crimes included sexual assault and he also killed a few children who crossed his path, so be aware of that if you have associated triggers. I will say that one of the reasons I like Schechter so much as an author is because he handles delicate topics with care and isn't irreverent or flippant or jokey about the victims. He gives them grace and dignity, which I appreciate.
Another aspect I like about this book is seeing the historical context of detective work. I hadn't realized that fingerprinting crime scenes was something already doable in the 1920s; for some reason, I had thought that came later in the timeline. It's interesting to see how serial killing of Nelson's sort was only possible once cars became widespread; he had to stay mobile and move from town to town in order to keep from being caught. The witness statements are surprising in their detail (people used to pay more attention to clothes back in the day, or police were better trained to elicit detail from memory??) and the police are... well, some of them are good, and some of them kept insisting that women were committing suicide and stuffing their own dead bodies into trunks. So, you know, a mixed bag of competency. I did find it interesting that Nelson might not have been caught if he hadn't fled to Canada: he didn't know the words and mannerisms to keep from being identified as an American, so he wasn't able to blend in the way he'd done in America.
If you like historical true crime at all, I really recommend this book as a fascinating deep-dive into a strange man who really did seem to be some sort of real life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
~ Ana Mardoll
I am a very big fan of Harold Schechter's historical true crime books. While the questionable covers and book subtitles seem sometimes a little over-the-top, the actual contents of the books are top-notch in my opinion. Schechter writes in a very engaging style that is accessible to the audience, and handles the facts of the case in a chronological order as an easy-to-follow narrative. He is careful to cite his sources as he goes and is very clear when we encounter gaps in the record where we don't know what happened. Any speculation on his part is marked plainly and we are walked through the logical steps. I appreciate that in a crime author, as too many authors are willing to blur fact and fiction.
This book covers the life and death of serial killer Earle Leonard Nelson (sometimes known as Ferral instead of Nelson) and styled in the press as "The Gorilla Man" and "The Dark Strangler". Nelson is believed to have murdered at least 22 people and to have perhaps attacked twice that number, and holds the dubious honor of "third most prolific serial killer in American history." Most modern readers have never heard of him, and I certainly hadn't, so this was a very interesting and engaging read. (Wikipedia tells me he was a source of inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's 1943 film "Shadow of a Doubt". Who knew? Not me.)
I never quite know how to trigger warn on books that are about serial killers, because obviously the material in here is going to be pretty grim, but I should note that Nelson's crimes included sexual assault and he also killed a few children who crossed his path, so be aware of that if you have associated triggers. I will say that one of the reasons I like Schechter so much as an author is because he handles delicate topics with care and isn't irreverent or flippant or jokey about the victims. He gives them grace and dignity, which I appreciate.
Another aspect I like about this book is seeing the historical context of detective work. I hadn't realized that fingerprinting crime scenes was something already doable in the 1920s; for some reason, I had thought that came later in the timeline. It's interesting to see how serial killing of Nelson's sort was only possible once cars became widespread; he had to stay mobile and move from town to town in order to keep from being caught. The witness statements are surprising in their detail (people used to pay more attention to clothes back in the day, or police were better trained to elicit detail from memory??) and the police are... well, some of them are good, and some of them kept insisting that women were committing suicide and stuffing their own dead bodies into trunks. So, you know, a mixed bag of competency. I did find it interesting that Nelson might not have been caught if he hadn't fled to Canada: he didn't know the words and mannerisms to keep from being identified as an American, so he wasn't able to blend in the way he'd done in America.
If you like historical true crime at all, I really recommend this book as a fascinating deep-dive into a strange man who really did seem to be some sort of real life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
~ Ana Mardoll
February 9, 2020
This harrowing mid 90’s book about a killing spree across America and Canada in the 1920’s is a fascinating account of an event that I think is surprisingly not as well known as I think it should be.
Unlike the glamorous and more notorious names like Dahmer, Wayne Gacy, Manson and the UK’s own Jack the Ripper, the relatively more unknown story of Earle Nelson, ‘The Gorilla Man’ nee ‘The Dark Strangler’ has got to be up there for guts, gore and sheer audacity alone. He went on a rampage across North America, racking up an incredible 22 victims across almost two years, preying upon unsuspecting landladies, whilst posing as a prospective boarder and brutally attacking and raping them, leaving them for dead with a childish and disturbed nonchalance that is truly chilling to read about.
BESTIAL is painstakingly researched and is in respectful and trusted hands in Harold Schechter, who carefully highlights the many problems and issues with the case and specifically contemplates (rightly so) the lacking in mental health awareness and care of the perpetrator throughout his early life and his eventual treatment and demise, post arrest. The author is certainly ahead of his time when we look back upon the case from these more lucid and learned times when it comes to the subject of mental health and having a greater understanding about the psyche of those who commit terrible acts.
The crimes were a victim of the time they were unfortunately committed though. The mid 1920s were a time of innovation and the killer had at his fingertips new methods of avoiding capture that the authorities were clearly unprepared for. In all cases and incidents Nelson committed, they would not have happened in the present day, in this age of technology, social media and crime fighting resources and techniques.
I say this but there is a glaring disparity between how the authorities in both the US and its neighbour to the north both reacted, pursued and dealt with the assailant. Eventually apprehended in Canada by a dogged, determined and incredibly well organised force, the American boys in blue decidedly lack competence and seem to be constantly chasing ghosts. It’s quite stark and frankly embarrassing.
All in all, it’s a great read for all you true crime readers and fans of everything dark and macabre. It’s violent and horrific in all the right places. Earle is an interesting and disturbing character study. Pious and contradictory, devilish and captivating. As is the behaviour and actions of all of those he comes into contact with.
It’s a sad and unfortunate tale, but one that should be learned from.
Unlike the glamorous and more notorious names like Dahmer, Wayne Gacy, Manson and the UK’s own Jack the Ripper, the relatively more unknown story of Earle Nelson, ‘The Gorilla Man’ nee ‘The Dark Strangler’ has got to be up there for guts, gore and sheer audacity alone. He went on a rampage across North America, racking up an incredible 22 victims across almost two years, preying upon unsuspecting landladies, whilst posing as a prospective boarder and brutally attacking and raping them, leaving them for dead with a childish and disturbed nonchalance that is truly chilling to read about.
BESTIAL is painstakingly researched and is in respectful and trusted hands in Harold Schechter, who carefully highlights the many problems and issues with the case and specifically contemplates (rightly so) the lacking in mental health awareness and care of the perpetrator throughout his early life and his eventual treatment and demise, post arrest. The author is certainly ahead of his time when we look back upon the case from these more lucid and learned times when it comes to the subject of mental health and having a greater understanding about the psyche of those who commit terrible acts.
The crimes were a victim of the time they were unfortunately committed though. The mid 1920s were a time of innovation and the killer had at his fingertips new methods of avoiding capture that the authorities were clearly unprepared for. In all cases and incidents Nelson committed, they would not have happened in the present day, in this age of technology, social media and crime fighting resources and techniques.
I say this but there is a glaring disparity between how the authorities in both the US and its neighbour to the north both reacted, pursued and dealt with the assailant. Eventually apprehended in Canada by a dogged, determined and incredibly well organised force, the American boys in blue decidedly lack competence and seem to be constantly chasing ghosts. It’s quite stark and frankly embarrassing.
All in all, it’s a great read for all you true crime readers and fans of everything dark and macabre. It’s violent and horrific in all the right places. Earle is an interesting and disturbing character study. Pious and contradictory, devilish and captivating. As is the behaviour and actions of all of those he comes into contact with.
It’s a sad and unfortunate tale, but one that should be learned from.
December 14, 2020
Despite my interest in True Crime this was a series of crimes that I had never heard of before. This does surprise me as there is such a litany of atrocities committed that you would have thought it would be a far more publicised case - especially when you compare it to the rumours of what H H Holmes did in Chicago which have far less proof.
The research was undoubtedly thorough and is well documented in the book so should you wish to fact check the author it is easy to do. I always appreciate a full Bibliography and Mr Shechter is always meticulous in logging even the smallest source. Unfortunately there is just something about his writing style that overrides the information being given and takes centre stage instead of the story that does put me off when reading. There are also a lot of personal conclusions drawn and voiced rather than just a retelling of the actual histrocial events and it is for this reason alone I have given it 3 Stars.
What is undoubtedly interesting is the background of Nelson and the steady escalation of his assaults which eventually morph in to rape and finally murder. I was surprised how Nelson seemed to have an innate sense that he needed to keep moving from state to state and even crossing Country borders to keep consistantly ahead of the police. He also had no real type, he had a method he employed but each crime seemed to have been one of opportunity and the age ranges of his victims would baffle law enforcement today. Perceived wisdom being that a murderer always has a type and Nelson certainly didn't.
If you can get past the author's voice this is a very interesting read for anyone interested in True Crime.
This review has been a long time coming. I actually read this book between the 8th and 13th August so my memory is a bit foggy about all the plot lines. Fortunately, I have a notebook where I jot some initial thoughts on the book and an overall ranking so between the book blurb and that I did have a reasonable handle on what I thought at the time of reading.
The research was undoubtedly thorough and is well documented in the book so should you wish to fact check the author it is easy to do. I always appreciate a full Bibliography and Mr Shechter is always meticulous in logging even the smallest source. Unfortunately there is just something about his writing style that overrides the information being given and takes centre stage instead of the story that does put me off when reading. There are also a lot of personal conclusions drawn and voiced rather than just a retelling of the actual histrocial events and it is for this reason alone I have given it 3 Stars.
What is undoubtedly interesting is the background of Nelson and the steady escalation of his assaults which eventually morph in to rape and finally murder. I was surprised how Nelson seemed to have an innate sense that he needed to keep moving from state to state and even crossing Country borders to keep consistantly ahead of the police. He also had no real type, he had a method he employed but each crime seemed to have been one of opportunity and the age ranges of his victims would baffle law enforcement today. Perceived wisdom being that a murderer always has a type and Nelson certainly didn't.
If you can get past the author's voice this is a very interesting read for anyone interested in True Crime.
This review has been a long time coming. I actually read this book between the 8th and 13th August so my memory is a bit foggy about all the plot lines. Fortunately, I have a notebook where I jot some initial thoughts on the book and an overall ranking so between the book blurb and that I did have a reasonable handle on what I thought at the time of reading.
April 2, 2018
The writing was engaging. Still throughout the book the author would repeat facts so that it seemed to me that he was being paid by the word. It was distracting and more than a few times I wanted to stop reading. Why did I keep reading? I thought the author would pleasantly surprise me with a good wrap up. I wasn't pleasantly surprised. Reading this book immerses you in the mindset of people in the 1920s. That can be a good thing I suppose but for me I was looking for a commentary or contrast that told the readers the difference between how "insane" judgements would be handled today. To me this book was lazy in researching mental illness and killers and explaining how back in the 20s how mental illness was viewed and treated compared to how it is treated now as far as this serial killer. I also was disappointed in the lack of understanding through the eyes of the killer that was presented here. It could be because this happened so long ago that no one thoroughly interviewed him. I am trying to be magnanimous here because I think this author is a pretty good writer yet he's written so many books about violent killers I would have thought he'd include more than just the manipulation of the written facts like some research into these killers and additions about the work that criminal psychologists and crime prevention workers woven into the stories. It's frustrating to read the killers history with his family and schools and work etc. but not have any wrap up included.
Basically this is violent crime 101 for titillation. It took me longer to finish than it should have and was utterly forgettable.
Basically this is violent crime 101 for titillation. It took me longer to finish than it should have and was utterly forgettable.
November 26, 2024
An interesting, thought provoking and dark non fiction read.
Interesting: that as early as the 1920’s criminal behavior was considered “serial” but that term/phrase dint come into play until almost 50 years later.
Thought provoking: in the sense that so many different doctors diagnosed at the time that Earle was “ok” to rejoin society when it’s clear, he was beyond disturbed. Was it lack of medical knowledge?
Terms of psychosis and psychopath vs. schizophrenic claim to be his diagnosis, and on more than one occasion.
Earle Leonard Nelson was without a doubt a most disturbing, deviant and depraved individual.
1920’s seemed a time where serial rapists and murderers were rare and unusual outside of the elusive H.H. Holmes, opening the door so to speak, on deviant behavior.
Earle Leonard Nelson was a doomed soul from birth, to parents died from syphilis-a disease that if left untreated has devastating effects; could genetics have played a huge part in Earle’s behavior?
Ewing raised by a dominant religious woman who turned the other cheek on Earle’s odd mannerisms instead of discipline might have helped him at having a better chance at a somewhat normal childhood.
Interesting reading for sure.
Interesting: that as early as the 1920’s criminal behavior was considered “serial” but that term/phrase dint come into play until almost 50 years later.
Thought provoking: in the sense that so many different doctors diagnosed at the time that Earle was “ok” to rejoin society when it’s clear, he was beyond disturbed. Was it lack of medical knowledge?
Terms of psychosis and psychopath vs. schizophrenic claim to be his diagnosis, and on more than one occasion.
Earle Leonard Nelson was without a doubt a most disturbing, deviant and depraved individual.
1920’s seemed a time where serial rapists and murderers were rare and unusual outside of the elusive H.H. Holmes, opening the door so to speak, on deviant behavior.
Earle Leonard Nelson was a doomed soul from birth, to parents died from syphilis-a disease that if left untreated has devastating effects; could genetics have played a huge part in Earle’s behavior?
Ewing raised by a dominant religious woman who turned the other cheek on Earle’s odd mannerisms instead of discipline might have helped him at having a better chance at a somewhat normal childhood.
Interesting reading for sure.
April 7, 2021
I spotted this book while browsing for another true crime title on Goodreads and had never heard of the 'Gorilla man' killings of the 1920's. The subject is a case of fact being more gruesome than any fiction with an almost unbelievable number of horrific 'spree' murders committed at a time when the police had little in the way of forensics or communication between forces. The culprit was able to employ the same 'MO' in different towns and states and the parochial nature of media and law enforcement mean that the crimes weren't linked until it was too late. The book is very well researched and written. Very descriptive of the homes of the victims and providing useful background on their lives. An interesting work for anyone who enjoys true crime and also anyone with an interest in the culture of 1920's USA.
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June 26, 2023Riveting Book about the life and crimes of Earle Leonard Nelson
Fascinating book by Harold Schechter about the case of Earle Leonard Nelson aka The Dark Strangler aka The Gorilla Man. Fascinating book about a serial killer apprehended in 1927, after carving a trail of destruction in North America and leaving a trail of murdered landladies behind him. I love all of the serial killers from long ago that Mr. Schechter writes fascinating books about and Bestial was one of the best books that he has ever written. It covers Nelson's life since his birth and it also tells the story of the twenty plus women that he murdered and the lucky few that survived his attacks. This book is wonderful and I very highly recommend it to anyone interested in true crime, serial killers and/or history.
Fascinating book by Harold Schechter about the case of Earle Leonard Nelson aka The Dark Strangler aka The Gorilla Man. Fascinating book about a serial killer apprehended in 1927, after carving a trail of destruction in North America and leaving a trail of murdered landladies behind him. I love all of the serial killers from long ago that Mr. Schechter writes fascinating books about and Bestial was one of the best books that he has ever written. It covers Nelson's life since his birth and it also tells the story of the twenty plus women that he murdered and the lucky few that survived his attacks. This book is wonderful and I very highly recommend it to anyone interested in true crime, serial killers and/or history.
August 4, 2023
Interesting
While it is not the best book I have read, it was certainly engaging and well written. The author did some fantastic research on an early serial murderer from 100 years ago that was a truly troubled man. Was it congenital syphilis, bad genetics, childhood neglect or all of the above? He roamed from San Francisco, Portland, OR and Seattle to Kansas, Pennsylvania and parts of western Canada leaving dead women in his wake. And he was a bit kinky in his postmortem habits. They couldn't catch him as he continually moved on. Without much to go on except fingerprints and witness statements, the crime solving community had their hands full with this one. Some might find this book too long and detailed. I did not.
While it is not the best book I have read, it was certainly engaging and well written. The author did some fantastic research on an early serial murderer from 100 years ago that was a truly troubled man. Was it congenital syphilis, bad genetics, childhood neglect or all of the above? He roamed from San Francisco, Portland, OR and Seattle to Kansas, Pennsylvania and parts of western Canada leaving dead women in his wake. And he was a bit kinky in his postmortem habits. They couldn't catch him as he continually moved on. Without much to go on except fingerprints and witness statements, the crime solving community had their hands full with this one. Some might find this book too long and detailed. I did not.
March 28, 2019
An excellent account of the life of the first serial killer in America/Canada. The research is so well done. The books lays out the killers early life and how he got started. Shows you how he met his victims and background of their lives, then how he managed to escape justice for a couple of years. It shows how basic the police systems were then and how just by moving away a bit someone could continue killing so long. He killed over 20 people, before being finally caught and tried. All of this is recounted in the book. If you like real life crimes you will enjoy this. Also if you appreciate good research ih history ditto as this is set in the 1920s. Scary but good book.
November 25, 2019
This book was a good read but the detail was overkill. Earle Nelson was a serial killer fifty years before the term was in use. In an era when high tech was radio, telephone and telegraph Nelson was able to kill with impunity. Yet the author dwells too much in detail of each crime. Are the names of every police officer who worked on the case relevant? The best part of the book was Nelson’s relationships with his aunt and wife; who loved him in spite of his terrible crimes. A chilling tale of a mass murderer.
July 17, 2022
The third similar title I've read from this author and once again it reads like a penny dreadful. Not as good as the Ed Gein book, but certainly fast-moving and packed with graphic detail. The repetitive stories of the murders put across well the true banality of evil. You get a good sense of 1920s life and culture here even if Schechter does go off on a tangent regularly to pad out his work. Some pretty bad errors and typos along the way (along the lines of "his pupils were a pale blue") but highly readable all the same.
September 24, 2018
A pretty straightforward and engaging narrative of Earle Leonard Nelson, whom I hadn't heard of before picking this book up. Like any good true crime nonfiction book, this one does a good job of characterizing the murderer as well. Not that he's in any way innocent, but it's interesting to see how he was raised and how he views his own crimes.
July 3, 2025
It took me a long time to finish this book. The print was small, and the book seemed to move slowly. The killer, Earl Leonard Nelson's MO starting in 1926, was killing women who ran boarding houses. It started out interesting, but after a while each case started to sound the same. I've read other Schecter books that were very good. I think this one is probably my least favorite.
September 20, 2025
Boring slog of a read. By the last quarter, I was skimming and jumping pages in an attempt to just end it. It is way too long and goes into all kinds of random extraneous details and news stories from the time that are completely unrelated to the story. I had previously read another book by this author about Ed Gein which I rated highly. This one was a disappointment. Do not recommend.
July 30, 2017
Really good read
This isn't a trashy rehash. It is a very well researched true crime book. The book is readable and really flows. It's a great weekend read, and an interesting insight into the 1920s in the U.S. and Canada.
This isn't a trashy rehash. It is a very well researched true crime book. The book is readable and really flows. It's a great weekend read, and an interesting insight into the 1920s in the U.S. and Canada.
September 30, 2020
Interesting book about a necrophiliac I hadn't heard of before. I always wonder how true the information I'm getting is when I see small mistakes like calling Richard Ramirez 'Richard 'The Night Stalker' Rodriguez'.
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