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My Life with Murderers: Behind Bars with the World’s Most Violent Men
Professor David Wilson has spent his professional life working with violent men - especially men who have committed murder. Aged twenty-nine he became, at that time, the UK's youngest ever prison Governor in charge of a jail and his career since then has seen him sat across a table with all sorts of killers: sometimes in a tense interview; sometimes sharing a cup of tea (or something a little stronger); sometimes looking them in the eye to tell them that they are a psychopath.
Some of these men became David's friends; others would still love to kill him.
My Life with Murderers tells the story of David's journey from idealistic prison governor to expert criminologist and professor. With experience unlike any other, David's story is a fascinating and compelling study of human nature
Some of these men became David's friends; others would still love to kill him.
My Life with Murderers tells the story of David's journey from idealistic prison governor to expert criminologist and professor. With experience unlike any other, David's story is a fascinating and compelling study of human nature
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 21, 2019
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About the author
David Wilson
25 books126 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
David Wilson is Professor of Criminology and founding Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University – one of the university’s “research centres of excellence”. He is the co-Editor of the prestigious Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, which is produced five times per year. Prior to taking up his academic appointment in September 1997, David was Senior Policy Advisor to the Prison Reform Trust, and between October 1983-April 1997 he worked as a Prison Governor.
David completed his PhD at Selwyn College Cambridge in 1983, and immediately joined HM Prison Service as Assistant Governor at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. He worked as a Prison Governor at a variety of establishments, including HMYOIs Huntercombe and Finnamore Wood – where at the age of 29 he was the youngest governing Governor in the country – and at HMPs Grendon and Woodhill. At HMP Grendon he ran the sex offender treatment programme, and at HMP Woodhill he designed and managed the two specialist units for the 12 most disruptive prisoners in the penal system. This experience brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the country.
David has advised on live police investigations related to a linked series of murders and has provided training to new Senior Investigating Officers who will take charge of murder inquiries.
His current research interests range from the phenomenon of British serial murder, family annihilation, hitmen and lethal violence within organised crime, to all aspects of prison history and penal reform.
His first work of fiction is The Rules of Restraint.
David Wilson is Professor of Criminology and founding Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University – one of the university’s “research centres of excellence”. He is the co-Editor of the prestigious Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, which is produced five times per year. Prior to taking up his academic appointment in September 1997, David was Senior Policy Advisor to the Prison Reform Trust, and between October 1983-April 1997 he worked as a Prison Governor.
David completed his PhD at Selwyn College Cambridge in 1983, and immediately joined HM Prison Service as Assistant Governor at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. He worked as a Prison Governor at a variety of establishments, including HMYOIs Huntercombe and Finnamore Wood – where at the age of 29 he was the youngest governing Governor in the country – and at HMPs Grendon and Woodhill. At HMP Grendon he ran the sex offender treatment programme, and at HMP Woodhill he designed and managed the two specialist units for the 12 most disruptive prisoners in the penal system. This experience brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the country.
David has advised on live police investigations related to a linked series of murders and has provided training to new Senior Investigating Officers who will take charge of murder inquiries.
His current research interests range from the phenomenon of British serial murder, family annihilation, hitmen and lethal violence within organised crime, to all aspects of prison history and penal reform.
His first work of fiction is The Rules of Restraint.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
July 8, 2019
The first part of the title is correct. This was Professor David Wilson's professional life dealing with murderers. But the second part only partially so since it is also about his life after he left being a prison governor and went into researching murders "in the field" rather than being involved with individual murderers.
Interesting - yes, detailed - very, all the different sorts of murder, eg. domestic, contract etc with their own chapters, well-written - definitely and seeded with famous murders that saturated the media at the time, but..... although it was very comprehensive and research-based, it didn't really tell me any more than any other similar book about murderers. And it wasn't very memorable.
It's an excellent read if you don't read a lot of books on murderers by psychologists, criminologists, forensic investigators or even prisoners (including fake ones). If you, then there are no new insights, or none that I can remember.
Interesting - yes, detailed - very, all the different sorts of murder, eg. domestic, contract etc with their own chapters, well-written - definitely and seeded with famous murders that saturated the media at the time, but..... although it was very comprehensive and research-based, it didn't really tell me any more than any other similar book about murderers. And it wasn't very memorable.
It's an excellent read if you don't read a lot of books on murderers by psychologists, criminologists, forensic investigators or even prisoners (including fake ones). If you, then there are no new insights, or none that I can remember.
May 9, 2021
When I read a book I always have a pen handy to make a small x in the margin if I come across anything especially wonderful or funny, or, if things aren’t going so well, anything ridiculous, absurd, egregious or just gloriously awful. As, increasingly drowsily, I made my way through this memoir of criminology (subtitle could have been : My Effortless But Impressive Career), nothing whatsoever inspired me to make any tiny little x anywhere. Nothing funny, nothing pithy, nothing profound, nothing shocking; and likewise nothing much to complain about either. Every now and then he would wake me to full attention by introducing one of the notorious crimes of modern Britain – Dennis Nilsen, the Dunblane massacre, the Ipswich prostitute murders, the Derek Bird rampage in Cumbria, and then talk about them with such sensible matter of factness and blandness that this book may as well have been a wallpaper catalogue. Gruesome crimes, all in beige. Insights into the criminal mind on every page, none of which you haven’t read fifty times before.
So, instead of this interest-free zone, why not try some great true crime books?
MY TOP TEN
So, instead of this interest-free zone, why not try some great true crime books?
MY TOP TEN
February 16, 2019
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My Life with Murderers is a reflection by renound professor of criminology David Wilson on his time as governor and assistant governor at a number of British prisons and the numerous encounters with murders he has had along the way. However, it’s also more than that, as it follows Wilson’s musings on what it is to be a murderer and the various types of murderers there are, from spree and hitmen to serial and beyond.
It’s clear that Wilson knows his stuff. Without having read any of his previous novels, it’s clear that he has years of experience dealing with various psychopaths and murderers and knows their personalities inside and out. He takes a more scientific approach compared to his American contemporaries too, relying more heavily of the psychology of victims and evidence based practice compared to ‘one off interviews’ and showman ship. It’s a refreshing and more reliable approach to others I’ve read (ie John Douglas, who gets a sound dressing down here).
I liked the mix of murder types described here, and felt the book did a good overall job at addressing various types of murderers and how they came to commit them, with a mixture of individual and social circumstances. In particular, I liked Wilson’s account of a documentary he made interviewing Bert Spencer, the man accused of murdering Carl Bridgewater. During the course of making the documentary, Wilson came to the conclusion that Spencer was a classic psychopath and goes into great depth to explain why he thinks this, and why and how he thinks Bert came to murder Carl. I’m now desperate to watch the documentary to see the final confrontation between the two.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the little titbits into prison life with Charles Manson (I laughed out loud at the, in all honestly, bizarre scenario of Manson threatening to stab the prison guards with his moustache while stark naked and covered in shoe polish) and a ‘Furries’ convention that Wilson inadvertently ended up getting in the mix with. I would have enjoyed some more of these personal insights, as they added some much needed light relief to a heavy topic.
This was a great addition to the true crime genre, and takes a true academic approach to the general audience. A refreshingly British read, and I’ll certainly look to this author for further reading.
My Life with Murderers is a reflection by renound professor of criminology David Wilson on his time as governor and assistant governor at a number of British prisons and the numerous encounters with murders he has had along the way. However, it’s also more than that, as it follows Wilson’s musings on what it is to be a murderer and the various types of murderers there are, from spree and hitmen to serial and beyond.
It’s clear that Wilson knows his stuff. Without having read any of his previous novels, it’s clear that he has years of experience dealing with various psychopaths and murderers and knows their personalities inside and out. He takes a more scientific approach compared to his American contemporaries too, relying more heavily of the psychology of victims and evidence based practice compared to ‘one off interviews’ and showman ship. It’s a refreshing and more reliable approach to others I’ve read (ie John Douglas, who gets a sound dressing down here).
I liked the mix of murder types described here, and felt the book did a good overall job at addressing various types of murderers and how they came to commit them, with a mixture of individual and social circumstances. In particular, I liked Wilson’s account of a documentary he made interviewing Bert Spencer, the man accused of murdering Carl Bridgewater. During the course of making the documentary, Wilson came to the conclusion that Spencer was a classic psychopath and goes into great depth to explain why he thinks this, and why and how he thinks Bert came to murder Carl. I’m now desperate to watch the documentary to see the final confrontation between the two.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the little titbits into prison life with Charles Manson (I laughed out loud at the, in all honestly, bizarre scenario of Manson threatening to stab the prison guards with his moustache while stark naked and covered in shoe polish) and a ‘Furries’ convention that Wilson inadvertently ended up getting in the mix with. I would have enjoyed some more of these personal insights, as they added some much needed light relief to a heavy topic.
This was a great addition to the true crime genre, and takes a true academic approach to the general audience. A refreshingly British read, and I’ll certainly look to this author for further reading.
September 21, 2019
David Wilson has become quite a celebrity in the UK. Those of us who enjoy watching his programmes on cold cases are fascinated by his expertise; by his careful fitting together of all the pieces of evidence available to expose those who are guilty of heinous crimes.
In this memoir, he explains how he came into this kind of work. His years as a prison governor taught him that some murderers can be rehabilitated given the right therapy. The advent of ‘tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime’ following the James Bulger case in the 90s resulted in him leaving the prison service to direct his energies elsewhere. He discusses different types of murderer, including spree murderers, hitmen, and of course serial murderers, looking for similarities in their personalities and their backgrounds to try to make sense of their behaviour. It’s a fascinating journey that has left me with a much better understanding of the ‘causes of crime’. At the end, he provides an invaluable guide to further reading which covers everything from the history of the prison service to psychotherapy.
This is an excellent book, well deserving of 5 stars. I’m going to hear David Wilson speak at the end of March at Glasgow’s Aye Write book festival. I can’t wait! [He was excellent, as expected].
With thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for a review copy.
In this memoir, he explains how he came into this kind of work. His years as a prison governor taught him that some murderers can be rehabilitated given the right therapy. The advent of ‘tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime’ following the James Bulger case in the 90s resulted in him leaving the prison service to direct his energies elsewhere. He discusses different types of murderer, including spree murderers, hitmen, and of course serial murderers, looking for similarities in their personalities and their backgrounds to try to make sense of their behaviour. It’s a fascinating journey that has left me with a much better understanding of the ‘causes of crime’. At the end, he provides an invaluable guide to further reading which covers everything from the history of the prison service to psychotherapy.
This is an excellent book, well deserving of 5 stars. I’m going to hear David Wilson speak at the end of March at Glasgow’s Aye Write book festival. I can’t wait! [He was excellent, as expected].
With thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for a review copy.
September 10, 2020
3.5. An interesting perspective from Professor David Wilson who discusses his life as a prison governor and now as a criminologist. The interesting parts are the discussions of his contact or analysis of famous murders such as Dunblane, the Cumbria killings and Nilsen the serial killer. The chapter on hitman was a bit simplistic and surprise surprise the motivation was money. His typology of novice, dilettante, journeyman and Master was odd. I came away with the knowledge to check your back on the doorstep.
The psychopath chapter was nothing insightful or revealing. The explanation of why he left the prison service because of a visit to Albanian prisons and the shock they were more humane and better was revealing. The discussion on how the Bulger killing was hijacked by politicians not surprising. The comparison with a similar killing in Norway was handled eye opening. The public saw it as an aberration and one off while English politicians used Bulger to further their get tough agendas.
The last chapter covering the murder of a paperboy and how Bert Spencer managed to evade justice os an indictment of the police incompetence. The Interview with a Murderer tv show will be interesting to watch. I am sure the police will not reopen the case.
Overall an interesting book. What stood out for me was the contrast with UK and US police interrogation techniques. One investigatory and the other accusatory. I liked the PEACE mnemonic for investigatory procedures:
Preparation and planning
Engage and explain
Account
Closure
Evaluation
The 9 stage Reid technique sounds like a course in brainwashing.
Direct, positive confrontation
Theme development
Handling denials
Overcoming objections
Procurement and retention of suspects attention
Handling the suspects passive mood
Presenting an alternative question
Having the suspect orally relate various details of the offence
Converting an oral confession into a written confession.
No prizes for who does which technique and why the US has so many miscarriages of justice.
The psychopath chapter was nothing insightful or revealing. The explanation of why he left the prison service because of a visit to Albanian prisons and the shock they were more humane and better was revealing. The discussion on how the Bulger killing was hijacked by politicians not surprising. The comparison with a similar killing in Norway was handled eye opening. The public saw it as an aberration and one off while English politicians used Bulger to further their get tough agendas.
The last chapter covering the murder of a paperboy and how Bert Spencer managed to evade justice os an indictment of the police incompetence. The Interview with a Murderer tv show will be interesting to watch. I am sure the police will not reopen the case.
Overall an interesting book. What stood out for me was the contrast with UK and US police interrogation techniques. One investigatory and the other accusatory. I liked the PEACE mnemonic for investigatory procedures:
Preparation and planning
Engage and explain
Account
Closure
Evaluation
The 9 stage Reid technique sounds like a course in brainwashing.
Direct, positive confrontation
Theme development
Handling denials
Overcoming objections
Procurement and retention of suspects attention
Handling the suspects passive mood
Presenting an alternative question
Having the suspect orally relate various details of the offence
Converting an oral confession into a written confession.
No prizes for who does which technique and why the US has so many miscarriages of justice.
August 18, 2021
Disappointing and not what I was expecting.
The career of David Wilson has been fascinating enough to have made this book quite extraordinary, but sadly it is written in a monotonous and boring way and although I did finish it, I’ve read books about the British prison/judicial system which are far more interesting.
The career of David Wilson has been fascinating enough to have made this book quite extraordinary, but sadly it is written in a monotonous and boring way and although I did finish it, I’ve read books about the British prison/judicial system which are far more interesting.
January 18, 2021
I was fortunate enough to see the author at an event in Bloody Scotland in 2019. Having found his talk extremely intriguing as well as spellbinding, I could have happily sat there all day and listened to him talking, I bought a copy of this book after the event where he was signing copies.
Ashamedly it has taken me sometime to get to it. It has been sat on my bedside table waiting patiently to be read but am glad to say that I have now read it and it was every bit as interesting as I had hoped for and more.
I’m sure I am not on my own in having a fascination when it comes to serial killers and murderers. With so many crime books, shows, films, they make for compelling screen and reading time. For me I suppose it’s the whys. Why would someone murder someone or multiple people? Is it events from their own childhood that has shaped them into who they are today or can you really just be born evil? What goes on in that persons mind?
The author’s professional experiences, lets us get a step closer into meeting these people and finding out. Through David’s own thoughts and the conversations he has with these people, it in some ways opened my eyes and was fascinating learning about techniques they use in trying to uncover the truth. His conversation and dealings with some of the more well known killers, was especially interesting.
My Life With Murderers is a must read for any crime fans, more so for ones who enjoy true crimes and non fiction. There is something more chilling when you are reading about real murderers rather than fictional characters. Professor David Wilson is someone who I urge if you ever get the opportunity to, to go experience one of his talks in person. You won’t be sorry. It certainly had me hotfooting it to get one of his books to find out more and I was every bit as fascinated about the work he does as well as the people who have committed the crimes.
Ashamedly it has taken me sometime to get to it. It has been sat on my bedside table waiting patiently to be read but am glad to say that I have now read it and it was every bit as interesting as I had hoped for and more.
I’m sure I am not on my own in having a fascination when it comes to serial killers and murderers. With so many crime books, shows, films, they make for compelling screen and reading time. For me I suppose it’s the whys. Why would someone murder someone or multiple people? Is it events from their own childhood that has shaped them into who they are today or can you really just be born evil? What goes on in that persons mind?
The author’s professional experiences, lets us get a step closer into meeting these people and finding out. Through David’s own thoughts and the conversations he has with these people, it in some ways opened my eyes and was fascinating learning about techniques they use in trying to uncover the truth. His conversation and dealings with some of the more well known killers, was especially interesting.
My Life With Murderers is a must read for any crime fans, more so for ones who enjoy true crimes and non fiction. There is something more chilling when you are reading about real murderers rather than fictional characters. Professor David Wilson is someone who I urge if you ever get the opportunity to, to go experience one of his talks in person. You won’t be sorry. It certainly had me hotfooting it to get one of his books to find out more and I was every bit as fascinated about the work he does as well as the people who have committed the crimes.
September 19, 2019
Very interesting though I felt like the book made David Wilson's life seem very easy and it constantly hinted on his success.
October 31, 2020
4.25 Stars — This is exactly what you think it is, and I — For One — Am extremely grateful for that, because David Wilson is perhaps the true Prof of all things murder and crime so hearing his personal journey through the murky depths of psychopathic Rabbit Warrens is one I strapped in for whole-heartedly.
Wilson writes well, smooth simple prose that aids in eliminating any pretension whatsoever and yet carries a rather nuanced but striking knowledge base that’s undoubtedly dripping with murderous intrigue.
Wilson takes the reader on a ride through the penal system in the UK, the psychological bounds of many criminal misfits & finally to the deep-end of the horrible human swimming pool.
A great read, from a man whom has not only a great wealth of experience, but an even greater philosophy on reform.
Wilson writes well, smooth simple prose that aids in eliminating any pretension whatsoever and yet carries a rather nuanced but striking knowledge base that’s undoubtedly dripping with murderous intrigue.
Wilson takes the reader on a ride through the penal system in the UK, the psychological bounds of many criminal misfits & finally to the deep-end of the horrible human swimming pool.
A great read, from a man whom has not only a great wealth of experience, but an even greater philosophy on reform.
April 23, 2022
This was a very informative and interesting read.
I have watched David Wilson give interviews on a wide array of cases in the past, I've watched his documentaries and read some of his books.
But it was nice to find out a bit more about his journey and how he became a criminologist.
This book does a good job of covering both the cases he has covered and going into depth about different types of killers while also documenting his life and how he got to be one of the UK's leading criminologists.
This book was very insightful and provided lots of informative on murderers, killers and psychopaths all while being easy to read and understand.
If you are a true crime fan, I highly recommend this book- it's a fascinating read.
I have watched David Wilson give interviews on a wide array of cases in the past, I've watched his documentaries and read some of his books.
But it was nice to find out a bit more about his journey and how he became a criminologist.
This book does a good job of covering both the cases he has covered and going into depth about different types of killers while also documenting his life and how he got to be one of the UK's leading criminologists.
This book was very insightful and provided lots of informative on murderers, killers and psychopaths all while being easy to read and understand.
If you are a true crime fan, I highly recommend this book- it's a fascinating read.
May 24, 2022
Nic godnego uwagi.
November 20, 2020
One of those books I could just couldn’t put down. I have watched several documentaries featuring the author as an expert commentator, so I knew I would enjoy his writing as he discusses his career working with some of Britains most notorious offenders, from Dennis Neilson through to Charles Bronson. Many other killers and crimes are discussed, including some not widely reported - or at least not for some time.
The author examines the psychology of crime as well as what a crime scene can tell the investigators about the suspect. The writing doesn’t lose itself in technical terms, nor is it overly science based, so it’s an ideal read for those with an interest in crime. I’m hoping the author writes a follow up to this with even more stories from his fascinating career.
The author examines the psychology of crime as well as what a crime scene can tell the investigators about the suspect. The writing doesn’t lose itself in technical terms, nor is it overly science based, so it’s an ideal read for those with an interest in crime. I’m hoping the author writes a follow up to this with even more stories from his fascinating career.
October 8, 2025
CAWPILE 7.00
4 STARS
Non-Fiction pick for October 2025.
I've seen Dr. Wilson on some TV shows and documentaries talking about true crime and his experiences with criminals and I find him fascinating. He's very engaging and very charismatic and I wondered about his writing....I'm a reader, I love books so of course I had to check one of his books out.
I found this very compelling and his passion and knowledge leaps off the page- having seen the worst of humanity he is shockingly positive and optimistic which really took me aback.
This is the first book by Dr. Wilson that I have read but it won't be the last- fascinating.
4 STARS
Non-Fiction pick for October 2025.
I've seen Dr. Wilson on some TV shows and documentaries talking about true crime and his experiences with criminals and I find him fascinating. He's very engaging and very charismatic and I wondered about his writing....I'm a reader, I love books so of course I had to check one of his books out.
I found this very compelling and his passion and knowledge leaps off the page- having seen the worst of humanity he is shockingly positive and optimistic which really took me aback.
This is the first book by Dr. Wilson that I have read but it won't be the last- fascinating.
May 4, 2021
This would've been an interesting book if not written in such a monotone, uninspired tone. While the subject of the book is not easy to talk about, with high raise of interest in true crime you would think it's not that hard to make the subject also interesting. The author makes all topics absolutely bland and considering I listened to the audiobook version of this, which author narrated himself - it was utterly disappointing to find this release only a halfway manageable listen. Author also dives into some subjects that I feel are not related to the book title at all (like his appearances on TV shows; seems bit shallow) or discussion about what qualifies as psychopathy. To sum it up: the book is quite a snooze, title is misleading and you don't learn anything you can't learn from more skilled and less self-absorbed writers.
November 28, 2021
2.5*
Początek szedł mi bardzo topornie, ponieważ autor skupia się na opisywaniu miejsc, w których pracował, czy programów resocjalizacji w Wielkiej Brytanii. Dopiero w połowie dostałam to, na co czekałam. W książce nie znajdziecie szczegółowych opisów spraw, a bardziej psychologiczny portret morderców.
PS Autor ma chyba coś do Amerykanów. W większości swojej książki ich krytykuje.
Początek szedł mi bardzo topornie, ponieważ autor skupia się na opisywaniu miejsc, w których pracował, czy programów resocjalizacji w Wielkiej Brytanii. Dopiero w połowie dostałam to, na co czekałam. W książce nie znajdziecie szczegółowych opisów spraw, a bardziej psychologiczny portret morderców.
PS Autor ma chyba coś do Amerykanów. W większości swojej książki ich krytykuje.
July 21, 2020
Grandiose rambling. One to avoid. I didn’t finish it which is rare and perhaps indicative of how dull and self important the book is
October 5, 2019
This book is incredibly insightful intro he life of David Wilson and his exposure to the criminal men of Britain. We’re introduced into the world of prison life and what needs to be done. I hold the same views as Professor David Wilson in the rehabilitation of men, that that is extremely important.
The book is a bit biographical as well as full of investigation insights and a close up view, via pages of course, at criminals behind bars... and out - in the case of Bert Spencer.
Thoroughly enjoyable and knowledgeable, especially if you thinking of going going down the criminology route as am I. But it’s all great for learning things that you’ve not heard of before. Or a more better insight into things; such as psychopathy.
Great, chilling read. Will fill you with new-found knowledge.
The book is a bit biographical as well as full of investigation insights and a close up view, via pages of course, at criminals behind bars... and out - in the case of Bert Spencer.
Thoroughly enjoyable and knowledgeable, especially if you thinking of going going down the criminology route as am I. But it’s all great for learning things that you’ve not heard of before. Or a more better insight into things; such as psychopathy.
Great, chilling read. Will fill you with new-found knowledge.
March 25, 2023
This is an interesting and insightful account of Wilson's life working in various prisons before moving into the academic world looking at the psychology of the men he once kept behind bars. It is really intriguing to see how some of these men behave with Wilson in comparison to their reputations and how the approach of the prison service has and has not changed over the years in response to the increasing amount of information regarding punishment and rehabilitation. I liked the fact that Wilson focused on his own experiences, even with those headliner criminals where it would've been so easy to slip into the same views and discussions that dominate the tabloids.
February 23, 2021
At times quite fascinating and I enjoyed the references to well known murderers and cases. Well structured so that the book didn’t lose focus. I think I would have preferred if more of the book was written in the style of an interview.
June 11, 2020
It’s a good book from a person who refreshingly, does not sees things as binary or black and white. Worth the effort.
March 17, 2021
An interesting and very detailed book about the work of David Wilson and his interest and studies of murderers.
August 7, 2023
A fascinating read - it sounds like the author has led a very interesting life!
November 21, 2019
Fascinating. I love David Wilson’s books.
December 19, 2020
I know I'm not the only one who spends their time watching YouTube videos about serial killers. This book is the ideal companion to that pastime.
The title and the blurb suggests that it is about discussions with serial killers, but it isn't really, apart from a few passing mentions and short summaries. Rather this book looks at broader aspects of prison life, murder cases, criminology, criminal psychology and justice reforms. Very interesting.
The title and the blurb suggests that it is about discussions with serial killers, but it isn't really, apart from a few passing mentions and short summaries. Rather this book looks at broader aspects of prison life, murder cases, criminology, criminal psychology and justice reforms. Very interesting.
April 30, 2022
Really interesting. An extra bit of reading for my Open University course.
March 13, 2022
Bardzo dobra książka, choć czytałam ją ponad miesiąc, jest warta uwagi. Uważam że jeśli ktoś interesuje się tematami morderców, psychologii jak i więzienia, to na pewno coś z tej książki wyniesie.
January 24, 2021
Some of the reviews for this aren’t that great, but I personally found it fascinating. I think he went out of his way to make it non-glorious and factual and I think that’s what some people seem to have disliked. I personally thought it was insightful and well-written.
December 3, 2021
Jeżeli oczekujecie książki opartej na faktach, która wciągnie Was od pierwszych stron, to pozycją ze zdjęcia możecie być zawiedzeni. I nawet jeśli jesteście cierpliwymi czytelnikami, to nie jestem pewna, czy “Mordercy” finalnie przypadną Wam do gustu.
Z pewnością po lekturze tej książki miałam mieszane odczucia, jako, że spodziewałam się zupełnie czegoś innego. Tymczasem “Mordercy” to opowieść o życiu człowieka, który został jednym z najmłodszych dyrektorów więzienia - Wilsonowi udało się tego dokonać w wieku zaledwie dwudziestu dziewięciu lat. Dość długi wstęp do właściwych historii to właśnie opis kariery Wilsona - to moim zdaniem był raczej zbędny fragment historii.
Lubię drastyczne opisy, fragmenty o wywalonych wnętrznościach mnie nie odrzucają, cieszę się jednak, że ta książka została tego pozbawiona. Pomimo różnych paragrafów, za które wspomniani w książce przestępcy byli skazywani, to dokładne opisywanie ich “osiągnięć” na przestępczej ścieżce byłoby niecelowe. Całe szczęście więc, że Autor ograniczył się do ogólnego zarysowania historii poszczególnych morderców.
Jednocześnie Autor opisał cały proceder w sposób… nie będę kłamać, w moim odczuciu po prostu nudny. Niejednokrotnie podczas lektury czułam się, jakbym czytała połączenie podręcznika do kryminologii i raportu na temat stanu więziennictwa w Wielkiej Brytanii. Gdyby ktoś kiedyś zdecydował się na napisanie pracy naukowej dotyczącej właśnie systemu penitencjarnego na Wyspach, to wydaje się, że “Mordercy” mogliby trafić do bibliografii jako pozycja semi-naukowa. Nie jestem przekonana, czy jest to jednak tytuł na tyle interesujący dla czytelnika, który chce po prostu poczytać reportaże o mordercach.
Z pewnością po lekturze tej książki miałam mieszane odczucia, jako, że spodziewałam się zupełnie czegoś innego. Tymczasem “Mordercy” to opowieść o życiu człowieka, który został jednym z najmłodszych dyrektorów więzienia - Wilsonowi udało się tego dokonać w wieku zaledwie dwudziestu dziewięciu lat. Dość długi wstęp do właściwych historii to właśnie opis kariery Wilsona - to moim zdaniem był raczej zbędny fragment historii.
Lubię drastyczne opisy, fragmenty o wywalonych wnętrznościach mnie nie odrzucają, cieszę się jednak, że ta książka została tego pozbawiona. Pomimo różnych paragrafów, za które wspomniani w książce przestępcy byli skazywani, to dokładne opisywanie ich “osiągnięć” na przestępczej ścieżce byłoby niecelowe. Całe szczęście więc, że Autor ograniczył się do ogólnego zarysowania historii poszczególnych morderców.
Jednocześnie Autor opisał cały proceder w sposób… nie będę kłamać, w moim odczuciu po prostu nudny. Niejednokrotnie podczas lektury czułam się, jakbym czytała połączenie podręcznika do kryminologii i raportu na temat stanu więziennictwa w Wielkiej Brytanii. Gdyby ktoś kiedyś zdecydował się na napisanie pracy naukowej dotyczącej właśnie systemu penitencjarnego na Wyspach, to wydaje się, że “Mordercy” mogliby trafić do bibliografii jako pozycja semi-naukowa. Nie jestem przekonana, czy jest to jednak tytuł na tyle interesujący dla czytelnika, który chce po prostu poczytać reportaże o mordercach.
May 21, 2022
David Wilson, criminologist, has spent his career working with, interviewing and studying some of the UKs most prolific murderers. In his book, he reveals some of the key moments in his career.
I received this book as part of my last A Box of Stories book delivery and was quite excited by it. I was looking forward to reading all about the interviews with the murderers and learning about the psychology of why they committed these acts. Unfortunately, this wasn't what I got.
Wilson uses this book to talk about his career and why he eventually quit as a prison governor.
Some of the sections were interesting. His description of the rehab techniques some of the prisons use was intriguing. And his comparison of US and UK interview techniques was unsurprising but interesting anyway.
The best section was toward the end when he discussed the making of the documentary 'Interview with a Murderer'. He spends some time discussing the murder of a teenage paper boy with the convicted Murderer Bert Spencer, who was suspected of killing the boy.
Overall, the writing wasn't great (quite monotonous and dull, a bit like a textbook) and the subject was alright, just not that gripping. If you like criminology and would like to learn more about David Wilsons career this book might be for you.
I received this book as part of my last A Box of Stories book delivery and was quite excited by it. I was looking forward to reading all about the interviews with the murderers and learning about the psychology of why they committed these acts. Unfortunately, this wasn't what I got.
Wilson uses this book to talk about his career and why he eventually quit as a prison governor.
Some of the sections were interesting. His description of the rehab techniques some of the prisons use was intriguing. And his comparison of US and UK interview techniques was unsurprising but interesting anyway.
The best section was toward the end when he discussed the making of the documentary 'Interview with a Murderer'. He spends some time discussing the murder of a teenage paper boy with the convicted Murderer Bert Spencer, who was suspected of killing the boy.
Overall, the writing wasn't great (quite monotonous and dull, a bit like a textbook) and the subject was alright, just not that gripping. If you like criminology and would like to learn more about David Wilsons career this book might be for you.
February 16, 2019
This is an entertaining mix of memoir, social history and juicy tidbits about Wilson meeting criminals and getting them to open up over a cuppa..
Wilson is an academic and has worked in several prisons including Wormwood Scrubs and open prison Grendon.
On this book he covers themes including offender profiling, what makes hitmen tick and what makes a psychopath.
He intersperses stories of notorious cases - from Denis Nilsen to the murder of James Bulger - to illustrate his themes which include the social nature of crime, and how the murderer is a product of society.
It’s fascinating stuff: my only criticism would be that it’s not the most linear narrative. Sometimes I felt like I was taking a meandering trip through Wilson’s thought processes!
But - as he says himself - the screw turned academic is something of a rare beast, and makes this a book worth reading.
Wilson is an academic and has worked in several prisons including Wormwood Scrubs and open prison Grendon.
On this book he covers themes including offender profiling, what makes hitmen tick and what makes a psychopath.
He intersperses stories of notorious cases - from Denis Nilsen to the murder of James Bulger - to illustrate his themes which include the social nature of crime, and how the murderer is a product of society.
It’s fascinating stuff: my only criticism would be that it’s not the most linear narrative. Sometimes I felt like I was taking a meandering trip through Wilson’s thought processes!
But - as he says himself - the screw turned academic is something of a rare beast, and makes this a book worth reading.
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