Compulsion to Kill

by Laura Foreman (Series Editor)

Slight shelf and edge wear. Pages are clean and binding is tight.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1993

About the author

Laura Foreman (June 11, 1943 – June 4, 2020) was an American journalist and author, and the first female political writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer. She was the first reporter who lost their job due to an affair, also effectively ending her journalism career.
Noting the harsh punishment in the case, critics saw a double standard, with different consequences for men and women. Her former colleague Lee Winfrey cited her attractiveness and success as a cause of resentment from male colleagues.

After the investigation, Foreman changed paths, and began work as a writer and editor at Time-Life Books. At the height of the position, she managed 20 people and freelanced for Discovery Publishing, authoring many books on subjects of True Crime, history, archaeology, biography, and more.

Reviews

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good book--way better than I thought it would be. Even though I've been an avid reader of true crime since childhood, I'd never heard of Andrei Chikatilo, and the book went into each story it covered in fairly good detail.

Well written and researched, though at times it relies on the killers' word too much for its "facts."

[teleri · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In the twisted minds of men who murder, again and again, life, sex, pain and death are fashioned into a terrible compulsion to kill. Otherwise rather, ordinary men, serial killers turn to violence and death in search of power over others and to explore their own monstrous sexual identity. That is was their killing is really all about, although it takes many different forms."

The first page promised a lot of good things but by the second and third page, I had a bad feeling. The two pages had a grainy grey picture printed underneath the black writing. It was very had to make out the words, and this happened once again later on in the book. It was frustrating.

I found the first three chapters interesting, and I applaud this book for naming the victims of the killers so that they are not forgotten, but the last chapter let the book down for me. I was bored and often thought about giving up the book. It was an overall nice read, though, a lot of detail and very interesting.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit I skimmed through this one, as well as two others on serial killers. I can read on serial killers, and horror, and even watch the documentaries and horror movies, but I think with the true text of what really happen theres only so much that can be taken at once. I did enjoy what I did read of this book though, it was scary and real, I think thats why I had so much trouble finishing it, because all the horror that I read about of clowns and werewolves and stuff I know is all fake.....well for the most part. I do believe there are ghosts,aliens,vampires, and other beings we don't always see but its not as real as this. I warn you if you read this it is very graphic and it is a struggle, it makes you think twice on you to trust, and yes I got all that after reading just what I did.

[lucyreads_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm currently writing an essay where i'm looking at the family background of serial killers, this book has been so helpful. There are only 4 different murderers written about but there is a great deal of depth into them, their backgrounds, their crimes and how they were caught. I'm only using two of these men in my essay, Jeffrey Dahmer and Edmund Kemper, but it's still interesting to read through about the other two. If you're doing work on serial killers this is very helpful and it's also good for if you are just interested in this topic.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book that I ordered thru a television offer. It's really good & filled with unique information that I hadn't found anywhere else.