501 Most Notorious Crimes

by Paul Donnelley

In "501 Most Notorious Crimes", the reader will find a fascinating line-up of notorious crooks, criminals, villains and thieves, from the mysterious disappearance of Lord Lucan, the assassination of JFK to the treason committed by Guy Fawkes. This book provides a fascinating insight into the world's most notorious crimes.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, History, Reference, Biography, Serial Killer

544 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Aged 15, I wrote a quiz for the late Jeremy Beadle on the London radio station LBC. Two years later, I was the biggest outside contributor to the best-selling Hunter Davies's Bigger Book of British Lists.

My own first book - 50 Fantastic Hits - was published when I was 24. I have since written more than 20 books, often with a showbusiness theme. I am the author of biographies of Julia Roberts (2003) and Judy Garland (2007); a history of television scandal (TV Babylon in 1997); four editions of a best-selling encyclopaedia of film stars Fade to Black (2000, 2003, 2005, 2010); a guide to the films of Marilyn Monroe (2000); Essex Murders (2007), a book about homicide in that county for which I also took many of the photographs; Assassins and Assassinations (2008), a look at 25 of the most notorious plots; The Arsenal Companion (2008), 501 Most Notorious Crimes (2009); Arsenal Day-By-Day (2009); Cricket Day-By-Day (2009) and Firsts, Lasts & Onlys Football, Firsts, Lasts & Onlys Cricket and Firsts, Lasts & Onlys Golf.

Firsts, Lasts & Onlys is a registered trademark of Paul Donnelley.

I have contributed to the following books: Hunter Davies's Bigger Book of British Lists (1982); Poison Pen The Unauthorised Biography of Kitty Kelley by George Carpozi Jr (1992); Clinton Confidential The Climb To Power - The Unauthorised Biography of Bill and Hillary Clinton by George Carpozi Jr (1995); Tom Jones: Close Up by Lucy Ellis and Bryony Sutherland (2000); The Pocket Essential Marx Brothers by Mark Bego (2001) and White Slave: The Autobiography by Marco Pierre White and James Steen (2006).

In the mid-1980s I wrote many of the questions for the television quiz show Pass the Buck (hosted by George Layton for Thames Television). I also wrote a number of unbroadcast shows - you could say I have been involved with more pilots than a kamikaze squadron. Of the shows that did make the air, I wrote for Jeremy Beadle's Today's the Day (TV-am), Today's the Day (BBC), Ultra Quiz (TVS) and University Challenge (Granada for BBC).

I was the editor of Crime Stories, Man About Town and M-Zone. I have worked for several magazines and newspapers including The Sunday Telegraph, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mail (where for two years I was stand-in editor on the gossip column Wicked Whispers), OK! (where I was a columnist for three years), Sunday Express, Punch (where I was a reporter-feature writer and occasional stand-in deputy editor), Idols, Maxim, For Women, Video World, Hotel & Caterer, City AM (where I was the chief sub editor), thelondonpaper and, most recently Master Detective where I write "Paul Donnelley's Murder Month", a column on criminal history.

I am a member of the National Union of Journalists and the Society of Authors

I live in a book-lined flat in Essex and am presently at work on a number of non-fiction books.

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a big, handsome, tacky true crime selection with great photos, one page per hideous outrage, a succinct account of the crime and a "where/when/aftermath" sidebar. There are sections on Treason & Terrorism, Swindlers & Conmen, Murder, Assassinations, Gangsters and "other misdeeds", and of course a fat section on serial killers. The author has a grim sense of humour which shows in the first page of the Murder section, which is about

CAIN

Sidebar says : Where : Damascus, Syria. When : 4th Century BC

(I think they got the date wrong.)

Anyway, here's a quotation tour though the whole book.

Do not hang me too high for the sake of decency

Burke's the murderer, Hare's the thief
And Knox the boy who buys the beef

I never liked him much and battered in his head

There were seven Dimmycrats in Hinsdale County and you've ate five of them

When she saw what she had done she gave her father fortyone

The whole pathway of my life has been strewn with the bodies of those who have loved me the most

A man would have to be a spider to stand it long up there

If you don't kill her the doctor will and if he doesn't I will

Harry Roberts is our man, he shoots policemen bang bang bang

I know he's dead. I wanted to see him in his coffin

I don't like Mondays

You have done wrong in shooting your landlord's cock

Better to die on your feet than live on your knees

Society has earned a rest from your activities

Remorse – what for? I didn't even know them.

I were just cleaning up the streets

I am deeply hurt by your calling me a wemon hater

He's the nicest person you'd ever want to meet

If we don't get some money within ten days then the other ear will arrive

I'll soon get my doss money – see what a jolly bonnet I have now

There's a man down here and he hasn't got any head

Darling Dottie, I want to kiss your pretty pink toes

If the whole thing comes out it will be enough to start World war Three

Feel free to try to spot who said what or about whom!

Here's 5 clues :





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[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some books are bad, despite the author. This bood is good, despite the author. The cases and the facts behind them thankfully stand by themselves and make this book an interesting read. The author however sometimes gets in the way with incorrect information, poorly constructed and confusing sentences, heavy use of UK slang and ridiculous opinions such as this, "Of all the crimes in this book, perhaps the worst is parenticide." Really? In a book full of mass murders, 9/11, necrophiliacs and people who rape and dismember children and hundreds of other gruesome crimes the worst one is killing your parents? If you say so! I don't really think Cain killing Abel belongs in here either. I haven't finished the book yet, so maybe he also included Freddy Krueger and the aliens from War of the Worlds.

[Casa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover. It was interesting to read of stories I have heard about & those to which I had no clue about. It's funny how I could be reading about one instance and that would lead me to either find out more information about the story. And though my frirnds or other random people might find me as "crazy" I enjoyed telling or conversing over the cases. I felt like a little kid with a new toy wanting to share with whomever would listen. Although peoples thoughts on this book vary I think it was a goooood stepping stone to get your mind to e wander & ask questions. It's a goooood reference as well as a good read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

yes it had 501 notorious crimes but not enough information on each one just enough to get your interest to see if you want to investigate more

[Chris Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished this MASSIVE book. It took me at least five or six months, I would read five or six entries every time I spent with the book.
First of all, this book is a book in A SERIES. There are many "501" books that list things like movies, vacation spots you must see, actors and actresses, disasters, books, speeches, there's even one for "501 mixed drinks you must try".... so this is just one book of the many "501" things book collection. I highly suggest checking the others out to see if any capture your interest.

Regarding THIS one, however, It gives information on all of the crimes very clearly and lays out background, details, suspects, ...even aftermath, all of it. It is a very good book for reference, actually, it spares no fact.....
...but true crime fans will love it especially as it documents pretty much every crime that has been committed since the 1600s.

The crimes are divided into sections (Kidnapping, Murder, Serial Killers, etc) and for each section, each page is dedicated to one of those crimes, they go in chronological order of date, earliest to most recent (well, as recent as the copyright year of the book allows).

In short, it's an excellent book of very interesting stories behind many crimes you no doubt have already heard of......and many you haven't.

[Nayden Kostov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good compilation of examples, neatly organised in categories. A very good read!

[Sirena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started reading this book a few years back and never finished. Now I know why. It was written by a British man so there are alot of British phrases that not everyone will understand. Also, there were quite a few spelling and grammar errors which is more common in a Kindle book. Although the stories are interesting, there is not enough information and details. These are more like snippets and leaves you wanting more.

The story of Bonnie and Clyde stated that the couple were never in love or an item and that Clyde was actually a homosexual. I've read several books on the couple and this was the first time I had ever read that. In doing some research I discovered that this was a rumor that started in 1963. Although Clyde spent some time in prison before their infamous crime spree, it's possible his pendulum swung both ways but that doesn't mean he was not romantically involved with Bonnie.

At any rate, I found this to be a mostly easy read but there are better books out there.

[Pirate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is clearly written by a Brit and has plenty of spelling/editing errors, but it's still a good read. It doesn't provide much detail about the crimes in the book, but it's a good starting point if your morbid curiosity wants you to find a new issue to read about.

[James A. Burkhalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent encyclopedia of the most notorious murderers, kidnappers, spies, etc. It's a fascinating, eye-opening read that is incredibly well-researched.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot of things I didn't know from reading this book. However, some parts were dray and tough to read.

[Amy Binkerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book....although scary how jacked up some people are! It spans a wide range of crimes divided up into "type" of crime. Good read if you like true crime stories.

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love spending time on this book!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting, bite-sized stories of a wide variety of criminal activities.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book.

[Jesse Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info and pictures. I want expecting it to be as extensive as it was! Great read!

[Diana Haihui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for case-studies!!!

[Stephen Lohrman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent bathroom book. Took a year to read and each day was a new story to read about.

[Jo Glasgow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for true crime junkies.
Short & to the point but in a good way

[Lottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like true crime books and tv programmes and I really liked this book obviously this is about true crime and has some really horrid crimes and it can be a difficult read at times.

[Marino · Rating 4 out of 5]

501 Most Notorious Crimes. Paul Donnelley. Great Britain: Bounty Books, 2009. 543 pp.

I got his book handed down from my brother because he said it was about famous criminals. This is a very good and informative book. If you like to know about crimes this is the book for you. From famous tragedies, murderers, kidnappers, serial killers and many more crimes you can think of ,this book has it all. The most innocent people can be the most heartless when it comes to taking a life. Paul Donnelly did a very good job explaining what happens to the criminals after the crime and did not leave you searching for answers. One will learn about famous criminals they have never heard of. Others may learn about tragedies that leave you feeling sad and thinking how a human being can do those things to other human beings. One of the things i really like about the book is that it had a lot of crimes that took place in Chicago,Illinois and its crazy when you learn about the crimes that happened in your own hometown. Al Capone was very famous for being a famous gangster in Chicago and it explains his childhood and how he came to commit the crime. Another very cool thing is that each crime has a picture of the criminal or of the crime scene. This is a very good thing because one can imagine how it happened the pictures can make someone feel that they were at the crime. This book also has unsolved crimes. It leaves you thinking about the justice system and why they can't find the killer or killers of a crime. This book is a very long so one i will have to take their time reading it. Someone may learn about a crime that happened in their hometown or right around the block one will never know.

[Hilde Helseth · Rating 3 out of 5]

'A Book where somebody is killed'

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's interesting and I'm learning about some new crimes in other countries. Unfortunately, the explanations of the crime are difficult to follow. I figured out that whoever wrote this must be from another country but the editing is atrocious. Sometimes there is no punctuation and there are other times where words are spelled incorrectly in ANY language. I graduated with an English degree and that is driving me nuts. I really do like learning about crimes that happened in other parts of the world. It took a while but I did finish the book and wasn't too impressed. One case that I am very familiar with was in the book and the author actually gave incorrect information regarding the end of the case. They said the person's name was cleared with the murder when in actuality he wasn't. It's one of those books that you can put in the magazine holder by the side of the toilet but I will not recommend it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

An idea beginners reference text exploring over five hundred notorious criminal cases. Each page or double page is dedicated to a crime, ranging from petty thefts centuries ago, to modern cases of multiple homicide.

The author does a good job of clearly outlining the bare facts of each case - who, what, when. It almost reads like a game of Cluedo! The crime is then discussed in as much detail as space allows; remember there are more than five hundred of them go get through. If you are interested in one particular crime, a category is relatively easy to find.

I noticed, as did some other readers, a few grammatical errors which were quite distracting. However, this text comes recommended if you want quick fire facts about true crime, which you can then explore further if you need to.

[قصي بن خليفة · Rating 1 out of 5]

لا متعة ولا معلومة تستحق..... بعد أن قرأت كل الجرائم في المائة صفحة الأولى من هذا الكتاب الضخم الممل اكتشفت أني أبحث عن شيء غير موجود..... فمع كل شخصية أو جريمة في صفحة فقط لا يمكن أن تتوقع الكثير من التشويق ولا المعلومات المفيدة المترابطة .... وكذلك توجد فيه أخطاء غريبة ربما لأنه سطحي نوعاً ما..... قلت لنفسي ولكن 500 جريمة هو عدد كبير ولذا فهو يصلح كمرجع تقرأ منه عند الحاجة .... فبدأت بعد ذلك بالتقليب وأقرأ فقط الذي يشدّني مثل أن أعرف الاسم من قبل، قلّبت 100 صفحة حتى وصلت إلى دون كيشوت وللأسف لم أجد ما يشفي الغليل

[Bonni Sweet]

Each person was only given one page of description but it was a great way to decide if I wanted to learn more about a person or to find out more about them. There are quite a few people in the book that I have read about but now there are more people that I am interested in looking into finding books about. I thought this a very informative book considering the space given to each person. I also liked the fact that at one page each it was easy to start and stop at any place in the book that I wanted to.

[Jake Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a very good way in showing all the crimes you may have heard about or that made major news. If you are interested in getting to know a little more about crime or misdeeds then this is the book for you. You can get very cheap copies of it on amazon and I highly recommend getting a copy. Even if your not someone who likes to read its very fast pace and it has many many pictures to help depict the identity of the person who commited the crime.

[Gary Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little read with different sections on gangsters, serial killers, assassinations, unsolved crimes, etc. Each page covers a single criminal giving a background, evil deeds, and a follow-up. Nice bite-sized information, but sometimes I would like a little more information with details. Also, the book is littered with typos.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful thumbnails, with copious photos, of famous crimes dating from way back when. Did you know the first white murderer in America came over on the "Mayflower"? Neither did I. Takes you on a spin through all kinds of crimes, including famous kidnappings and swindles.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh, browsed at my mother's house. The ten-year old UK boys who killed the 3-year old get the prize for brutality. Happy not to remember their names.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really only good for light reference