The Cannibal: Mel Heimer

by Mel Heimer

Albert Fish was everyone's idea of a kindly grandfather. He had a disarming, gentle smile. He was a steady churchgoer known to pray regularly. He was the careful and conscientious father of six and grandfather of five. He was the kind of man you would be pleased to have visit your home and play with your children.

Then he was arrested, and he confessed to the murder of little Grace Budd. Which was just the beginning. The tip of the iceberg in an incredible true story described by psychiatrists as one "of unparalleled perversity."

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

167 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worst serial killer I have ever come across...and that's saying a lot. Not for the faint of heart. I strongly recommend you look Albert Fish up before you read this book; makes other serial killers look like they were armatures. The way that Albert Fish killed his victims will stay with you forever. Not for the faint of heart.

[Becky Everhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this one 3 stars because the writer is way too repetitive, mentioing the same quote or event three times throughout the book on several occasions, but the story is fantastic. It was quite eye-opening to hear the perspectives of Fish and those around him, as well as gathered evidence that suggested how he became the way he was.

[Brooklyn Attic Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a quick read. It's fucked beyond fucked. Read at your own risk.

Albert Fish was a sick fuck. Chapter 13 even outlines all his criminal/sex predator activities including and not limited to: masochistic self-inflicted pain for his sexual desires, murdering children, pedophilia, cannibalism, etc.

The biggest discussion over this case was whether Albert was insane or sane when he committed the kidnapping/murder/cannibalism of a little girl named Grace Budd. In the 30s, corporal punishment was still very much active in NY, I don't think it is anymore though. If he was found sane, then he gets the electric chair (which he did), and if he was found criminally insane, then he would be locked up for life and doctors would be able to study him (which didn't happen). Many psychologists at the time thought it was crucial to study the criminally insane to better understand tendencies/characteristics etc. As we know, serial murderer profiling didn't really happen till the 70s/80s.

This book was published in 1971 and it shows. There is a lot of speculation and homophobia present even though the author doesn't outright say it. There was a misconception that dangerous sex criminals had homophobic/transexual Freudian complexes, most had issues with their upbringing etc. These dated ideas are very cringe to read about.

These crimes took place 100 years ago. What I did observe from this book was that Fish was very religious and often thought that it can save him. His ideas seemed imbedded in religion. Which I always steered clear of uber religious people, they always give me the creeps. "higher power made me do it!"- kind of bullshit. He even thought of sacrificing one of his own 6 kids, like in the old testament stories of parents sacrificing their children to appease God.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a well written book. I had expetations of something more graphic and a closer look into his mind. The author belives that he is insane. But he is sane doing insane things.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Albert Fish is the definition of pure evil. What he did to that poor girl and his other victims was disgusting and vile. The Electric Chair was too good for him, he should have been stoned to death. This was a good book and interesting reading about Albert's case from a psychologist's perspective.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading true crime from the 70s is like reading books on food safety by employees of Chipotle.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best written book, and it was pretty short. Albert Fish is one of the most terrifying serial killers, so if you like books that shock you, I would suggest to give it a try.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gruesome account of a serial killer.

[Bhreagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Albert Fish’s murders is an interesting g one for sure. The book however was repetitive. A couple times I had to check I wasn’t re reading a chapter I had already read.