Play Audiobook Sample
Obsession (Abridged): The FBI's Legendary Profiler Probes the Psyches of Killers, Rapists, and Stalkers and Their Victims and Tells How to Fight Back Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.02) - 1,123 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
In Obsession, John Douglas once again takes us fascinatingly behind the scenes, focusing his expertise on predatory crimes, primarily against women. With a deep sense of compassion for the victims and an uncanny understanding of the perpetrators, Douglas looks at the obsessions that lead to rape, stalking, and sexual murder through such cases as Ronnie Shelton, the serial rapist who terrorized Cleveland; and New York's notorious "Preppie Murder."
But Douglas also looks at obsession on the other side of the moral spectrum: his own career-long obsession with hunting these predators. Douglas shows us how we can all fight back and protect ourselves, our families, and loved ones against the scourge of the violent predators in our midst.
The first step is insight and understanding, and no one is better qualified to penetrate Obsession than John Douglas.
Download and start listening now!
"One of the best ideas I got from this book is that we can all do something. We can either donate to one of the 2 programs JD talks about. We can watch out for our neighbors and ourselves. And we can pay attention to children who are showing signs of problems and help before it is too late. The author thinks the chances of most serial criminals rehabilitating is slim- they need to be reached early and young so they can set new patterns."
— Gail (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“John Douglas is the FBI’s pioneer and master of investigative profiling, and one of the most exciting figures in law enforcement I’ve had the privilege of knowing…With Mr. Douglas we explore why there are monsters.”
— Patricia Cornwell, #1 New York Times bestselling author -
“I rarely use the phrase ‘must read’…but I can’t think of a book that deserves it as much as Obsession. It’s a survival handbook.”
— Eaton Register-Herald -
“With the warmth and frank bias of a firsthand observer, Douglas, the founder and head of the FBI’s Investigative Support Unit and the inspiration for the character of Jack Crawford in Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon, here describes violent crimes and their consequences.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Tastefully gory, with a soupcan of twisted sexual content and, considering its very rough subject, a minimum of rough language, Obsession is a treat for those who enjoy trying to make sense of the world of senseless violence.”
— Booklist
Obsession Listener Reviews
-
" not nearly as good as his other books. particularly tough to read long chapters with long paragraphs without breaks in between. he quotes several other authors whose books I've read and that was kind of fun. chapter on robert chambers was interesting since I remember that case when it was in the news. "
— Kim, 2/19/2014 -
" I really liked this book... very informative. It really makes me want to go into this field, there are so many sick people out there. At the same time people need to be aware and that is also what this book does inform. There are so many people that just don't know, and this tells them where they can find information and can get help and that help is out there. "
— Joline, 2/15/2014 -
" Scary stuff, but if you like True Crime type stuff, this is also a good read. "
— Desiree, 2/2/2014 -
" I am a sucker for Douglas/Olshaker books. "
— Michael, 1/17/2014 -
" not Douglas' best book. Mindhunter is still that... and longest subtitle ever! wth!? "
— Jason, 1/8/2014 -
" Gruesomely fascinating, as usual. Very good writer, and it's amazing how he's been able to keep his sanity, considering all of the insanity he's seen. "
— Steven, 1/4/2014 -
" Not my kind of book unfortunately... "
— Sarah, 1/2/2014 -
" I love the John Douglas books! He was one of the first (if not THE first) FBI profilers. He worked on all the classic cases and has the most amazing stories! "
— Christen, 1/2/2014 -
" Good insights into the criminal mind by a former FBI Agent. "
— Richard, 12/29/2013 -
" This book is so graphic and scary that probably 20 years after reading it, I still remember parts of the book. "
— Naomi, 12/18/2013 -
" The depths of depravity of man knows no end. This is not an easy book to read, but I'm glad I did. The title of the book really tells all that is needed to know what it is about. "
— Kevin, 12/14/2013 -
" Interesting analysis of the profiles of different types of rapists and stalkers. Not a book for the faint of heart. "
— Brandon, 12/9/2013 -
" Great resource on the psychology of sex criminals. "
— Jill, 12/3/2013 -
" Good but not as good as Journey into Darkness. "
— Bernie, 4/23/2013 -
" interesting read but he recopies chunks from his other books: "Mindhunter" and "Journey Into Darkness" "
— Lumax, 3/2/2013 -
" This is non-fiction and was written by a former FBI profiler; I was expecting a lot of serial killer stories, but it's actually more about stalkers. If that's what you're looking for, I'm sure you'll like it. "
— Patrick, 12/14/2012 -
" John Douglas, egomaniac AND FBI profiler. "
— Jennifer, 12/13/2012 -
" I've read several of his books, this one is as good as the others. Scary the sick twisteed people that are out there. Real life is way worse that the movies. "
— Nate, 10/22/2012 -
" Very informative. Enjoyed Mindhunter more by the same author, and there is some overlap, but this one is more focussed on victim issues. "
— Lesley, 6/28/2012 -
" Another forensics book (again, see Mindhunter) It's really disturbing how these books grip me. "
— Jill, 3/12/2012 -
" There was more about profiling in this book and a lot on stalking. This book told about Stephanie Schmidt. I was glad that I read this book. "
— Vikki, 3/7/2012 -
" It was good, really liked the stalking bit even though it was a little confusing at times. I lost track of son of the names and stories but it was good overall "
— Snem, 1/6/2012 -
" This was a good read, like his other books, but not quite as interesting. There was quite a bit written from the victim's/victim's family viewpoint which was less compelling. "
— Chris, 10/19/2011 -
" Took me forever to finish this one. I just didn't find it as interesting as Mindhunter. BUT I think that since the whole CSI/Criminal Minds explosion, the subject matter isn't so mysterious and fascinating. "
— Michelle, 4/4/2011 -
" I've read several of his books, this one is as good as the others. Scary the sick twisteed people that are out there. Real life is way worse that the movies. "
— Nate, 4/1/2011 -
" Gruesomely fascinating, as usual. Very good writer, and it's amazing how he's been able to keep his sanity, considering all of the insanity he's seen. "
— Steven, 7/13/2010 -
" This book is so graphic and scary that probably 20 years after reading it, I still remember parts of the book. "
— Naomi, 6/10/2010 -
" It was good, really liked the stalking bit even though it was a little confusing at times. I lost track of son of the names and stories but it was good overall "
— Snem, 5/31/2010 -
" Obsession by John E. Douglas (1998) "
— Lisa, 11/19/2009 -
" Somewhat self-serving but a good read about serial killers. "
— Muriel, 5/15/2009 -
" Scary stuff, but if you like True Crime type stuff, this is also a good read. "
— Desiree, 12/29/2008 -
" John Douglas, egomaniac AND FBI profiler. "
— Jennifer, 10/1/2008 -
" Good but not as good as Journey into Darkness. "
— Bernie, 7/29/2008 -
" not Douglas' best book. Mindhunter is still that... and longest subtitle ever! wth!? "
— Jason, 6/19/2008
About the Authors
Mark Olshaker is an Emmy Award–winning filmmaker and a New York Times bestselling nonfiction author. His seven books with former FBI Special Agent and criminal profiling pioneer John E. Douglas, beginning with Mindhunter, have sold millions of copies, been translated into many languages, and along with his Emmy-nominated PBS film Mind of a Serial Killer, made Olshaker a sought-after speaker and consultant on law enforcement–related issues.
John Douglas is a former special agent with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, one of the first criminal profilers, and a criminal psychology writer. While working for the FBI, he headed the elite Investigative Support Unit and was the real-life model for FBI Agent Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs. Upon his retirement, Douglas, along with acclaimed author and Emmy award-winning filmmaker Mark Olshaker, created Mindhunters, Inc., a website providing information on their writing as well as criminal justice and profiler resources.