Book Review: Whoever Fights Monsters by Robert K. Ressler

If you’re a fan of Mindhunter, then this is one you need to pick up, especially since Agent Tench in the show is actually based on Robert K Ressler! Incase it isn’t obvious, as is the premise of the show, Whoever Fights Monsters follows the beginning of criminal profiling and its introduction into the FBI. And it’s truly fascinating!

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.” (Nietzsche)

Tonnes of cases are covered, but special attention is given to some criminals, like John Wayne Gacy, Richard Chase, David Berkowitz, Charles Manson, as well as some lesser known cases. It’s very well-written, but as is the case with the majority of true crime books, can be quite dry. That didn’t stop me flipping through the pages though, as it was incredibly readable.

One of my main complaints about the Mindhunter book was how egocentric John Douglas came across, and even though Ressler contributed hugely to the way criminals are profiled today, he seems very humble in comparison. I wasn’t rolling my eyes every 5 seconds, let’s put it that way... There is also no new information past the 1990s, so it’s perhaps slightly outdated in some ways, but for a history of the introduction of criminal profiling, it’s solid.

Keeping this review relatively short as people are either into true crime or they’re not - but if you are, this is worth checking out! As with all true crime, there are graphic descriptions and disturbing scenes, so beware! 4 stars.

Johann

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