This book is the reason I love the graphic novel medium. This was a brilliant way to tell a captivating story. I am not sure that regular prose would This book is the reason I love the graphic novel medium. This was a brilliant way to tell a captivating story. I am not sure that regular prose would have done it justice.
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Non-Fiction graphic novels are not something you run into that often (at least I haven’t). I recently read My Friend Dahmer, and that was also a very interesting and well-presented non-fiction graphic novel. I think non-fiction works well because you can take what would be a 20 page chapter of “boring history” and tell it with just a couple of pages of enthralling drawn images. It is amazing how many words can be held in a couple of comic panels – even without thought/word bubbles . [image]
Speaking of the art; it was both simple and complex. Lots of symbolism can be found throughout. On some pages, you might have 15 panels. On another you may have one lone image. And, when shadowing or adding texture, the amount of pen strokes used to add depth is incredible. The artist must have been unable to use his hand for days after every chapter.
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If you like non-fiction, history, true crime, graphic novels, and/or just damn fine literature, you really should check this one out. I can confidently say, without sounding cheesy or clichéd, that this is an epic masterpiece.
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Please note: I use the term "boring history" in this review. In general, I don't find history to be boring, but sometimes it can be pretty dry when presented. I think for people who have a hard time staying interested in historical stories, this format could be perfect for them.
Sometimes when reading non-fiction it feels like it is just an extended research paper. But, when the author was actually involved in the events, it gSometimes when reading non-fiction it feels like it is just an extended research paper. But, when the author was actually involved in the events, it gains a bit more of a personal investment. My Friend Dahmer is definitely the most intense first-hand non-fiction I have ever read. It's not just another exposé on a horrifying story, it is well fleshed out, truthful retelling of previously little known events from before the nightmare began.
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I can tell that Backderf went out of his way to as truthfully as possible share this story that was close to him using the medium he was most comfortable with. It may seem to some that graphic novel is an odd format for this story, but it translates surprisingly well and I think even benefits in that the author could recreate scenes for us (as cartoony as they might be).
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Some critics might slam an author for profiting from a tragic story like this. But, as we all know, every scandalous and horrific story gets told and retold hundreds of times through books, movies, television interviews, etc. We all crave information about people who have lost their minds and/or cross over twisted criminal behavior. Sometime these retellings are obviously sloppy, done just to shock, full of untruths, and riddled with unfounded opinions (in which the author is trying to advance their agenda more that actually share information). In this case, Backderf followed the graphic novel with several pages of notes to show how close to the real thing it was and how he attempted to keep any speculation out of the story. And, in the prologue he talks about how this story was the result of many years of reflection on his years with Dahmer, not something he rushed to get on the shelves ASAP once the story broke. For me, this was truly powerful and heartfelt.
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I think the art is very interesting. Backderf has a style that stands out. For some reason it kept reminding me of cartoons I used to read in Mad Magazine. At first I was not sure if I was going to care for it, but it grew on me as the story progressed. I look forward to check out some of his other graphic novels.
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This is a facinating telling of Dahmer's high school years. There is a little bit of gruesomeness, but most of that came later. So, if you have been turned away from the Dahmer story because of the details of his mad scientist-esque crimes and cannibal behavior, that is barely a part of this story. This is the origin story. This is a telling of the early signs of madness. These are the stories where there may have been a chance to stop the horrors of the future if things were slightly different or if someone had stepped in - but no one ever did . . ....more
If you really like historical events and you really like getting into the nitty-gritty details, this is the book for you. If you are a casual historiaIf you really like historical events and you really like getting into the nitty-gritty details, this is the book for you. If you are a casual historian and prefer just to get an overview of the facts in a Wikipedia article or one hour show on the history channel, this is not the book for you!
I am usually kind of in the middle, and the subject matter definitely comes into play, when I try to figure out how much I want to get into a historical topic. Helter Skelter (about the Manson murders) was twice as long but kept me engaged the whole way. This in-depth investigation into the Chappaquiddick scandal, for me, was quite a bit of overkill. I am pretty sure that most of the details had been revealed one-third of the way into the book. After that point it was just a lot of rehashing. And, the rehashing was not for the layman – this book got into all the legal and political issues very intensely.
With all that said, I did not find the book to be boring. For me, political scandal and its far reaching effects can be very interesting. I will say that the fact that this happened almost 50 years ago was a plus for me (I think some of the more recent political scandal books are still a bit too real and raw– I am just not ready for the emotions that go with them). But, anything prior to 2000 is fair game! However, despite being not boring, because there was a lot of repetition, I did find myself zoning out each time the rehashing began.
This book will likely speak more to people who lived through this scandal. I was born 8 years after it happened, so I did not get to live through the media frenzy surrounding another Kennedy-related tragedy after the two Kennedy assassinations. Also, if I had been living then and seeing how a car accident could have such a huge impact from local politics all the way up until the presidency, I would likely have wanted to know more about it.
In summary, I do recommend for history and political scandal buffs. If you don’t like the thought of investing a lot of time on a topic like this, I recommend finding a documentary or reading the Wikipedia article instead – there just isn’t enough here for me to try and convince you that you should try it. ...more
This is a difficult review to write. Going in, you know the content will be extreme, controversial, and upsetting. While that was the case it was alsoThis is a difficult review to write. Going in, you know the content will be extreme, controversial, and upsetting. While that was the case it was also quite eye opening. As the book gets into the details of the massacre (before, during, and after), it is going to be a difficult book for many. But, the depth which the author explores this event is very important in order to clear up all of the details and set the record straight. I think true crime fans will be enthralled with this book.
The biggest thing I took from this is it is bad to jump to conclusions and you should not let fiction become fact. Going in, I thought I knew the basics surrounding the tragedy, but it turns out that a lot of what I thought I knew is wrong. Seeing how once the event began, the population was hungry for answers and the chain of information became like a giant game of telephone and what often ended up in print or on TV is far from the truth. In fact, the author did so good of a job making this point, I am wondering if I should be skeptical of him, too! He has me paranoid!
This was the first time I have ever heard or read in depth the details following the event. The success stories, the additional tragedies, the rebuilding, and the healing we're all very facinating. One story in particular where the Evangelical Church tried to benefit of the tragedy was disappointing. While it sounds like they thought their heart was in the right place, they we're pushing too hard for martyrs and new followers and their hope to find the silver lining was lost in the static.
So much about the "why?" and "what can we do?" is touched on in this book. You will be amazed at how much life in this suburban Colorado town sounds like any town and the kids (both victims and killers) are just like many teenagers you might know. But, it is also amazing to watch the dark side grow inside the mind of a killer while leaving things fairly normal (maybe a little rebellious) on the surface. What do you do? What can you do? How do you know?
A very captivating book. Well written and informative. Proceed with caution if you are sensitive to violence and graphic details....more
Update 8/11/2019 - I just finished the new season of Veronica Mars on Hulu. In it, Patton Oswalt plays a character who is obsessed with solving cold cUpdate 8/11/2019 - I just finished the new season of Veronica Mars on Hulu. In it, Patton Oswalt plays a character who is obsessed with solving cold cases and other crimes the police are struggling with. As soon as I realized that is what his character was and how much it reminded me of his wife as described in this book, I began to wonder if he was offered the role as a tribute to her . . .
4.25 stars
I guarantee you will not be able to read this book without many stops to do Wikipedia and Google maps searches. Just do yourself a favor and don’t read too much on line before you finish the book – it is much more suspenseful that way.
I’ll Be Gone In The Dark is a posthumous collection of narratives, notes, dialogue, and other evidence collected by McNamara that she was working into a book that she never got to see come to fruition. Because of this, some of the parts are polished, while other parts are raw, and some may even feel disjointed. I think if she had lived to see it through, it would have come across as much cleaner. However, I don’t think this is a bad thing. It is kind of fascinating to see a snapshot of an investigation before it is ready and complete. Not only is who the Golden State Killer is a mystery, but where McNamara was going with her notes is a mystery as well.
One interesting aspect of this book is that it has a lot of autobiography of McNamera as well. Often, true crime is just a compilation of the details with the author’s involvement being of little or no importance. Another true crime mainstay, Ann Rule, became involved with the story in her book The Stranger Beside Me, as well as in her book about the Green River Killer (Green River, Running Red). I definitely think it is interesting to see an involvement in the investigation beyond just researching, compiling, and regurgitating information. The personal touch and commitment is felt very strongly!
With that in mind, I feel like the key takeaway from this book is how obsession works on both sides. The killer rapist had his meticulous modus operandi that allowed many crimes covering a wide area to be connected by certain evidence. The author had her daily routine of web searches, library visits, travels to 30 year old crime scenes, etc. which frequently led to frustration and tears. Without the criminal, there would have been no need for the investigation. Without the author, many unsolved mysteries could have been relegated to cold case status forever. Unfortunately, she didn’t live to see if her obsessive dedication led to any success.
I think this is a true crime book worth the time of any fan of the genre. As is often the case, some of the content matter may be difficult for some, so proceed with caution if you are sensitive.
Click on this next part only if you have finished the book and done some follow-up research:
(view spoiler)[Shortly after finishing and discovering at the time of publication the killer still hadn’t been caught, I had to jump online and do some searching. I thought I had heard that the killer had been caught, but was wondering if I remembered something else. Sure enough, earlier this year, DNA evidence led to the capture of the killer! (I will leave you to your own web search if you are interested in the details) What I hope they do is either some follow up chapters or a whole new book that takes the evidence that McNamara tracked down over the years and compares it against the person found to be the killer. One of the keys to her investigation is trying to figure out where his home base might have been and correlating the events to the actual life, occupation, etc. of the killer. It would be interesting to see how that all matches up and if it shows any other patterns that they missed. (hide spoiler)]...more
Interesting and eye opening. A scary true story of greed and racism in the development of the American West. This is one of those hard t3 to 3.5 stars
Interesting and eye opening. A scary true story of greed and racism in the development of the American West. This is one of those hard to read and accept truths of American history. If you enjoy history and/or true crime I think this is worth giving a go.
My main criticism is that while the story is interesting, I am not quite sure it is book worthy. It seems like this whole story could have been told in 30 to 50 pages or in a Wikipedia article. It feels a bit drawn out when expanded to 300+ pages. Because of the length I was waiting for a lot more to happen, but it never really did.
Also, the title of this book would indicate that there is a lot of detail about the formation of the FBI - I don't really feel this was the case. There were a few pages about how local law enforcement was too corrupt so they needed the federal government involved, but that was about it. Some may disagree, but I hardly felt that this book could be used for a history report on the start of the FBI.
This book is recommended for hard core history and true crime buffs. If you like your history and true crime to be a little less textbook, this may not be the book for you.
Side note: the audiobook is mediocre. The more I listen, the more I think I don't care for Will Patton as a narrator....more
Not the best written book - felt kind of disjointed. I think the author's interest in writing is secondary to the interest in sharing this story.
The mNot the best written book - felt kind of disjointed. I think the author's interest in writing is secondary to the interest in sharing this story.
The main reason you would want to read this one is the shock factor. It is over two hundred pages of "WHAT THE!?" and "NO WAY!?". It is hard to believe people could do this sort of stuff to their own family.
One weird thing (view spoiler)[Throughout the book they make passing references to a murder-suicide attempt on the boat the family lived on, but they never told that story (unless I somehow forgot or they skimmed over it so fast it didn't stick in the first place) (hide spoiler)]
So, if you are a true crime junky or love reading the disturbingly unbelievable, check this out. If you are looking for finely written non-fiction, this may not be for you. But, all in all, not bad....more
A very thorough and very interesting telling of the events surrounding the investigation of the Green River Killer. I did not know much about the GreeA very thorough and very interesting telling of the events surrounding the investigation of the Green River Killer. I did not know much about the Green River Killer - other than he committed a series of murders in Washington back in the 80s. Since I knew so little, this was a suspenseful whodunit? for me.
The book is not easy to read if the horrific details of crimes make you queasy. It was shocking to read about what one human can do to another human because they think they are "doing the right thing to clean up the streets". Also shocking (but maybe not surprising) that a lot of people didn't really care about whole lot at first because the victims were mainly prostitutes. Seeing how community, police, and media attitudes shaped the course of this investigation was very interesting. I was surprised at how , despite the fact that the book is decently long at 434 pages, it never dragged. Each section was like another episode of a crime show and I couldn't wait to get to the next episode the next day.
If you like true crime, mysteries, and/or just seeing how truly messed up the human mind can be, check this book out....more
This book is one of the first, if not the first, true crime novel. According to Wikipedia, only Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders hThis book is one of the first, if not the first, true crime novel. According to Wikipedia, only Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders has sold more copies in the True Crime category than In Cold Blood. While true crime fans might read this today and think that it sounds like your basic true crime story, at the time it was groundbreaking to detail a crime in this much detail and in a format as big as a novel.
One of the things it appears that this novel set the precedence for, and that I have seen in other true crime novels, is that the author is not only researching the story, he is getting in the mix and talking face to face with the criminals (example - Ann Rule). Sometimes this leads to relationships and feelings that are reflected in the retelling. After you finish reading this, it is interesting to look this up online and see some of the theories about how Capote approached this crime and the people involved.
Speaking of Capote, I have never seen any of the movies about him, but it sounds like all of them focus on this part of his life – and there are at least 3 of them! I may need to check them out to see what I think. Also, I need to check out the classic film that came out shortly after publication.
One think I found very, very interesting (view spoiler)[ when speaking of what criminals could do on death row in Kansas, basically everything – every form of comfort, entertainment, ways to pass the time – were taken away from them. The justice system went out of their way to make things as uncomfortable as possible for those awaiting death. However, they let them read as much as they want. I am wondering why reading was the one acceptable past time they were given? (hide spoiler)]
One thing I forgot to add when I originally wrote this review was that having read this and Breakfast At Tiffany's, it is hard to believe it is the same author. Probably the most diverse writing from the same author I have ever encountered.
True crime fans! Non-fiction fans! Fans of must read classics! You must add In Cold Blood to your list....more
I thought the first third of the book was just so-so (I thought the writing felt immature), but then it grabbed me and dragged me in. I was thinking mI thought the first third of the book was just so-so (I thought the writing felt immature), but then it grabbed me and dragged me in. I was thinking maybe it had an immature feel to highlight the immature actions of the kids being discussed. In the end, it was perfect in the way it was written because I went back and forth between thinking I knew exactly what happened to questioning everything.
One of the saddest parts was seeing how these teenagers acted. I have two little kids and it scares me to death that one day they might have classmates like these kids. And, even though many of them realized when they hit their 20s how stupid they were as teenagers, that doesn't help people who they bullied and, in this case, killed.
This book is very interesting and eye opening, but not for the faint of heart. The events will stick with me for a long time....more
Very interesting, but very textbook. Not much more than this happened followed by this followed by this etc. without much more outside of the events oVery interesting, but very textbook. Not much more than this happened followed by this followed by this etc. without much more outside of the events of the story (not sure I am describing this well, but it stood out a lot compared to other non-fiction I have read)
For history buffs, for mafia buffs, for true crime buffs I think this quick read about one of America's most notorious criminals will be well received.
I just found this sweet poster from a 1950s movie starring Charles Bronson (his first film). The quote made me LOL
A very interesting and shocking story. It is amazing to think that monsters like this could be amongst those who are supposed to take ca4 to 4.5 stars
A very interesting and shocking story. It is amazing to think that monsters like this could be amongst those who are supposed to take care of and heal us.
This book hit home with me a bit more than it might some as I work in health care and deal with the Pyxis system from time to time - which is referenced frequently throughout the book.
While it did get a little slow (just a teeny, tiny bit) toward the end, it was still an enthralling investigation into madness.
If you think you can play the Angel of Death with human lives in a hospital, you are gonna have a bad time....more
1969 was the end of an era, and the beginning of another. Post-WWII America up against Vietnam America as society rolls over from clean cut, white pic1969 was the end of an era, and the beginning of another. Post-WWII America up against Vietnam America as society rolls over from clean cut, white picket fences to long hair and free love. While every decade ends differently than it began, the 60s might be even more so than others when it comes to society, pop culture, and government. While 1969 stands out in my mind as one of the most important years of our time, it wasn’t until I read Helter Skelter that I realized how much happened at the end of that summer:
• Woodstock – August 15th-17th • Neil Armstrong is the first man to walk on the Moon – July 20th • Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick – July 18th • Beatles crossing Abbey Road photo taken – August 8th • Tate-LaBianca (Manson Family) Murders – August 8th-9th
While humanity had proven its ability to produce madness, one of the most insane and well publicized is the Manson Family and their reign of terror in Southern California in the late 1960s and the legacy that still haunts us today. While I was somewhat familiar with Manson and the crimes committed by his followers, It was not until I read Helter Skelter that I realized all the facts. Believe me, if you think what you know already is horrifying, just wait until you get the whole story.
Bugliosi is one of the most famous attorneys and true crime authors of our time. The fact that he was the prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial gave him a first hand view of the proceedings. Because of this, Helter Skelter is probably the most well researched and presented true crime stories I have ever read. It even sounds like Manson was more impressed with Bugliosi than his own defense attorneys!
Now, a caveat here – if you like your true crime to be more of a retelling and less of a deep dive into the details or if you prefer a lighter/abridged story (something that might fit into an hour long show on the Investigation Discovery Channel), then this may not be the book for you. While the crimes are discussed, the majority of the book is the trial, the evidence, and interviews with the witnesses. Truly, this is not a book for the casual True Crime fan; this is only for the hardcore. I have seen some abridged copies of this book out there, perhaps they are best suited if you are not ready to commit to something this intense.
If you are ready for music, madness, and murder and want ALL the details – you must check this book out!
This is one of the most riveting books I have ever read.
We need to suspend everyone's right to privacy for one day and check all basements, bedrooms, This is one of the most riveting books I have ever read.
We need to suspend everyone's right to privacy for one day and check all basements, bedrooms, attics, etc. for kidnap victims. This book shows that if a twisted mind is careful enough, it can hide despicable horrors for years right under their neighbor's nose.
While this book is riveting, it is very, very hard to read. If you are sensitive to hearing descriptions of acts driven by pure evil, this is not the book for you.
De Jesus and Berry were very brave to tell and revisit this tale. It is seriously unimaginable!...more
The scenarios discussed in this book were well researched. If you are looking for a book that gives an unbiased view of all sides of the rape issue, tThe scenarios discussed in this book were well researched. If you are looking for a book that gives an unbiased view of all sides of the rape issue, this is not it; this definitely focuses on the victim and the tendency of the law and society to side with the attacker (I am not giving my opinion as to whether that is good or bad, it just is so I thought I would mention it). For me, Krakauer has written some great books and some frustrating books. This leans toward the frustrating side mainly because of the repetition of facts throughout the book.
I would only recommend this book to people who are into non-fiction where lots of facts, figures, and research are cited. I also warn that the details are rather graphic.
With all that in mind, though, I did find it very interesting and eye opening on a subject that luckily has not really affected anyone close to me (that I am aware of)....more
This book is all about the different and interesting characters in Savannah. If, after reading this you don't want to go to Georgia and meet them, I wThis book is all about the different and interesting characters in Savannah. If, after reading this you don't want to go to Georgia and meet them, I would be surprised....more
This True Crime story reads like a straight forward Master's thesis on the injustice some accused but innocent Death Row inmates have gone through. NoThis True Crime story reads like a straight forward Master's thesis on the injustice some accused but innocent Death Row inmates have gone through. No embellishments or random filler, just the facts (Ma'am). While this could prove daunting if you look for a little extra color and storytelling in your True Crime, it is still a very good and enthralling book that will no doubt get your anger juices flowing.
As someone who gets very frustrated by stories of false accusations (I still yell at the TV every time I watch The Fugitive), this was a very hair-pulling experience. But, that is not necessarily a good or bad thing, it just means I was very engaged and invested in the story. Sometimes the best and most interesting stories have a lot of pain along the way. This is definitely one of those.
What makes this story particularly heartbreaking is all the waste of money/time/resources, all the ignored evidence, all the time behind bars for no reason, and, worst of all, complete apathy towards mental illness. There was a convenient "answer", so they went with it. It is scary to think that some day any of us could be in the wrong place at the wrong time and be the convenient "answer". I stress . . . SCARY!
There have been throughout history many stories of legal injustice. Some of these stories are worse than others. 2020 has been a particularly bad year for that, so you may feel like avoiding this one until later if you have had too much of it. But, this is a true story worth checking out if the subject of what the wrongly accused go through interests you....more
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