HUMAN MONSTERS An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Most Vicious Murderers

Softcover. Featuring some of the worst killers of all time. A murder of passion is ugly enough. But murder for no apparent reason, other than to satisfy a thirst for blood, is truly horrifying. History is replete with such vicious, senseless killings, committed by twisted men and women who are the living embodiment of our worst nightmares. What made them do it? The author presents 100 gripping case studies of the most cold-blooded killers of all time, infamous for their method, motivation and madness. Included are : Gilles de Rais, the 15th century French nobleman who was both Joan of Arc's gallant comrade in arms and the man who came to be known as Bluebeard, a torturer and killer of children. Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess, a 17th century real-life vampire who bathed in the blood of young women. Herman Webster Mudgett, aka H.H. Holmes, the 19th century Chicago druggist who butchered 50 people in what became known as his "Murder Castle". Belle Gunness, the turn-of-the-20th century Indiana Black Widow who killed and chopped up at least 10 males. Peter Kurten, the "Monster of Dusseldorf", the killer-rapist who exploits served as the basis for Peter Lorre's portrayal of the psychopathic child killer in the 1931 film 'M'. Mass murderers of recent years, including Charles Manson, David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy, and John Wayne Gacy. The author places these crazed executioners within the contexts of their times, providing fascinating facts about their backgrounds, relationships, and purported reasoning. He discusses each crime, including cases of unbelievable atrocities before or after killing, the number and nature of the victims, and how - if ever - the killers were brought to justice. Photographs and portraits reveal both the homicidally desperate and the seemingly ordinary faces that mask the world's most evil murderers. Illus., Bibliog. and Index. 272pp. 8vo softcover. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. F. with no creasing to covers.