Law and Disorder

The Legendary FBI Profiler’s Relentless Pursuit of Justice

By: Mark Olshaker, John Douglas

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

From the New York Times best-selling authors of Mindhunter - former FBI agent John Douglas and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Mark Olshaker - comes an explosive look at how a high-profile murder case can test the limits of even the most seasoned investigator.

For 25 years, John E. Douglas worked for the FBI, where he headed the elite Investigative Support Unit. The real-life model for FBI Agent Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs, he's had a brilliant and terrifying career, getting inside the minds of notorious murderers and serial killers such as Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and David Berkowitz (Son of Sam).

Written with long-time collaborator Mark Olshaker, Law and Disorder is Douglas' most provocative and personal book to date. In it, he addresses every law-enforcement professional's worst nightmare: those cases where, for one reason or another, justice was delayed - or even denied.

Through a series of character-driven case histories - from the earliest trials in Salem, Massachusetts, to the bungled trial of Amanda Knox - Douglas shows what happens when the system breaks down and bias, media coverage, and other influences get in the way of a dispassionate pursuit of the evidence. Here also are Douglas’ personal reflections on his ongoing search for the truth, from painful lessons learned early in his career to his controversial findings in the West Memphis Three and Jon Benet Ramsey investigations.

Brimming with procedural detail, Law and Disorder is an eye-opening insider’s account of the exhilaration and frustration that attend the quest for justice.

©2013 Mindhunters, Inc. (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc

Couldn't Stop Listening

A very interesting book that I found impossible to stop listening to. How wrong the court of public opinion gets things wrong

John Douglas is fascinating!!

Yes, he often talks about the same cases. But never in the same way. In all the books I’ve listened to, each case has something new to offer in relation to what the book is about. So, no.. I don’t find that he is being redundant. But rather, he uses each case differently as it applies, therefore making relevant and interesting in an altogether different way.

Gripping and profound storytelling not for the faint of heart

The narration was gritty, down-to-earth, and professional--much as I believe the author himself to be after hearing these real-life horror stories, which filled me with deep sorrow for the victims, their families, and the unjustly convicted persons for whom the author and countless others valiantly sought justice. I appreciated the balanced opinions out execution the author conveyed, and I learned countless lessons about profiling from these stories. This book also drives home practical life lessons such as to be very careful about the company we keep and the company our children keep, and never to take our freedoms for granted. Be careful not to listen to this book with sensitive children (or adults) in the car or in the room. The author spares no grisly detail and often revisits them several times from different perspectives. The arrogance and evil of the crimes in these accounts is made all the more terrible, at times, when justice has not yet prevailed for the victim, but it is evident much more can be done to improve the investigative and prosecutorial process in order to increase the likelihood that the accused really do remain innocent until proven guilty.

Accents

Great book, but the accents used by the performer are borderline offensive. At the least, the accents are ridiculous. However, still a good book worthy of a listen/read.

If only wisdom ruled

The book is thoroughly readable, fascinating, intelligent and accessible without feeling I was talked down to. I don’t agree with all his opinions, the death penalty is not acceptable unless the system is perfect which it can never be, is good for my intellect to get ideas outside my bubble but the vast majority of his ideas for reforming our jurisprudence system are desperately needed. Why must it be so hard to do the right thing.