Obsession
Authors: John Douglas & Mark Olshaker
Publisher: SCRIBNER
Date: February 1998
This review written by:
Amy Goldman
Behavior Reflects Personality--John Douglas
It's true--when it comes to John Douglas, I am a bit biased. A long time
fan, I expect nothing but the best from him (which of course I blame him for
my high expectations). I am glad to say he has not let me down yet.
All biases aside, (yes, really) Obsession takes us back to what we want from
John Douglas--his brain, information, suggestions, and insight. This time
around Douglas and Olshaker (who is all too often over-looked for his
contributions) take us into the minds and behaviors of rapists, stalkers,
and the victims of these predators. Furthermore, they take us into the lives
of those who became extended victims of the perpetrators--the families of
the victims.
The information about rapists, and the different types of rapists, is
essential information for any potential victim of rape. Douglas explains in
detail what the differences are, as well as what motivates the rapists, and
tells the reader what kind of reaction the rapist is looking for from his
victim. I think some people are going to read what I just wrote and ask
themselves: who wants to know all of that? I hope that you or someone you
love never has a need to know the kind of rapist who is trying to victimize
you or another, but if you do find yourself in that position, you'll be able
to determine what the rapist wants from you. This is powerful knowledge that
could help to save your life.
As already mentioned Douglas talks about how a crime such as rape can affect
family members. For example, one spouse (a husband) might be consumed with
guilt for not being able to prevent the rape. Another spouse may want to put
it behind him and not be able to attempt to understand what the victim is
going through. In another instance, he talks about a father telling his
daughter to get on with her life and get over the murder of her
eight-year-old daughter (his granddaughter). The point is that violent crime
impacts the extended victims as well as the physical victims and Douglas
does an excellent job conveying the resulting aftermath possibilities. The
fact is Douglas has never hidden the fact that he is completely victim
oriented--and it shows throughout Obsession completely, as does his genuine
compassion. You will see how and why he came to be obsessed with his work
and you will feel it too.
This is definitely a "how to" book--how to survive and how to be thankful
for what you have. He encourages victims to go through the processes they
need to go through to get back their lives (regardless of any pressure from
those "well-meaning" types)--obviously he means those that survived and the
extended ones. He also communicates the message that they won't and
shouldn't expect to go back to life, as they knew it, but life with a
different perspective.
I found it wondrous that while learning so much about how different people
react to different circumstances, Douglas was also teaching lessons about
avoiding becoming a victim. He was discussing in one particular chapter a
grieving mother, yet talking about the behaviors of the offender as well. It
was written so well that I didn't feel my brain going on over-load at
all--it was true integration. On top of that, he had much input from a
prosecuting attorney's point of view, a cop's point of view, and a victim
support advocate's point of view. Clearly much was devoted in compiling this
book for it to have fit together so well.
Next, Douglas and Olshaker tackle the subject of stalking. There is a
chapter about the "celebrity" stalker and then another about the type of
stalker who had a relationship (no matter how slight) with the victim. These
two chapters detail the philosophy of the stalker, which not surprisingly,
is completely out of touch with the "normal" standard of thinking.
Naturally, the victim impact is highly focused on. I say naturally because
this book is definitely one geared toward victims. The authors make it
painfully clear why further steps need to be taken to further the stalking
laws so that the offenders are stopped before their stress-points are
reached. Ideally, intervention and listening to the victim should be taken
more seriously even before the stressor point is reached, as Douglas points
out.
Below is the table of contents for Obsession:
Motivation X
The Hunter and the Hunted
A Tale of Two Rapists
The Dimensions of Rape
What Actually Happened in Central Park?
The Survivor's Journey
Katie's Story
For the Victims
Stalking
If I Can't Have You, Nobody Will
Buffalo Bill and Beyond
Speak Out for Stephanie
Knowledge is Power
Index
Douglas discusses several cases as they apply to each chapter
in the book. I found it to be a nice change that he did not only discuss
cases which many of us are familiar with, he also discussed ordinary
people--people most of us have probably not heard about. This in itself
brings the harsh reality of murder, rape, and stalking to the surface--the
victims are real, there are people who love them, they are more important
than the offender is.
As typical of Douglas, he has no problem expressing his opinion toward the
offender. I always like these little side-notes and points of bluntness. I
usually agree with them 100%.
To conclude, this book is worth your money. Douglas offers many words of
encouragement and tips on survival. If you've been a victim, he has
noteworthy advice for you; if you’re the family member of someone who has
been a victim, he has noteworthy advice for you; if you haven't been
victimized yet--yes, he has noteworthy advice for you. Obsession offers you
genuine, experience, compassionate insight. The authors have done an
excellent service with this one.
E-mail your questions or suggestions to
Bryan Nelson
