Savage Spawn - BookWyrm

No cover — Jonathan Kellerman: Savage Spawn (EBook, 2003, Random House Publishing Group)

eBook

English language

Published 2003 by Random House Publishing Group.

ISBN:: 978-0-345-46366-1
OCLC Number:: 234185339

(1 review)

"Ethically and morally, kids are works in progress. Throw in psychopathy and you've got a soul that will never be complete." In this powerful, disturbing book, bestselling author and noted child psychologist Jonathan Kellerman shines a penetrating light on antisocial youth--kids who kill without remorse--asserting that "psychopathic tendencies begin very early in life, as young as three, and they endure." Criticizing our quick impulse to blame violent movies or a "morally bankrupt" society, Kellerman convinces us that it is the kids themselves who need to be examined. Carefully. How do children become cold-blooded killers? Kellerman warns that today's aggressive bully is tomorrow's Mafia don, cult leader, or genocidal dictator. Violently psychopathic youths possess an overriding need for power, control, and stimulation, and all display a complete lack of regard for the humanity of others. He examines the origins of psychopathy and the ever-shifting debate between nurture and nature, offering some …

"Ethically and morally, kids are works in progress. Throw in psychopathy and you've got a soul that will never be complete." In this powerful, disturbing book, bestselling author and noted child psychologist Jonathan Kellerman shines a penetrating light on antisocial youth--kids who kill without remorse--asserting that "psychopathic tendencies begin very early in life, as young as three, and they endure." Criticizing our quick impulse to blame violent movies or a "morally bankrupt" society, Kellerman convinces us that it is the kids themselves who need to be examined. Carefully. How do children become cold-blooded killers? Kellerman warns that today's aggressive bully is tomorrow's Mafia don, cult leader, or genocidal dictator. Violently psychopathic youths possess an overriding need for power, control, and stimulation, and all display a complete lack of regard for the humanity of others. He examines the origins of psychopathy and the ever-shifting debate between nurture and nature, offering some controversial solutions to dealing with homicidal tendencies in children. As timely as today's headlines, more gripping than fiction, Savage Spawn is a provocative look at the links between society and biology, children and violence. Kellerman's sobering message will remain with you long after the last page is turned.From the Trade Paperback edition.

3 editions

tiff reviewed Savage Spawn by Jonathan Kellerman

Review of 'Savage Spawn' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

The first couple pages of this book went down smooth, like a good greek yogurt. There were good points all-around and I found myself nodding along in agreement with Kellerman, especially the parts about the dubiousness of “FBI Profiling”.

Then, Kellerman does a complete 180, with dated talking points on putting anyone who commits one crime away forever. The 11 and 13 year olds who committed mass murder with guns should be tossed in jail, do not pass go, even if they were literal children.

The three strike rule in California which disproportionally affects minorities and despite the claim it was supposed to put away only violent criminals such as rapists and murderers, that wasn’t the case when it was enacted.

I am not sure what kind of credentials Mr. Kellerman has to speak on psychopathy or law, but it is clear to me he isn’t qualified to speak …

The first couple pages of this book went down smooth, like a good greek yogurt. There were good points all-around and I found myself nodding along in agreement with Kellerman, especially the parts about the dubiousness of “FBI Profiling”.

Then, Kellerman does a complete 180, with dated talking points on putting anyone who commits one crime away forever. The 11 and 13 year olds who committed mass murder with guns should be tossed in jail, do not pass go, even if they were literal children.

The three strike rule in California which disproportionally affects minorities and despite the claim it was supposed to put away only violent criminals such as rapists and murderers, that wasn’t the case when it was enacted.

I am not sure what kind of credentials Mr. Kellerman has to speak on psychopathy or law, but it is clear to me he isn’t qualified to speak on either one.

Thinking that Kellerman was some sort of academic is a my bad when picking up this book without thinking critically about who wrote it and the angle he was coming from.

Kellerman writes crime novels that are just as easy to digest as this book, so if you’re looking for an easy read full of the copaganda you would expect from crime novels, read one of Kellerman’s novels. Pass on this one.

More on my blog : Savage Spawn Review

Subjects

Sociology
Criminology