Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson

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Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson Pub. Date: 12/27/2005 Publisher: St. Martin's Press

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Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson (REV) Pub. Date: 8/1/2005 Publisher: St. Martin's Press

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Overview

The highly publicized Scott Peterson murder case captivated a public hungry for the answer to one question: Why would a man with no known history of violent crime or mental illness and with a pretty wife about to give birth brutally murder her and his unborn son? Forensic psychiatrist Keith Ablow's national media appearances, including a groundbreaking interview on Oprah, resulted in enormous public response, saying that his theories about the spawning of a killer inside Peterson were the first that made sense to them. Members of Scott's and Laci's families have also stated that his comments were the first that helped them understand what might have happened inside Scott's mind. Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson takes readers into the psyche of a killer, exploring:

How Scott Peterson's empathy for others was shattered by a three-generation "bloodline" of childhood loss and abandonmentWhy an addiction to sex took root in Peterson's psycheWhy Peterson's meeting Amber Frey while his wife was pregnant triggered the "perfect" psychological stormClues to Peterson's guilt in his interviews with Gloria Gomez and Diane SawyerWhat Peterson was probably thinking as he listened to testimony in court and received his death sentenceWhy Peterson could kill again, if released Using contacts at the FBI, and hiring private investigators and researchers, Keith Ablow delves deeply into Scott Peterson's life story to answer the question: How did an all-American boy turn into a ruthless killer?

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

No trial in the new millennium captivated Americans more than the Laci Peterson murder case. But even the extended court proceedings left one central question unanswered: What makes Scott Peterson tick? Dr. Keith Ablow thinks that he knows. In this persuasive book, he takes readers inside the psyche of a killer who is bereft of all empathy. Court TV's forensic psychiatry expert describes how Scott's addiction to sex took root and explains how his response to his wife's pregnancy is typical of narcissists and sociopaths.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781250010551
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication date: 12/27/2005
Pages: 352
Sales rank: 216,467
Product dimensions: 5.00 (w) x 8.00 (h) x 0.80 (d)

Meet the Author

KEITH ABLOW, M.D., is America's most well-known forensic psychiatrist and consults on Court TV. A graduate of Brown University and the Johns Hopkins Medical School, he has been retained to testify in some of the nation's most highly publicized murder cases. He has been a guest not only on Court TV but on Larry Elder, CNN, Charlie Rose, Maury, Montel, Charles Grodin, MSNBC, Fox News, Today, Oprah, and many others.

Visit his Web sites at www.keithablow.com and www.insidethemindof.com

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5

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Anonymous

Posted February 7, 2012

Keith Ablow, MD should stick to his day job!

This man has A LOT of nerve calling himself a "scientist" and a "writer". This book is full of shallow insights and horrificly pretentious references, ie, Camus, (as well as his own "poetic" banter)--all constructed in an extremely disjointed and cheesed-out fashion. I swear at one point I thought I was reading a 1950s porno excertp, as he explains the psychodynamics of Scott and Ambers' sexual activities!! UGH, Gross!!! I wish I could get a refund!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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miztexrgv

Posted April 20, 2009

I Also Recommend:

A Psychological look at a Sociopaths' development

After all the other books gave us the who, what, when, and how, this book gives us the WHY. A penetrating look at the life of Scott Peterson from a Psychologists viewpoint. Keith Ablow looks at the Peterson family history, his mother's disfunctional(and possibly abused)childhood, his pattern of lying from the early years, his sexual disfunctions, and his need to be the "perfect child".
Ablow delves into Laci's family history as well(though not as deeply) and makes a good case for her desire to see only the good(her previous abusive relationships are documented in her mother's book "For Laci") Altogether, Ablow paints a pretty clear picture of how something so monsterous could happen and take so many people by surprise("they were the perfect couple" goes the many quotes of family and friends)
The scariest part is that when you read to the end, you realize that Scott Peterson is not that rare in society. He just got caught.I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in True Crime, Abnormal Psychology, or just a good read. I have read all of the Scott Peterson books out there so far, and this is a favorite of mine. "For Laci" by Sharon Rocha is the best, though.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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OneReadingMomma

Posted May 12, 2011

more from this reviewer

Love The Psychology

This is a well written look at how Scott Peterson became a man capable of such an atrocious crime. Also takes a look at the weird dynamics of his family. Not a bad read!

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted November 25, 2007

A reviewer

This book held me spellbound,as a psychologist I had so many questions as to 'why' 'when did this man start becoming so enraged?' Keith Ablow not only did a wonderful job on explaining Scott Peterson and what led up to the killing of his wife and son- but he explained so many more things that sociopaths do. It made so much sense-clear, concise and had you on the edge of you seat all the time.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted October 9, 2006

Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson

I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought that the perspective of the book was well written and was very indepth. Ablow's veiw on the case was exciting and kept me on the edge with his sycopath statings. You will deffinityly find this a hard book to put down!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted October 8, 2006

Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson

I really enjoyed reading this book, I thought that the perspective of the book was well writen and was very indepth. Ablow's veiw on the case was exciting and kept me on the edge with his Sycopath statings. You will deffinitly find this a hard book to put down.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted January 12, 2006

A New Perspective

This was a fast read because it all lines up. Mr. Ablow hits the nail on the head with his perspective and cuts to the chase. A truly scary rendition of those who walk among us.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted January 9, 2006

Refreshing Insight!

I bought this book and finished it in two nights. I thought it was very well written, and gives indepth insight from a psychological aspect cleverly interlinking it with the criminal mind. Not only did I find it intriguing, but educational as well. Written with finesse, one documentary you will find hard to put down!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted September 29, 2005

Nothing new here

This book to me was mostly psychobabble, full of questionable symbolism, speculation, theories, and unrelenting repetition. The attention paid to Cleckley's 'Mask of Sanity' was excessive, I thought. It was constantly referred to, along with certain phrases (i.e., 'life = death'). As a person interested in this case and the people involved, I was not enlightened by these factoids regarding Scott and his family.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted August 19, 2005

A slap bang blockbuster

This book and Catherine Crier's 'A Deadly Game' are my favorite books on this riviting case. Crier's book took you so deep into the case I felt like I knew the detectives. Ablow's does the same, but his explores Scott Peterson's sociopathic mind. Read both and achieve the full perspective. Way to go Ablow and Crier! You two rule!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted August 14, 2005

Very Insightful

'Inside the Mind' not only gave you a startling glimpse at the Peterson murders, but a true revelation into the mind of a sociopath. How family history affects generations later. As a psychology major, this book was amazing. Read it in two days. Very much recommended.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted August 17, 2005

Goes well beyond the headlines. A Must-Read!!!

I was already hooked on Ablow's skills as both edge-of-your-seat writer and intuitive forensic psychiatrist, through his Frank Clevenger thrillers (THE ARCHITECT). But this true-crime account was just as riveting. I couldn't put it down! Ablow's extensive research into Scott Peterson's history and psyche has uncovered a story that reads like a modern Greek tragedy. Reading this work takes you well beyond any other true-crime narrative. Ablow's insights into the Peterson family help you understand the hidden psychological forces that can shape a seemingly 'golden' child's life. It uncovers the buried truths which could deprive a child of his or her normal ability to feel pain and thus to empathize with the pain of others. INSIDE THE MIND OF SCOTT PETERSON will make you wish that every dysfunctional family could have the benefit of Dr. Ablow's insights, before the seeds are planted in some of them to create more Scott Petersons in generations to come.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted July 21, 2005

Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson

Nobody can get into the mind of an evil sociopath with the skill and finesse of Dr. Keith Ablow. Between consulting with Catherine Crier, author of A Deadly Game, and access to members of the Peterson family, this book truly takes you INSIDE. You'll never look at the boy next door the same way again. Ablow's book is a perfect companion to Crier's. Pick up both and save a second trip to the store.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted July 24, 2005

Pretty eerie!

It just goes to prove what the BIBLE says: 'The sins of the father will be revisited on thier children'. I don't recall the verse offhand, but this shrink verifies it in secular terms. You must deal with what hurts and angers you and not sweep it under the rug, or it'll surface eventtually, possibly more than one gerneration hence when you least expect it. I've long believed in watching what you say and do around a newborn baby, and the traumatic events in Scott's bloodines and his getting pneumonia as an infant eventually surfaced in his murdering Laci and Connor. This book is so addicting! A miniseries could be made of this entire ordeal, starting with the murder of Scott's grandfather, his mother's rough childhood and early adulthood, Scott's meeting Laci, her and Connor's violent deaths, and finally, his trial and conviction. You'll be hooked in minutes!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted August 1, 2005

Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson

Catherine Crier's book A Deadly Game absolutely blew me away with its never before seen revelations. If you're a newbie Peterson trial junke, definately pick up Crier's book first. Then breeze past the other books and head straight for the Ablow pile. He does an amazing job of explaining complex psychological terminology in a highly readable manner. Some of his theories shed light on parts of Scott's personality I'd never noticed myself.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted October 5, 2011

Tripe

Utter stupidity to associate a newborn's illness with sociopathy. I couldn't read any further. Separation at birth due to pneumonia for a few weeks does not make one a murderer.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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5485239

Posted July 13, 2011

Not that great.

I think peterson is a psycho and is guilty but the authors reasoning is a little far fetched. Killed Laci cuz he didnt want to be tied down but yet he wants to make a life with a single mom? His parents were blamed because dad wanted him to have an interest in golf? Who doesnt wish their kids like some of the same things as them? I would read Deadly Game and skip this one because crier's book was all based on facts.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Voice_of_Sanity

Posted May 28, 2011

One of the worst books ever

This is one of the worst books ever. Not on Scott Peterson, not on crime, not on psychiatry but in general. Ablow has done more damage to psychiatry than a million screaming Scientologists could do. Ablow never interviewed Scott or any family member for this book. Most of his 'information' comes from the 'mind' of Anne Bird, transmitted to the 'mind' of Keith Ablow (I hear an echo from both of these empty vessels). Anne Bird has her own problems (GSA), which Ablow never detected, and his characterization of Scott as a sociopath is completely incompetent. The fact is that Scott is the exact reverse of this, a man who has been kind to everyone his whole life, almost to a fault. There is now unshakeable evidence that he was an innocent man, yet another convicted not by evidence but by hysteria whipped up by a lazy and incompetent media. How is it that Ablow, with his vaunted skills, couldn't detect this? If his excuse is that Scott wouldn't cooperate with him then he had no business writing this trash. Don't bother with this tripe. It's half an hour of your life you'll never get back. One star because I can't go lower. Bad!

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted March 29, 2008

Boo Hoo Hoo Poor Little Golden Boy!!

If only most kids had such attention poured on them they may have better lives. Give me a break. Maybe Jackie is a bit nuts, but many, many kids have had tough breaks and the world would be filled with many psycho killers!! I was expecting so much more. It was a snore fest!!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted February 11, 2006

The Whole Truth??

Reading this book I thought you had figured Scott out! Scott tried to do everything perfect so he would not be given away like the others. The only thing is he didn't know his Mother had given any children away till he was grown so that doesn't explain his actions. If you took out all the times the same thing is said more than 2 times you would loss about 25% of the book & then all the 3 & 4 pages between chapters another 5% wouldn't be a very long book. There is no way everything goes back to Scott's Grandfather being killed with a blow to the head. Laci wasn't hit on the head, there was NO BLOOD!

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