Extreme Killing: Understanding Serial and Mass Murder - Hardcover

Jack Levin is the Irving and Betty Brudnick Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Northeastern University, where he co-directs its Center on Violence and Conflict and teaches courses in the sociology of violence and hate. He has authored or co-authored 30 books, most recently Serial Killers and Sadistic Murderers-Up Close and Personal and The Violence of Hate. Levin has also published more than 100 articles in professional journals and books and more than 150 columns in major newspapers, such as The New York Times, The Sunday London Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and USA Today. In 2009, he received a major award from the American Sociological Association for his contributions to the public understanding of sociology. Also in 2009, he received the Apple Award from the New England Sociological Association for his contributions to teaching. Levin has spoken to a wide variety of community, academic, and professional groups, including the White House Conference on Hate Crimes, the National Organization of Hostage Negotiators, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

"Northeastern University criminal justice professors Fox and Levin distinguish serial murder from mass murder and note five distinct motives: power, revenge, loyalty, prfit, and terorr.  [They] discuss all of this in some detail, but the main impression they leave is that it is difficult to generalize about serial killlers orm ass murderers  Recommended." (D. Harper Choice Magazine)

"The authors provide a well-constructed introduction to the plethora of subjects that attribute to the multifaceted extreme types of murder...In sum, this book provides a comprehensive overview of multiple homicide and provides case examples to illustrate commonalities between types or as a means of differentiating between forms of extreme killing" -Laura Barrett, Sam Houston State University (Laura Barrett)