The Evil That Men Do, by Stephen G. Michaud with Roy Hazelwood

ou may have heard the phrase "mindhunters". Mindunters are people who try to figure out how dangerous criminals and predators like serialkillers and -rapists operate - how they think, why they do what they do and what sets them off. Their objective is, of course to help capture them.

Roy Hazelwood is considered amongst the very top few in his field as an investigator, a researcher, criminal profiler and "mindhunter". For many years he was the leading expert within FBI, helping in hunting down or profiling many of the most "well-known" violent criminals in America. Many of the methods, classifications and distinctions that are used today was devised by Hazelwood and his colleagues at the FBI.

So what has this to do with you or with martial arts and self-defense. Great question, I'm glad you asked :-) Apart from the fact that this is a chillingly true collection of crime stories, as well a fascinating view into a world that very few of us have had the chance to learn anything about (thankfully!); the book shows how criminals do what they do, and even why they do it.

In other words: In order to avoid becoming a victim, it is wise to know how these predators see, feel, think and act. True, most of these people are at the extreme end of the scale. Some of the people here could be taken right out of "Silence of the Lamb". In many respects it is not the book to read alone at night if you are easily scared. But the point is this: These crimes are done to people just like you and I. If we know why someone end up being a victim, we are better prepared. Knowlege is power!

There's a very usefull and interesting part of this book that deals with sexual criminals (rapists). Hazelwood was amongst the first (if not the first) to put a consise and easy to see distinction on the various forms of rapists. And if you think this has an academic interest only to law enforsement agencies, psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities and so on, then think again! This knowledge is indispensable in knowing if it is wise to fight back, as well as where and when to do so. Simply put, If you are up against the most savage of these "animals", then it is not simply a matter of sexual assault, but of life and death. So before you go out and give sure-fire advice to women on how and when to fight back, please do so from a point of knowledge - not from a state of guessing!

I've read some reviews where people find the book a little too much about Roy Hazelwood, and a little too much of jumping about. I can understand both these views. But still, this is a great book, scary, enlightening and fascinating. Read it!

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