Contents:
Anyone You Want Me to Be: Douglas , Stephen Singular. In Olathe, Kansas, a balding, pudgy father of four sits in prison convicted on three counts of homicide -- two of capital murder -- and suspected in at least five other disappearances. During the last half of the s, John Robinson exploited the Internet's active world of sadomasochism with horrific results. By haunting chat rooms, he pinpointed vulnerable women who were looking for romance and stalked them on-line, nefariously convincing them of his maturity, sensitivity, and financial stability.
He seemed like the perfect man.
He enticed these women with offers of a solid relationship and a lucrative job, persuading them to move to his hometown. Once they arrived in Kansas, the women invariably disappeared. After a dramatic trial and days of intense jury deliberation, Robinson now faces the death penalty. Disturbing as his crimes may be, what's most alarming is how he selected and lured his victims and how willingly they responded.
John Robinson expanded the hunting ground, the techniques, and the technology of the sexual predator. He is the world's first-known Internet serial killer. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and the coauthors of Anyone You Want Me to Be have struggled to unravel the enigma that is John Robinson. They reveal what can go wrong in a world where relationships are devoid of physical contact, showing how easily mainstream Americans can be drawn into the dark underground of cybercrime. The Internet has drastically expanded the realm of fantasy -- from the limited confines of physical reality to the worldwide stage of virtual reality -- and anyone can become involved in an on-line seduction.
A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet focuses on one serial killer who preyed on women through the internet, instead of mentioning various true crime cases about different serial killers. Enabled Amazon Best Sellers Rank: Oct 03, Draven rated it it was ok. But what makes Robinson's story, as told here by John Douglas and Stephen Singular, uniquely disturbing is the presence of the World Wide Web and the ease with which a murderer can use it. This disturbing piece of non-fiction tells the story of John Robinson, the first internet serial killer. Most disturbing was the hunting ground in which Robinson seduced his prey:
Erotic fantasies, which were once socially off-limits and extremely private, are now instantly accessible. This rapidly growing community masks a sinister truth: Most of which had no business in this refreshingly objective book. I was particularly unimpressed when he gave the full names of psychiatrists who had examined Robinson during a prison stay and reported him sane and safe. Dec 01, Diane Dachota rated it really liked it.
I haven't read true crime for awhile but decided this story sounded fascinating. It is the story of serial killer John E Robinson, who started out by embelizzing money from employers and scannning people with fake investments, than became a serial killer. The interesting part was that his wife and children insisted he was a normal and loving father and grandfather even I recently watched Mindhunter on Netflix, which showed John Douglas' story and the beginnings of criminal profiling in the FBI. The interesting part was that his wife and children insisted he was a normal and loving father and grandfather even while he was using multiple identities, skipped from job to job, and multiple affairs.
Robinson became interested in the world of BSMD and became an on line slavemaster, seeking women control. This book is very sad. Many of these woman and most were killed before the age of the internet despite the books title , were easily persuaded to move, sometimes with their children, to sign blank pieces of paper, and to give their possessions and money to a man for a vague promise. The book seems to imply that Robinson at all times had numerous scams, numerous identities and numerous affairs going at all times.
I don't know where he got the energy. He ended up murdering many of the woman and gave one their babies away to his brother. It took a long time to catch up with him and many families were heart broken for years wondering where their loved ones were. There is a fair amount of padding in this book-lots of information on the horrors of the internet and background details of towns and people. Interesting book overall and I think it would be useful if Robinson told his viewpoints on things to a profiler. Aug 28, Kristy Hare rated it liked it.
Thete wete some parts of the writing that could have been cleaner I believe there could have been more information about Robinson's family life, especially if they wanted to use that angle in court. This case was sad ant true. I would not read this, again. Dec 16, Jill Hutchinson rated it liked it Shelves: An interesting and disturbing study of the life of serial killer, John Robinson who after a life of petty crime as a con man, moved to darker deeds. In the early days of the Internet, he worked a scam to lure vulnerable women to their death.
It also details the initial computer forensic process which eventually brought Robinson to justice. An interesting book, fairly well written An interesting look at the secrative and escalating career of a sick killer. With a matter of fact telling of facts with a few humorus comments from the authors. This doesn't read as some other shlocky true crime books do. This is respectful of facts and deosn't delve into the world of fantasy or melodrama.
Very disturbing book about sex predator, John Robinson. The lack of focus takes you away from the story and it is over the top with unnecessary details. Still worth reading but not one I would strongly recommend. Jan 11, Tbone rated it really liked it. Excellent book written by a retired FBI Profiler. It has been so many years since I read this book but I do remember how intrigued I was.
Especially since he used the then pretty new medium Internet to find his victims. Must re-read again soon. Dec 12, Lenny rated it it was amazing. The author took you deep into the world of depravity and perversity. Jan 26, Michele rated it liked it. I met John Douglas through a mutual friend. Great author and very interesting life.
He worked on a lot of high profile cases including the Jon Benet Ramsey murder investigation. Jun 25, Joshua rated it it was amazing Shelves: Turns out I enjoyed the title of this book more than anything else. A little click-baity but it's not exactly lying. John Robinson was someone I'd heard of before So I'll just do it for you! Most Turns out I enjoyed the title of this book more than anything else.
Most interesting of all is the snapshot of the internet in it's earliest days It was like the days people could bring liquid on airplanes! The book was okay May 05, T. Henry rated it liked it. Some of his statistics were so unbelievable I noted them so I could google as soon as had wifi again. And every time, the stats were actually worse today that what he quoted when the book was written.
I thought, no way. I really enjoyed his Some of his statistics were so unbelievable I noted them so I could google as soon as had wifi again. Over all, I found this an intriguing read. It was mildly repetitive. Unfortunately, it was very heavy on the foreshadowing, which released the tension, rather than building it. Jan 26, Holly McArthur rated it it was ok. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here. The progression of John Robinson's criminal career is interesting. However, I feel this book would have benefitted from being a lot shorter. There was an unnecessary excess of detail, often repeated to the point of tedium. Although this book was published in the early s the language regarding the internet was often clumsy. The last few chapters of the book pertaining to Robinson's trial were some of the most interesting. Frustratingly, there was no inclusion of information relating to Robins The progression of John Robinson's criminal career is interesting.
Frustratingly, there was no inclusion of information relating to Robinson's inevitable appeal of his capital punishment verdict.
However, this is most probably due to the length of an appeal process. Overall, this book provided an insightful look into the way criminal activity and investigation evolved along with the rise of the internet. Jun 13, Fred rated it liked it. I found this book at a library used book sale. I had read several books by John Douglas but was not familiar with this one. It's the story of John Robinson, which surprisingly I have never seen covered by Dateline, 48 Hours or any of the popular true crime programs.
It's another disheartening story about a serial killer who could have and should have been taken off the streets long before he destroyed so many lives. The fascinating part about this one is how easy he manipulated many well-educate I found this book at a library used book sale. The fascinating part about this one is how easy he manipulated many well-educated people who happened to be in vulnerable positions.
It's also noted as one of the earliest cases involving the internet as a tool to expand potential victims. It's well worth a read if you're a fan of Douglas's work. Oct 14, Lori rated it it was ok Shelves: I couldn't finish it. The author said the same things over and over. The book could've been so much shorter and livelier. This guy is doing horrible things to people, and I got bored. That is how slowly the plot was moving due to the author's need to say nearly everything five different ways. Jun 14, Dawn Meyers rated it really liked it.
Really fascinating gripping true crime read. I had never heard of this man but committed an amazing number of crimes including murders, before he was caught. Sep 09, CMT rated it liked it Recommends it for: This disturbing piece of non-fiction tells the story of John Robinson, the first internet serial killer.
I am a mature adult who has studied serial killers in hopes to find some answers on why our society creates such monsters, and I was very disturbed at many, many parts of this book. Robinson started off his life of crime many years before the internet became a household must-have. He smooth-talked his way into countless jobs, and swindled unknown This disturbing piece of non-fiction tells the story of John Robinson, the first internet serial killer. He smooth-talked his way into countless jobs, and swindled unknown amounts of money from companies and individuals. One of the most disturbing things he did involved the murder of a young single woman and the fake adoption of her daughter, whom his own sibling raised, all so he could make several thousand dollars.
As he grew older, technology made it easier for him to find naiive people that he did horrific things to. Also disturbing is that Robinson was considered a model father and grandfather by many. His wife stood by him through numerous affairs and imprisonments. This book is a must-read for any interested in psychology and human nature - Why do some stay in violent relationships? Why do intelligent people fall prey to a man who seeks to rule over others? What makes someone so bold, so cruel, so self-centered, so violent?
It was also an EXCELLENT reminder that the internet is not this safe haven people can go to and become someone else - there is a real danger when talking with strangers over the internet. My only problem with the book was that as much as the author tried to remain non-judgemental and neutral, he clearly was all for the conviction of Robinson, and rarely focused on the arguments of the defense. Granted, the book had been written after the verdict had been given, and I certainly agree that Robinson is a sick, guilty person, but I still believe that a book should cover all angles.
Anyone You Want Me to be: A Shocking True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet [John Douglas, Stephen Singular] on www.farmersmarketmusic.com *FREE* shipping on . Editorial Reviews. www.farmersmarketmusic.com Review. The Internet has made many enterprises easier since Anyone You Want Me To Be: A Shocking True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet - Kindle edition by John Douglas, Stephen Singular.
The second half of the book discusses the trial, and brings us to modern day. Robinson is still alive behind bars, but I don't feel the world is any safer. Aug 03, Megan rated it liked it. Very interesting and true story of serial killer, rapist John Robinson, the first serious 'internet predator' this story was very interesting as it showed an in depth perspective of what John Robinson did, how he did it, why he did it, and how he got away with it for so long.
While maintaining his own personal family life with a wife, children and grandchildren, appearing as a model citizen and someone who would 'do no harm' Robinson was leading a whole other life on the internet during a time p Very interesting and true story of serial killer, rapist John Robinson, the first serious 'internet predator' this story was very interesting as it showed an in depth perspective of what John Robinson did, how he did it, why he did it, and how he got away with it for so long. While maintaining his own personal family life with a wife, children and grandchildren, appearing as a model citizen and someone who would 'do no harm' Robinson was leading a whole other life on the internet during a time period where the internet was just beginning to get big and most people were still unaware of the true dangers that can occur through internet relationships.
Using his impeccable social skills, he managed to gain the trust of many people in both his personal and online life, posing as many different personas.
He began as just a con artist, needing money to support his family, but these dishonest and disturbing traits quickly lead to much more serious crimes including rape, and the brutal murder of both women and children. I found this book to be very interesting and informative, although I must note it did get kind of slow and difficult to follow at times, including a few too many unnecessary facts and minor details which could have been excluded.
I don't quite know why, but I have a great interest in serial murders and what drives them to commit such horrible and inhuman crimes. That being said, I found this book quite fascinating. Dec 14, Teresa rated it liked it.