‘Hugely insightful and thought provoking . . . I read it from cover to cover in one go’ – Emilia Fox
‘With characteristic brilliance and admirable sensitivity, Wilson illuminates the complex causes of their often horrific crimes’ – Professor Simon Winlow, Vice President of the British Society of Criminology
Professor David Wilson has spent his professional life working with violent men – especially men who have committed murder. Aged twenty-nine he became, at that time, the UK’s youngest ever prison Governor in charge of a jail and his career since then has seen him sat across a table with all sorts of killers: sometimes in a tense interview; sometimes sharing a cup of tea (or something a little stronger); sometimes looking them in the eye to tell them that they are a psychopath.
Some of these men became David’s friends; others would still love to kill him.
My Life with Murderers tells the story of David’s journey from idealistic prison governor to expert criminologist and professor. With experience unlike any other, David’s story is a fascinating and compelling study of human nature.
‘With characteristic brilliance and admirable sensitivity, Wilson illuminates the complex causes of their often horrific crimes’ – Professor Simon Winlow, Vice President of the British Society of Criminology
Professor David Wilson has spent his professional life working with violent men – especially men who have committed murder. Aged twenty-nine he became, at that time, the UK’s youngest ever prison Governor in charge of a jail and his career since then has seen him sat across a table with all sorts of killers: sometimes in a tense interview; sometimes sharing a cup of tea (or something a little stronger); sometimes looking them in the eye to tell them that they are a psychopath.
Some of these men became David’s friends; others would still love to kill him.
My Life with Murderers tells the story of David’s journey from idealistic prison governor to expert criminologist and professor. With experience unlike any other, David’s story is a fascinating and compelling study of human nature.
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Reviews
A riveting exploration of the psychology of those who have committed unthinkable crimes. It's also hugely insightful and thought provoking about our justice system, I read it from cover to cover in one go. David's professional experiences make an absolutely compelling read for anyone who is interested in the criminal mind and its motivations
Wilson's fascinating career brought him into contact with Britain's most violent criminals. In this gripping book, he moves beyond the usual media sensationalism to discuss in detail his life among our prison system's most notorious murderers, serial killers, sex offenders and hitmen. With characteristic brilliance and admirable sensitivity, Wilson illuminates the complex causes of their often horrific crimes. And in the background of Wilson's pitch-perfect central narrative, lies an accompanying account of a strained criminal justice system and the gradual disintegration of the rehabilitative ideal. Page-turning stuff. I'm sure this book will prove to be a great hit