"He was the embodiment of all that is wicked."
Researchers still try to explain why some people turn to a life of violence and crime. The case of Edward Rulloff is one that is still fascinating- not because his crimes were so unusual, they were not, unfortunately. What was unusual was that he convinced many prominent people (journalists, alienists, and linguists) that he was "too smart" to be executed. His reputation as a world-class scholar was based on his life-long work on a manuscript that explained the origin of all languages. His theory was debunked and rather than accept a diagnosis of madness, he was hung in 1871. His brain was studied and became part of the first "brain collection." Research on his brain was used by both phrenologists and neurologists to discover the origin of criminal behavior.
Very interesting and well researched. ( )

An interesting story about a fascinating 19th century criminal. It is the deeds of the man himself that make this book a worthwhile read. The author addresses the state of science of the mind between then and now yet could have done more to develop the context of the world at the time. Only some references were made, likely because of the lack of serious research into the period.

This book will appeal to a general reader who has no particular interest in the subject, but simply wants a very light introduction.

Inexplicably, at the close of the book the author makes various negative references to the Trump Administration, which were entirely unnecessary and devalue her credibility. ( )