Product Description

Offers a chilling, tragic, and frightening portrait of the enigmatic young man who murdered John Lennon in December 1980 and answers many lingering questions about Chapman's motives and the killing itself. Reprint. NYT. AB.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #617363 in Books
• Published on: 2000
• Released on: 1992-11-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 300 pages

From Publishers Weekly
From the title's tasteless allusion to the Lennon song "Strawberry Fields Forever" to the excusing treatment of a psychopath, this sensationalistic biography proves repugnant. Jones, noted for being the first reporter to interview "Son of Sam" killer David Berkowitz, describes the personality of Mark David Chapman before and after he shot and killed former Beatle John Lennon on Dec. 8, 1980, in New York City. We learn of Chapman's fascination with The Catcher in the Rye protagonist Holden Caulfield; we hear the voices of the evil "child" and rational "adult" arguing within Chapman as he stalked Lennon; we read of Chapman's "possession by demons" after his imprisonment. Jones's introduction claims "Chapman asked the author to undertake the telling of his story in the hope that it might prevent future tragedy." Shamefully, however, this book serves only the ignoble purpose of promoting a criminal's narcissism. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
In 1980, Chapman gunned down ex-Beatle John Lennon in New York City and pled guilty to second-degree murder; he is now an inmate at Attica prison. This account of his life and the obsessive forces that culminated in the death of his former idol is based largely on Chapman's recollections. Jones's book would have been strengthened by a critical analysis of Chapman's pathology (he is variously described as psychopathic, schizophrenic, and narcissistic) but nonetheless it is engrossing reading and far superior to Fenton Breslar's Who Killed John Lennon? ( LJ 8/89). A good addition to the literature about violence directed against celebrities, this book will appeal to students of abnormal psychology and true crime fans. Recommended where interest warrants.
- Gregor Preston, Univ. of California Lib., Davis
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

does this book make MDC a "somebody?"
He said the reason he shot John Lennon was so that he'd be a "somebody" instead of a "nobody." He said he'd always wanted to have a book written about him. Is this book just feeding his narcisism? I sort of think the book can't decide whether it wants to be a legitimate psychological portrait or sensationalistic. The highlights of the book, for me, were the chapters "All the Lonely People" and "Fan Mail." These chapters examined the culture we live in that leads people to obsess over famous people. I was disappointed in the book because I thought it would examine that more than it did, and also because it glamourized Mark David Chapman. I mean, it includes a short story he wrote. I don't care about that, I don't care about HIM. I care about the sociological and psychological factors that made him do what he did. I don't want to know his life story, and I REALLY don't want to empathize with him.

Nothing Is Real
This book is not necessarily one for Lennon fans, and I can imagine that plenty would avoid it because they can't forgive Chapman for what he did.

However, the story that unfolds helps to explain why Chapman did what he did, and is a chilling examination of an unsound mind. It is also compelling evidence why handgun law reform is essential, and Lennon's death is a perfect example of what can happen when madmen can buy a gun and carry it around.

Don't judge the book by its subject..judge it by the fact that it is a superbly written explanation of why a tragedy happened.

Does it ever stop!? --
". . . . this book will appeal to . . . true crime fans."

Does it ever stop!?

Imagine: if it weren't for crimes, "true crime" "fans" -- fans of crimes and criminals -- would have to find something constructive -- healthy --to do with their lives.

But they won't, so long as there's profit to be made by exploiting crimes committed by others against others. So long as the lives, and deaths, of others can be treated so cavalierly -- as entertainment:

"Hi! I'm a fan of John Lennon's death! Did you see the photos of him in the morgue!? And the photos of him being cremated!? Isn't it exciting!"

Chapman is far from alone in being sick, spiritually and otherwise.