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Format: Paperback
Description
Raising a Serial KillerFather's Search for AnswersIn July of 1991 the country was shocked by the unfathomable crimes of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. But no one was more shocked than his parents. In A Father's Story, the reader is witness to the incremental unraveling of a parent's image of their child, and the "thousand different reactions" that follow. In his attempt to understand the nature of his son's psychosis, Lionel Dahmer methodically scrutinizes every possible contributing factor to his son's madness. His desperation is palpable as he searches for clues in the emotional, psychological, and genetic landscape of his son's life. Riveting and soul-wrenching, this unprecedented memoir is the confession of a father who must "confront the saddest truth a human can know-that his child has somehow crossed the line that separates the human from the monstrous."Echo Point's updated edition is also available in hardcover (search for ISBN 1648370535). Read more
Publisher : Echo Point Books & Media, LLC.
Publication date : March 19, 2025
Edition : 2nd ed.
Language : English
Print length : 268 pages
ISBN-10 : 1635615631
ISBN-13 : 30
Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
Dimensions : 5 x 0.62 x 8 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #98,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #80 in Serial Killers True Accounts #97 in Crime & Criminal Biographies
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Top Amazon Reviews
On the heels of many a serial murder's crimes, we often find a different type of terrible person. There are often those who try to cash in on the deeds of something infamous, selling their tales to anyone that will listen, and there are those who try to make others forgive them and tell them they aren't to blame. It is an ugly world when this happens and uglier still when these things first march into view. When I first saw this book I thought it was the culmination of the two of these things, and I accordingly dismissed it for a time because the idea repulsed me and the few sensibilities I try to stay connected with. The thing that changed my mind on reading the book was an interview done with Lionel and his son a year or so before Jeffrey's death, when Jeffrey was setting with his dad and talking about many of the things that had transpired. Amongst many of the questions J.D. was asked, he was asked to tell his dad what he thought about what his father had written. This seemed to catch both of them off-guard a bit, but Dahmer finally responded by saying that the book captured things that even he had forgotten and that he thought the book was worth reading. Considering how reviled Dahmer was by what he saw himself as, I wondered what that meant and wanted to look into the topic. And what I found was what the title entailed - it as a father trying to understand how his son had become something that he couldn't come close to comprehending. Far from the read that True Crime readers might be looking for, this is the story of a father and the son he desperately tried to recall. It accordingly goes into the early aspects of the boy and delves into a few curious aspects that the father remembers, but it really spends a lot of its time trying to see where things "went wrong" instead of focusing on the gruesome details of what had transpired. That isn't to say there aren't references to the events that had transpired because there are, and that isn't to say that there aren't times when it seems like Lionel hopes he is blameless because all fathers would hope they were free of this guilt. The thing is that the point of the book is really to look at the exploration of a father wondering about the horrors his son was capable of and where that came from. It did this by exploring everything, even looking into the idea of love and wondering how one could possibly ever atone for something so terrible as what his son had done. It also looked at where the father could have gone wrong, and the ideas were - painful. I'm not going to go as far as some people and commend Lionel Dahmer for writing this book because I'm not sure anyone deserves a commendation for something like this. I will say that the book looked like a struggle, however, and that this struggle looked like one that seems almost unimaginable. I would rarely recommend reading of this type but, in this case, the reviews are merited and then some. Knowing the topic tells you if you are interested in it and, if you are, then this is a prospective normally never acquired.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2008 by TBS
Format: Kindle
A Father’s Story offers a heartbreaking look at the aftermath of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes through the eyes of his father, Lionel Dahmer. It’s honest, reflective, and focuses more on a father’s grief and unanswered questions than on the crimes themselves. A thoughtful read that adds a different perspective to a well-known case.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2026 by Melissa Thurlby
After watching the newest Nexflix series on Jeffrey Dahmer, I wanted to research his life and those of his victims in more depth. I watched a multitude of YouTube videos on the subject as well as reading the public's opinions and comments. This then led me to reading, A Father's Story by Lionel Dahmer. His book shed further light on this family's complex dynamics and interpersonal dysfunction. I feel this book was definitely a worthwhile read. I also liked the fact that it was told from his father's perspective. I would have rated the story 5 stars but went with 4 instead because I needed to hear more than what was contained in it. There needed to be more pieces to the puzzle but Lionel didn't make another volume because of the negative backlash.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2022 by Magra
Format: Paperback
After reading A Father’s Story, I shed a few tears. It was extremely courageous of Lionel to write this book through his perspective as a father, holding his son, Jeffrey Dahmer accountable for the crimes but also sharing the parts of Jeff that still existed within him—his humanity. Lionel also expresses his own sense of guilt for Jeff’s actions; although, he recognized that Jeff’s immoral actions were that of his own, he still felt guilty due to genetics, environmental factors involving his role as a parent, and his own issues surrounding power and control growing up before Jeff was even born. He saw Jeff as the deepest, darkest, shadow of himself—something he possibly could’ve turned to had he not fueled his issues of power and control into something more constructive (for example, bodybuilding in his youth and his motivational drive towards obtaining a master’s and eventually a doctorate’s). Jeff took these issues into the extreme, something Lionel could never fathom. The book is an emotional one, written beautifully, displaying Lionel’s logical and analytical mind through the way he writes. There are minor errors, for example mannequin is spelled as “manikin”, where it’s meant to say “reporter” it says “re rter”, and one line even says “the” instead of “to”. Overall, it’s a beautiful piece of work and may Lionel, Jeffrey, and the victims rest in peace while we as a society continue to move forward and spread awareness and hopefully develop better early intervention strategies in children so crimes like these do not continue to happen❤️.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2026 by Nitasha G.
Format: Hardcover
I have been very intrigued with the Jeffrey Dahmer case after watching the new series on Netflix. However, I realized after doing so much research that so many things were not true in the series. I mean it’s to be expected since it is not a documentary, but for entertainment. I decided to get this book to see what Lionel had to say. It was an awesome read. I read it within a couple weeks but I guarantee I would’ve gotten done with it in two days if I didn’t have two little ones to care for and work. Definitely learned some new things I wasn’t aware of and made me feel for him because as a mother myself, I am sure I would still stand by my children if they grew up to do bad things. You can’t help but think of them in their innocent days I’m sure in that situation and I’m sure I’d also blame myself, as did he. But I hope Lionel knows that his parenting and what he did had nothing to do with Jeff’s unfortunate actions. That was all on him. Anyway, I definitely think this book was worth the read and anyone else that is interested in learning more about Jeffrey Dahmer & his dads outlook I would 100% recommend this book. Don’t go by the show. I saw Lionel is NOT happy with it being put out, as he was not notified about it and lots of untrue events were added in it. He said everything he needs to say is right here in this book!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2022 by kelsey
Format: Kindle
I'm not a huge fan of crime books or books about serial killers. But I am interested in the innocent people that get caught up in the nightmare. It's a shame that people blame someone without even giving them a chance. Lionel Dahmer was one of those people. If someone deliberately or intentionally causes a person to commit a crime, abuses them, neglects them, etc., then that person deserves some of the blame. But someone like Jeffery's father doesn't. He did his best as a father. Did he miss some signs that Jeffery had some problems, possibly. But what father or family member would jump to the assumption that your son or family member will commit some kind of horrific crime without real proof. Lionel Dahmer questioned some of his sons choices. But he never actual witnessed anything along the lines of what his son ended up doing. But he never gave up on Jeffery. He tried and tried to figure out his son and constantly tried to help him. But to be blamed, to receive death threat, to be harassed, and endure all the difficulties that Lionel and his wife had to go through is not fair for the acts committed by his son. I gave the book 3 stars only because Lionel keeps reflecting back on young Jeffery. I was expecting more details and explanations. Not about the actual crimes. But there are odd facts like the police not notifying Lionel about some things Jeffrey did. Why Jeffrey didn't seem to be getting basic help or counseling. More info on his mother. Etc. But hearing about what Lionel had to go through because of his son is a shame.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2026 by DC8 from Philly
Format: Paperback
I never give anything a review because they seem pointless to me, however, I can’t remain silent In regards to this book. Serial Killers, especially Ted Bundy and Jeff have always sent me into deep thought of what the meaning of life really is, or if there is even a meaning to it. I usually stick to “primary” sources for these two, or first-hand accounts because I find them more fascinating and riveting. This book, I can not stress enough, is hands down the most riveting, thought-provoking, and emotional first-hand account. My respect for Lionel Dahmer is immeasurable for the pain he has dealt with regarding his son is immense. His writing style is immaculate and you can tell that he poured all his effort into this book, which as the father of the infamous Jeffrey Dahmer, could be deemed emotionally exhausting. Dahmer let’s the reader relive his experience in a vulnerable way that I have never seen before. He talks about his internal conflicts and thoughts that he had at the time and when he wrote the book, and of course, his experience with his son Jeff. If you are a true crime geek, or want to hear the story of Jeff in the perspective of his own flesh and blood, this is for you. As Lionel mentions, it just makes you wonder where and when things went cause murder.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2022 by Zarina
Format: Paperback
A very interesting read that gives you some real insight to Jeff and his life growing up. Besides his mother and father not figuring out their relationship for the most part he had a very normal up brining. Very cool to see the perspective from a parents view. Almost heartbreaking in a sense the stuff his father and step mother went through. I respect Mr Dahmer and how he handled everything, was there for his son in all the right way.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2022 by john