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Follow the FBI as they search for The Unabomber, a man who, over the course of 14 bombings, killed three people. Even though I am out of the age range for this review, I found it fascinating to follow the FBI as they made their case.
About the book
A case of homegrown terrorism: the Unabomber.
Agent Kathleen Puckett was a successful linguist and a highly trained psychologist before she was recruited for the UNABOMB investigation. The Unabomber had evaded capture for 17 years, carried out 13 bombings, and killed three men.
Agent Puckett was a catalyst in understanding the psychology behind the Unabomber crimes. She led the team to make the arrest of Theodore Kaczynski on April 4, 1996, bringing down one of the most notorious domestic terrorists in American history.
What you Get:
The riveting story of one of the Unabombers attacks greets us as we enter into the chase. We see a horrible example of the Unabomber’s work. We are led through the building of the FBI team along with the frustrations they experienced.
Lots of images dot the pages, from evidenced gathered, various team members, sketches made and more. The reader is helped to see the intelligence of the man behind the Unabomber attacks. Such a smart man, and even though it took years, he left behind enough evidence to lead the FBI to his door.
My Thoughts
I have a hard time imagining someone being able to kill so many people. It’s one thing to be firmly commited to a cause, but to kill people over it? Especially someone just meant to be a warning? It’s a hard thing. I found it quite interesting watching the FBI do their work, but my heart was sad at the hard things the Unabomber did.
I’m not a big one for true life crime books, but I can see how many would be curious about the story behind The Unabomber.
The text was well written for the target age range. Death details were not sensationalized, death happened, how it happened was explained. No images provided. The focus was on the hunt, not on the death and damage done. If this type of literature appeals to your 9-11 year olds, it is worth a read for sure.
Fbi Files: The Unabomber.
Bryan Denson
Roaring Brook Press
176 pages, trade paperback
Ages 8-12
FBI, Unabomber, Crime, True Life, Terrorism
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
You’re so right, Annette. It IS hard to imagine or read about these things. Sometimes it’s hard to talk about them with our kids as well. Sounds like this book does it well.
I recently watched a docudrama on Netflix about the Unabomber. It was desperately difficult to watch, and tbh, I did fast-forward a few sections. So grateful for the gifted men and women who found the clues and pursued them to the end. But, wow.
Let me thank the reviewer for the nice words about my new book: UNABOMBER: Agent Kathy Puckett and the Hunt for a Serial Bomber. My interest in the case began when I covered Theodore Kaczynski’s arraignment in 1996. I had hoped to one day write a book about the case. When I was asked to write this nonfiction series for younger readers (FBI Files), I found my opening. I worked hard to tell the case through the eyes and ears of a magnificent team of investigators. I hope you enjoy it.
oh thank you for stopping by. It was a good book.
My pleasure entirely. There are three more books in the series in various stages of development. Stay tuned!