# There are no Good Books on Arson and Arsonists **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2019, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293 "2019-07-19T07:12:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/1 "2019-07-19T07:12:18Z")
Because of the recent attack in Japan, I went over to Amazon to find something on this subject. There is almost nothing available. There is nothing at all available on Kindle. Someone ought to write a book on arson, its history, the causes, and its detection. I promise you I would buy a copy. ---
**Author:** ![InsomniaMama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ad7895/32.png) [@InsomniaMama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InsomniaMama)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/2 "2019-07-19T09:16:26Z")
You might like The Library Book. It’s mostly about the largest library fire in American history. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/3 "2019-07-19T10:05:19Z")
> [@InsomniaMama](#): > > You might like The Library Book. It’s mostly about the largest library fire in American history. Thank you. I had read the free sample a few months ago. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/4 "2019-07-19T11:04:09Z")
Well, there’s always “Fahrenheit 451.” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/5 "2019-07-19T12:20:52Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Well, there’s always “Fahrenheit 451.” It’s not arson if the government does it. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/6 "2019-07-19T12:41:22Z")
What exactly are you looking for that you’re not finding? I found plenty of books on arson on amazon. Fire investigation, biopics, psychology, arsonist profiles (and for some reason a hell of a lot of romance novels, but I’m guessing those aren’t of interest to you). Here’s a few: > **[Attacking the Violent Crime of Arson: A Report on America?s Fire Investigation...](https://www.amazon.com/Attacking-Violent-Crime-Arson-Investigation/dp/1482661349)** > > Attacking the Violent Crime of Arson: A Report on America?s Fire Investigation Units \[U.S. Fire Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Attacking the Violent Crime of Arson: A Report... > **[Amazon.com: The Psychology of Arson: A Practical Guide to Understanding and...](https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Arson-Understanding-Deliberate-Firesetters/dp/0415810698)** > > Amazon.com: The Psychology of Arson: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Managing Deliberate Firesetters: 9780415810692: Doley, Rebekah, Dickens, Geoffrey, Gannon, Theresa: Books > **[The Arsonist Profiles: Analyzing Arson Motives and Behavior: Nordskog, Ed:...](https://www.amazon.com/Arsonist-Profiles-Analyzing-Motives-Behavior/dp/153098307X)** > > The Arsonist Profiles: Analyzing Arson Motives and Behavior \[Nordskog, Ed\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. The Arsonist Profiles: Analyzing Arson Motives and Behavior > **[Fire Investigator: Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033: Principles and...](https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Investigator-Principles-Practice-NFPA/dp/1284140741)** > > Fire Investigator: Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033: Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033 \[International Association of Arson Investigators\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Fire Investigator: Principles and... > **[Fire Cops: On the Case with America's Arson Investigators: Sasser, Michael,...](https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Cops-Americas-Arson-Investigators/dp/1476784450)** > > Fire Cops: On the Case with America's Arson Investigators \[Sasser, Michael, Sasser, Charles W.\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Fire Cops: On the Case with America's Arson Investigators ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/7 "2019-07-19T13:02:58Z")
For a unique perspective, see if you can find a copy of [“Points of Origin”](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/68390.Points_of_Origin) by fire investigator (and convicted serial arsonist) [John Orr](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Leonard_Orr). ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/8 "2019-07-19T13:05:26Z")
What do you mean “no good books”? There’s the _Argonautika_ of Apollonius of Rhodes, and… Oh, sorry, that’s Jason and the Argonauts, not Arson and the Arsonists. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/9 "2019-07-19T13:08:38Z")
Joseph Wambaugh book about the Orr case: > **[Fire Lover: A True Story: Joseph Wambaugh: 9781482994896: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Lover-Story-Joseph-Wambaugh/dp/1482994895)** > > Fire Lover: A True Story \[Joseph Wambaugh\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Fire Lover: A True Story ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/10 "2019-07-19T13:10:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Someone ought to write a book on arson, its history, the causes, and its detection. I promise you I would buy a copy. Well, a common thread connecting arsonists is that they are endlessly fascinated by fire. In fact, they are consumed (no pun intended here) by the subject. …:eek: Just sayin’ … ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/11 "2019-07-19T14:01:30Z")
_Points of Origin_ is not available on Kindle. _Fire Lover_ is and looks very interesting. _Attacking the Violent Crime of Arson: A Report on America?s Fire Investigation Units_ is more like what I am after. It is not available on Kindle. _The Psychology of Arson: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Managing Deliberate Firesetters_ Exactly what I want. It is also $50. Textbooks are a racket. _The Arsonist Profiles: Analyzing Arson Motives and Behavior_ is not available on Kindle. _Fire Investigator: Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033_ is $73. \*Fire Cops: On the Case with America’s Arson Investigators \* may be worth a look. Thank you all, Wambaugh, a well-know author seems the best bet. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/12 "2019-07-19T14:26:02Z")
The Wambaugh book is very good. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/13 "2019-07-19T15:53:42Z")
They were planning to write one, but the author was fired. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/14 "2019-07-19T16:29:54Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > _Points of Origin_ is not available on Kindle. > _Fire Lover_ is and looks very interesting. You should try to get both; the latter is about the author of the former, who turned out to be an arsonist. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/15 "2019-07-19T17:16:13Z")
^Another case of not reading the whole thread. :o ---
**Author:** ![pmwgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@pmwgreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmwgreen)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/16 "2019-07-19T17:25:05Z")
I suppose “The Rat On Fire” by George V. Higgins wouldn’t do? ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/17 "2019-07-19T18:34:12Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > There is nothing at all available on Kindle. You’d think that would be the place to find books on arson… (And there doesn’t seem to be anything about arson on [match.com](http://match.com), either…weird) ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/18 "2019-07-20T00:16:15Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > You’d think that would be the place to find books on arson… > > (And there doesn’t seem to be anything about arson on [match.com](http://match.com), either…weird) Try Tinder. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-good-books-on-arson-and-arsonists/837293/19 "2019-07-20T02:16:10Z")
Wife and I just listened to the audiobook American Fire, by Monica Hesse. Lots of fun.