S4 Episode 2: NYC's Mad Bomber – Bound by the Cloak
Not many know about the Mad Bomber and his trail of terror across New York City in the 1940’s and 50’s. The uncertainty and fear that gripped the city had New Yorkers bracing themselves for the possibility of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Many are also unaware of Dr. James A. Brussel, the father of modern criminal profiling and his role in assisting the authorities in catching the Mad Bomber.
In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the author and journalist Michael Cannell and his exploration of the notorious Mad Bomber. Michael unravels this twisted and sinister narrative, examining the mind of a criminal who terrorized New York City for years. He also shares the pivotal role played by Dr. Brussel, who revolutionized criminal investigations and is known to be the father of criminal profiling.
Michael is the author of four non-fiction books, including Incendiary: The Psychiatrist, the Mad Bomber and the Invention of Criminal Profiling. Michael has worked as an editor for The New York Times. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated and many other publications.
Show Notes:
Articles:
Understanding The History of Criminal Profiling (2023)
The ‘Mad Bomber’ Who Terrorized NYC Subways and Streets for 16 Years (2022)
How an Unlikely Source Took Down the Mad Bomber Who Terrorized New York City for Nearly 17 Years (2022)
Profiling Criminal Profilers (2021)
The Mad Bomber and the Birth of Criminal Profiling (2019)
Is Criminal Profiling Dead? Should It Be? (2018)
‘Incendiary’ is an explosive look at New York City bomb case (2017)
Retracing the ’50s Hunt for New York’s ‘Mad Bomber’ (2017)
How a Con Ed employee became a bomber and eluded the NYPD for 16 years (2016)
Bound by the Cloak 