Reviews - Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties

If you're looking for a true crime book that has an astonishing big reveal with an exact retelling of what happened the night of the murders 50 years later, you won't find it with this book. Chaos is...well chaotic. It follows the author Tom O'Neill down his 20 year rabbit-hole to finding the truth behind the Manson murders. It's more of a story about the dogged spirit of investigative journalism and the many cover-ups and "coincidences" surrounding the case. Did you know that the Manson Family had been picked up for crimes and let go dozens of times before the murders? Or that law enforcement had strong evidence pointing to the suspects of the Cielo Drive murders almost immediately yet took 3 months to solve the case and arrest the perpetrators?

There's no "smoking gun" in the end of this book that will connect all the lies and inaccuracies from the original case, but there are enough bombshells to make for an enjoyable read and make you doubt the motives of government and law enforcement.

jacksonrt's review against another edition

4.25

dark reflective slow-paced

bronze_age_barbarian's review against another edition

5.0

Probably the most intense piece of journalism ever written. O'Neill lays out the case in a way that leaves no doubt to the cover up of the Manson murders. The 20 year journey O'Neill went on and the documents that prove the case are astounding.

bluescreenl1fe's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

brittanyx28's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous challenging informative tense slow-paced

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