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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
We all heard about Charles Manson & about the Manson murders, we’ve seen it on tv, in news pappers, true crime shows, Youtube videos, Mindhunter, even on effing Instagram. But do we truly know what happened?
This question came to me earlier this week when a friend asked if we’ve heard about Charles Manson, I’ve confidently said yes, but when he wanted to know more I couldn’t grasp an answer and then I realized – I need to read this book.
I’ve seen pictures of this book on Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest but truly gaved it a closer look when Sarah Hawkinson (on youtube and all socials) talked about it in a video or Instastory. I do trust her judgement when it comes to crime stuff so here I am, next to a cup of warm coffee – reading Helter Skelter.
The story starts with the Tate Murders, which is actually why we’re here.
The story is hitting you with a fact after fact after fact and that makes it so believable & present, just like you were there. First you find out about the crime, then who the victims are, then you find out something about their relatives, and finally now – about the murderers.
This review will be up on my blog tomorrow night, link in bio, stay tuned.
This question came to me earlier this week when a friend asked if we’ve heard about Charles Manson, I’ve confidently said yes, but when he wanted to know more I couldn’t grasp an answer and then I realized – I need to read this book.
I’ve seen pictures of this book on Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest but truly gaved it a closer look when Sarah Hawkinson (on youtube and all socials) talked about it in a video or Instastory. I do trust her judgement when it comes to crime stuff so here I am, next to a cup of warm coffee – reading Helter Skelter.
The story starts with the Tate Murders, which is actually why we’re here.
The story is hitting you with a fact after fact after fact and that makes it so believable & present, just like you were there. First you find out about the crime, then who the victims are, then you find out something about their relatives, and finally now – about the murderers.
This review will be up on my blog tomorrow night, link in bio, stay tuned.
One of the most well-written, evocative, thoroughly reported, and entertaining nonfiction books I've ever read. Disturbing but well worth the read. Along with Going Clear and All the President's Men, Helter Skelter is a must-read for students of journalism and narrative nonfiction.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
I appreciated the chronological and very detailed approach that the authors took to this book. Having all the facts written out in the order that it happened scratched my analyst brain. Now I’m gonna go watch every video on YouTube and give myself so much anxiety that I can’t sleep tonight
challenging
dark
informative
tense
It’s no secret I love true crime, and I’ve read a good handful of true crime books. I never thought I would ever give one 5 stars—for some reason it’s just hard for me to “enjoy” true crime enough to give it 5 stars if that makes sense? In a way I don’t enjoy these books at all, I’m just really interested in them.
But this book was masterful. Because the prosecutor of Charles Manson himself narrates it, I felt nervous and stressed as he investigated this and tried these people, even though I went in knowing the result! I’m leaving this book with Vincent Bugliosi as like a HERO of mine lol his tenacity and bravery in all of these events is admirable.
This book and all the events within are just completely unbelievable, and I can’t really wrap my head about how people can think the way they do to do such horrible things. All these years later, I know the whole world is still in awe of how this happened. If you’re at all into true crime, definitely read this.
But this book was masterful. Because the prosecutor of Charles Manson himself narrates it, I felt nervous and stressed as he investigated this and tried these people, even though I went in knowing the result! I’m leaving this book with Vincent Bugliosi as like a HERO of mine lol his tenacity and bravery in all of these events is admirable.
This book and all the events within are just completely unbelievable, and I can’t really wrap my head about how people can think the way they do to do such horrible things. All these years later, I know the whole world is still in awe of how this happened. If you’re at all into true crime, definitely read this.
dark
slow-paced
Another great choice for the #bookishtruecrime club! Helter Skelter was our book for August and it was LONG. At almost 700 pages, this took me a while to get through but I can now definitely see why this is such an iconic true crime book. I thought I knew everything about the Manson Murders (and subsequent trial) but wow I was wrong. The crimes were absolutely brutal and the behavior of the individuals involved is horrific. Helter Skelter includes all the preparation for trial, mistakes made during the investigation, and the beliefs of the Manson Family. I would recommend this to all my hardcore true crime fans out there because this is an intense deep dive with no detail left out!
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
What a seriously chilling account of one of the most iconic series of murders in American history. Going into this, I knew nearly nothing about the Manson murders. I'm so shocked by how melodramatic the whole thing was. (I don't think melodramatic is the correct word, but what I mean is that many times I was thinking, "There's no way that that happened! That kind of stuff only happens in movies" and then I remembered that it DID really happen.)
Bugliosi has a great way of sticking to the facts without weaving too much of his own emotion into the story. I think perhaps because the content was so intriguing, he didn't need to share how he felt. I couldn't stop thinking about the book and have actually taken extra precaution to lock my car and house all the time.
I'm glad I read this to stay informed and now I want to learn even more about it! I spent an hour or so browsing Wikipedia pages while making progress through the book. It's not that the book didn't have all the facts -- like I said, it was filled to the brim with facts -- but I couldn't wait until the ending to find out what happened, and what has happened to the family after the book was published. I still want to learn more about it. Can anyone recommend any movies or TV program that I can watch? (I find it strange how curious I am about this, but it is and incredible real-life crime story.)
I was hoping to read another crime book after this, but I think I still need time to process this one.
Bugliosi has a great way of sticking to the facts without weaving too much of his own emotion into the story. I think perhaps because the content was so intriguing, he didn't need to share how he felt. I couldn't stop thinking about the book and have actually taken extra precaution to lock my car and house all the time.
I'm glad I read this to stay informed and now I want to learn even more about it! I spent an hour or so browsing Wikipedia pages while making progress through the book. It's not that the book didn't have all the facts -- like I said, it was filled to the brim with facts -- but I couldn't wait until the ending to find out what happened, and what has happened to the family after the book was published. I still want to learn more about it. Can anyone recommend any movies or TV program that I can watch? (I find it strange how curious I am about this, but it is and incredible real-life crime story.)
I was hoping to read another crime book after this, but I think I still need time to process this one.