You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
Listened to this on audio. A fantastic and thorough overview of the Manson Family murders, and trials, with interesting updates for the 25th anniversary in 1994... which is now 25 years old. I'd like to read something more recent with further follow up. Likewise you have to assume Bugliosi is slightly biased at least as the prosecutor of this case, though he seems to go out of his way to present a fair view. "Fair" is probably a hard to measure mark in this case for these heinous murders, and this supremely evil individual in Charles Manson. The first book anyone should read on this subject that has spawned an entire cult following that continues to draw fascination to this day.
Written by the prosecuting attorney of the case that eventually sentenced Charles Manson to death, the firsthand account of both the investigation and trial are meticulously detailed. Hand in hand with that detail is some longwinded-ness and a bit too much laudatory back patting. We get it, dude. You ceaselessly worked on the case and discovered countless connections doing your own investigations. CALM DOWN.
An incredibly meticulous narrative of the investigation and prosecution of the Tate-LaBianca murders, laying out its many bizarre twists and turns but not at all in a lurid or sensationalised way. Prosecutor Bugliosi's complete disdain for the often incompetent and lazy efforts of the police and the defence lawyers is darkly funny. (He also wrote a whole book about how George Bush should be prosecuted for murder, sounds like a cool dude.)
Fascinating, fascinating book. I adored it. It was more interested and addicting than any fictional crime book, and despite being over 700 pgs, kept me glued. Bugliosi is an excellent author, and despite the heinous crimes that are described, made me laugh out loud at some of the antics made by the defense lawyers during the trial. 5 stars, easily. It’s sparked a new interest for true crime novels.
The book was good, well written, but because it was written by the prosecuting attorney it could get bogged down by the minutiae of the case. All in all, however, it provided a fascinating read.
This book had exactly what I was seeking. I was not familiar with the incidents or the trial, and it walked me through both. It is a long book, but it is not overly wordy. The whole situation was quite complex, and the authors went into an appropriate amount of depth to explain it all. It was also not gratuitous in its depiction of the murders.
I have always had an interest in Charles Manson and, more specifically, the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders. Although that might seem odd and possibly a bit unsavoury, I believe my morbid interest in serial killers and things of that ilk are a result of my complete and utter amazement and horror that people could commit such acts. I want to know more about them, try to understand what goes through their minds and their motives. The Manson trial in particular was one of the strangest, and most high-profile criminal cases in American history, but I had never known much about it other than the crimes themselves.
I think with audiobooks I get on better with non-fiction, so this was the perfect book to listen to in this format. Although it took a little while for me to get into it, I soon became engrossed in the entire story, from the desperate attempts of the police to identify the killers, to the court proceedings themselves. What really struck me while listening to Helter Skelter was how completely inept the LAPD were at various points throughout the investigation - what seemed to be very unusual coincidences that would definitely warrant checking out were often ignored completely by the police on the case, which stressed me out to no end.
I really enjoyed Scott Brick's narration - although it was a little 'clinical' sounding at times, I felt that once I got into the meat of the storyline his voice was perfect: a little haunting, sometimes matter-of-fact, and at times I had to try and remember that it wasn't Vincent Bugliosi that I was listening to. I also loved the fact that this was written by Bugliosi, the chief prosecutor for the Manson trial, as I felt I was privy to a lot of very important information and details that I would have otherwise known nothing about.
If you like true crime books, and/or have any interest whatsoever in Charles Manson or the infamous Manson murders, I would highly recommend this audiobook. Although it is quite a long one (over 26 hours I believe), you always have the option to speed up the audio (;D), and either way you will soon become immersed in this despicable tale.
I think with audiobooks I get on better with non-fiction, so this was the perfect book to listen to in this format. Although it took a little while for me to get into it, I soon became engrossed in the entire story, from the desperate attempts of the police to identify the killers, to the court proceedings themselves. What really struck me while listening to Helter Skelter was how completely inept the LAPD were at various points throughout the investigation - what seemed to be very unusual coincidences that would definitely warrant checking out were often ignored completely by the police on the case, which stressed me out to no end.
I really enjoyed Scott Brick's narration - although it was a little 'clinical' sounding at times, I felt that once I got into the meat of the storyline his voice was perfect: a little haunting, sometimes matter-of-fact, and at times I had to try and remember that it wasn't Vincent Bugliosi that I was listening to. I also loved the fact that this was written by Bugliosi, the chief prosecutor for the Manson trial, as I felt I was privy to a lot of very important information and details that I would have otherwise known nothing about.
If you like true crime books, and/or have any interest whatsoever in Charles Manson or the infamous Manson murders, I would highly recommend this audiobook. Although it is quite a long one (over 26 hours I believe), you always have the option to speed up the audio (;D), and either way you will soon become immersed in this despicable tale.
Definitely dry through most of the beginning and middle, bit I appreciated the detail given. The latter parts of the book are what make it worth reading, because you get a lot of insight into how the defense structured their argument and perhaps bits of Manson's psyche.
Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry is a chilling in depth recounting of the Tate and LaBianca murders committed by the infamous Charles Manson and his followers, "The Family".
I found myself shocked by many of the details mentioned in the book not only about the murders but also the lifestyle of The Family. This is an intriguing read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Knowing this is not fiction will keep you looking over your shoulder. 5/5
I found myself shocked by many of the details mentioned in the book not only about the murders but also the lifestyle of The Family. This is an intriguing read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Knowing this is not fiction will keep you looking over your shoulder. 5/5
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced