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1.5k reviews for:
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
Curt Gentry, Vincent Bugliosi
4.05 AVERAGE
1.5k reviews for:
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
Curt Gentry, Vincent Bugliosi
4.05 AVERAGE
slow-paced
This is a heck of a book. It's intense, authoritative, and fastidiously detailed. Bugliosi starts with the Tate-LaBianca murders and then walks the reader through the subsequent investigation and trial, introducing and explaining every coincidence, red herring, and little mystery along the way. Despite being over 600 pages, it's gripping all the way through. (It is also, at times, surprisingly funny. Some of the on-record exchanges between Judge Older, Manson, Bugliosi, and the infamous Irving Kanarek are more outrageous than anything a courtroom screenwriter could have invented. Laughing while you read a book about mass murder makes people stare on the train, but when you run across a phrase like "I object to that question as being ridiculous, Your Honor," it's hard not to.) My only real hang-up is Bugliosi's recollection of his own off-record remarks, which do sometimes sound a little too scripted to be real. However, if his style of writing--which does dip into melodrama; the phrase 'river of blood' is used at least once--is anything like his casual speech, maybe he really does just have a flair for the theatrical. Regardless, it's a fascinating read.
wow. this was such a good informative read. it was so well written im literally at a loss for words.
I don't consider myself a true crime girlie, never have and most likely never will. I've only read two true crime books before, but they were for a class. The first one? I don't remember. The second, though, was In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (a FANTASTIC book by the way).
However, this book??? I was deeply hooked. I honestly didn't know much about the Manson Murders prior, so I was in shock and awe most of the time. The way in which the book is organized tells a seamless story. It's easy to follow along, which is huge considering ALL of the details that are needed to correctly portray everything.
Obviously, Manson, himself, is fascinating. How he was able to evoke so much fear and love in all of his followers is so intriguing. You truly never know what he is thinking or what he might say. A man of many faces, indeed.
On another note, I also just simply enjoyed reading about the entire investigation and trial process. The reader will come across those who have a superior position but will be caught lacking, making it harder to provide evidence. On the other hand, there are people who are newer to the job and are found to be connecting the dots and making arguments that actually pack a punch.
Overall, a great read. I highly, highly recommend it.
However, this book??? I was deeply hooked. I honestly didn't know much about the Manson Murders prior, so I was in shock and awe most of the time. The way in which the book is organized tells a seamless story. It's easy to follow along, which is huge considering ALL of the details that are needed to correctly portray everything.
Obviously, Manson, himself, is fascinating. How he was able to evoke so much fear and love in all of his followers is so intriguing. You truly never know what he is thinking or what he might say. A man of many faces, indeed.
On another note, I also just simply enjoyed reading about the entire investigation and trial process. The reader will come across those who have a superior position but will be caught lacking, making it harder to provide evidence. On the other hand, there are people who are newer to the job and are found to be connecting the dots and making arguments that actually pack a punch.
Overall, a great read. I highly, highly recommend it.
dark
informative
slow-paced
this took me so long to get through. i’ve had Helter Skelter for years and finally forced myself to read it. bugliosi does a great job documenting the entirety of the charles manson murders and trial(s). the strict, matter of fact nature documenting the crimes, the evidence, manson’s philosophy, and court sequences made me feel like i was involved in the processing of the case. the gruesome murders and the intoxicating effect of manson are important into understanding the influential nature of human existence.
What a truly earth-shaking true crime novel. I'd heard of the Manson murders for quite some time now being a true crime enthusiast, but I had never understood the scope and true tragedy of it all. Bugliosi and Gentry are a great writing team, and they include all the important details of a harrowing trial. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone that is interested in true crime.
dark
medium-paced
Informative, but somewhat dry. Took a while for me to get into and started to lose my interest toward the end (I didn't bother with the afterward). Great book for gaining beyond-basic knowledge about these infamous crimes and trials, as well as the psyche and inner workings of "the Family." After perusing Goodreads, I realize there are people who sympathize with Manson and feel as though he was railroaded during his trial, and I would like to see what kind of evidence there might be to support these claims (for curiosity's sake). The Manson File by Nikolas Schreck is written from this perspective and has some interesting reviews, but at 900 plus pages I think I will have to cleanse my palette with a few more uplifting titles before diving back in to the world of Charles Manson!