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1.51k reviews for:
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
Curt Gentry, Vincent Bugliosi
4.05 AVERAGE
1.51k reviews for:
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
Curt Gentry, Vincent Bugliosi
4.05 AVERAGE
a reread that reminded me of the dangers of listening to the beatles
RTC- 5 stars because the amount of detail the authors put in this book holds up the back cover accolade, “The best true crime novel!”
It’s a really compelling and harrowing narrative; Bugliosi is a master of storytelling. At times, though, Bugliosi’s desire to portray himself positively in different respects (i.e. Sandy threatening Bugliosi with the knife) takes precedent over the story itself.
4.5 stars. Half a point knocked off for how arrogant Bugliosi is when describing the role he played throughout the book.
This was fantastic other than that. I actually didn't know anything about the Manson murders or anything about Manson himself other than the name prior to reading this. Somehow Bugliosi takes what should be incredibly dry material of court proceedings and makes it a page-turner. Highly recommend if you enjoy true crime books.
This was fantastic other than that. I actually didn't know anything about the Manson murders or anything about Manson himself other than the name prior to reading this. Somehow Bugliosi takes what should be incredibly dry material of court proceedings and makes it a page-turner. Highly recommend if you enjoy true crime books.
It is fascinating to me how people can be so easily led astray by despotic individuals.
"I may have implied on several occasions to several different people that I may have been Jesus Christ, but I haven't decided yet what I am or who I am."
Helter Shelter by Vincent Bugliosi is the definitive true crime tale of the horrific story of Charles Manson, the family and the Tate LaBianca murders of 1969. Bugliosi, the prosecutor of Manson, Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkle, gave you an in depth look into the minds, actions and ideals of Charles Manson and his followers.
I've always wanted to read this book but never felt I was mature enough to. At 30 something I figured it was time. I was sucked in from page one. There were a lot of players to this story and it was hard to keep track at time with all the names, alias and nicknames of all the family members. But, with that exception, this story is as terrifying as it is intriguing.
Helter Shelter by Vincent Bugliosi is the definitive true crime tale of the horrific story of Charles Manson, the family and the Tate LaBianca murders of 1969. Bugliosi, the prosecutor of Manson, Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkle, gave you an in depth look into the minds, actions and ideals of Charles Manson and his followers.
I've always wanted to read this book but never felt I was mature enough to. At 30 something I figured it was time. I was sucked in from page one. There were a lot of players to this story and it was hard to keep track at time with all the names, alias and nicknames of all the family members. But, with that exception, this story is as terrifying as it is intriguing.
Meh. For as disturbing as the subject matter is, I found this audiobook pretty boring. Perhaps a new, younger narrator and throwing out the terribly cheesy horror music transitions would help. Maybe I've just been totally desensitized by all the horrible stuff on tv every day, but I just wasn't really phased by this book. It wasn't engaging and I really don't think I could have struggled through the print version. I did find the description of Manson's formative years interesting, but everything else lacked depth and felt like a reading a never-ending wikipedia article. Actually, some of the Wikipedia articles are more engaging than this..
Any true crime buff will tell you that you must read this book, but no one ever says why, at least in my experience. It's on every list as a true crime classic, and it definitely deserves that spot. Bugliosi goes into extreme detail of the Manson murders, the investigation, the formation and dynamics of the Manson family (which I find to be a fascinating study of human behavior), and the trials. There is basically no answerable question left unanswered. Bugliosi even provides an in-depth "Cast of Characters" and timeline at the start of the book, so you may refer to it at any time to help remember who anyone is or where you are in time, even if it's been a while since you last put down the book. The length can be daunting and is the biggest criticism I have, if you can call it that.
medium-paced
Good accounting of the story. A little too wordy for me though.