Take a photo of a barcode or cover
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
I gave this 200 pages but honestly, this is a how to manual on police incompetency and while I am interested in the trial itself and Manson, I couldn’t care less about how LAPD and the rest don’t understand how to do their job (nothing has changed since 1969 for them). I’m fully aware that this is THE account and Bugliosi is THE guy but you have to wade through the swamp to get the ogre and I’ll be honest, Shrek ain’t worth it
»—-Booksta ¸.•´*¨`*• Book Blog •*`¨*`•. 25+ Book Discord-—«
This book took me almost a month to read. Not only because it's chonky but because the content is so effing dark. I had to put it to the side more than once because my brain was just like, "NOT TODAY." But I can't imagine a better researched nonfiction book. This was hands down the best true crime book I've read to date. The author, Vincent Bugliosi, was the lead prosecutor of Manson and the Manson "Family" so he has firsthand details that you just couldn't find anywhere else.
This story is a wild ride. I thought I knew about this case but reading the book, I realized I only knew like very basic surface level details. I couldn't believe some of the history behind Manson and his cult. Crazy, crazy shit!
This book took me almost a month to read. Not only because it's chonky but because the content is so effing dark. I had to put it to the side more than once because my brain was just like, "NOT TODAY." But I can't imagine a better researched nonfiction book. This was hands down the best true crime book I've read to date. The author, Vincent Bugliosi, was the lead prosecutor of Manson and the Manson "Family" so he has firsthand details that you just couldn't find anywhere else.
This story is a wild ride. I thought I knew about this case but reading the book, I realized I only knew like very basic surface level details. I couldn't believe some of the history behind Manson and his cult. Crazy, crazy shit!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
As far as crime books go, this one was mildly entertaining. I had a lot of prior knowledge about this case going into reading this book, so I guess I can't judge how good a job it does at introducing readers to the Manson family murders. But honestly I don't think it would have done the greatest job. It gets a bit confusing at times, and doesn't really have a satisfying conclusion. And I don't think it makes it clear enough that the prosecuting lawyer is the author of this book until much too far in. I didn't even realize it until like halfway through somehow.
And even though I did mostly enjoy this book, a few weeks after reading this, I read Chaos by Tom O'Neill, and this entirely changed my perspective of Helter Skelter. Even though I have my own separate criticisms of Chaos, it really calls into question the validity of Helter Skelter and all of the claims it makes. Overall those two books spin a very interesting web of questions and mysteries when it comes to the Manson family murders. But like all true crime cases, everyone's ultimate focus should be on the victims.
Listened to on Libby.
And even though I did mostly enjoy this book, a few weeks after reading this, I read Chaos by Tom O'Neill, and this entirely changed my perspective of Helter Skelter. Even though I have my own separate criticisms of Chaos, it really calls into question the validity of Helter Skelter and all of the claims it makes. Overall those two books spin a very interesting web of questions and mysteries when it comes to the Manson family murders. But like all true crime cases, everyone's ultimate focus should be on the victims.
Listened to on Libby.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Trafficking, Murder
True crime novels are not my reading fare of choice. I appreciate a little voyeurism, other people's things, and the like, but true crime novels feel uncomfortably gratuitous with blood and horror, the more the better.
I read Helter Skelter for one of my book clubs, which is specifically designed to get us to read outside our comfort genres. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the book a lot more than I thought I would, especially considering I have little interest in the cult of Charles Manson and his philosophies.
Written by the prosecutor of the infamous Tate-LaBianca trials, Vincent Bugliosi, the book spends 1/5 of the book describing the actual murders and the rest of the time talking about the investigation, the lives of Manson and the Family, how Bugliosi prepared for trial, and the trial itself, which resulted in four people, including Charles Manson, found guilty and sentenced to death.
Bugliosi clearly explains the law and how it impacted his trial preparations, and with each event, he offered a translation for the layman. The way Bugliosi tells it, the LAPD and the defense attorneys made serious blunders that not only didn't help their case, but sometimes hurt it. While some of the revelations are remarkably embarrassing for the LAPD and/or the defense attorneys, ultimately Bugliosi won the trial and history *is* told by the victor.
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in 1960's music and subcultures, and anyone who thought Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" fascinating.
I read Helter Skelter for one of my book clubs, which is specifically designed to get us to read outside our comfort genres. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the book a lot more than I thought I would, especially considering I have little interest in the cult of Charles Manson and his philosophies.
Written by the prosecutor of the infamous Tate-LaBianca trials, Vincent Bugliosi, the book spends 1/5 of the book describing the actual murders and the rest of the time talking about the investigation, the lives of Manson and the Family, how Bugliosi prepared for trial, and the trial itself, which resulted in four people, including Charles Manson, found guilty and sentenced to death.
Bugliosi clearly explains the law and how it impacted his trial preparations, and with each event, he offered a translation for the layman. The way Bugliosi tells it, the LAPD and the defense attorneys made serious blunders that not only didn't help their case, but sometimes hurt it. While some of the revelations are remarkably embarrassing for the LAPD and/or the defense attorneys, ultimately Bugliosi won the trial and history *is* told by the victor.
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in 1960's music and subcultures, and anyone who thought Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" fascinating.
DNF. Hope to maybe try again someday but it’s dense and intense
Considered the definitive account of the Manson murders, the story of the trial is told by the prosecuting DA. The late 1960s was an interesting time in American culture. The book provides a sense of the context in which Manson was able to exert power over his Family, power that ultimately led to horrific mass murders that shocked the country.
This book is fascinating not only for its account of the Tate-LaBianca murders and the Family behind them but also for its portrayal of the American criminal justice system: Manson's extensive institutional background, the mistakes made by the police and forensics experts in documenting the crime scenes, the antics of the defense team during the trial, and more. I enjoyed Bugliosi's accounts so much I even read the afterword, something I rarely do.
so creepy... very interesting although sometimes it was a bit tedious
What the what?! In a word: mind-boggling. I'll admit, I had pretty basic knowledge going in, but this book is so detailed and well done, I now feel like *nearly* an expert. There is good reason this is the best selling true crime book in history.