emilyinherhead 's review for:

Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn

3.0

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I read Vincent Bugliosi's Helter Skelter back in high school (on a beach trip — that pretty much sums up who I am) and remember being totally awed by it. I was expecting Jeff Guinn's book to have a similar effect, but it fell short. Some parts were extremely interesting, but others felt unnecessary or simply dragged. Recommended if you're truly interested in Manson's childhood and/or the particulars of life (and the music industry) in California in the 60s and 70s, but if you're mainly fascinated by the cult and crime aspects of the Manson story, try Helter Skelter instead.