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danirozan 's review for:
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
by Vincent Bugliosi
Though first intimidated by the long list of characters at the beginning of this novel, I am glad to say this story is not only easy to follow but quite the page-turner. This book, though a longer read, is well worth it. It is written so thoughtfully and thoroughly that I was left feeling like an expert on the case with a greater understanding of court proceedings and the judicial system in general. Having finished this 600+ page book in about 4 days I will attempt to put together my mess of thoughts and emotions.
First and foremost, I can't help but point out the uncomfortably relevant themes in this book, specifically the black-white race issues and lack of police competency. Though Bugliosi tried to maintain the credibility of the LAPD in court, the book spoke for itself. After giving detectives a list of things to do, Bugliosi explains that they were "elementary follow-up steps that I felt the detectives should have already done on their own, without prompting." He worsens the blow a few paragraphs later when he admits that after asking the detectives if they are conducting their own investigations they answer: "How are we supposed to know to do these things? We're policemen, not lawyers." Among 'these things' were very simple, commonsensical tasks like searching for additional murder weapons, comparing prints with suspects, and looking up the record of stolen credit cards. Moreover, this was the only case the detectives were assigned to (according to Bugliosi) and it was likely to be the biggest of their entire career. Bringing these facts to the present day (June 2020), they read as evidence corroborating the current exposé on the police force and the subsequent questioning of their proficiency and competency. Further, the black-white issues that Mansons' philosophy delves into feel quite ominous in the present day.
Second, I think it's impossible to read this book without gaining a ridiculous amount of respect and acclaim for Bugliosi's tireless effort, unbelievable intelligence, irrevocable courage, and dedication to justice. Even the defense was admirable in their efforts. Reading this novel from the comfort of my bed knowing full well most of the Family are now behind bars, I was still kept up at night thinking about the horror of it all. I can't imagine facing that horror in court knowing one wrong step might cost me my life.
I think, which Bugliosi touched on a bit, that my own fascination with these murderers comes from the idea that Susan, Leslie, and Patricia could be the girl next door. Though Bugliosi points out that each of the three had unique life experiences which likely led them to this life and made them more susceptible to Manson, it's unnerving to see how impressionable one can be when they are in a bad way or place. Their eventual rehabilitation almost makes it more frightening because it suggests that given a better path in the first place, they might not have done what they did.
Finally, the absurdity that this story is reality made me thoroughly uncomfortable as I found, at times, that it seemed too absurd to be true and therefore unbelievable (which, to believe this [that it is unbelievable], is an injustice in itself). I strongly concur with Bugliosi's statement that, "If these murders had never happened, and someone wrote a novel with the same set of facts and circumstances, most people would put it down after a few pages; because as I understand it, to be good fiction it has to be somewhat believable, and this story is just too far out." There were several instances when the facts seemed totally dramatized, but they were not.
For this reason, I think Helter Skelter is a must-read.
First and foremost, I can't help but point out the uncomfortably relevant themes in this book, specifically the black-white race issues and lack of police competency. Though Bugliosi tried to maintain the credibility of the LAPD in court, the book spoke for itself. After giving detectives a list of things to do, Bugliosi explains that they were "elementary follow-up steps that I felt the detectives should have already done on their own, without prompting." He worsens the blow a few paragraphs later when he admits that after asking the detectives if they are conducting their own investigations they answer: "How are we supposed to know to do these things? We're policemen, not lawyers." Among 'these things' were very simple, commonsensical tasks like searching for additional murder weapons, comparing prints with suspects, and looking up the record of stolen credit cards. Moreover, this was the only case the detectives were assigned to (according to Bugliosi) and it was likely to be the biggest of their entire career. Bringing these facts to the present day (June 2020), they read as evidence corroborating the current exposé on the police force and the subsequent questioning of their proficiency and competency. Further, the black-white issues that Mansons' philosophy delves into feel quite ominous in the present day.
Second, I think it's impossible to read this book without gaining a ridiculous amount of respect and acclaim for Bugliosi's tireless effort, unbelievable intelligence, irrevocable courage, and dedication to justice. Even the defense was admirable in their efforts. Reading this novel from the comfort of my bed knowing full well most of the Family are now behind bars, I was still kept up at night thinking about the horror of it all. I can't imagine facing that horror in court knowing one wrong step might cost me my life.
I think, which Bugliosi touched on a bit, that my own fascination with these murderers comes from the idea that Susan, Leslie, and Patricia could be the girl next door. Though Bugliosi points out that each of the three had unique life experiences which likely led them to this life and made them more susceptible to Manson, it's unnerving to see how impressionable one can be when they are in a bad way or place. Their eventual rehabilitation almost makes it more frightening because it suggests that given a better path in the first place, they might not have done what they did.
Finally, the absurdity that this story is reality made me thoroughly uncomfortable as I found, at times, that it seemed too absurd to be true and therefore unbelievable (which, to believe this [that it is unbelievable], is an injustice in itself). I strongly concur with Bugliosi's statement that, "If these murders had never happened, and someone wrote a novel with the same set of facts and circumstances, most people would put it down after a few pages; because as I understand it, to be good fiction it has to be somewhat believable, and this story is just too far out." There were several instances when the facts seemed totally dramatized, but they were not.
For this reason, I think Helter Skelter is a must-read.