A review by thewrittenword
Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill

dark informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.0

One of the more intriguing and controversial titles of recent times, Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties is a riveting page-turner on what may have actually occurred with the infamous crimes committed by Charles Manson and his sinister group of followers dubbed the "Family" during the 1960s. Investigative reporter Tom O'Neill was given the task by Premiere magazine in 1999 to write an article on the 30th Anniversary of the  Manson murders. Research into the dark topic led him further into a rabbit hole much deeper than he thought he could have imagined: the CIA, mind control, conspiracy, drugs, sexual debauchery, cover-ups, etc.., are among the surprising revelations he uncovered. With interviews and travels he was able to trace the chaotic and turbulent times that bred and cultivated such an inspired yet toxic environment which found reflection and embodiment in those affluent homes in suburban Los Angeles forever linked with tragedy during the fateful nights of the crimes.

Although he doesn't offer any final conclusion on what led to and really happened in the Tate-LaBianca murders, O'Neill opened a whole new world of possibility and speculation on one of the most notorious crimes in history. Brisk and well-paced this is a must read for fans of True Crime, History and Music.