Helter skelter : the true story of the Manson murders

Prosecuting Attorney in the Manson trial, Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the twentieth century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Here is the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime.

User reviews

LibraryThing member MissLizzy

I have been known to dabble in psychology--especially the psychology of the criminal mind, and the acts born of that mind. To be honest, this book scares the shit out of me: people can be so easily influenced by things like movies or music, and the people that have the charm to lead those sheep

(albeit through terror and fear) are the ones to have the capability to control the whole world. I am particularly interested in Manson, because there is only one thing he says that I believe: the world made him the way he is. Or at least, had a big hand in it. Growing up in institutions has had an enormous effect on him, and he has learned how to cheat the system...almost. Very thankfully, he will most likely remain in prison for the rest of his life.

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LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman

I listened to the Audible version; good narrator. A bit long, however, although very interesting.

LibraryThing member ilive2read

I had nightmares every night during the time I was reading this book. A chilling well-written book written by the lawyer at the center of thye Manson Family trials.

LibraryThing member buckeyebren

Knowing that what I was reading about in this book was fact (or most of it) is what scared the hell out of me. That many many people like the Manson family exist as our neighbors and coworkers disturbs me even more.

LibraryThing member Fluffyblue

Well-written book by the man who prosecuted Charles Manson and the Family. It was sometimes difficult to understand the American legal system because of the differences with the English legal system, but Bugliosi did offer some explanation. I still don't get some of the legal terms, and I think I

have read the book twice!

It is pretty factual, and gives a clear timeline of the murders of Tate, La Bianca et al.

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LibraryThing member lsknightsr1

Easily one of my favorite books of all time. Bugliosi and Gentry do a superb job of keeping the reader's interest, yet still relating the brutal facts about the Manson murders. I was also impressed with the level of information they were able to relate to the reader simply by including photos of

the crime scenes, etc...

If you enjoy reading true crime novels, I recommend this book. It's easily one of the best ever printed. (In my opinion!)

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LibraryThing member BellaFoxx

What do you say about a book that has sold 7 million copies? That is so unbelievable it has to be true? A name that 40 years later still strikes terror into people? That is the problem I am having as I am sitting here thinking about this review, I just don't know what to say.

Before I read this, I

thought I knew a lot about Charles Manson. I mean, I DID know a lot, but I didn't know as much as I thought I did. Everyone who has told me they read it has said it affected their life. That is was a compelling read, but they wouldn't read it again. I don't understand that. I think I will there is more to be learned. Mr. Bugliosi is an excellent writer, he tells not just what happened, but details his search to find out the motive behind it. He explains what Manson believed "Helter Skelter" was. The influence the Beatles had on him (one of the things I didn't know). In an afterward written 25 years after the case, he writes his beliefs about why "the nation continues to be fascinated with the Manson murder case. The five year anniversaries of the murders, are marked by articles, news reports, and television specials internationally." He also talks about how other mass murderers and serial killers, the mention of their names does not have the profound effect that the name "Charles Manson". Even today, his crime stands out.

The book is written in eight parts (I think, I can't check because Tigger has absconded with my copy, he wants to read it and couldn't wait for me to write this). It logically progresses from the murders, to the investigation, then the killers, then gives background on Charles Manson and his 'family', his 'girls' as he called them. We read about his opinion of the establishment(no surprises there), other races and women. His total control over the people who followed him, who believed he was JC(Jesus Christ) to the extent of who was their lawyers, what they did and said in court. The book has tons of pictures, drawings, maps and about 10 pictures of Manson, each different from the other, including the most famous one, the one that caused his family to say, "Charlie made the cover of Life!".

Before I read this, someone told me, any fan of True Crime books should read Helter Skelter, and I agree with that statement. I recommend this book.

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LibraryThing member sellis91

Helter Skelter is the first real crime book that I have read. The only books that I have read that are similar are a couple of legal thrillers by John Grisham. I didn’t even plan to read Helter Skelter either. The red letters on the spine of the book just jumped out at me as I was walking among

the bookshelves. For my first factual crime book, I found Helter Skelter horrifying, interesting, and very educational. Before reading this book I only knew bits and pieces about the Manson murders such as; Charles Manson was the leader, it took place in the 60s, he had a bunch of female followers, and that they had committed a few murders. Little did I know how horrendous those murders actually were.
From the several and excessive stab wounds, to the bloody writing on the wall, it was like stepping into a horror movie. Vincent Bugliosi, the author, had written Helter Skelter like a murder and legal thriller all in one. Although this all happened way before my time, when I read this book, I felt like it was all happening now and that I was a fly on the wall witnessing everything. The book was exciting and I didn’t want to put it down. It was intriguing reading about the powerful Charles Manson and his brain washed robot and zombie like followers. It was amazing what people can and will do for love or faith. How someone can murder a woman who was 8 months pregnant and cannot see nor feel any wrong or guilt for what she did.
Helter Skelter has opened a new genre of literature to me. I know want to read and learn more. Maybe I will read about Jeffrey Dahmer or other serial killers or psychopaths. It’s interesting to see, or at least try to see what makes these terrifying people tick.

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LibraryThing member TheLiveSoundGuy

Not just an explanation of the facts, or the criminal justice system.
Mr. Bugliosi will take you back with such reality, you will believe you are in the time these crimes were committed. An inner view to some of the most heinous acts in the last century. After reading this historic work, will

understand why, many of these individuals will never be released from prison.

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LibraryThing member Borg-mx5

A compelling, factual read. This book changed the genre of true crime and details the events leading upto one ot the most bizzare tales of murder ever.

LibraryThing member queencersei

Helter Skelter is the true story of the Manson Family and L.A. prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi’s quest to bring them to justice. The infamous murders of Sharon Tate, her guests, the Labianca’s and others are graphically recounted. The book really shines when Bugliousi describes the trial of the

Mason Family, detailing the events that occurred in the courtroom. The book is well written and riveting. It is a must read for any lover of the True Crime genre and a story that is impossible to forget.

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LibraryThing member silenceiseverything

Helter Skelter starts out with a page that simply says "The story you are about to read will scare the hell out of you." That is an extremely accurate statement. No if's, and's or but's about it. This book is terrifying!

While I was born a couple of decades after Manson and his "Family" committed

these murders, I still had a general idea of what exactly took place at the crime scenes and the havoc that Manson and co. wreaked (plus my interest in criminology had me seeking out tons of cases that were featured on the TruTV website a few years ago and this one was the most prominently displayed). While Manson and/or his followers are very rarely in the news nowadays (unless one of them is up for parole), the crimes committed were so horrific that they are still brought up today (mainly in procedural shows i.e. Criminal Minds, Law & Order, etc.).

Reading Helter Skelter, there was one thing that was stuck in my mind and that was the ages of most of Manson's followers. We're talking about young people from ages 16 to about 28. Now I'm 21 and I can't even fathom how a human being can commit an atrocious crime like this. Let alone when they are so young and have their whole lives ahead of them, yet let themselves be brainwashed by Charles Manson and his skewed perception of love. It's truly a shame and if not for them, then certainly for all the victims and their families.

Helter Skelter is definitely not a book for the faint of heart. It's gruesome, terrible, and unflinching. It doesn't shy away from the brutality that the victims suffered at the hands of their murderers. And like the first page said, this book will scare the hell out of you. I was extremely paranoid while reading this, always double and sometimes triple checking my locks. It just shows how human beings have the potential to be incredibly evil.

However, Helter Skelter is an extremely compelling read. While it didn't exactly fly by for me (but that's mostly because I had to keep putting it down to avoid jumping out of my skin too much everytime someone knocked on my door past 5:00PM), it kept me enthralled when I was reading it. While I didn't exactly enjoy it, I did find it to be a well-written read that was incredibly gripping. And while I haven't read much true crime, I can tell that Helter Skelter is true crime at its best.

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LibraryThing member briannad84

I agree with one other reviewer, that this crime is far more terrifying than anything Stephen King can come up with. I find it disturbing that there are people out there who still idolize Manson.

LibraryThing member earyan2

Best true crime book I've ever read.

LibraryThing member theeclecticreview

Another book I read as a teen. A fascinating and disturbing look at a serial killer with no boundaries. A true crime novel that will send chills down your spine.

LibraryThing member hippieness

A very disturbing read!

LibraryThing member CSMcMahon

I will never listen to the Beatles White Album the same ever again. In all seriousness, this book was incredible. It makes you wonder what it was about Manson that he had the ability to get people to commit atrocious acts.

LibraryThing member ABookVacation

This documentary was written VERY well... like a novel, instead of a documentary. I was captivated and appauled at the same time. It's scary to know this madness exsists.

LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C

It was so quiet, one of the killers would later say, you could almost hear the sound of ice rattling in cocktail shakers in the homes way down the canyon.

Those are the opening lines of Helter Skelter. Decades after I had first read it, I could recall that first sentence almost word for word. The

book has that kind of haunting quality. A lot of that may be due to the less well-known co-author, Curt Gentry, because in contrast Bugliosi's other book about a murder case he was involved in, And the Sea Will Tell was much less memorable and engrossing. Of course, it's hard to imagine a case more fascinating than the Manson Murders. You have celebrity victims such as Sharon Tate, the pregnant wife of the famous director Roman Polański; you have the murderers, cult leader Charlie Manson and "his Family" and what has to be the most bizarre motive in the history of American jurisprudence. And whether he contributed to the literary quality of the book, certainly Vincent Bugliosi contributes the intimate knowledge and perspective of someone closely involved--he prosecuted Manson for the Tate/LaBianca murders. I read this in my early teens, if not younger, and it made a deep impression on me. As a child, decades before Law and Order, my idea of a lawyer came from such shows as Perry Mason that gave all the glory to defense attorneys. This was the first glimmer I had that prosecutors could be heroes too. The book won a 1975 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime book and I can understand why. One of the classic true crime books.

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LibraryThing member suefitz1

Very dark, but very interesting.

LibraryThing member Bookjournal91

I love this book, which is an odd thing to say about a murder book.
Yes the details gave me a headache, and yes I've read it 3 times but really don't fully understand it all yet. However that's why I love it, it shows the complexity of a murder case, it's difficulty in following and understanding

people.
I cannot help but feel sympathy for those involved however its a clinical professional level, I feel this is crucial since the book deals with some violent and just upsetting crimes.

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LibraryThing member SheriffsGirlEllen

I come from a family of peace officers, so I am a true crime fan. This was the first true crime book I ever read and no book ever frightened me so badly. I remember it giving me nightmares. The Manson Family is my definition of evil and the best thing about this book is that they are all behind

bars or dead today.

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LibraryThing member lesliewright34

I am enthralled with true crime, trying to understand how people can do the things they do, how they are eventually caught, etc. This is the absolute best true crime book I have ever read. It made my skin crawl to read about the actions of the Manson Family and made my heart break for the victims.

There are no words to describe just how psychotic "the family" was as is evident not only in their crimes but in their actions at trial. A definite must-read for any true crime fan, even if you think you know all there is to know about the Manson Family.

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LibraryThing member bke

The first part was interesting, and a little shocking to see just how incompetent the LA police were. However, I quickly lost interest

LibraryThing member KarensStories

This is not the first time I've read Helter Skelter, a timeless book that is as fascinating as it is frightening. This well written, detailed account of the Manson family, their beliefs and their actions is chilling. Mr. Bugliosi takes the reader through the rampage, the murders, the investigation,

the trial and the aftermath, in an explicit account that will stay with the reader indefinitely. I first read this book shortly after its publication, and forty years later, I still find it to be an outstanding account of a terrifying cult leader and his followers.

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