My Life with Charles Manson [Mass Market Paperback]

Paul Watkins (Author), Guillermo Soledad (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1979

279 pages. Once, Charles Manson's #2 man, Paul Watkins, believed in the Family and trusted Manson with his life. That was before the Tate/LaBianca murders, before the bizarre warning signals that "Helter Skelter was coming down." Now in MY LIFE WITH CHARLES MANSON, he recalls with chilling, hour-by-hour detail how he came to join the Family and how, from the beginning, they were programmed-by sex, drugs and music-to kill and die for a man who would as easily have cut their throats. He describes the "creepy crawly nights" which were rehearsals for murder... and Manson's richly embroidered ceremonial vest which depicted scenes of Family life and was woven partly in human hair... MY LIFE WITH CHARLES MANSON is a story of violence against body, mind and soul-perhaps the most shocking story ever told.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Books (1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553127888
• ISBN-13: 978-0553127881
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,221,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars bookaholic, April 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: My Life with Charles Manson (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a gritty, honest look at people who have been glorified in the media. Watkins' book is an honest look at himself & others while focusing on the philosophy behind the cult rather than focusing on the murders,which he was not a part of. Watkins is honest to a fault about himself & others. The 60's were a time
of great upheaval and awakening & this book reflects this. Great read!!! Warns parents & kids alike about following a guru.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great read, February 29, 2004

By 

JeriLynn (Red Bluff, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life with Charles Manson (Mass Market Paperback)

I found this book interesting. Watkins tells the story from his perspective and gives a clear picture of how life within the family slowly changed from a peaceful existance into a paranoid,delusional band of killers. One of the best books on Manson and his ability to influence other minds. Not just his "followers", he conned many influential business people as well.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXTREMELY DETAILED - BUT SO PRICEY, November 2, 2006

By 

idonottell (BUFFALO, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life with Charles Manson (Mass Market Paperback)

The price of this book is unreal- you're better off having your library order it for you to borrow- it cost me ten dollars and l finally got to read it. Its very, very detailed, the nights at spahn's ranch and barker's ranch- you get the feeling of actually being there. Paul recalls alot of the experiences which we are all so curious about. what you have to keep in mind is that this is only HIS drug influenced perspective and not necessarily the facts as they were in reality. When he starts talking about helter skelter and hiding out in fear of the race war - this was actually when charlie had shot -in self defense-who he thought was a black panther member (crowe)..it was over tex watson ripping the guy off. Only a few of the family members were aware of the shooting of crowe (who actually lived although manson didnt find this out till much later). So when charlie was in fear of retaliation from the panthers, the "family" was hiding out but not knowing the REAL reason why, they were under the 'helter skelter' idea which was just "tripping talk" among all of them and NOT some race war plan that charlie was trying to execute. Thats a bunch of junk the prosecutor was pushing. Watkins doesnt even mention the shooting of crowe, telling me he wasnt even aware.

l suggest reading 'manson in his own words', there is a line throughout the book which gives a clearer image of manson. He isnt completely innocent but he certainly is not the monster the media has portrayed him as.