Customer Reviews

My Life with Charles Manson

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.