Customer Reviews

Manson in His Own Words: The Shocking Confessions of 'The Most Dangerous Man Alive'

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

As a fan of true crime, Charles Manson has long been one of my favorite subjects. "Helter Skelter" is perhaps the best true crime book ever written. Having read the prosecuting attorney's view of the events, I felt it would be interesting to read Manson's version. Keeping in mind that Manson is neither honest nor completely sane, I was able to gain a lot of insight into who Charles Manson really is.

The book contains admissions and other information that were not in "Helter Skelter". This being considered, there are some serious flaws in the book. Manson's lies are fairly obvious at times when he is contradicting the proven evidence that convicted him. One person can lie. But when several stories match up against that person, the lie falls apart.

Perhaps the most eye-opening information in this book is in regard to Manson's childhood. Manson details a brutal childhood in which he was neglected, abandon, and even traded for a pitcher of beer. Manson even details the times he was raped in the youth detention center. One has to be curious if these events really did create the leader of a muderous cult.

While there is little doubt that Manson is a danger to society and guilty of heinous crimes, a disturbing public fascination persists more than 30 years later. The author, Nuel Emmons, makes the best observations in the conclusions. While we may never know the truth or the real Charles Manson, we can certainly gain some valuable insight by reading his own words.

If for no other reason, this book is an important Manson read
because of a startling revelation near the end. For readers who have read "Helter Skelter" or are familiar with the Tate murders on August 9, 1969; a couple of things don't add up. Several
witnesses in the benedict canyon area of Los Angeles that night heard men shouting and arguing in the vicinity of 10500 Cielo Drive. It reportedly occurred between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. This would have been several hours after the murders, but long before the bodies were discovered around 8:30 a.m. It was also known that in the course of this horrific crime, Sharon Tate never left the house once the killers arrived. She was murdered in the living room, having never made it outside. Her blood; however, was found on the front porch. Police and criminal experts also reported that her body had been completely smeared with blood. As if the body had been handled by someone at the scene, not too
long after the murders.

It is in this book that Manson proclaims that he and "one or two others," went back to the crime scene that night. He said he wanted to "see what my children had done." Manson even writes about what a risky operation that can be and that they were very cautious and unsettled by the whole experience. He refuses to name his accomplices, but goes into details about how he wiped down Steve Parent's car for prints and tried to move Sharon Tate's body. He also goes into sickening descriptions about what he wanted to do to her body in an effort to leave an
an even more horrifying discovery. This would explain the blood discrepency, the appearanced of a handled body (Tate), and the voices heard arguing from the residence.

This is not to say that because Manson said this, it is true. It would however, explain alot about the case that Mr. Bugliosi did not really cover in his book, "Helter Skelter." To add even more credibility to Manson's story, Tex Watson has said recently that he believed Manson reurned to the scene of the murders after he and the girls had retired for the night at Spohn Ranch. Adding a very creepy twist if true, to an already monstrously evil event in the annals of crime.

Manson tells this tale from prison to former prison-mate Nuel Emmons. He begins with his childhood and explains how he was abandoned by his mother and never knew his father. He winds up in juvenile facilites at a young age and thus begins his life of incarceration. His story moves on to his release in 1967 and how he adapts to the changes in the world while he was imprisoned. It is at this time that he begins to attract young women and forms what becomes known as the "Manson Family." Finally, he concludes with his perspective of the murders that made him a household name.

What is oddly compelling is that Manson has a tendency to make a lot of sense - that is until you reread a particular paragraph and think about the inherent flaws in his logic. But at first you will think, ok, I can understand why he broke the law there.....wait a minute!! It is a fascinating look into the criminal mind and largely explains why criminals will continue to break the law and rationalize their behavior away. Ultimately, the effect he had and continues to have over others is chilling. He admits to at least some role in the murders, and through this admission shows how much control he had over the women that did his bidding. How much of this is actually directly from Manson is debatable since he has discredited Emmons since publication. However, strangely compelling, this book is a direct window into the brain of a very dangerous individual.

This book was written by an ex con and former friend/cellmate of Manson's. It was written based on Manson's account of the events of his life. The two talked behind bars and then the author would write Manson's words down to the best of his ability. Manson did not write anything and a tape recorder was not permitted in prison so the ideas were Manson's but the wording was the authors. That said the author does his best to use Manson's wording whenever possible and tries to not veer off from Manson's account of his life story.

This book pieces together many loose ends in the Manson story. We learn of his troubled childhood and see the formation of antisocial personality disorder at a young age. Manson also finally admits that he did organize the murders of 9 people and actually expected more to be killed. The motive is still fuzzy. It was in part "Helter Skelter", copy cat killing and robbery but mostly it was hatred. Hatred for his mother. Hatred for society and everyone in it that once neglected and mistreated a little boy from Ohio named Charles Miles Manson.

I was somewhat reluctant to purchase this book because I didn't want to help glorify Manson in anyway. However, I found it irresistable not to know what Manson's version was of those two nights of senseless slaughter in August, 1969. I was shocked to learn that after 32 years, Manson continues to claim he didn't order the murders at all--it was "the girl's idea", he simply "went along with it". Incredible! Poor ole Charlie, apparantly, HE was the one who was brainwashed!

Manson does not disappoint! He comes across as being just as crazy as most people imagine him to be. It's really scary to hear him try to justify his actions. He takes no responsibility for anything and claims society made him what he is. He offers absolutely no remorse for the brutal murders and has no sympathy for the families of the victims.

I gave this book a 4 star rating because I do believe Manson told the truth--the truth as his sick, twisted mind believes the truth to be. This look into the mind of a monster is chilling, but almost as chilling is the fact that there are still people out there today who think he is some kind of hero and truly believe that what he and his "family" did on those two hot, summer nights in 1969 was "cool".

I would definetly suggest this book to everyone. I couldn't put it down and Nuel Emmons is an excellent writer.

This book is a great read! It really captures the kind of person Charles Manson is; a person just like you and me who happened to get thrown on the wrong path in society. I couldn't stop turning the pages. Although at times this book can be gory & drug crazed, it is also captivating & relaistic. I highly recommend!

This was an excellent book. A completely different story, however, to that which you will find in Helter Skelter. Which version you belive, is up to you but i would recommend reading both to get a fuller picture. If you want to be submerged in the feeling and freedom of the sixties and a good build up to, atleast Mansons version of, why these terrible murders happened read this book. Cross reference it with Helter Skelter for a more sober view of events and a totally different verdict of why the members of mansons 'group' chose to murder.

I have always been fascinated with the whole concept of the Manson Family, and this book gives a very frank insight into Charles Manson. I think the co-author (Nuel Emmons) did a good job of keeping Manson's loony side in check, as the book is an easy read without the pointless rants common to videotaped interviews with Manson. To get a good idea of the Manson family, I would recommend that people read this book, "Helter Skelter" by Vincent Bugliosi, "Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders" by Greg King, and "Would You Die For Me" by Charles "Tex" Watson. I think the truth about Manson lies somewhere in the middle of these four books. The only criticism I have is that Manson tries to deflect much of the blame from himself.

'The most dangerous man alive'? Doubtful...more like an individual who proves how influential environment is on forming of human character. If you read this book and don't in some small way sympathize with the human being that is Charles Manson then you're less human than the 'monster' he is purported to be. Inevitably there is bias and self indulgent perspectives conveyed here; the writing is relatively average as well though it flows smoothly & does compel one to turn the page, even with droopy eyelids. At least it is an answer to the best seller written by the man who was most instrumental in putting Manson behind bars; at most it's as close to a confession the literary world will probably ever see from Mr. Manson.