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Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders REVIEWVickie Bunny

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Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders Paperback – December 17, 2001

by Vincent Bugliosi (Author), Curt Gentry (Author)

4.6 7,538 ratings

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The #1 True Crime Bestseller of All Time―7 Million Copies Sold

In the summer of 1969, in Los Angeles, a series of brutal, seemingly random murders captured headlines across America. A famous actress (and her unborn child), an heiress to a coffee fortune, a supermarket owner and his wife were among the seven victims. A thin trail of circumstances eventually tied the Tate-LeBianca murders to Charles Manson, a would-be pop singer of small talent living in the desert with his "family" of devoted young women and men. What was his hold over them? And what was the motivation behind such savagery? In the public imagination, over time, the case assumed the proportions of myth. The murders marked the end of the sixties and became an immediate symbol of the dark underside of that era.

Vincent Bugliosi was the prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial, and this book is his enthralling account of how he built his case from what a defense attorney dismissed as only "two fingerprints and Vince Bugliosi." The meticulous detective work with which the story begins, the prosecutor's view of a complex murder trial, the reconstruction of the philosophy Manson inculcated in his fervent followers…these elements make for a true crime classic. Helter Skelter is not merely a spellbinding murder case and courtroom drama but also, in the words of The New Republic, a "social document of rare importance."

50 pages of black-and-white photographs

Print length

689 pages
Language

English
Publisher

W. W. Norton & Company
Publication date

December 17, 2001
Dimensions

5.5 x 1.4 x 8.3 inches
ISBN-10

0393322238
ISBN-13

978-0393322231
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Popular Highlights in this book

What are popular highlights?

It was an odd group, their leader, a guy named Charlie, apparently having convinced them that he was Jesus Christ.
Highlighted by 376 Kindle readers
Yet within twenty-four hours the police would decide there was no connection between the two sets of murders.
Highlighted by 300 Kindle readers
“The primary duty of a lawyer engaged in public prosecution is not to convict, but to see that justice is done…”
Highlighted by 279 Kindle readers

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the best crime stories ever written."
― Chicago Sun-Times

"[A] social document of rare importance."
― The New Republic

About the Author

Vincent Bugliosi (1934―2015), was the prosecutor of Charles Manson and author of Helter Skelter, Outrage, and other #1 bestselling books.

Curt Gentry (1931-2014), an Edgar winner, was the author of J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets, Frame-Up: The Incredible Case of Tom Mooney and Warren Billings, and co-author of Helter Skelter with Vincent Bugliosi.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; Reprint edition (December 17, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 689 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393322238
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393322231
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.4 x 8.3 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #12,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #22 in Criminology (Books)
- #29 in Serial Killers True Accounts
- #59 in Murder & Mayhem True Accounts

Customer Reviews:
4.6 7,538 ratings

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Vincent Bugliosi
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Vincent Bugliosi, prosecutor of Charles Manson, lives in Los Angeles, California. He is the author or co-author of many books, among them the #1 best-sellers Helter Skelter, And the Sea Will Tell, and Outrage; plus Four Days in November, The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder, No Island of Sanity, The Betrayal of America, Lullaby and Good Night, Shadow Of Cain, Till Death Us Do Part, Drugs in America, and The Phoenix Solution.
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Curt Gentry
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Kira Ferro

BEST BOOK EVER

Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024

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Finished it in a week and rereading it

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Manaconda

A very interesting read

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2023

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A well written book that shows the wildness of what was going on in this case.

Well worth the read.

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2012

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To begin this review, I must explain that I do not normally read books in the True Crime genre. In fact, this is the first and only True Crime book I have read. My reading interests are traditionally geared towards philosophical, religious and historical texts. I became interested in Charles Manson after watching some of his interviews about spirituality on YouTube. I picked up Helter Skelter because it appeared to be the most critically acclaimed text on the subject of Charles Manson. If you are someone who is simply looking for a gripping, page-turning story about murder and mayhem, BUY THIS BOOK. It is a well-written and accurate factual chronicle of the Manson murders that is every bit as good as all the other reviews on Amazon say. (Be aware, however, that this book is dated. A lot of information about the murders have come out since this book was published, and even the updated new versions don't cover the new material in any great depth.) If I were reviewing this book strictly on the quality of the story told, I would award it 5-stars.

Having said that, this book could have been much more engaging. It is simply that, a well-written factual chronicle of the Manson murders. For some reason, the book opens on the day after the Sharon Tate murder. The author (the attorney who prosecuted Manson) presents the facts chronologically, with many many exceptions, in the same order that detectives working the case learned of them. This means that the book is less the story Charles Manson and his family, and more the story of prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi. This manner of story-telling brings to the forefront the limitations of the author. Again, Bugliosi is an attorney with a mind only for the concrete facts. If you are hoping for a critical examination of Manson, the control he had over his followers, his beliefs, his childhood, etc., choose a different book. On the few occasions the author attempts to stray from a factual account of the murders in order to address the more abstract ideas and implications surrounding the murders, he gets it wrong. (Browsing Amazon, I see that Bugliosi has recently published a book on religion. Read the reviews of that book and you will see that, even forty years after writing Helter Skelter, Bugliosi is apparently still unqualified to write about more abstract topics.)

My advice is to read this book if you want a purely factual account of the Manson slayings, or are just looking for some good entertainment. However, if you are also interested in the psychology behind Manson and his family, you will need to supplement Helter Skelter with other reading. Finally, be aware that, at 700+ pages, this book will likely take at least a few weeks to finish.

4 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Helter Smelter CD

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2023

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Loved the CD. All the discs were clean and played well

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The Best True Crime Novel Of All Time

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2010

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I have always been a true crime novel fan. I have devoured Ann Rule and Joe McGinniss. I am not alone. Over the holidays I had a conversation with another fellow true crime fan. She asked if I had ever read Vincent Bugliosi's novel, Helter Skelter, the true story of the Manson Family murders. I hadn't. Truth is, I had kind of been afraid to read it. When the murders took place I was only a toddler. I do however, remember the TV mini-series "Helter Skelter", based on the book and feeling, well, freaked out. I've had the book Helter Skelter on the back-burner of my brain for years to read. Well, I finally took the plunge.

The book Helter Skelter embodies my two favorite reasons for reading true crime. Number one, I love to learn the psychology of the murders - why the murderers may have done what they did. Number two, I love to read how the prosecutors and detectives used their knowledge, experience, and hard work to solve the crimes and prosecute the criminals. For those unfamiliar to the case, and really, how could you be, The Manson Family headed by Charles Manson, went on a killing rampage in Los Angeles in August 1969 brutally murdering seven people. Vincent Bugliosi, the author of the book, was the prosecutor at the trial and investigator on the case. It was the most horrifying murder spree in US history and the longest, most grueling trial the country had seen to date. Some say the murders put an abrupt end to the 60's spirit of free love and ushered in a new more sated era.

The book itself is a great read. It is well-written and tells the story of what occurred, how the case was solved, and how the case was successfully prosecuted. In addition, the writer provides the back story as well as reporting on the pulse of the country as the trial proceeded. It is a real glimpse in to the history of the country. I learned that my original perceptions of the case were not accurate. The book accomplishes the herculean task of sorting through hundreds of witnesses, several police department's participation, and reams of testimony while at the same time managing to keep readers interested and informed as the investigation and case unfolds in chronological order.

I am particularly fond of the author, Bugliosi. He sounds like a brilliant guy who worked his tail off. His constant reference to the hours of preparation on both the investigation and each stage of the trial is inspiring. He mentions more than once the "100 pages of notes on yellow pads" reminding me in the words of James Michener, "It is not just talent alone, but disciplined talent that makes for success." Taking the time to be prepared is half the battle, isn't it?

Although Helter Skelter was first written in 1974, more than 35 years ago, it is still very relevant. Why? As Vincent Bugliosi himself says in the book and I am paraphrasing here," The reasons behind the murders are so important to uncover because we do not want such a thing to happen again." That's true of all history, isn't it? Check out the book if you have the chance. It will teach you something, I promise you.

13 people found this helpful

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GC

This book gave me nightmares

Reviewed in Canada on June 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

I couldn't put it down. I finished it in 6 days. The writing was done in such a fantastic way that even though I knew the history of the case and what happened to all those involved already, reading the court case as it progressed still left me with feelings of anxiety.

If you're into true crime non fiction I recommend this book.

Bia Schulz

Ótimo livro do crime

Reviewed in Brazil on March 28, 2022

Verified Purchase

Esse livro fala sobre os assassinatos cometidos pela família Manson, no final dos anos 60 e início dos anos 70. Quem escreveu o livro foi Vincent Bugliosi, o advogado da acusação que conseguiu colocar os autores do crime na cadeia.

Bugliosi foi quem conseguiu reunir todas as provas que incriminavam Manson e seus seguidores, além de ser quem conseguiu convencer o júri da culpa dos assassinos e da forma como eles seguiam Manson como se fosse um Deus.

Os crimes cometidos pela família Manson chocou o mundo, na época, por ter sido tão brutal e as vítimas serem celebridades famosas.

Recomendo essa leitura para quem se interessa pela área de criminologia e para as pessoas que curtem ler true crime para saber mais ou por pura curiosidade.

5 people found this helpful

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mariana

Helter Skelter

Reviewed in Mexico on May 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

It's an amazing book until now. Because it describes you with many investigation details each case of The Family's murders. Definitely I recommend you as a good entertainment and to improve your English level.

verogagnon

Amazing book 👌🏻

Reviewed in Canada on October 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

Thanks!

Laure CHARPY

Best book ever !!

Reviewed in France on July 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

Ce livre est génial! J’ai eu beau chercher un maximum d’informations sur le procès, n’y a pas grand chose sur internet, et TOUT dans ce livre !
C’est agréable à lire et se lit rapidement (je ne lis habituellement jamais)

This book is amazing ! I usually never read but this book is full of information and well written . You will love it for sure . I took it in english ( even if I’m french ) and not bilingual, and it’s easy to read !
Buy it you won’t regret it worth !

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