Helter Skelter- The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi

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Web ID: 15623650

The #1 True Crime Bestseller of All Time-7 Million Copies SoldIn 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."

  • Product Features

    • Suggested age range- Adult
    • Format- Paperback
    • Product dimensions- 5.4" W x 8.1" H x 1.2" D
    • Genre- True crime
    • Publisher- Norton, W. W. and Company, Inc., Publication date- 12-17-2001
    • Page count- 736
    • ISBN- 9780393322231

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Ratings & Reviews

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4 years ago
from Dubuque, IA

Part murder case, part courtroom drama. All Manson

Part murder case, part courtroom drama. All Manson. There’s no doubting those that claim Helter Skelter: The True Story of The Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry is one of the best true crime books ever written. It was compelling, terrifying, factual, and easy to follow despite being well over 500 pages in length. The book follows the murders spearheaded by Charles Manson that took place in Los Angeles in the summer 1969. Starting with the morning after the Tate murders, the book outlines the step by step process from murder to trial to post-trial. It also gives detailed backgrounds of each of the victims, witnesses and the accused, as well as insights and speculation about Charles Manson and the Family. The book ends with an afterward written twenty five years post-trial with updates on nearly all people introduced in the book. The book started in third person with the introduction of the murder case up until the case was handed to Vincent Bugliosi to prosecute. From there, it’s a first person perspective from the attorney. I listened to it on audio narrated by Scott Brick and was so immersed that I picked up the hard copy to read as well. Even now, fifty years later, the crimes and murderers who committed them left me terrified. The book went over tons of details I was unaware of despite my familiarity with the crime. I found the courtroom component fascinating and felt it gave this book a unique edge over so many others out there—especially since it was written by Bugliosi himself. It is by far the best true crime book I’ve ever read and one that any true crime fan needs to read in his or her lifetime.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

4 years ago
from Fort Worth, Texas

Great read!

For quite a lengthy book, I breezed through this! A real page turner and easily the best book to read on the entirety of the Manson saga. Bugliosi draws attention to details, especially during the court case -- really takes you through the mind and intentions of a trial lawyer tied to one of the most complex cases in criminal history. Would easily recommend to a fan of the true crime genre!

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

5 years ago

Engrossing

“FILM STAR, 4 OTHERS DEAD IN BLOOD Sharon Tate Victim In “Ritual” Murders The headlines dominated the front pages of the afternoon papers, became the big news on radio and TV. The bizarre nature of the crime, the number of victims, and their prominence—a beautiful movie star, the heiress to a coffee fortune, her jet-set playboy paramour, an internationally known hair stylist—would combine to make this probably the most publicized murder case in history, excepting only the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Even the staid New York Times, which rarely reports crime on its front page, did so the next day, and many days thereafter.” Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi tells the story of the Manson family murders committed by the cult led by Charles Manson. The book was fascinating, and strange. The more I read the more questions I had and still have about this case. I tend to agree with the author that this case and Charles Manson will continue to be examined for decades and we will probably never have a complete understanding. Maybe this kind of darkness should never really be understood. The book itself could get really overwhelming and bogged down in details. And honestly i think the story might have been more comprehensible without so many of the minute details written. Overall the book was engrossing though and I give it 4 stars.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

5 years ago
from New York, NY

Chilling

A true story of the Manson murders written by the prosecuting attorney. This is THE book to read if you are interested in the infamous cult leader and his followers.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com