I've read Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders and some other books about Manson years ago, but this one has definitely been the best. It delves more into his actual history, including interviews with people that had never talked to journalists before, as well as the history of the United States at that time. I've heard the theory before that Charlie was just a product of his time, but I believe, like the author, that he could've done just as much damage no matter when or where he was. He would've just changed his message to fit that time and place, finding new people to manipulate to his own ends. Reading about how he was an entirely different person to nearly everyone he came in contact with just shows what a master manipulator he truly was/is.

This was a great book, with some surprises to a case that I thought I knew inside and out already. Some new details blew my mind, though they totally make sense when you think about them. I suppose it took some time passing and serious digging by the author (which he details at the end of the book) to uncover new details that were passed over by authorities or never revealed before, but it made for a very interesting and fresh read on a not-new subject.

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