Leslie W. (kyyadifan) -
This book was okay. I was disappointed in how slow it was. I will say it's a very detailed account of his life from birth to...well, I didn't finish it. I got bored and moved to something else. It was too detailed really and I felt like it dragged. Sorry Jeff Guinn, but Helter Skelter is still my #1 favorite true crime novel.
Jennifer P. (ped1990) reviewed Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson on + 70 more book reviews
This book contained a lot of information that I had not heard previously, despite the many documentaries and books already written. It was not a very fast-moving book, as it contained a lot of information, but I found it to be quite fascinating. It's hard to believe that people like Charles Manson exist and that there are people willing to follow them. This book will leave you with chills long after reading it.
Marissa A. (penfold) -
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.
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.
Charles Manson was one of the biggest manipulators of people that probably ever lived. I would certainly put him on a scale with Jim Jones. And this behavior started when he was very young, about the age of 5. Not the most intelligent, book-wise, people, but grew up figuring out how to make people bend to his will.
This book was written before Charles Manson died in 2017, so the last few years of his life are not really included. Though I am sure that Charlie was still the same for the remaining years.
I think it is sad that he was given a peaceful ending, nothing like the victims of his and his Family's murderous doings.
This book was written before Charles Manson died in 2017, so the last few years of his life are not really included. Though I am sure that Charlie was still the same for the remaining years.
I think it is sad that he was given a peaceful ending, nothing like the victims of his and his Family's murderous doings.
