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Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders Kindle Edition

by Vincent Bugliosi (Author), Curt Gentry (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 7,765 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."

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Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the best crime stories ever written.

About the Author

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.

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

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00261OOXA
Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; Reprint edition (December 17, 2001)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 17, 2001
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1001 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 674 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #35,968 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #13 in Criminology (Kindle Store)
- #27 in Biographies of Serial Killers
- #56 in Criminology (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 7,765 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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Customers say

Customers find the book captivating and well-written. They appreciate the detailed information and thorough explanations provided by the author. The writing style is described as exceptional and talented. Many readers find the book interesting and compelling, making it a go-to source on the Manson family and murders. The book provides an in-depth look into the history of the group and its members. Overall, customers describe the book as an engaging read that keeps them hooked until the end.

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Readability Detail Writing quality Interest History of manson Pacing Scariness level Eye opening

413 customers mention "Readability"413 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They say it's a favorite read on the Manson case and one of the best true crime books. The story is straightforward and entertaining, with plenty of juicy details about the murders and the search for the killers.

"...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..." Read more

"Great book received in pristine condition. Well packaged and a great price." Read more

"...account of the Manson slayings, or are just looking for some good entertainment...." Read more

"...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." Read more

168 customers mention "Detail"157 positive11 negative

Customers find the book provides detailed information about the Manson murders and the trial. They appreciate the author's straightforward explanations and detailed coverage of the cases. The courtroom component is also praised as fascinating and unique.

"...task of sorting through hundreds of witnesses, several police department's participation, and reams of testimony while at the same time managing to..." Read more

"...It also gives detailed backgrounds of each of the victims, witnesses and the accused, as well as insights and speculation about Charles Manson and..." Read more

"...It is a very entertaining read and provides a lot of information that only Bugliosi and a handful of other people were privy to...." Read more

"...Physical evidence, witness statements, and paper trails are carefully presented and thoroughly dissected for the reader...." Read more

142 customers mention "Writing quality"131 positive11 negative

Customers find the book well-written and engaging. They praise the author's skill as a prosecutor, who presents the facts clearly and thoroughly. The book is described as an easy read that keeps readers hooked. Readers appreciate the author's straightforward approach and thorough account of both cases.

"...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..." Read more

"...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...." Read more

"...As anyone who has read any of Bugliosi's books, he has a pretty snarky writing style and is not shy about sharing his personal feelings about the..." Read more

"...and paper trails are carefully presented and thoroughly dissected for the reader...." Read more

35 customers mention "Interest"26 positive9 negative

Customers find the book compelling and detailed. They say it makes the Mindhunter show more interesting. Readers appreciate the depth without being melodramatic.

"...This well written novel will keep you engaged and it will be very hard to tear yourself away from it once you have begun...." Read more

"...From the prosecutor's point of view, it was interesting. It seemed a little redundant throughout, but nevertheless a good book...." Read more

"Always disarming to read a story like this; Hard to believe these people are real and a lot of them are older, but still on the loose...." Read more

"Love this book. I read it 20 years ago and it’s just as fascinating. However, I don’t see why it doesn’t include the photos...." Read more

30 customers mention "History of manson"26 positive4 negative

Customers find the book provides a comprehensive account of the Manson family and the murders it committed. It offers an insightful look into the mind of Charles Manson and his followers, as well as a detailed account of the Manson trials. Readers appreciate the book's factual chronicle of the events, providing a better understanding of Manson's childhood.

"...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...." Read more

"...witnesses and the accused, as well as insights and speculation about Charles Manson and the Family...." Read more

"...Without question it is the best insight into the mind of Charles Manson, his followers and their ideology, as would be expected from the man..." Read more

"...around Charles Manson, this book is still the foremost authority on the Manson Murders ever written...." Read more

30 customers mention "Pacing"22 positive8 negative

Customers find the book's pacing engaging. They appreciate the author's notes that provide an immersive experience. The story offers an interesting glimpse into a psychopath's mind and is described as a quick read for such a large volume.

"...but even if that isn’t your usual genre, this is a compelling read about a charismatic madman and the incredible influence he had, not only on his..." Read more

"...Lots of characters and all of them with at least two aliases...." Read more

"...This is done masterfully as the book is hefty but reads very quickly. Extremely interesting details are revealed throughout...." Read more

"...The book can drag in parts just because there are so many characters involved -- both at the heart of the story and on the periphery -- that at times..." Read more

55 customers mention "Scariness level"30 positive25 negative

Customers have different views on the book's scariness level. Some find it chilling and informative, avoiding gory details. Others describe it as frightening and gruesome, with some finding the subject matter disturbing.

"...It was compelling, terrifying, factual, and easy to follow despite being well over 500 pages in length...." Read more

"...not read this book yet, be forewarned...it is not only chilling and disturbing in its comprehensive outline of this killer cult, but you will find..." Read more

"...The story of this heart-wrenching murders is fascinating, disturbing, and mesmerizing...." Read more

"...to be good fiction it has to be somewhat believable and this story is just too far out." but it did happen in the year 1969...." Read more

38 customers mention "Eye opening"25 positive13 negative

Customers have different views on the book. Some find it engaging with interesting photos and background information about the murders. Others find the subject matter unappealing and the writing repetitive at times. Overall, opinions vary on whether the book is a good read or not.

"...For such a hefty tome, it goes by very quickly. Bugliosi’s style is intense, but highly readable...." Read more

"...Angeles Police Department in terms of its handling of evidence, its sloppy and lazy investigative techniques, and its indifference to..." Read more

"...What makes this book stand on its own is that it provides a glimpse of the case from the prosecutor's point of view...." Read more

"...Sharon Tate was young, beautiful and about to become a mother for the first time...." Read more

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Claudine Wolk
The Best True Crime Novel Of All Time
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2010
Verified Purchase
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.

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Amazon Customer Satisfied Ben
Another Great Christmas Gift
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2024
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Great book received in pristine condition. Well packaged and a great price.

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DG
Great Chronicle
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.

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9 people found this helpful

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Lauren Peterson
Part murder case, part courtroom drama. All Manson.
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
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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Top reviews from other countries

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Judy Lamb
Manson
Reviewed in Canada on November 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
Good books

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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.

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B-Squared
good product
Reviewed in India on December 16, 2024
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lovely book

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Kübra Shafaq-Zadah
Well written!
Reviewed in Germany on August 21, 2024
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A very good book! Highly recommend! This true crime case really sucks you in. Couldn’t put it down. Fascinating and disturbing at the same time. This is definitely a must read for true crime fans.

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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.

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Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders Kindle Edition

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