Book Review: Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry
Judy Kramer
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I am an avid book reader. My genre of choice is true crime. I have an extensive library of true crime books. My reason for liking this type of book is quite simple. I find it extremely interesting trying 
to get into the psyche of the suspect or suspects. I find myself wondering why someone would kill another human being in cold blood. Are they truly sociopathic, a product of their environment, or is it a combination of a myriad of other things.
"Helter Skelter" by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry is, and always has been, a learning experience for me. I was twelve years old the first time I read it. I really didn't understand what was going on, but the genre of True Crime hooked me. And over the years, I've read this book countless times. I come away with something new and different every time I read it. With a subject like Charles Manson, one reading is not nearly enough to capture the depth of his depravity.
Bugliosi does an excellent job of describing the facts of the case, the fear of Los Angeles, and the entire country. As the prosecuting attorney assigned to try this case, he delivers his first hand knowledge with excellence.
Instead of interrogating Manson, Bugliosi draws him into conversations. He understands that Manson wants to tell his story in his own way. Bugliosi, with very little prodding, manages to draw out how truly sociopathic Charles Manson truly is. He peels away layers of Manson, but never quite reaches the core of Manson.
This book is not for the feint of heart. Bugliosi weaves a no-holds-barred rendition of the facts surrounding this horrific case. In many areas he uses Manson's exact words as Manson describes how he truly feels about his followers. He also describes the brutality of the crimes in vivid detail, leaving nothing to the reader's imagination. He does this to allow the reader to realize how vicious these people were.
"Helter Skelter" by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry is, and always has been, a learning experience for me. I was twelve years old the first time I read it. I really didn't understand what was going on, but the genre of True Crime hooked me. And over the years, I've read this book countless times. I come away with something new and different every time I read it. With a subject like Charles Manson, one reading is not nearly enough to capture the depth of his depravity.
Bugliosi does an excellent job of describing the facts of the case, the fear of Los Angeles, and the entire country. As the prosecuting attorney assigned to try this case, he delivers his first hand knowledge with excellence.
Instead of interrogating Manson, Bugliosi draws him into conversations. He understands that Manson wants to tell his story in his own way. Bugliosi, with very little prodding, manages to draw out how truly sociopathic Charles Manson truly is. He peels away layers of Manson, but never quite reaches the core of Manson.
This book is not for the feint of heart. Bugliosi weaves a no-holds-barred rendition of the facts surrounding this horrific case. In many areas he uses Manson's exact words as Manson describes how he truly feels about his followers. He also describes the brutality of the crimes in vivid detail, leaving nothing to the reader's imagination. He does this to allow the reader to realize how vicious these people were.