Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 The wish of Roman Polanski ... September 4, 2005
1 out of 24 found this review helpful
When Roman Polanski published his Mcbeth film, everyone wrote, the sombre of this film is due to the just suffered experience of the Manson massacre. That will probably be correct. He went through thus something. Not only that his highly pregnant woman was murdered and, besides, some of his friends: The gossip press in Hollywood at first assumed that the Polanski-scene necessarily had caused such an outrage, considering their drug abuse and their sexual liberality. Short-said: The victims are responsible themselves in this murder scenery. Thankfully Polanski points in his autobiography "ROMAN" to the author Vincent Bugliosi, who has investigated the things criminological correctly. Polanski complains very much, that the absolutely disoriented speculations of the press - Newsweek, Times, Life magazine - would never have experienced a regret, a reply, a taking back. He wishes heart-felt, that many people make themselves with the book of Vincent Bugliosi, finally, a correct conception of the Manson "Family" - the word "Family" Polanski (very much justified in this case) sets always in quotation marks...
 Well written story of an extraordinary set of crimes August 10, 2004
Richard Bach
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
For those who enjoy true crime, this is one hell of a story. Manson is a terrible antihero who is iconic in history. The book is well and intelligently written and it is very interestingly told by a prosecutor who was able to play an important role in Manson's demise. The fact that the narrator had a personal stake in the outcome of the case makes a big difference from other books of the genre. The book misses out on five stars because the narrator is a little too vain from time to time. I had the impression that Manson's defence was so shambolic that a monkey could have successfully prosecuted him. This is not a point that the narrator takes into consideration.
Unforgettable May 4, 2004
Mr. A. N. Wood (Rushden, Northants United Kingdom)
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
This book is a fascinating, if disturbing, read from the first to the last word. It is written in a way that makes the courtroom section easy to understand even if you are not used to the American legal system.Mr. Bugliosi was part of an historic trial, the book shows that he was aware of this, but not prepared to let it shape how he behaved or what he did. I would recommend this book to anyone, it will chill and amaze you, and make you realise that there are people out there willing to fight the evil that exists. They will go one step further in order to keep the world safe for the rest of us even when those assigned to work with them don't always have the same ideals or sense of urgency.
a thundering good read January 26, 2002
brothersoflove@hotmail.com (UK)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
This is the definitive account of the longest trial in American legal history. Four persons: Charles Manson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, are sentenced to death for the murders of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Voytek Frykowski, Stephen Parent, Leno La Bianca and Rosemary La Bianca. The crimes, collectively known as the Tate/La Bianca murders took place in Los Angeles in August 1969. Vincent Bugliosi's work is both focussed and orderly and he scores highly in bringing a convoluted and at times incompetent enquiry to the reader in a totally believable account. Stretching to 664 pages, some might consider the work too long winded but the story certainly licks along at a good pace. The lion's share of the time is given over to a day by day, blow by blow account detailing the court proceedings. These accounts are so good that in places you can believe yourself to be in the public gallery and can feel the tension and horror as this macabre tale unfolds.
The crimes, which rocked America in the late 60's and early 70's, are truly horrific. Bugliosi does not shy away from revealing the cold, callous and detached nature of each defendant; none of whom show the slightest remorse for their barbaric actions. Neither too are we sheltered from the abundant stabbings, shootings, hangings, and mutilations. There are ample official statements, legal examinations, cross-examinations and personal conversations to satisfy even the most curious. The reader's inclusion 'in the court' so to speak, might for some readers prove too much, but by a combination of thoroughness, attention to detail and style the author takes us into the bizarre world of Charles Manson.
He is a 'wannabe' but unsuccessful musician, drug user and, for more than half of his life, a frequenter of numerous penitentiaries. He is the self-styled guru of 'The Family' where most of the members are young, impressionable runaways. Lost, lonely and anti-establishment they, by numerous avenues end up at Manson's door. Most are female, most claim to be in love with Manson, most claim he possesses special power or is the embodiment of Christ or Satan (terms Manson uses of himself). The late 60's mix of sex, free love and drugs are used to full effect and, more often than not, the girls are used to attract new recruits. In turn, through a dangerous cocktail of charisma, fear and violence, added to delusionary interpretations brought on by 'hidden' meaning in a number of the Beatles songs, Manson creates a dependency upon himself and his words. In short - he controls their thoughts, actions and lives, but as Bugliosi shows they are willing participants in this 'game'.
Crucial to the prosecution's case is the motive for the murders - Helter Skelter. Through his interpretation of the Beatles lyrics, his predisposition to violence, his anti-establishment and racism, Manson attempts to kick-start a race war in America. To realise this goal, white 'pigs', as he calls them, must be sacrificed. The culmination of this 'Armageddon' will ultimately benefit Manson and the 'Family' as they will assume control over the reins of power and government. The killings are random and brutal and, in spite of the bizarre nature of the motive, Bugliosi brings the full horror of this tragic episode in American history to the reader in a cogent, believable and professional manner.
If the book has a down side it would be that the real comparisons between Charles Manson and Adolf Hitler are pretty tenuous, Bugliosi's frequent portrayal of himself in the, 'I'm always right' camp, gets a bit irritating and the use of aliases with some of the main players in the 'Family' can get confusing at times. That said, for any true crime buffs out there who like their reading material to be a real mix of the gruesome and the legal, this book is a must.
Best book on Manson May 30, 2001
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is the book the Mansonites don't want you to read. You might not be aware but there are Manson Family advocates out there running a website and music and books and videos hailing Manson as a hero. This is the book they hate because it exposes Manson's true evil. This is an excellent book which though lengthy, reads like a fast paced detective adventure.
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