Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Both a fascinating and horrifying read, Vincent Bugliosi effectively portrayed the madness behind Manson's facade, as only someone intimately familiar with the case could. He was the prosecutor in this historical trial, and it showed. His attention to detail was extraordinary, and while providing all the necessary background information to ensure readers learn about this case, he also ensures that the terrifying truth of this movement and this man is brought to the fore. He draws excellent parallels and also speaks to the uniqueness of the Manson case, and the fear that it could happen again. (And his discussion of Fear, and Manson's beliefs, is, again, fascinating and scary.) I couldn't read this book at night, or I would have been up all night, but this is the most intense and truthful, bare bones true crime book I have read thus far, and written in an easy-to-understand way. Bugliosi doesn't make himself to be a hero, and doesn't seek to glorify Manson. He just shares the truth, as was his job in the courtroom, and he luckily succeeded.
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