Play Book Tag discussion

It's been over fifty years since one of the most famous murder trials in history occurred. I was a teenager when the news exploded that actress Sharon Tate and her friends had been brutally murdered in their home in Hollywood. Long before the days of social media, most people in America followed this story in their newspapers every day. With the arrest of Charles Manson and his "Family" the frenzy of interest grew even more. There was the disquieting implication that no degree of privilege can keep madness from stopping at your door.

This book is primarily a prosecutor’s view of the complex case and attempts to document the most comprehensive account of the murders, the investigation, the trials, and the aftermath of the case.

"Helter Skelter” was Manson’s name for a racial Armageddon in which black people rise up and take control of society. Because they’ve been oppressed for so long, Manson felt that they would not be able to rule for long, so they would turn over the reins of power to him. Manson and his cult would survive Helter Skelter because they would be hiding in a bottomless pit out in the desert. Right......

One of the things I was unaware of was the incredibly sloppy police investigation. The next night another brutal murder occurred at the LaBianca residence, that was remarkably similar. One was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department and the other by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office. These two entities investigated the murders separately and it took them weeks to compare notes and come to the conclusion that the same people carried out both sets of murders. The gun used in the Tate murders was found the next day by a young boy, and was never examined.

One of the intriguing parts of the story was that the Beach Boys’ drummer and one of the band’s founding Wilson brothers, Dennis, hung out with Charles Manson. He was interested in recording some of Charlie's music, but soon became terrified of Manson and severed ties, refusing to testify at the trial.

Another fascinating part of the story was about Family member Linda Kasabian. She was along on both nights of murder but did not participate in the slaughter. Her testimony for the prosecution gave first hand knowledge of everything that happened that night.

I like to watch True Crime on television and every now and then there is an update on the three women who committed bloodshed for Charles Manson, Bugliosi makes the case that these women had something seriously wrong with them long before they hooked up with a crazy madman. All three of them invited evil. They wanted it, relished it, and to appease Charlie, they willingly expelled all that was decent and moral. Two of them are still alive and after being denied parole numerous times, they have recently been approved. They are both over 70, and presumably no longer a threat to society, but their actions and attitudes during their trial make it easier to see why, even though they have been recommended for parole, both Governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom have vetoed it.

Rather than a dry, journalistic recounting of the events, Helter Skelter was detailed and insightful, as equally fascinating as it was horrifying. It may be a bit dated, but thanks to the internet, everything you want to know about these murders is right at your fingertips. It's a long book, but I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about these infamous murders.

Loved this when I read it as a teenager. I should read it again!

I read this in my late teens, when I first moved out on my own. My roommate was out one night and I was curled on the couch, under the window reading. She came home and saw me through the window ( did not see her) and she started banging on the window to scare me-she succeeded!

Great review Oliver

LibraryCin wrote: "Loved this when I read it as a teenager. I should read it again!"

It was just as good as the first time, plus the added benefit of being able to Google some extra information.

Joanne wrote: "I read this in my late teens, when I first moved out on my own. My roommate was out one night and I was curled on the couch, under the window reading. She came home and saw me through the window ( ..."

That's so funny. I can remember reading it the first time. I was relaxing in the bathtub with it and my husband kept making noises and scratching at the door to scare me. I guess it's just not a book you can read for relaxation.

I singlehandedly blame this book for getting me into reading true crime.

Have you seen Once Upon a Time in Hollywood? it offers a new and different look at these events. with a different outcome. Creative!

I read this as a teen and liked it; I was a child when this happened so don't really remember much about it when it was in the news. My parents bought the book so I decided to read it later on.

I read this ages ago also - when it first came out in PB. I can still picture the cover. I was 22 when this happened and so was very aware of the news. I'm interested now that time has passed about picking up Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Thanks Shelly, I'll check it out. Which title/author is it?

Barbara M wrote: "I read this ages ago also - when it first came out in PB. I can still picture the cover. I was 22 when this happened and so was very aware of the news. I'm interested now that time has passed about..."

Its the movie with Brad and Leo

Shelly wrote: "Its the movie with Brad and Leo.."

Oh, I get it! I thought it was a book - not a movie. Thanks, I'll check it out.

Love LOVED Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Also watched a movie called 'Charlie Says' this weekend- focuses on Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten after they were sentenced (with flashbacks to how Leslie Van Hooten came into the Mason Family, and her time there), and a PHD student who listened to their stories, and advocated for them as victims. She later wrote the book The Long Prison Journey of Leslie Van Houten: Life Beyond the Cult.