Helter Skelter

The True Story of the Manson Murders

By: Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 26 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the 20th century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Now available for the first time in unabridged audio, the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime is brought to life by acclaimed narrator Scott Brick.

©1974 Curt Gentry and Vincent Bugliosi, Afterword 1994 by Vincent Bugliosi (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“One of the best crime stories ever written.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

What a story, so sad that it is all TRUE!

If you enjoy true crime, this is a must listen. Scott Brick does a great narration, as he always does. This story gives new meaning to the saying, "Truth is stranger than fiction." Charles Manson, of course, is still in prison in California. Many of the remaining persons involved in these crimes are still living, too. This is a shocking story and the author calls Manson the most frightening murderer in American history. Listen to the story and see if you agree.

Fascinating and timely in light of the Boston Mara

I hope the prosecutors handling the Boston Marathon Bombing trial have listened to this. This is a fascinating story of true crime, investigation and legal procedure. I strongly advise you to spend your credits and time on this book.

Detailed look into Manson trial

Always wondered what it was all about. This book delivers a methodical and complete walkthrough of the Manson Family and the Manson trial. The author, Bugliosi, comes off as incredibly thorough and diligent. Manson comes off as a crazy person. Well work the read.

Excellent timeline!

This book keeps me awake every night while I wait to hear an even more disgusting fact about this case. I was only ten years old when this happened and the news was so much less forthcoming of the facts. I remember feeling disgusted that an actress had her baby stripped from her stomach while being brutelly murdered, but that didn't really happen at all. I wanted to read the facts of the story as an adult, so I could try to understand what really happened. It's really a gut wrenching portrayal of the real murders and amazing how the people committing these murders can be so brainwashed.

Manson was a true serial killer and bought his due reward. If you have a weak stomach, you might want to read the book, so you can skip some of the gory details.

I would recommend this book for anyone that wants to know the real inside story of what happened to these innocent people. The timeline keeps you on track, while you try to understand and grasp the whole situation.

Little to long and drawn out.

Any additional comments?

This book was good and was interesting but the only problem I had was that it was a little to long and drawn out, it could have been condensed to about 15-18 hrs. There was just a lot of detail, a little to much for me, but if you're a person who really likes crime books and law and a lot of detail this ones for you. The narrator was what bothered me the most, I read another book, "devil in the white city," narrated buy Scott and if I would have noticed that he did this book I probably would not have got it. I thinks its just the tone of voice he reads it in but the whole time he reads it and ends the sentences, paragraphs, and chapters as if there is some big shock or surprise coming up or some big plot twist and, spoiler alert, theres not. The story is like a documentary and is straight forward with most of the information but he reads it as if is some fiction book and has all these hidden surprises.

Evil controller

It amazes me how Manson was able to have followers that would die or kill for him. Sad they chose him to follow.

Helter Skelter

Great read. Quite lengthy, but well detailed. Learned things I never knew about the case. Definitely an education, despite the horrific circumstances involved.

Manson's Marxist Exploitation of Blacks

Manson envisioned himself as a Marxist exploiter of Blacks who would overthrow whites in California and turn the reigns of government to the grateful Blacks.

Unable to manage the Government the Blacks would ultimately return the government back to Manson.

This is the insanity Manson thought was his destiny.

Read how the many tortuous murders he inspires from his peace movement socialist hippie followers terrorized the San Francisco free love environment and brought an end to the Summer of Love across America.

This classic Mansion book exposed the False Peace of the Hippie-led counter-culture Peace Movement from the Sixties and Seventies

Scary inside story!

This is the 2nd book I have listened to regarding the Manson family murders. This one being even better than the first! I was only 1 yr old when this all went down, so the only thing I ever knew was that Manson was a bad, bad man. These two books have opened my eyes to his unbelievable insanity!! He had the right tools at the right time in life to control these people and WOW.

Second book I have listened to that has Scott Brick as narrator & thoroughly enjoy listening to him. He brings the story to life & makes it easy to listen non-stop.

A Nightmare Relived

What did you love best about Helter Skelter?

Incredible detail to the characters - especially Manson and his merry crew. The book carefully takes you step by step through every moment through the murders, the aftermath, the inept and stupid LAPD, the trial(s) and ponderous legal system. Bugloisi is a master story teller as well as an excellent attorney.

Any additional comments?

I remember being in LA that summer and taking the bus in downtown during the Manson trial. I still recall seeing the skinny little Family girls out on the street corner supporting Charlie with the swastikas carved into their foreheads.