The Last Charles Manson Tapes

Evil Lives Beyond the Grave

By: Dylan Howard, Andy Tillett

Narrated by: David Linski, Kristoffer Tabori, Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Fifty years after the Sharon Tate/LaBianca murders, a new and terrifying investigation into the modern rebirth of Charles Manson's killer family

Perhaps the most notorious American murderer of the 20th century, Charles Manson's legacy extends far beyond his horrific crimes. As the wild-eyed, swastika-tattooed, nightmarishly charismatic leader of the Manson Family, he was convicted of the brutal killings of nine people in 1971, including the Tate-LaBianca murders of seven in Los Angeles over two hot August nights in 1969.

He spent the rest of his life in prison, and for the next 50 years preached his twisted philosophies from jail, attracting a whole new batch of freaks to his way of thinking.

In The Last Charles Manson Tapes, authors Dylan Howard and Andy Tillett examine the Manson legacy. With brand new interviews with those closest to him, including Manson's heirs, friends and followers, experts and historians, and hours of exclusive transcripts of Manson's own manic preachings from his prison cell, you'll get to view a side of this serial killer few have ever seen.

Manson's passing in 2017 has sparked into action a new generation of killer disciples, obsessed with the evil slaying spree he ordered and determined to carry on his "Helter Skelter" vision of an apocalyptic war. With the author's on-the-ground investigation, learn how the man once described as "the most dangerous man in America" may yet live up to that name.

©2019 Dylan Howard (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

A mixed bag

Most of this book reads like a condensed version of Helter Skelter, with little new to offer. However, there is a bit of interesting new info about the various appeals hearings that have taken place in recent years.

The choice to use an Aussie narrator to tell this decidedly American story is strange, especially since he continuously mispronounces Vincent Bugliosi’s name. For the most part, he's okay. But the final chapter, an interview with Manson, is nearly impossible to get through. It’s acted out like a play, with the “actor” portraying Manson prattling on in an exaggerated Southern accent that sounds like Foghorn Leghorn.

It’s a book, not a drama. You can just read it.

really didn't hear anything ground breaking

I really thought this was going to be in Charles Manson's last word. I understand we do hear more about his sons, etc. I wish there was more about his last words, wished it was longer.