Charles Manson Now

I bought this book after listening to an interview with the author on True Murder (a Podcast by Dan Zupansky). I was interested to hear more on Charles Manson, and the way that Marynick presented the story, it seemed to have a humanizing side to it; I am fascinated with why the human mind turns the way it does. I've listened to Helter Skelter and had the prosecutor's view, but not the view of "Charlie" himself.

I have to admit, the book itself is not fully gripping. The most interesting parts to me were when Charlie's descriptions and concepts were aired. Hearing some of his letters, and some of his conversations with Marynick had me rewinding the audibook to re-listen and then contemplate his meaning and frame of mind. For that aspect, the book is worth it. Charlie is a very strange man indeed, with "far out" concepts that are fascinating to listen to.

Regarding the quality of the read - the narrator had a pleasant enough voice (one I would consider Canadian), but flubbed throughout the book. He would catch up on words, and then go back to start the sentence again. At first I thought my app was somehow faulty and occasionally skipping, but alas, it was the narrator actually going back to re-start his sentence.

Overall - I say listen to the podcast interview with Marynick - it has about as much information in it (if not more about some of his personal encounters with Manson during visits) as the book. If you still find a need for more information, go ahead and give it a try.

Marynick doesn't ask the tough questions of Manson's followers that would put the public's fascination with the serial killer into perspective. Instead - with absolutely NO sense of irony - he marvels about how they are all such great, insightful, sensitive people. His own experience as a psychiatric nurse doesn't appear to have given him any insight into the fact that Manson is a manipulative killer, and that his "ingenious" thoughts are delusional rambling. Give this book a miss ?????? read Vincent Bugliosi 's "Helter Skelter" instead.

Disapointing. No new insights (as implied) to Charles Manson. He is still a celebrity, now manipulating the media for postage stamps. (used as inmate currency). Marlin promised a lot more, delivered a lot less. It is still the same old worn out story-Charles Manson is being victimized by the rest of the world. Only in the U.S. can this monster live in a penthouse and continue using people like Mr. Marynick to further his agenda. So now Manson is a tree hugger. How lame. The writing is disconnected with no real point aside from describing the butality of living behind bars. Should I congradulate Mr. Maynick for his hard work and writing journalistic savvy in getting an interview with Manson or Mr. Manson for his manipulating another writer into presenting Manson's human side? I do not reccomend this piece of crap and insist on a refund. A one star rating is being generous.

Maybe a better reader

Felt like he used Manson's name to further his career. Told Manson that the book would be about quotes from different people, felt like this was a dishonest way to make a buck.

Very stilted way of talking--odd accent

The author seemed like a heel

It's hard to imagine that Charles Manson and his family plan still fascinate us and captivate us nearly 50 years after the horrible murders that they committed. But it's true, there is such a fascination with people who do something so far out of the imagination, that the human mind is has trouble grasping it. I find myself being riveted to every documentary/book/movie that comes out about the Manson family for the same reasons.

This audio book is no exception, as the author does a masterful job in retelling the tale is been told so many times throughout the years. Manson was just up for parole recently, and of course he was denied… thank goodness. Actually, after all the years he spent behind prison walls, there's no way that he could never adapt to society again anyway.

So he goes on be in a figment of our imaginations, a real-life bogeyman that none of us hope we never have to encounter in our own lives.

For anyone who's a fan of the macabre, the brutal evil side of life, this book is for you.

Over 2 hrs into this and the author is pissing me off. If I wanted an auto biography of some ordinary man with homosexual tendencies I wouldn't have wasted a credit on this.
I just finished Helter Skelter that was well written and executed and this is a total let down.
I am fascinated with Charles Mansons mind, as is this writter....maybe I should write a book that ppl can waste their money on......
Trying to keep the faith that this gets better but so far it's a big FAIL.

Great book not only about Charles Manson. Must read for any Crime Fan.The author talk about author Serial killer also collecting serial killer art and the influences of the Satanic Church .You will learn about the author Marlin Marynick is fascination whit Serial killer from Charles Manson to Tommy Lynn Sell .Great chapter about the Satanic Church.