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)

Thorough But Not Boring

For a book of this length, the author did an excellent job of managing to keep the story interesting while still being very thorough.I learned a lot of details about this case that I never knew before. It was interesting from beginning to end. This is a book that I will probably listen to a second time in order to pick up on details I might have missed during the first read. The narrator did an excellent job as well. #EvilGenius #Animal #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

A bit lengthy but worth the listen.

The narrator did an excellent job. It was a very thorough account from the prosecuting attorney's perspective.

Chilling

I've grown up hearing that Charles Manson was an evil, master manipulator, but I never knew to what extent. The testimonies made me physically sick.

Scott brick's narration style is perfect for this type of work. I listened to his In Cold Blood performance before this and knew that he would be great.

I would recommend it to others, but I don't think I could ever listen to it again. I had issues going to bed in my apartment alone while listening to this.

Omg

It was so detailed. it helped me learn about Manson, it was so crazy, it's hard to believe it's real.

Story is better than the book

It's a compelling story, but there is an underlying arrogance to the author that is off-putting. The author also wastes too much time on the smallest of details and rehashing the same points over and over. It could have been and should have been a shorter book. Still, it's a thorough accounting of a fascinating true story.

Not to be missed for true crime fans!

One of the most thorough True crime books I've ever encountered. The depth of research and what went into prosecuting the Manson family is exceptional.

History rocks!!

I first read this book years ago. This story is creepy, fascinating, amazing, horrifying and TRUE!! Highly recommend.

Read this when it first came out. I am so glad I g

Read this when it first came out. So glad I got it because of the updates on what the Manson Family and people involved with them are doing now or up to the late 90's. Always wondered. I went to San Francisco because of Scott McKenzie song and was blessed I didn't run into the family because I was like the girls that joined the pied Piper of hell.

They don’t come any better than this.

I was on the fence about buying this to listen to because I had read it when it first came out, and I know the story so well. Boy oh boy did I make the right choice. I couldn’t stop listening. The story was brilliantly written and the narrator was pitch perfect.

I was 10 years old when this was happening.

I was too young to know what was going on and thankfully my parents protected me from the hideous reality that might have adversely affected me. I am now 58, and I currently work (completely coincedence) in the Independence courthouse in which he was initially arraigned. Because of that history, I decided to listen to the book. I was riveted!! This book was extraordinary well written. Manson was a bad man capable of many bad things... and, it was fantastic how the story put it all together.