Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi

 

 

Reviewed by Ben

 

Summary: an amazingly-detailed account of the Manson family murders, telling the history of the family, Manson's wild motive for the killings, and the exhausting journey of bringing the killers to justice.

 

I recently read Helter Skelter, the definitive account of the Manson Family saga, written by Vincent Bugliosi, who represented the State of California as prosecutor on the case. Before reading this book, I was only aware of some basic facts of the Manson family murders: that Charles Manson had not actually committed the murders himself, but instead had followers-over whom he had incredible control-which he commanded to do the deeds. Since Manson represented a major moment in the history of US popular culture, I wanted to know more. I was also in the mood for some true crime reading, so where better to start?

 

 Helter Skelter did not disappoint. The book pulled me in immediately, keeping me awake late into the night as I cruised through what was some pretty heavy reading, more than 600 pages crammed with details. I was enthralled by the wide span of the Manson family's activities, the bizarre nature of the cult leader's motive for the killings and the long, hard fight to bring the Manson family down.

 

First, I came into this book only knowing about the Sharon Tate murders. Bugliosi's account includes tons of details behind the Manson family's infamy, which-locally at the time-stemmed from various events and mysteries that preceded the well-known Tate murders. An auto theft ring. Various minor thefts and frauds. Breaking and entering as a way to practice entering homes undetected. Myriad threats to various people who stood between Manson and what he wanted. Other murders. Attempted murders. Kidnapping. Suspicious suicides. The Manson family was bad news, long before the killing spree that made them famous. The history of their exploits made for fascinating reading.

 

Another thing I didn't understand before reading Helter Skelter was the motive for the Tate murders. The story behind what drove Manson to send his followers on their deadly mission was wilder than I could have guessed. Born from Manson's white supremacist beliefs, god complex and jealousy of successful entertainers (Manson was a failed musician whose work was rejected by recording studios), Helter Skelter was the cult leader's vision of an apocalyptic race war that would upend the world order and see the Manson Family installed as the world's rulers. The only thing needed was a spark to start the conflagration, which Manson and his followers were to provide. Bugliosi sketched out the story behind Manson's grand plan and how he got there, revealing a twisted vision so strange that it might not go over well as fiction.

 

The last major piece of the book was Bugliosi's account of the legal proceedings against the Manson family. As brutal as the murders were, the odds were against the prosecution in many ways. Sloppy police work, uncooperative detectives, inter-departmental rivalries, lost evidence, unreliable witnesses, intimidation, a relentlessly-filibustering defense attorney and Manson's control over his co-defendants all came together in a way that made it a near-miracle the killers-and Manson himself-were brought to justice. Helter Skelter reads like a triumph of the American legal system, the bravery and skill of the prosecution prevailing over the shameless desperation of the defense and the terrifying tactics enacted by Manson family members who were still roaming free outside the courthouse.

 

Vincent Bugliosi's Helter Skelter is a must-read book. It serves as a comprehensive course on a dark chapter of American popular culture. The book also provides great insight into the workings of a murder investigation and court room procedures. Helter Skelter has a lot to offer.