Rating: 
Summary: A Graphic Documentation of the Deaths that Ended the 60s
Review: The late 60s were full of destruction, rebellion and the end of the optimism and the idealism that America was almost attached to. Then the Manson family kills 8 people, which symbolizes the darker side to the hippie/LSD/youth culture lifestyle.
Vincent Bugliosi was Manson's attorney during his infamous trial. Here he documents every shred of evidence and every detail which went into the ghastly homicide, and the trial itself, which resulted in Manson and 3 members of his family (Sadie, Lulu, and Patricia) being convicted of murder and sentenced to death, which was later turned into life in prison, due to California's abolishment of the death penalty in early 1970.
This also gives an unbiast view of Charlie's life (by the time he was 32, he spent 17 years in jail), his aspirations to become a rockstar, the members of his "Family," why he and his family committed the murders, and, probably the most interesting yet odd part of the book, Manson's rather religious, dogmatic and supposedly prophetic interpretation of the Beatles' double-LP "The White Album." It is complete with rather bizarre lyrical references from the people he was after (the "Piggies") the revolt that blacks were going to plan against whites (The lyrics to "Blackbird" describe "Helter Skelter," which meant that blacks were going to destroy whites, led by "Rocky Racoon, who, strangely would be a 'coon,' not to be racist"), the Beatles as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (The avant-garde sound effects of "Revolution 9", and how the 5th 'horseman' was actually Stuart Sutcliffe, who was in the group but died of a brain hemmorhage in 1962), and how the Beatles were planning to sail across the Atlantic to make Charlie a rockstar (The lyrics to "Honey Pie," 'I'm in love but I'm lazy,' meaning that the Beatles were supposedly interested in Charlie but were too lazy to sail across the Atlantic to California to meet him). It's rather strange and laughable at the same time.
It also gives the viewpoint of Manson himself, with interviews, quotes, press releases and biographical information. His comments about Richard Nixon condemning him as a guilty man, while Nixon sends young men to Vietnam to get killed, was particularly interesting.
It's a very long, detailed account about the murders that would mark the end of an era, and one of the most notorious crimes in history. A book highly recommended for anyone interested in law, or anyone remotely interested in the Manson cult and/or ideology.
Rating: 
Summary: Good
Review: A good book written by the prosecutor. But Bugliosi had a case to win. Get A CAPOTE READER and read the piece "And It All Came Down" to read a somewhat alternate version on why the murders happened.
Rating:
Summary: Best true crime book that will scare the hell out of you
Review: I have read this book twice. I actually have the 1978 1st edition of the book, so I need to get the new updated one. But all is the same anyway, same contents, just with a new afterward by Vincent from what I see in the discription here...P>Vincent Bugliosi's book tells the REAL TALE of what happened on August 9th 1969. There are alot of wish washy books out there on this case, but the authors tend to add a little spice to the real story. Not Vincent. His book is 100% accurate.I did enjoy the book. It did literally scare the hell out of me. Could not sleep well after reading about the murders. The photo archives in the book is exellent! You really felt like you were there with Vincent trying to break the case. I don't think this book will ever go out of print. It is literally the best true crime book of all time and I recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent written account of the Tate/Labianco Murders
Review: Excellent Book! I literally had to tear myself away from this book at the end of each day. A terrifying, frightening look into the "Manson Family" and the murders that they committed. Truly a wonderful work of art. Too often true crime books focus soley on the killer and spend little or no time talking about the victims. I believe that Bugliosi and Gentry didn't forget the victims in this story, and portrayed them as they really were. The good and the bad. Definitely worth it to pick up this book!
Rating:
Summary: A true account of the Manson Family and Tate-LaBianca Murder
Review: I had this book since I was sixteen and have read and re-read and watched the movie. This book is what got me into studying Serial Killers (and how they became what they were). I've studied the Manson case extensively and come away with different opinion of them each time (all of them not good). Essentially, all the Manson Family was, was a bunch of kids aged 15-28, all runaways that joined up with and let themselves be brainwashed by 5'2" Charles Manson. I think Susan Atkins once said he had the voice of an angel. Between 1967-1969 Charles was preaching to his followers how he wanted to start a race war ... his version of "Helter Skelter" and that the Beatles were urging him to do it through the White Album. (How demented is this man?) In 1969, Manson got tired of waiting and told his followers that the population needed a little help in starting Helter Skelter. So he sent out Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkle and Linda Kasabian (the only one with a valid driver's license and snitch) to a house he knew about in the Hills (10050 Cielo Drive). There in the early morning hours, Sharon Tate's "Love House" (rented from Doris Day's son Terry Melcher and owned by director Rudi Altobelli) went from "Love House" to Slaughterhouse as Sharon and each of her 3 friends and a bystander (Folger, her boyfriend Frykowski, Sebring and Parent) were brutally and horrifically killed. Sharon was 8-1/2 months pregnant with her first child from her husband, director Roman Polanski. The next night, Charles said it was too messy and he went along and brought along Leslie Van Houten. There a couple who owned a grocery store chain were killed in the same horrific way. In both residences the "Family" printed words on the walls and doors, including misspellings, with towels with the victims blood. "Helter Skelter" is the story written by the Prosecuting Attorney, Vincent Bugliosi. He and his assistant investigated, and tried the four murderers in a California Federal Court and got the death penalty for each one for the Tate-LaBianca killings. Today, the main people in the Manson Family (including the 1st in command Squeaky Fromme for trying to kill President Ford). In 1972 the death penalty in California was abolished and the Manson Family's sentences got commuted to Life. The Death Penalty was reinstated in 1973 or '74. Every now and then you'll hear about a Manson Family member come up for Parole and being denied. Most recently as (5/23/2002) Leslie Van Houten (participated in LaBianca murder) has come up for Parole and been denied, and now she thinks she has been unjustly denied Parole after all these years. The woman stabbed a person 13 times! And she wants a parole! Current California Governor Gray Davis won't allow it.
Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Portrait of Pure Evil and Stupidity
Review: I have read numerous fictional crime stories that are interesting and readable, but Helter Skelter has them beat by a long shot! It is just plain engrossing in every way, and written wonderfully. It also puts the American Criminal Justice System under the microscope to a certain extent, and the portrait is not flattering! To call the U.S. Justice System a joke would be generous, considering the incessant abuse allowed by one of the defense attorneys and Manson himself, all in the name of constitutional rights and freedoms!! The portrait of Manson, the person (if you can call him that), is downright disturbing. ... In conclusion, I can't recommend this book highly enough, as long as you've got the stomach for it.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent written account of the Tate/Labianco Murders
Review: Excellent Book! I literally had to tear myself away, and put the book down every once in a while. I've read the book at least 1/2 dozen times, and each time I see things in a new and different light. A terrifying, frightening look into the "Manson Family" and the murders they committed. Too often true crime books focus solely on the killer and spend little or no time talking about the victims lives. I believe that Bugliosi and Gentry didn't forget the victims in this story, and portrayed them as they really were. The good and the bad. This classic is definitely worth it! Pick up this book!
Rating:
Summary: Are my windows locked?
Review: This book drew me in to the point that I found myself watching my open window across the room, fully expecting an intruder as I read! Chilling! Read it alone at night with your windows open....I dare you!
Rating: 
Summary: This is NOT the true story of the Manson Murders!!!
Review: This book is well written and highly detailed but it cannot be farther from the truth. Mr. Bugliosi's "Helter Skelter's" theory is just laugh out funny, plainly ridiculous. This is Bugliosi's story, not Charlie's. The biggest mistake you can make is buy bugliosi's story of the events and believe Charlie as the mastermind of the killings. But I won't lie, I couldn't put this book down. It would've been great if it were true, but it's not.
Rating:
Summary: Good for the story itself, not the writing
Review: This book is endlessly fascinating because the Manson story is endlessly fascinating and because Bugliosi (the prosecutor) and Curt Gentry (the real writer) manage to avoid sensationalism. But it's really a pedestrian work, eminently readable, but nowhere near the level of Capote (In Cold Blood) or Mailer (The Executioner's Song).
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